Feria de Abril — guide to the April fair in Seville

The Feria de Abril or Seville April Fair is an annual event held in Seville, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. This is one of the largest festivals in Spain, attracting millions of tourists. It is dedicated to Andalusian culture — music, dance, national clothing, and culinary traditions.

History and dates of the Feria de Abril

The history of La Feria de Abril began in 1846. Then members of the local city council, Catalan Narciso Bonaplata and Basque Jose Maria de Ibarra, being businessmen, decided to hold an agricultural and livestock fair. Queen Isabella II, by order, allowed this event to take place on April 18, 1847. The event lasted three days and was a great success. Over time, the fair transformed from agricultural to cultural and social, becoming an integral part of the city.

Feria de Abril starts exactly two weeks after Easter, so its dates are flexible. It works for seven days.

In 2024, the Feria de Abril fair in Seville will be held from April 14 to 20.

Where is the April Fair?

Since 1973, the Feria de Abril has been held at the Real de la Feria. This is a 450,000 m² location between the Los Remedios and Tablada areas. A few months before the event, the main gate (portada) is erected here. Every year they have a new motif and appearance. In addition, streets are formed, named after famous bullfighters, where casetas tents are erected. Nearby, on the territory of Calle del Infierno, there is a park with attractions and other entertainment.

Features of Feria de Abril

The main distinctive feature of the Seville April Fair is more than a thousand casetas tents, which are erected anew every year. They form festival streets. A casetas belongs to a particular family, business, club, or group of friends and is essentially a bar with traditional music, food, and dancing.

Private casetas are by invitation only. Tourists can visit larger public tents that have all of the above. As a rule, they represent certain areas of the city or political parties. A list of such casetas can be obtained at the entrance.

At the fair, you can see people in national costumes everywhere. Men wear a traje corto, consisting of fitted trousers, a short, tight jacket, and a wide-brimmed hat. It’s easy to ride in this attire. Women wear flamenco dresses or traje de gitano (gypsy dresses). They come in completely different shades. The look is completed with a manton shawl with fringes, fans, combs, and flowers in the hair.

Since La Feria de Abril in Seville is so large, getting around on foot can be tiring. Horse-drawn carts have been used for this purpose for over a century.

An integral part of the festival is sevillana. This is a style of song and dance that originated in Castile but gained particular popularity in Seville. It is similar to flamenco and is even performed by artists of this genre. However, there are still big differences. The rhythm of the work must be ¾, and the dance performed in pairs or groups of people must be choreographed in advance. The sevillana was originally a courtship dance.

Each casetas serves traditional food. Usually, this is cheese, ham, olives, various meat dishes, salads, revueltos omelets with ham, asparagus, or mushrooms. The main dish of the festival is pescaito frito — a mixture of fried shrimp, squid, baby octopus, and fish. It is customary to wash everything down with rebujito. This is a drink made from dry sherry made from Manzanilla grapes mixed with lemonade. Another popular drink made from sherry is fino.

What is included in the April fair program

Feria de Abril of Seville, unlike Las Fallas in Valencia, does not have a clear program. There are several traditional events here, and in between, guests are busy dancing, eating, drinking and just having a good time.

The first event of the fair takes place on the Saturday before it starts. In the evening, casetas host an abado de pescaito dinner, the main course of which is fried fish.

At midnight, the city mayor lights the lights on the main gates. After this, gradually, section by section, the entire territory of the fair is illuminated. This event is called alumbrao.

Wednesday Feria de Abril is a public holiday in Seville, so there may be more people than usual on this day. On Friday and Saturday, as a rule, the number of guests reaches its peak.

Simultaneously with the fair, a bullfight is held in the Maestranza arena (Real Maestranza de Caballería). As a rule, its season is closely related to Easter. The first fight takes place directly on Easter Sunday. During the Feria de Abril, fights take place every day.

The Calle del Infierno zone is established next to the streets of cassettes. There is an amusement park with attractions for all ages — from toddlers to adult extreme sports enthusiasts. On the territory, there is always a House of Fear and a circus, where spectacular shows are held.

At midnight on the last day of the fair, a grand fireworks display is held, putting a bright end to this memorable festival.

How to get to Feria de Abril

The Real de la Feria, where the April Fair takes place, is located in the center of Seville, so getting to it is easy.

