Football trip to Sevilla : El Gran Derbi !
Football trip to Seville: how I attended the Seville derby at Betis? My experience & tips for discovering Seville!
In this article, I’m going to tell you how I experienced a fantastic weekend in Seville in the Andalusian softness, during the Gran Derbi of Seville! Here is the story of a football trip to Seville between tapas, flamenco and Spanish football, all during Spain’s most famous derby. Let’s go!
Seville, an unmissable football destination!
It’s no secret that Spain is an incredible country for a football trip. Great atmospheres, top-level football all across the country, reasonable prices, and clubs featuring some of the best teams and players in the world! Seville is no exception and ranks at the very top among the best cities to enjoy a football trip in Spain.
One of the many reasons is the presence of two clubs in the top tier of La Liga, Betis and Sevilla FC! To this day, it is the best-preserved rivalry in Spain. Far from the glitz of rivalries like Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona, in Seville, you are offered real, authentic football! The kind that divides the city in two during every derby, but unites everyone around one passion: football!
Organising a football stay in Seville (3 days on site)
Where to stay in Seville?
My stay in Seville was the last stage of a van trip from Barcelona to Seville along the Mediterranean coast and through Andalusia. So I slept in my van, just a few steps from Plaza España, which I’ll tell you about later. If you are looking for accommodation in Seville, I strongly recommend choosing somewhere close to the Casco Antiguo to experience Seville from the inside.
Discovering the city!
Beyond football, Seville is full of cultural interest. The heritage, strongly marked by the Moorish legacy, is omnipresent throughout the city. The city’s flagship monument is the Alcazar, which I had the chance to visit. Be careful, you need to book several weeks, or even months, in advance to have the luxury of visiting this beautiful complex. For those who, like me, hadn’t planned ahead, the trick is to go to the Alcazar ticket office and queue… 200 tickets are sold at the counter each day. To make sure you are among the first 200, I recommend arriving at least 1h30 before opening… To the question: is it worth waiting hours to visit the Alcazar, my answer is no. Did I do it: Yes! After more than 3 hours of queuing, I finally obtained my precious ticket. However, it’s better to plan ahead and book your slot in advance.
If the Alcazar is the symbol of Moorish culture in Seville, it is located just a few meters from Seville Cathedral, another iconic monument of the city. It represents the power of the Kingdom of Spain that followed the occupation of the territory. I didn’t go inside, but I really appreciated the exterior architecture. It is a magnificent monument, from which you can access La Giralda, the famous tower attached to the Cathedral, offering a superb panoramic view over the city.
Plaza de España, the true jewel of Seville
My favourite place in Seville is located several hundred meters further… It is Plaza de España. Nestled in the heart of a huge park, and on the edge of the city centre, this square is simply spectacular! The majestic semi-circular building stretches for almost 500 meters and is decorated with fantastic details, notably ceramics with captivating colours. You will enjoy the vast space offered by this monumental complex which, unlike the hypercentre, is far less crowded. Sheltered by the park’s trees, you will also enjoy a little more freshness, which can be rare in Seville depending on the season you visit.
In a completely different setting, I had immense pleasure walking through the Triana district. It is the popular district of Seville, with many bars, culture, and local life. You will find Calle Betis there, along with ceramic workshops and shops. The perfect souvenir to bring back from Seville. While exploring Triana, we discovered the restaurant Vega 10, a local restaurant offering incredible Andalusian specialties at very reasonable prices, far from the tourist crowds.
Seville and its flamenco: inseparable!
And how can we talk about Seville without talking about Flamenco! The region is the birthplace of this intense art. While you can find many street performers offering flamenco shows, I chose to fully experience it and attended a flamenco show during my stay in Seville. And believe me, it was a timeless moment! Forget large venues where hundreds of people gather. Here, most flamenco shows take place in small, intimate venues with audiences of 30 to 50 people. You are face to face with the artists in a show that feels like a ceremony, performed in several acts by musicians, dancers, singers… With a glass of Sangria in hand, I loved the show from beginning to end!
I could talk for hours about Seville and the cultural effervescence on every street corner… Dance, street art, music. Seville is a unique city that will keep a part of you forever!
My experience at the Seville Derby: Immersion in the Bético universe!
Back to football in this story of my football trip to Seville, during which I was able to attend the Real Betis – Sevilla FC derby.
