rholt

We are planning a Portugal trip that will include a one or two day side trip to Seville. The dates over which we can go to Seville are over Easter week (4/6 - 4/9).

How challenging is it to visit Seville over Easter week? I understand there are many religous festivals that could make visiting the city a real challenge (driving and getting a hotel). Is it any easier to visit the city earlier in the week?

Thanks

Robert2533

Finding a hotel in Sevilla during Holy Week will be a challenge and can be expensive. A few hotels even require a 4 to 7-night minimum stay. And yes, it will be crowded, but that is part of the excitement.

You might want to check exploreseville.com. It's one of the best sources for what's happening in Sevilla anytime. You can also check Maribel's Guide to Seville to see what she recommends on where to stay. If you plan far enough ahead you should find some good options.

cmeyer54

We spent part of Holy Week in Seville a few years ago - arrived from Madrid on Saturday and spent Easter Sunday plus a few days extra there. Hotels as mentioned before, will be more expensive but I believe its well worth the experience. There are processions throughout the week and throughout the day on Easter Sunday - the'mass' is actually a procession with many people holding huge candles along the route (think 2-3' tall). The only real issue we had was finding a restaurant open on Easter Sunday. Enjoy! Semana Santa is wonderful...

tower

rholt:

One of the most memorable experences we've had after so many decades of world travel, was Holy Week in Sevilla. The old cliche.."you'd have to be there to understand the appeal"...we lucked out in '99 by getting a room at Las Casas de la Juderia just two months bfore... cozy place in the heart of the Barrio Santa Cruz.

As Robert mentions above, the crowd is part of the excitement; entire familes from babies to grandparents, prowl the narrow streets all day and late into the night to watch the 40-50 processions and man-carried floats.

Colorful as can be. Do it if you can. Truly one of those once in a lifetime memories.

stu t.

Graziella5b

It is amazing, unique I guess,reservation should be made ahead of time. A lot of time ahead and as someone said expect to pay top rates.

NEDSIRELAND

Easter Sunday is april 12: April 9, Holy Thursday is when a lot of the Processions take place. Some, like la Virgen de la Macarena, begin Wednesday nite and return to the Portal de la Macarena Thursday AM.

Yes, it should be easier early to get reservations earlier during the week; but then you would miss the Processions.

There are impressive Processions in Huelva (just across the Bridge from the Algarve) and in Jerez de la frontera, both about an hour from Sevilla.

I wouldn't recommend driving in Sevilla Thursday or Friday of Semana Santa, partly because many streets are closed to traffic.

rholt

Wow - it certainly sounds like it is worth the hassle to visit Seville durring Holy Week - assuming I can find a hotel.

Question - lets assume we spend Wed and Thursday of Holy Week in the city. Will it even be feassible to drive out of the city back to Algarve late int he day on Thursday. The issue with the roads being shut down sounds like a real challenge.

Thanks again...

cmeyer54

If you go to Venere.com and plug in the dates, you'll get the available hotels. Do it if you can...it really is an unforgettable experience.