We are considering a three night stay in Sevilla in mid July. A friend told me that she was there in July and the heat was unbearable (40 C or 100 F). Should we expect it to be that hot, or was her experience rare? The temperature charts say that the average temperature in July is closer to 28 C or 82 F.

Advice? Should we avoid Sevilla and go straight to the mountains or coast?

You friend is right.

You have to bear in mind that the “average temperature” is the result of adding the “average maximum” and the “average minimum” together, and then dividing the total between two.

The average maximum for July is (according to www.weatherbase.com) 35C. Temperatures of up to 38C are not uncommon, especially when the wind blows from the Sahara desert. The highest ever recorded temperature in Seville is 45C.

I would not discourage anyone from visiting Seville, as it is such a beautiful city, but you should definitely prepare for the heat.

http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=019380&refer=

I agree totally with eugene.uk, Sevilla in July is HOT, but it is a wonderful city that should'nt be missed. It all depends how you stand the heat, and of course be prepared for it.

Do sightseeing early in the morning and late in the afternoon and hold your siesta in between.

Exactly, use the early hours in the morning, and then scape to your hotel until the sun sets...that`s why people have dinner so late, and you can find many things open until very late.

Remember: "If it is cold...walk faster"...and vice-versa.

Yes, there won't be any stores open during the middle of the day anyway although you can go to the major tourist sites during that time. You'll likely be wiped out after a morning of running around anyway and a cool shower or dip in the pool and a nap is a great way to spend the hottest hours of the day. I was there in May 2005 and it was in the mid-30s most days and did reach 40+ on the one day we took a day trip to Cordoba.

Well, at least you'll be able to experience the "real" Sevilla. I've only been to Sevilla twice: once in June it was 43C, another in July it was about 40C. There are some beautiful things to see in that city, though, despite the heat. You now know why virtually nothing happens during the afternoon and things come alive at night. Night being after 10PM or so.

We were there in July'07.
We LOVED it! However we took siesta every day.
It is actually quite nice to stroll the streets on the morning. Take siesta after lunch and get all ready for the evening stroll + dinner.
When In Rome, Do as Romans Do