I just got back from a two-week whirlwind trip -- Dublin, Prague, Munich, Florence, Barcelona and Seville.
Just a word to anyone planning a trip to Seville ANYTIME in the next, oh, three or four years: It's under MAJOR construction. I was a frequent visitor to this forum in the months before our trip, and never read about this. Seville is trying to build a metro (subway) system, and as a result, they're completely digging up the streets, including the major ones around the historic old area.
Of course, walking through these construction sites was even less fun for us, given that it rained both days we were there. Lots of dirt + rain = a muddy mess.
Obviously, I'm not telling anyone not to go to Seville, but after reading about all of the charming areas of the city, and then going there, and finding cranes, jack hammers and piles of dirt and concrete, my image of the city was a little bit tarnished.
Also, apparently, some politicians don't want the Metro, so they're trying to stall it -- making the construction process take longer than it needs to. Our Seville Walks guide (a local) told us this.
For what it's worth...

I didn't mention the construction in my post about Seville because I really didn't see it as a huge problem. In fact, everywhere we went in Spain there was construction - Madrid, Jerez, Granada, Barcelona. It's the major roads that are being torn up for the metro in Seville, and most of the charm is in the smaller streets around the cathedral, the alcazar, etc.

Thanks for the warning. I'm going in March - that can't be changed as I have the tickets - but I'm also going to Cordoba and Granada and I don't have the hotels yet so I can alter the amount of time I spend in each city. I had been planning on 4 or 5 days for Seville as it sounded like the most interesting of the three, but if the construction is that bad maybe I'll change the number of days. Anyone else want to give your opinion as to how disruptive the construction is.

Anyone else been to Seville lately? I'd love to hear more opinions. Thanks

I was there in September. Yes, there is some construction ongoing, particularly in Plaza Neuva and one of the major avenues near the Cathedral (Congress?), but it really did not affect our 4 days/3 nights there. The Santa Cruz district is not affected; neither is the shopping district; neither is the plaza in front of the Cathedral and Alcazar. Seville is a beautiful city, even with the construction.

Isabel: 5 days may be a tad too long for Seville--I think 3-4 days would be perfect. The construction should not dampen your enthusiasm for the city. Be sure to do the guided walking tours with Concepion Delgado of Seville Walking Tours. We found her in the Rick Steves's guide and loved her enthusiasm and passion for the city.

www.sevillawalkingtours.com.

I'm sorry to hear about jenandstephen's experience there, but I would venture that the rain marred the experience more than the construction. Seville is a walking city, so rain would help in any way.

I just posted a belated trip report, so if you click on my handle, it'll pull up the link. Good luck.

I mentioned it in my recent report (back from Spain-quick report). There's a good thread on tripadvisor about the construction including input from a local.
Avenida de la Constitucion is the main road that's torn up.
Our experience was that the construction at most was a minor incovenience and didn't mar our experience at all. The only thing you have to really think about is your hotel location. Sevilla was our favorite city in Spain. We walked everywhere.
As mentioned, Madrid and Granada have major construction projects as well.

It seems highly unlikely there will be construction that would hinder one's seeing the two (IMO) biggest attractions: the Cathedral and the Alcazar.

I think the operative term in the OP's post is the word "around" the historic old area...not necessarily IN the area itself.

We were there in June. The detours (what seemed like) throughout the historic center made the already challenging driving impossible without seeking local help. Maps were fairly useless.

One of the detour signs to our hotel (Dona Maria, by the Cathedral walls) was plane wrong. I ended up going against traffic on a now one-way street. I finally asked a taxi driver if he can lead us to the hotel (in my broken Italian, as I don't unfortunately, speak Spanish). DH got into the taxi and I followed. DH later told me that the cabby dented a mirror getting to our hotel, while I managed without a scratch, if by the skin of my teeth... 10 E for the convenience.

This was the only time in all my years of driving in Europe when I had to pay someone to lead me to my destination.

That being said, and notwithstanding the 45-degree C heat (117F or so), I thought Seville was fabulous, and wouldn't mind a return visit. But it would have to be in a cooler season, October/November or March-April.

-e

We were in Granada 3 weeks ago and some of the major roads were dug up and look like they'll be that way for a while. The bus from the city centre to the airport took 1 and a half hours, instead of the advertised 25 mins. It also means these streets are dusty and the pedestrian pavements are dug up too.
We didn't see any roadworks in the Albaicin area or up near the Alhambra.
Kay

Was in Seville last month, construction was an inconvenience--dusty shoes in particular--but not much more than that.