A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chiang Mai vs. Seville for Attractions, Food, Backpackers, and Nightlife

Should you visit Chiang Mai or Seville?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Chiang Mai and Seville. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a friendly, cultural, and welcoming city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and shopping.

Seville

Seville is a elegant, beautiful, and world-renowned city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Chiang Mai and Seville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Mai or Seville?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Seville than Chiang Mai. While Chiang Mai is larger than Seville, Seville has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Seville is very popular for its theatre productions, while Chiang Mai attracts visitors for its food, hiking, shopping, and big city activities. Chiang Mai is famous for its lively night market, historical temples, local cuisine, and cultural rainforest treks. Seville is famous for its Moorish and Islamic architecture, its colorful Flamenco dancing, and its local tapas and wine. It is also well known for the Real Alcázar.

How is Chiang Mai different from Seville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Seville and Chiang Mai. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chiang Mai or Seville?

Spend time exploring the terrific sights and museums in either Chiang Mai or Seville.

Travelers visit Chiang Mai from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The city is filled with culture and you'll find many beautiful temples in the area. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a mountain-top temple that is an iconic landmark in the city. Other famous sights include Doi Inthanon and Wat Chedi Luang.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Seville are among the most recognizable in the world. This elegant city is filled with historic buildings and world famous architecture. From the iconic Catedral de Sevilla to the Real Alcázar and Plaza de España, there is an endless supply of world class sights around town.

Is Chiang Mai or Seville Better for Theater?

Seville is a good destination for theatre. However, Chiang Mai is not a theatre destination.

If you have some extra time in Seville, take in a show. Flamenco shows are a highlight for many visitors. You can sip wine and enjoy tapas as you take in this dramatic dance form.

Chiang Mai is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Chiang Mai or Seville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Chiang Mai is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Seville is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Eat your way through Chiang Mai, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. For many, this city offers some of the best food in all of Thailand. The cuisine is influenced by nearby Burma and China, with ginger and turmeric often used. Curries tend to be a bit milder and dishes are often served with sticky rice. Famous dishes around town include Khao Soi, Larb Kua, and Sai Oua. Cooking classes are also very popular around town and the courses often include a trip to a market.

Dining out in Seville is an experience not to be missed. The city is filled with cafes that spill into the streets. Locals live their lives outdoors, and the cafe terraces are filled with chattering guests from breakfast until late in the evening. The food includes many typical Spanish favorites such as Iberian pork, stewed meats, and other local tapas.

Is Chiang Mai or Seville Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find excellent options in both Chiang Mai and Seville.

The nightlife in Chiang Mai has something for everybody. It is the largest city in Northern Thailand, so it has the most active nightlife scene in the area. Whatever your style, you can find something to do at night here. Many people head to the riverside to drink and listen to music. You'll also find clubs concentrated around Nimmanhaemin Road and Loy Kroh Road. There's also the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, which is packed with stalls and people sampling food and drinks.

Seville offers plenty to do in the evening. The excellent nightlife scene includes local bars, Flamenco shows, and student focused parties. The Triana District is a popular nightlife area, particularly for the Flamenco shows. There are also a lot of bars along Calle Betis and upscale ambiance can be found in La Alameda.

Is Chiang Mai or Seville Better for its Old Town?

Visitors enjoy the excellent old town areas in both Chiang Mai and Seville.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Chiang Mai. The old city is about 1.5 square kilometers in size and it has four gates, one on each side. The most famous area is Sunday Walking Street, which comes to life at 4pm every day when it is lined with stalls and filled with people.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Seville. Barrio de Santa Cruz is the old town of Seville. This is where you'll find the Jewish Quarter and many of the city's historic landmarks.

Is Chiang Mai or Seville Better for Hiking?

Chiang Mai is terrific for hiking. However, Seville is not a hiking destination.

Chiang Mai is well-known for its hiking and trekking. Many people use this city as a base for a trekking excursion into the surrounding countryside. The land is lush and beautiful and many treks also expose you to the welcoming Hilltribe people of Northern Thailand. Treks can be organized at almost any hotel or hostel as well the many tour agencies around town.

Seville is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Mai or Seville?

Chiang Mai is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Seville is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Chiang Mai draws large crowds to its stores. The city is famous for its night markets, which run every night of the year until around midnight. You'll find the streets packed with people and vendors, rain or shine. This is a great place to search for local handicrafts and try some of the city's famous street food. Popular items to buy include rice boxes, silk, and Thai sky lanterns.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Seville. There is a great combination of shopping streets, high end shopping malls, and local markets. Calle Sierpes, Calle Tetuan, and Calle Asuncion are some of the best places for shopping.

Is Chiang Mai or Seville Better for Families?

Both Chiang Mai and Seville are excellent family-friendly destinations.

Chiang Mai is a very family-friendly destination. This city is very friendly and welcoming to kids. There are many cultural and adventurous activities that the whole family can enjoy. One of the most popular kid-friendly places to visit is the Elephant Sanctuary, where kids can get up close and personal with these beautiful animals. Kids will also enjoy heading into the countryside to trek or visit one of Thailand’s Hilltribes. The cultural experience and opportunity to meet a diversity of kids will be an experience your children will never forget. In town, a cooking class is a popular option for budding foodies.

