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

Should you visit Dubai or Seville?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dubai and Seville can help you decide which place is right for you.

Dubai

Dubai is a glamorous, opulent, and modern city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Seville

Seville is a world-renowned, historic, and energetic city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, theater, and nightlife.

Dubai and Seville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Dubai or Seville?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Dubai than Seville, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Dubai is more popular for its skiing, nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Seville is known for its museums, theatre productions, and historical sights. Seville is more touristy than Dubai and is known for its Moorish and Islamic architecture, its colorful Flamenco dancing, and its local tapas and wine. Dubai is popular for its luxury shopping, glamorous resorts, city beaches, and ultramodern development style. It is also home to Burj Khalifa.

Burj Khalifa

How is Dubai different from Seville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Dubai or Seville Better for Skiing?

Dubai is adequate for skiing. However, Seville is not a skiing destination.

Dubai is a fun local destination for snow skiers. Despite being a desert city, Dubai became famous for its massive indoor ski complex that covers 22,500 square meters. It is located in the Mall of the Emirates.

Seville is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Dubai or Seville?

Seville is a world-class destination for its historical sights. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Seville has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Dubai can be an interesting and educational experience. The city's most famous landmark is the Burj Khalifa, which is the tallest building in the world. Head to the observation deck for stunning views.

Is Dubai or Seville Better for Theater?

Seville is very good for its shows and theatre. However, Dubai 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.

Dubai is not a theatre destination.

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

Foodies will find both Dubai and Seville both to be high quality destinations.

Dubai has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The national dish in the area is khuzi, or ghuzi, which is a meal of roasted lamb or mutton, prepared with rice vegetables and nuts.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Seville makes for a great culinary experience. 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 Dubai or Seville Better for Nightlife?

Dubai is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Seville is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Dubai is a must-see party destination. Frequented by the wealthy and opulent, the city has world class night clubs and DJs that travel from around to world to perform.

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 Dubai or Seville Better for Music?

Dubai is terrific for its live music scene. However, Seville is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Dubai. The city attracts world famous international DJs and musicians giving it one of the world's best music scenes.

Seville is not a live music destination.

Is Dubai or Seville Better for Resorts?

Dubai is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Seville is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Dubai for its luxury resorts. Some of the most famous include Atlantis - The Palm, The Four Seasons, and Burj Al Arab Jumeirah.

Seville is not a resort destination.

Is Dubai or Seville Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Dubai is a good destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Seville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Dubai. One of the best scuba diving spots is Jumeirah Beach.

Seville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Dubai or Seville Better for Beaches?

Dubai is a good destination for the beache. However, Seville is not a beach destination.

Dubai offers a nice beach destination. There are a number of both private and public beaches in the city. They are almost all man-made, so they are large, flat, and have soft sand. It's also generally safe to swim at most beaches.

Seville is not a beach destination.

Is Dubai or Seville Better for its Old Town?

Seville is a great city for its historic old town charm. However, Dubai does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of 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.

Dubai does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Dubai or Seville?

Dubai 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, Dubai draws large crowds to its stores. With its many malls, souks, and shopping areas, this is the place to go for luxury shopping. Popular items to purchase include gold and diamond jewelry, shawls, and Persian rugs.

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 Dubai or Seville Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Dubai or Seville.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Dubai. This city has family-friendly resorts, skyscrapers with spectacular views, and amusement parks that are fun for the whole family. There are also plenty of fountains that the kids can splash around in.

Seville is a very family-friendly place to visit. 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 Dubai or Seville Better for Couples?

Seville is a great city for couples. Also, Dubai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Seville is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. 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.

Dubai is a nice destination for couples. From the spectacular views to the high end resorts, couples can enjoy a romantic retreat to the city.

Is Dubai or Seville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Seville is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Dubai is not known for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Seville. 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.

Dubai is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It is known to be an expensive and not so backpacker friendly city, but there are some hostels around that you can stay at.

Is Dubai or Seville Better for Students?

For students, both Dubai and Seville are first-rate places to visit.

Students come from all over the world to visit Dubai. Many major universities from around the world have campuses in this city, making this a top destination for international students.

Seville is a great destination 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.

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

Dubai and Seville both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Dubai offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The city's public transportation system includes buses, water buses, a monorail system, and a metro.

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 Dubai or Seville a more walkable city?

Seville is a great city for its ease of walking around. However, Dubai is not known for its walkability.

Seville is a very walkable destination. 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.

Dubai is generally not very walkable. It is one of the less pedestrian-friendly cities around the world. There is lots of road work, even in the more walkable areas, so getting around on foot can be challenging.

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

Should I spend more time in Seville or Dubai?

How long in Dubai or Seville?

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

Families should spend more time in Dubai than Seville. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Dubai, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Seville than Dubai 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 Seville.

One day in Dubai or Seville?

Because Dubai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Seville, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this energetic destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the museums. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Dubai or Seville?

Because Dubai 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. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Seville. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Dubai or Seville?

Dubai is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Dubai has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Seville is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and theater when visiting the destination of Seville. Lots of people come for the museums. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Dubai or Seville?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dubai. Because Dubai is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

You'll find theater and nightlife around the energetic destination of Seville. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the museums. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Dubai, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Arab Emirates, The Best 3-Week Tours in Spain, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dubai and Seville, we can see that Dubai is more expensive. And not only is Seville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dubai is in Middle East 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 Seville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Seville 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 Dubai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dubai than you might in Seville.

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

Which is Bigger, Dubai or Seville?

Dubai has a larger population, and is about 62% larger than the population of Seville. When comparing the sizes of Dubai 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 Dubai or Seville?

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

Should I visit Dubai or Seville in the Summer?

Both Seville and Dubai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dubai throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Seville for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Dubai can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Dubai is generally a little warmer than Seville. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 35°C (95°F), and Seville fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In July, Dubai usually receives more rain than Seville. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Seville receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Dubai is June to August.

Should I visit Dubai or Seville in the Autumn?

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

Dubai is a little warmer than Seville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dubai averages around 29°C (84°F) in October, and Seville fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

Dubai usually gets less rain in October than Seville. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Seville receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Dubai or Seville in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dubai and Seville. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dubai year-round. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Seville this time of year.

In the winter, Dubai is much warmer than Seville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dubai in January average around 19°C (66°F), and Seville averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In January, Dubai usually receives less rain than Seville. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Seville receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the winter. Also, January to March is the rainy season in Dubai.

Should I visit Dubai or Seville in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Dubai as well as Seville. Dubai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Seville for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

In April, Dubai is generally much warmer than Seville. Daily temperatures in Dubai average around 26°C (79°F), and Seville fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Dubai usually gets less rain in April than Seville. Dubai gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Seville receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to August in Dubai is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Seville and Dubai