First question: should you choose between Betis and Sevilla FC? Well, even though I had a slight preference for Betis, and its slightly less successful image compared to Sevilla FC, I think there is no bad choice. As soon as you choose Seville as your football destination, you’ve made the right decision! In terms of atmosphere, I had heard more about the passion of Benito Villamarin and the Bético supporters, but Sanchez Pizjuan also seems like the perfect place for a memorable night!
Heading to the stadium!
Kick-off is at 9:00 PM, and I head to the stadium from Plaza de España around 6:30 PM. As in many cities, such an event disrupts transportation, and it is better to plan ahead or go on foot (about 30 to 45 minutes from the city centre).
I arrive near the stadium as the sun slowly begins to set, as if it didn’t want to miss the show either! I stop by the club shop to wear the Bético supporter outfit and reach my seat in the quarter turn section. I chose this seat to be as close as possible to the ultra section while staying slightly outside of it, and I quickly realised that the derby proved my predictions wrong. In reality, the atmosphere was everywhere in the stadium. I found myself in a sea of Betis supporters in full celebration from the beginning to the end of the evening. I had also chosen the side of the stadium where I could watch the sunset behind the Benito Villamarin stand. A breathtaking panorama… As the sun sets and draws a wave of fire above the stadium, the Betis anthem echoes and is sung by all the aficionados. The Gran Derbi begins in a fantastic atmosphere!
The atmosphere rises for this Seville derby
This is the last Seville derby before the renovation of Benito Villamarin stadium, which does not yet have a roof, and yet the decibels are there. I had high expectations for this match, but they were exceeded. For me, it is the best atmosphere I have ever experienced in a Spanish stadium during a football trip in Spain.
During this derby, Sevilla FC opened the scoring quite early in the match, against the run of play. But Betis quickly equalised, with an outstanding Isco leading the way. The Verdiblancos even took the lead just before half-time. The explosion of the stadium at the moment of the goals is the peak of a completely successful football trip to Seville for me. I am in ecstasy. Around me, it’s general euphoria. Betis wins 2-1 against its eternal rival, which is experiencing a difficult season. Tonight, Seville is green and white, and I’m not complaining.
I walked back from the stadium. A good half-hour walk to reach Plaza de España, but it’s certainly the easiest way considering the crowd leaving the stadium. A good way to clear my head after an unforgettable evening!
How to attend the Seville derby?
If you are wondering how to get your tickets for the Seville derby, know that it is not easy! I was lucky enough to find my seat directly on the club’s website, for €200 nonetheless! If you want to attend the Seville derby, don’t expect to get seats next to each other. Everything is sold out as soon as public sales open, and season ticket holders will already have taken most of the seats before you. This is where a specialised travel agency can be very useful! Plan and organise your football trip to Seville in advance, and guarantee yourself an unforgettable stay without the stress of wondering if you will be able to get your tickets!
What are the best seats in Benito Villamarin stadium?
To this question, I would say that I loved enjoying the sunset above the stadium. For that, I recommend sitting in the upper stands on the East side of the stadium. Nothing also beats the adrenaline of being as close as possible to the pitch if you choose to sit near the 22 players!
How much does a Seville derby cost?
Expect to pay between €150 and €300 for a general stand ticket if you are lucky enough to secure your seat directly with the club. Public sales usually open 1 to 2 months before the match. However, as mentioned earlier, you will have almost no chance of getting several seats next to each other for this match without going through a specialised agency. You can find our pre-built packages by clicking here, or request your quote and get advice by clicking here!
My tips and mistakes to avoid for a successful football trip to Seville.
For your match as well as your visits, planning your trip to Seville in advance will allow you to reduce certain costs and discover the city with peace of mind! Seville monuments such as the Alcazar are extremely popular, even outside the summer season. You will therefore need to book your tickets in advance. Again, the support of a specialised agency can be very useful!
For a football trip to Seville pushed to its peak, choose to visit Seville during Feria de Abril, a week of festivities during which the city transforms and displays its most beautiful colours! Be careful with the crowds though. Visitors come from all over the world for this event, and Seville becomes literally packed! You will need even more patience during this period, even if the show will be even more spectacular.
Conclusion: why I 100% recommend a football trip to Seville!
Seville is an incredible destination for a football trip. A lively city that will delight you in every aspect. Its architectural heritage, gastronomy, culture, and relaxed atmosphere make it a perfect getaway. And the Sevillian passion for football makes it an unmissable football destination. Seville will leave you with many stories to tell for a long time, whether on the Betis side or Sevilla FC side!
So don’t wait any longer and experience a football trip to Seville!
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