Car Rental in Seville

Why rent a car in Seville?

An important city since at least the Roman days, Seville has hundreds of fascinating stories to tell. The birthplace of Flamenco has some of the finest Moorish architecture in the country and was very important during the Age of Discovery and the colonization of the Americas. Most of the traditional attractions can be found around the city’s historical center, but more adventurous travelers will also travel outside its bounds to explore Seville’s diverse neighborhoods – and the many Andalusian day-trip destinations just a short drive away.

Top ways to enter Seville

• Seville Airport. One of the largest in Andalusia, Seville Airport handled 6.3 million travelers in 2018. The airport is a large hub for low-cost airlines Ryanair and Vueling, and is also served by around 20 other carriers. Located about 11 km (6.8 mi) northeast of the city center, the airport can be reached in about 20 minutes.
• Jerez Airport. Serving the city of Jerez de la Frontera, this airport handled just over one million travelers in 2018. The airport has flights by around 15 different airlines, although some are only active during the summer months. Jerez Airport is 95 km (59 mi) south of Seville and it takes about one hour to reach it.
• Malaga Airport. Serving the large Andalusian city on the Mediterranean coast, Malaga Costa del Sol Airport handled 19 million travelers in 2018. Made up of two operating terminals, the airport has flights by around 50 airlines and provides flights to and from countless destinations in Europe and beyond. Located 215 km (133 mi) southeast of Sevilla, Malaga Airport can be reached in 2 hours and 20 minutes.
• Granada Airport. Also known as Granada - Federico Garcia Lorca after the famous poet who hailed from the city, this airport has flights by five different airlines. The airport provides domestic connections, as well as flights to and from the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and other European countries. Located 238 km (148 mi) east of Seville, Granada Airport takes 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach.
• Faro Airport. With 8.6 million travelers served in 2018, Faro Airport is third-busiest in Portugal and by far the largest in the region of Algarve. The airport is especially active during the summer months when it has flights by around 30 different airlines. Located 200 km (125 mi) west of Seville, Faro Airport can be reached in about two hours. To travel from Portugal to Spain (or vice versa), you’ll have to cross the international border, so ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit it.
• By rail: If you're arriving in Seville by train, you can conveniently pick up your rental car at the Seville-Santa Justa Railway Station.

City facts

• Seville has a Mediterranean climate with very hot summers and mild winters. The average high temperature is 36.0 °C (98 °F), making Seville one of the hottest large cities in Europe. The summer heat is quite intense and therefore it is best to avoid visiting in July and August. In January, the coolest month, the average high temperature is 16.2 °C (61.2 °F). The precipitation is very low from June to August, but experiences a significant increase every December and November.
• Seville has just under 700,000 inhabitants, making it the fourth largest city in Spain, right behind Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia.
• The main language of Seville, like elsewhere in the country, is Spanish of Andalusian variety. The knowledge of English varies, although most people working in the tourism and service industries should have at least a rudimentary understanding of it (generally speaking, English is much more widespread in Malaga and the rest of Costa del Sol). A small, but noticeable part of the population also know languages like French or Italian. 

Top sights and activities

• Cathedral of Seville: One of the largest Catholic churches in the world, the cathedral is called the Pearl of Seville. Like many other structures in the region, the impressive building was originally a mosque, a fact that is reminded by the La Giralda minaret tower. The cathedral is also the resting place for Cristopher Columbus.
• Royal Alcazar: This is an Impressive complex of Moorish palaces surrounded by mesmerizing gardens. One of its highlights is the Palacio del Rey Don Pedro, which is considered one of the most beautiful examples of Mudejar architecture in the world.
• Local cuisine: The influence of Andalusian cuisine stretches far and wide, and many dishes in Europe, the Americas, and North Africa are influenced by it. Start with the city’s world-famous tapas, then continue with equally enjoyable dishes like patatas bravas (spicy potatoes), espinacas con garbanzos (spinach with garbanzos), and montadito de pringá (chorizo, chicken and blood sausage sandwich).
• Barrio Santa Cruz: The former home of the city’s Jewish community until their expulsion in the late 15th century, Santa Cruz is one of the most historic and fascinating parts of the city. Instead of a single landmark or attraction, the main draw of this historic neighborhood is its special atmosphere of steep side streets and narrow gates. Santa Cruz is just a short walk from the Cathedral of Seville.
• Plaza de España: This colossal square surrounded by a u-shaped palace was designed in a very unique Andalusian style with Renaissance and neo-Moorish influences. The Maria Luisa Park extends in front of the square, with several more interesting buildings scattered throughout, such as the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Arts and Popular Customs. It was all built for the 1929 Latin American exhibition.

