Seville has duende. It comes naturally to the city, but it is true that, at certain times, it seems to come even more alive, giving off a special something that is simply infectious. Like now, with September just beginning and the 2026 Seville Flamenco Biennial appearing on the horizon. It will run from 9 September to 3 October. That may not sound like long (because you already suspect you will be left wanting more), but in less than a month they have managed to schedule 72 performances. Singing, dancing and guitar playing. And here are our recommendations for experiencing Seville between one show and the next.

If we want to get intense and a little abstract: art, emotion and identity. Bringing things back down to earth, all you need to know is that the Biennial has been held since 1980 to understand just how important it is. The 2026 edition is its 24th, and this year the aim is for flamenco to be felt throughout the whole of Seville. Its programme, which you can check on its official website, will bring together traditional roots and contemporary expressions.

A whole range of venues will open their doors to flamenco (the Real Alcázar, the Maestranza bullring, the Church of San Luis de los Franceses…), welcoming names such as José Mercé, Martirio, Carmen Linares, Mayte Martín and Israel Fernández. And no, do not assume you will simply get another chance to see them, because the Biennial is once again staging its Noches Únicas, or Unique Nights. There will be 26 in total. These are performances that, because of the unique setting, the artists involved or the repertoire being performed, will never be experienced in quite the same way again.

Whenever you visit Seville, you should take a walk through Triana; but if the reason for your trip is the Biennial, all the more so. You will find this neighbourhood on the other side of the Guadalquivir, across Triana Bridge, and as soon as you set foot there you will be in what is considered the cradle of flamenco. Here, Roma communities helped shape this art form through singing, guitar playing and dance. It was heard, and is still heard, in communal courtyards, taverns and streets, and its heritage is remembered through landmarks such as the statue in Plaza del Altozano.

As you walk through the square or along Calle Betis, keep your ears open: sometimes the sound of handclaps and guitars can catch you by surprise. If you would rather make sure you see a performance, take a look at the programme at Teatro Flamenco Triana. With just 120 seats, flamenco here is experienced up close in an intimate atmosphere that really moves you. Before you leave, ask about its terraces: from up there, La Giralda looks absolutely stunning.

Yes, you are in the city for the flamenco, but we also want to tell you what to do in Seville during the Biennial. Just in case, besides the performances and enjoying its flamenco tablaos, you fancy exploring a little. And how could you not, after we have just told you how beautiful La Giralda looks? Imagine seeing it up close and from above, from the rooftops of Seville Cathedral. They can be visited and, at this time of year, there are also evening visits.

If you prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground, you may feel like getting lost among the maze of whitewashed streets in the Santa Cruz neighbourhood. A little curiosity for TV fans: if you have watched the latest season of Berlín, look for Calle Reinoso, or, as you may know it better, Callejón del Beso.

And back to the usual classics, a visit to the Real Alcázar of Seville never fails to impress (and yes, it was also used as a filming location for Game of Thrones); taking the obligatory photo in Plaza de España beside the tiled bench representing your province is mandatory; and, while you are in the area, look for the monument to Bécquer in María Luisa Park. Always finish by the Guadalquivir, watching the Torre del Oro glow beside the river.

Seville is best enjoyed one tapa at a time, preferably standing right by the bar. Because eating here has a lot to do with being out on the streets and sharing. Marinated fried fish, pringá sandwiches and cones of fried fish are among the essentials as you make your way through the bars of Triana, Nervión, Alameda or Los Remedios. And if your pre-lunch drinks have gone on a little longer than planned, which is more than likely, find yourself a table and discover what properly made gazpacho, spinach with chickpeas or cod with tomato sauce really taste like. Oh, and beer is always best served as a very, very cold caña. A toast is in order, surely?

From a performance at the Real Alcázar to tapas in Triana. From wandering around Santa Cruz to heading to the next show. During the Biennial, we want our hotels in Seville to be your base in the city.

Whether you book a stay at Sercotel Sevilla Don Luciano, Sercotel Las Casas de los Mercaderes, Sercotel Sevilla Guadalquivir Suites or Sercotel Doña Carmela, everything is ready to welcome you. Rooms designed for exceptional rest, buffet breakfasts where there is always something new to try and a team you can ask about that one plan you still have left to discover. Because between singing, dancing and guitar playing, there is still so much of Seville left to experience.