The nearest metro station is called Blas Infante and is on line L1. There are also several stops nearby for bus 41, which runs through the center of Seville from Reyes Catolicos to Tablada.

Hotels near Real de la Feria

There are hotels of different categories within a radius of several kilometers from the Real de la Feria fair.

• Alfonso XIII (5 stars). A luxury hotel on the opposite bank of the Guadalquivir River from the fair location. It is located next to the University of Seville. The educational institution opened in 1929. This event was attended by the King of Spain Alfonso XIII, after whom the hotel was later named. The building is designed in the unique Neo-Mudéjar style characteristic of the region. This place is often chosen by Hollywood and European stars visiting Seville. In addition to luxurious rooms, guests can enjoy two restaurants, a tapas bar, a fitness center, and a large outdoor swimming pool.
• Eurostars Torre Sevilla (5 stars). The hotel is located three kilometers north of Real de la Feria. It occupies 19 floors of the famous Torre Sevilla skyscraper — the tallest in Andalusia. The hotel’s interior widely uses traditional elements, symbols, and ornaments characteristic of Seville. The rooms offer panoramic views of the city. Guests can also enjoy the Spanish restaurant El Duende, a gym, and a spa. Also, do not miss the opportunity to visit the Atalaya glass terrace at an altitude of 180 meters.

• Eurostars Guadalquivir (4 stars). Another hotel of the Eurostars chain is located just 1.2 kilometers from the fair site. Its design also displays motifs characteristic of this area. After a day of active exploration of the city, guests will enjoy relaxing in the sauna. Anyone can use the conference room or work out in the gym. Some rooms have spacious terraces to enjoy the bright Spanish sun.

• Hotel Monte Triana (4 stars). The hotel is 2.4 kilometers from Real de la Feria. Guests are provided with comfortable and stylishly decorated rooms. A special mention is due to the outdoor rooftop pool, where you can relax while enjoying stunning views of the city. Breakfast here is served buffet style, and you can keep fit after delicious Spanish cuisine in the gym.

• Resitur (3 stars). The hotel is located 1.4 kilometers from the Seville Spring Fair. It does not consist of rooms, but of apartments, which have kitchenettes with microwave, refrigerator, and kitchenware. This is a good option for travelers with children.

• Noches en Triana (2 stars). The hotel is two kilometers from the April Fair location. The prices here are quite affordable for the city center location, and the rooms have a modern design and are equipped with everything you need. 24-hour service will resolve all issues and help with choosing an excursion program.

• Albergue Inturjoven Sevilla (2 stars). This hostel is located on the other side of the Guadalquivir, half an hour’s walk from the Real de la Feria. The rooms are designed for 2-4 people and have their bathroom. There are vending machines for food and drinks, common TV rooms, and laundry facilities.

• La Banda Rooftop Hostel. Another hostel near the fair is on the opposite side of the river, near the Alcazar of Seville castle. This place is ideal for young people who love fun and meeting new people. Every evening, lavish dinners are prepared here, cocktails are served at the bar, and live performances are held on the rooftop. The maximum number of places in one room is eight.

Seville Fair on the map

FAQ

What is the Seville April Fair?

The April Fair is one of the most popular and interesting festivals in Seville. It was created in 1847 as a livestock fair. Over time, the festive atmosphere of the event took precedence over the business aspect, and it became a permanent element of the city’s social calendar.

What happens in Seville in April?

The Seville April Fair is one of the most iconic festivals in Spain. After the end of the somber Semana Santa processions, Sevilleans work around the clock for two weeks to make sure everything is ready for the Feria de Abril.

What is the festival in Spain in April?

Founded by the Catalans and Basques in 1846, the Feria de Abril is not only the most important holiday in Seville but also one of the most anticipated and celebrated events in all of Spain. The Seville Fair, also known as the April Fair, is held every year in the Los Remedios area.

What month is La Feria in Seville?

La Feria in Seville takes place in April. Rarely do dates fall in May.

How long does the April Fair in Seville last?

The Feria de Abril is a week-long festival that takes place two weeks after Easter and attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world.

Why is Seville so expensive in April?

Accommodation prices in Seville increase sharply during the annual April Fair, which takes place after Easter, that is, in late April or early May.

 

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