How to Spend your Layover at Seville Airport
Sevilla Airport is a small aviation hub. Thus, the provided services -although top-rated- are limited. Still, if you plan your layover at Seville Airport properly, you’ll get to enjoy every minute of the waiting time there. Depending on the available time frame (Do you have a long stopover ahead of you? Is your layover quite short?), you can check the top things to do at Seville Airport:
Things to Do at Seville Airport (Short Layovers)
During a short layover at Seville Airport, you’ll have to exploit the services and amenities provided by the small yet efficient airport. Their quantity may be limited, but their quality is surprisingly high. Hence, once landing at SVQ Airport, you can choose one of the following options to make the most of your spare time there:
Spend your Layover Shopping
San Pablo Airport doesn’t house a wide range of stores and shopping facilities. Still, it has to offer a few worth-noticing shops, as well as an appealing Duty-free area. Hence, you can buy gifts or renew your wardrobe or even your style, by exploring the SVQ shopping options. On the other hand, you may travel on a shoestring. In that case, you can always do some window shopping, enjoying your layover at Seville Airport without burdening your budget.
Explore the SVQ Dining Facilities
You won’t find many drinking and dining options at Sevilla Airport. However, fast-food chains, a few bars, and restaurants serving Spanish cuisine are present at SVQ Airport. Are you wondering how to spend your free time at Seville Airport? Tasting the delicious tapas always sounds like a good idea!
Scattered around the boarding area on Level 1, you’ll find several drinking fountains.
The Airport’s Wi-Fi is at Your Disposal
San Pablo Airport offers free use of its Wi-Fi network along with several charging points to charge your electronic devices. That being said, you can use the SVQ Wi-Fi and complete any undone work projects, check your social, communicate with your loved ones, or even treat yourself to a binge-watching session.
Relax while Waiting
If you want to take a rest before your onward flight, you should head to the airport’s lounge. There, you can enjoy refreshing drinks and light meals, relax on the comfy sofas and armchairs, read one of the offered newspapers, and even use the elegant facilities as your working space, making use of the lounge’s Wi-Fi. The lounge area is accessible to all passengers for a fee. Unfortunately, neither San Pablo Airport nor its lounge offer shower facilities.
There are no designated smoking areas inside Seville Airport. Smoking is allowed only outside the terminal, in the pre-security zone.
Sleeping During your Layover at Seville Airport
Sevilla Airport doesn’t have designated sleeping areas. On the other hand, it is equipped with plenty of chairs without armrests, where you can take a quick nap. Nevertheless, SVQ Airport doesn’t operate around the clock. Verily, it is closed from around 01:30 am to 04:30 am. Hence, you can’t spend your night there. Luckily, you’ll find plenty of hotels near Seville Airport, depending on your preferences and budget.
Our Tip: Seville Airport is an accessible aviation hub, providing its passengers with mobility issues with all the necessary services and amenities.
Things to Do in Seville
During a long layover, you should leave the airport and get to know the scenic Seville. The city lies close to SVQ Airport (within a 10km/6-mile distance). Thus, if roads aren’t congested, an airport taxi ride or a Seville airport transfer won’t last more than 18 minutes from Seville Airport to city center. Conversely, if you are looking for a cheaper alternative, you can take the Seville airport bus (the AE Line) to downtown. In any case, you should plan your journey properly so as to be back at the airport at least two hours before your upcoming flight.
Here follows the top things to do in Seville during a layover:
The Royal Alcázar
One of the top things to do in Seville is, without a doubt, a visit to the Royal Alcázar, one of the most important city’s attractions. The old Moorish kings’ palace is still a residency of the royal family. However, a significant part of the complex is open to the public. Hence, you can admire its luxury and architectural style as well as its impressive gardens. Skip-the-line tickets are always recommended as the Royal Alcázar is a number one destination for all Seville’s visitors.
The Seville Cathedral and the Giralda
The Seville Cathedral is part of Unesco’s Heritage and is also a must-see monument in Seville. Consisting of 80 chapels, it isn’t just another European cathedral. Verily, even if you’ve had enough of churches and cathedrals around Europe, you’ll still find the Seville Cathedral rather fascinating. After all, it also houses the tomb of Christopher Columbus. On the other hand, Giralda is worthy of your time as well. The bell tower was actually a Moorish minaret. Nowadays, it isn’t only appreciated for its beauty and architectural style, but it also offers majestic city views from its top level.
Setas de Sevilla
Setas de Sevilla (Mushrooms of Seville) -or as it was initially named, Metropol Parasol- is one of the most distinctive city’s landmarks. The 6 “parasols” are a gigantic structure almost entirely made of wood. Its layout is indeed breathtaking. Metropol Parasol dominates over Plaza de la Encarnación and houses a market, a restaurant, and a terrace which promises stunning, panoramic vistas.
Toro del Oro
The Tower of Gold is the old watchtower, which nowadays hosts a museum and guarantees exciting views of the Guadalquivir River. The museum is a small maritime-themed operation. Still, its exhibits are claimed to be fascinating.
The Jewish Quarter
One of the most famous Seville districts, the Jewish Quarter or the Santa Cruz area, attracts millions of tourists every year who relish its picturesque streets and alleys, the orange streets surrounding the entire neighborhood, the traditional ceramic shops, and (perhaps most of all) its drinking and dining options.
Plaza de España
The horseshoe square, Plaza de España, is probably the most iconic plaza of Seville. The large fountains, the canals, the bridges, and the semi-circle building create a one-of-a-kind scenery. Plaza de España is definitely among the top things to do in Seville. In fact, if time is on your side, you should opt for a boat tour along the canals.
The Triana District
Triana district is the colorful city’s area, lying across the west bank of the Guadalquivir River. It isn’t an overall spectacular attraction yet it can induct you into the authentic Seville experience making you feel like a part of the city.
Maria Luisa Park
Seville isn’t famous for its numerous parks. However, Maria Luisa Park counterbalances this fact. The spectacular park located at the center of the city is a heaven on earth for nature lovers. Even if you aren’t that kind of person, you’ll certainly feel pleased and relaxed while wandering along the park’s winding roads. Fountains, shady benches, statues, flowering trees, and colorful flowers form an idyllic setting.
A Cruise at Guadalquivir River / Hop-on Hop-off Buses
If you are in for a relaxed layover in Seville but want to observe as many city sightseeing as possible, you should choose between “land” and “water”. That being said, you can settle on a bus ride, using the touristic hop-on hop-off buses that travel along Seville’s major attractions. Alternatively, you can take part in one of the organized cruises along on the Guadalquivir River and relish a hassle-free boat trip.
Flamenco Shows
Andalusia is, to say at least, interwoven with flamenco. Thus, why not spend your layover in Seville enjoying a flamenco show? Book your ticket in advance and let the rhythm and the spectacle carry you away.
Our Tip: Spanish tapas need no introduction. No matter how you are planning on spending your layover, a visit to one (or more) tapas bars should be among the number one things to do in Seville.