Seville is a very kid-friendly city. There are parks where kids can run around. There's also the Seville Aquarium as well as Isla Mágica, which is a small amusement park. Other fun family-friendly activities include taking a boat ride on the Guadalquivir River and seeing a Flamenco Show.

Is Chiang Mai or Seville Better for Couples?

Chiang Mai and Seville both excellent destinations for a couple.

Chiang Mai is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Trekking, rafting, temples, and some of the best food in Thailand all make this city a popular destination for a couple's getaway. The region is perfect for adventurous couples who want to experience more of the authentic side of Thailand.

Seville is a very popular place to visit for couples. Romantic walks, beautiful parks, and world class attractions make this a truly romantic city. Couples will enjoy an evening out with dinner and a Flamenco show, or visiting the Arab baths.

Is Chiang Mai or Seville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Chiang Mai is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Seville is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Chiang Mai is extremely popular for backpackers. This is one of the biggest backpacker mecca's in Southeast Asia, and you'll find the city flooded with budget travelers out to experience it all. There are countless hostels and budget hotels available and most will organize treks and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and many visitors end up staying longer than they planned. Prices in Northern Thailand are also much more affordable than many other areas.

Seville is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. It's a well established backpacker destination with a large supply of hostels and plenty of eager travelers ready to head out on the town.

Is Chiang Mai or Seville Better for Students?

Seville is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

Seville is a very popular place to visit for students. It's a top destination for international students who appreciate the many great educational institutions, beautiful year-round weather, and many festivals and evening activities.

Chiang Mai is not popular with students.

Is Chiang Mai or Seville Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Chiang Mai and Seville both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Chiang Mai offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Transportation options include red songthaew (converted pick-up trucks), buses, and tuk-tuks.

Seville has a few public transit options. There are buses that travel through the entire city. There is also a tram system that has 4 stops and travels 1.4 kilometers.

Is Chiang Mai or Seville a more walkable city?

Seville is a great city for its walkability. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its high level of walkability.

Seville is very walkable. There are many parts of the city that are very walkable. It takes about 45 minutes to walk across the city center in its entirety.

Chiang Mai is a somewhat walkable place. Although there are a few walking streets, the city can get very crowded and many places are easier to access with a tuk tuk or taxi.

For even more information, also check out Is Chiang Mai Worth Visiting? and Is Seville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Seville or Chiang Mai?

How long in Chiang Mai or Seville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Chiang Mai and Seville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Chiang Mai than in Seville. Usually, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Chiang Mai, and 2-3 days is enough time in Seville.

Couples should spend more time in Chiang Mai than Seville. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Chiang Mai that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chiang Mai than Seville if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Chiang Mai.

One day in Chiang Mai or Seville?

Because Chiang Mai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

With food and shopping around the energetic city of Seville, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Chiang Mai or Seville?

Because Chiang Mai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Chiang Mai has to offer.

With shopping and museums around the destination of Seville, there's plenty to do. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Five days in Chiang Mai or Seville?

Chiang Mai is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Chiang Mai has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Seville, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Chiang Mai or Seville?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chiang Mai. Because Chiang Mai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Seville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the museums. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Mai and Seville, we can see that Seville is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Chiang Mai is in Asia and Seville is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Chiang Mai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Mai and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Seville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seville than you might in Chiang Mai.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chiang Mai Expensive? and Is Seville Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Seville?

Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 42% larger than the population of Seville. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Seville, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Chiang Mai or Seville?

Seville has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Chiang Mai experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Seville in the Summer?

Both Seville and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Seville this time of year.

In the summer, Chiang Mai is around the same temperature as Seville. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chiang Mai in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Seville averages at about 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Seville. Chiang Mai usually receives less sunshine than Seville during summer. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies, while Seville receives 360 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Chiang Mai. In July, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Seville. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Seville receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Chiang Mai is June to September.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Seville in the Autumn?

Both Seville and Chiang Mai during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Seville for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Chiang Mai is generally a little warmer than Seville. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 29°C (83°F), and Seville fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

In Seville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Chiang Mai. In the autumn, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Seville. Chiang Mai gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seville receives 208 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in October than Seville. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Seville receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year. November to February is the dry season in Chiang Mai.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Seville in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Seville. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round. Also, many visitors come to Seville in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Chiang Mai is much warmer than Seville in the winter. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Seville fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In Chiang Mai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Seville during winter. Chiang Mai gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Seville receives 173 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Seville. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Seville receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the winter. November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Seville in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Seville. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Seville for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

The heat can be very extreme in Chiang Mai. In the spring, Chiang Mai is much warmer than Seville. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chiang Mai in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Seville averages at about 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chiang Mai this time of the year. In the spring, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Seville. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seville receives 221 hours of full sun.

Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in April than Seville. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Seville receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September in Chiang Mai is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Seville and Chiang Mai