🇪🇸 Seville
🇪🇸 GranadaSeville vs Granada: Which Should You Visit?
The two jewels of Andalusia. Seville is the bigger and livelier city, with a huge cathedral, the Real Alcázar, flamenco and an orange-scented old town. Granada is smaller, set beneath the Sierra Nevada, and dominated by the Alhambra.
Seville is one of the hottest cities in Europe in summer; Granada is a little cooler thanks to its altitude.
Choose Seville if…
- You want festivals, flamenco and nightlife
- You have three days or more
- You are visiting in spring
Choose Granada if…
- The Alhambra is the main reason for your trip
- You enjoy hill walks and views
- You like free tapas with your drinks
At a glance
| Seville | Granada | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | 🇪🇸 Spain | 🇪🇸 Spain |
| Population | 685,000 | 230,000 |
| Climate | Mediterranean | Mediterranean |
| Best time to visit | March–May, September–November | April–June, September–October |
| Budget | €€ Moderate | €€ Moderate |
| Safety (our rating) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Known for | Flamenco, Moorish palaces, Gothic cathedral | The Alhambra, Moorish heritage, Albaicín |
📅 Best months for both:April, May, September, October
Where to go in Seville
Andalusia's capital of flamenco, orange trees and Moorish palaces, at its best in spring.
- The Real Alcázar. A royal palace with Mudéjar courtyards and gardens. Book ahead.
- The Cathedral and Giralda. One of the largest Gothic cathedrals, with a former minaret as its bell tower.
- Plaza de España. A huge tiled semicircle in María Luisa Park.
- Barrio Santa Cruz. The old Jewish quarter of narrow lanes and patios.
- Triana. Across the river: ceramics, the market and flamenco.
🛏️ Where to stay
- Santa Cruz and the Centre: Within walking distance of the main sights.
- Triana: Local, with lively bars along the river.
🍽️ What to eat
Salmorejo, espinacas con garbanzos, jamón and tapas in old bars. July and August are extremely hot.
Where to go in Granada
A university city below the Alhambra and the Sierra Nevada, with a strong Moorish heritage.
- The Alhambra. Book weeks ahead: the Nasrid Palaces have a fixed entry time.
- The Albaicín. The old Moorish quarter of white houses and steep lanes.
- Mirador de San Nicolás. The classic sunset view of the Alhambra.
- Sacromonte. Cave houses and flamenco shows.
- The Royal Chapel. The tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella, next to the cathedral.
🛏️ Where to stay
- Centro: Flat, central and close to the bus to the Alhambra.
- Albaicín: Beautiful views, but expect steep walks.
🍽️ What to eat
Many bars still serve a free tapa with each drink. Try the tea houses on Calle Calderería.
Can you visit both?
Trains and buses connect the two cities, and Córdoba fits neatly in between.
Journey times are approximate and vary by service. Check the operator before you book. Work out flying times with the flight calculator.
How we compare cities
The table uses the same data as our city guides: our budget and safety ratings, the climate and the months we recommend. The advice on what to see, where to stay and which city to choose is written by our editors. Prices, opening arrangements and timetables change, so check official sources for anything important. To compare any two cities of your choice side by side, use City vs City.