Get ready for the Seville April Fair 2023! What to do and where to park.
Are you planning a visit to the Seville April Fair in your car but don't know where to park? Don't worry! In this blog we'll show you the best place to park and offer you practical tips to make the most of the fair. Don't miss our recommendations on what to do, where to eat and how to get around the fair. Get ready to live an unforgettable experience at the Seville April Fair 2023!
Author: "17401532982 c1e3546763 o feria de abril 2012" by Sandra Vallaure, licensed under CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/> , via Wikimedia Commons. source
Seville in spring is a dream come true! Do you want to experience the best of this monumental city at its best? Then you can't miss its biggest and most exciting week: the Feria de Abril. This annual event, which takes place from 23 to 29 April this year 2023, is a unique experience that will allow you to enjoy the best of Andalusian culture, gastronomy and folklore.
Seville is a tourist destination that is always worth visiting, but this year it has been recognised as the best city to visit by the prestigious Lonely Planet travel guide and, along with Ribera del Duero, it is the only Spanish destination recommended by the New York Times. However, the best time to visit is in spring, when the city shines in all its splendour with its Semana Santa and the scent of orange blossom. And, of course, we can't forget the world-famous celebration of the April Fair.
But how to enjoy the Feria de Abril without suffering the hustle and bustle of the city? And what about the problem of parking in a city with a population of 700,000 inhabitants that receives more than 3 and a half million people in its Real de la Feria during this celebration? Don't worry, in this blog we will give you all the keys so that you can enjoy the Seville April Fair 2023 without complications.
What to do in Seville during the April Fair
The first thing you should do is soak up the festive atmosphere in the city. Head to the fairground, known as the Real de la Feria, located in the Los Remedios neighborhood, where you'll find decorated tents with colorful lanterns and people dressed in traditional flamenco costumes. Here you can enjoy live music, dancing, typical food, and, of course, a good glass of rebujito, the official drink of the fair.
If you want to be part of the tradition, make sure to attend the lighting ceremony, which marks the start of the fair. You can also enjoy the parade, a procession of carriages that travels through the city until it reaches the fairground. But the fair is not just for adults, children can also enjoy it! At the fairground, there are attractions for the whole family, from carousels to a giant Ferris wheel. Specific activities are also organized for children, such as workshops and competitions.
If you enjoy culture, don't miss the dance contests, where the best flamenco dancers compete to win the prestigious fair prize. In addition, concerts with some of the best Spanish artists of the moment are also organized at the fairground. And if you need a break from the fair, don't worry, Seville has much more to offer. If you're traveling by car, you can use a parking lot in the center of Seville and take the opportunity to visit the impressive Seville Cathedral, which has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You can also take a stroll through the Santa Cruz neighborhood, which is one of the most picturesque and touristy areas in the city, as well as some of the most popular monuments. The central area is where most of Seville's iconic places are concentrated!
Where to park your car near the Seville April Fair
Let's be honest: parking near a 450,000 m² space where more than three and a half million people gather in 7 days is quite a challenge. Therefore, the first recommendation that any Sevillian would give you regarding parking during the April Fair is not to try to access the fairground with your car unless you have a reserved public parking spot. Although the city council provides two large parking lots for all visitors (one next to the fairground and the other in the area called Charco de la Pava, a little further away, but with a shuttle service), these spaces fill up quickly and don't prevent you from having to drive around in search of a paid parking spot.
Therefore, the most advisable option is to go to a public parking lot near the Real de la Feria. To make it even easier to find a parking spot around the celebration, we recommend using Parkimeter. This online platform also allows you to compare rates, reserve your parking spot, and pay in advance, which will ensure that you have a reserved spot and will save you time and effort in searching for parking. Additionally, you can choose from a wide variety of parking options in Seville, both near the fairground and in other areas of the city. No more wasting time, effort, and energy, and enjoy the April Fair without worries about your car!
Tips for enjoying the Feria de Abril without stress
If you prefer to enjoy Sevilla in a more relaxed and authentic way, we suggest taking advantage of the busiest hours at the Feria de Abril to explore other areas of the city. You can use the midday and early afternoon to visit less crowded places and discover the true essence of Sevilla.
From 6-7pm onwards is the perfect time to enjoy the impressive "paseo de caballos" (horse parade) through the streets of the Feria de Abril, when the crowds begin to thin out and the heat starts to ease.
If you want to visit the public casetas (tents), we recommend choosing those belonging to political parties or open associations, instead of the one designated for tourists, which tends to be very crowded. Below is a list of the casetas with free access:
Distrito Este: Pascual Márquez Street, 215, Macarena-Norte: Pascual Márquez Street, 85, Triana-Los Remedios: Pascual Márquez Street, 153, Cerro-Amate: Juan Belmonte Street, 196, Casco Antiguo: Antonio Bienvenida Street, 97, Nervión-San Pablo-Santa Justa: Costillares Street, 22, Sur-Bellavista-La Palmera: Ignacio Sánchez Mejías Street, 61, Tourist Caseta: Pascual Márquez Street, 225.
Finally, to make the most of Sevillian cuisine, we advise you to avoid eating at the Feria de Abril and explore the bars and restaurants in the city center. There, you can taste some of the most famous local specialties, such as fried "pescaíto", cazón en adobo, pavías de bacalao, and serranito, all accompanied by a good fino or manzanilla, as tradition dictates.
And now that you know how to enjoy this great fair to the fullest, don't forget to plan your visit in advance, especially when it comes to parking. Remember that you can find comfortable and safe options in the public parkings near the fairgrounds, and that for this you can use the Parkimeter platform.