Traffic and parking

• Be very careful when driving in Seville’s historic center as the streets around the Cathedral and Alcazar are very narrow and mostly one-way. The area is also full of access and parking restrictions. Make sure to look up a parking garage in advance and have it set up as the destination in your GPS.
• Expect to pay around 20-25€ per day for parking in the city center.
• Speed limits - 50km/h (31mph) in built-up areas, 90km/h (56mph) on most standard roads, 100km/h (62mph) on standard roads that are either one-way roads, roads with more than two lanes for at least one direction of traffic and roads with shoulders more than 1.5m wide, and 120km/h (74mph) on motorways (called autovías in Spain).
• The car documentation and insurance always has to be inside a vehicle.
• The driver and all passengers are required to wear seatbelts.
• Children up to the age of 12 and measuring less than 135cm travelling on the front seat of a car must be seated in a child restraint system adapted to their size and weight.
• Unnecessary use of audible warning devices (horns) is prohibited.
• The legal alcohol limit is 0.05% for experienced drivers and 0.02% for novice drivers.
• The emergency number is 112.

Toll roads

Most of the roads inside the country are toll-free. Toll roads are called ‘carretera de peaje’ or ‘autopista de peaje’. On maps and road signs, all toll roads have to include a letter P after the road type. For example, the A-1 is free while the AP-1 is a toll road. The payment method may vary depending on the road, but most will accept cash. Regardless of the region, the average estimated price is €9.5 ($11.25) per 100km by car. See the official website for prices and more information.

Ideas for day trips

• Doñana National Park: Made up of marshes, sand dunes, and the mighty Guadalquivir River, this is one of the most distinct and interesting protected areas in Spain. The national park is home to wildlife like deer, wild boars, badgers, mongooses, lynx, and the Spanish imperial eagle. The drive from Seville takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
• Malaga and the Costa del Sol: Offering both an endless party atmosphere for those who seek it and serene spots of calm and relaxation for others, the Costa del Sol is perhaps the main beach destination in Southern Europe. Malaga, the region’s main city, is also one of Andalusia’s cultural hubs. The drive from Seville will take about two hours.
• Cordoba: Located in northern Andalusia, historic Cordoba is best known for its well-preserved Old Town and the Mezquita, an 8th-century mosque-turned-cathedral — the latter is probably one of the most impressive buildings in all of Spain, if not Europe. The drive from Seville takes only about an hour and 40 minutes.
• Cadiz: Occupying an elongated peninsula on Andalusia’s Atlantic coast, Cadiz is one of the oldest cities in the western world. It is home to miles of gorgeous sandy beaches and a picturesque old town surrounded by fortifications. The drive from Seville is approximately an hour and twenty minutes. 

Most popular cars

The most popular rental car in Spain is the Ford Fiesta, but travelers tend to also choose the Fiat 500 and the Ford Focus a lot. The most popular car types are economy, compact and mini.

Further destinations

• Granada: Timeless Granada is the best place in Spain to see the hauntingly beautiful Moorish architecture. The Alhambra is the most famous example of it, but it is far from the only one. The drive from Seville takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes, so while it can be visited on a day trip, sparing two or three days would be ideal.
• Sierra Nevada National Park. Situated around the Sierra Nevada, which contains the highest mountain in mainland Spain, the national park in Andalusia’s southeastern corner is one of the province’s most impressive nature preserves. In addition to snow-capped peaks and endless hiking trails, the area is home to a fascinating diversity of flora and fauna, as well as the southernmost winter sports resort in Europe. The drive from Seville to Sierra Nevada takes just over three hours.
• Algarve: Similar in many ways to Andalusia, but less populated and with a more untamed feel about it, Portugal’s southern region is a place of golden beaches, rugged mountains, and historic coastal towns, making it a favorite holiday destination for many travelers. Faro, the region’s capital, is only a two-hour drive west of Seville. Do ask your rental car provider in advance to make sure they permit you to cross the border.
• Madrid: Spain’s busy, yet beautiful capital city is a global center of art, culture, and entertainment. Whether you go to enjoy the holy trinity of art museums, to watch one of the world’s most famous football teams, or to explore the varieties of Spanish cuisine from all corners of the country, you’re bound to have a good time. The drive north takes only about five hours.

Car rental prices in Seville

• Large cars - from $13 per day
• Medium cars - from $9 per day
• Small cars - from $6 per day
• SUVs - from $14 per day
• Station wagons - from $11 per day
• Premium cars - from $63 per day
• Vans - from $10 per day
• Convertibles - from $18 per day

Money-saving and other tips

You can do a number of things to get a good car rental deal in Seville:

• Compare rates of different rental car providers.
• Book your rental car well in advance.
• Plan your route before you go.
• Get the best deals by picking up and returning your rental car at the same location if possible.
• Know your fuel and mileage requirements
• Visit on the month when the rental prices are the cheapest. According to our data, visiting Seville is the cheapest in June when renting a car is about 50% cheaper than the yearly average.