Useful Information for Visiting Seville: Dangerous Areas, Emergencies, Hospitals, Currency, and ATMs

Seville is a relatively quiet and safe city, but like any tourist destination, there are always a few pickpockets ready to take advantage of distractions. The most common crimes, therefore, are the classic ones that tourists fall victim to: theft and pickpocketing, especially near crowded monuments and on public transport.

Follow our tips and you won't have any problems during your vacation. In the meantime, discover the must-see attractions in Seville.

Pickpockets mainly strike in public places, when jackets, wallets, phones, and cameras are left unattended. Keep your bags closed, especially around the Alcazar and the Cathedral, especially when you are in line for tickets or among crowds. In restaurants, especially fast-food chains, do not leave bags unattended on chairs and tables. Be wary of the bird droppings tactic: someone approaches you saying you have bird droppings on your shoulders. They offer to help clean it and walk away with your wallet. Watch out for gypsies wanting to sell you red roses. Avoid wandering into poorly lit alleys of Barrio Santa Cruz and other central neighborhoods at night. Solo females should avoid the Parque de Maria Luisa area at night.

Do not leave anything visible in the car. If you get a flat tire and someone offers to help, tell them to leave. Be cautious at rest stops on highways leading to the city and along provincial roads, especially in the evening. There have rarely been reports of actual assaults by "car pirates" who steal your vehicle.

• Avoid showing all the cash you have and split it into different denominations kept separately.
• When you are at a restaurant or sitting at a café table, do not hang your bag on the chair; do not leave your bag unattended in the fitting rooms where you try on clothes.
• Do not place your phone and wallet on tables or bars in public spaces; do not put them in an outer pocket of your bag or pants.
• Make sure you have securely closed the doors and windows of your car, do not leave your phone, camera, wallet, and bags (even if empty) in plain sight: someone might be tempted to force a lock or break a window of your car.
• Travel with a photocopy of your ID that you will leave in your hotel in Valencia. In case of loss: if lost, contact the consulate, while if stolen, also file a report with the police.

In case of minor or major health emergencies (accidents, illness), Italians in Seville have the right to free healthcare. Find all the information on our page Healthcare, Hospitals, and Emergency Services in Seville.

In Spain, drug possession and consumption laws are quite unique. For a few years now, every Spanish citizen may grow up to 2 cannabis plants in their apartment for personal use. Alternatively, one can "delegate" cultivation to Social Clubs, non-profit associations we will discuss in the next paragraph, where cannabis is then consumed. However, buying drugs from criminals remains a crime punishable by imprisonment. Possession of drugs for personal use is allowed up to a maximum supply for 10 days, which is about 25 grams. Beyond this limit, there are hefty fines, and one can be accused of trafficking.

Cannabis Social Clubs are associations where one can go to smoke cannabis and other substances. They are very similar to the coffee shops in Amsterdam, but have stricter rules. They are not businesses; the aim is not to make money but to provide members with a safe space to consume drugs. There are about 500 clubs in Spain, with one located in Seville. To access the club, one must be at least 21 years old, be introduced by someone, and pay a membership fee of around 10 euros. In many cases, access is easier if you meet the right promoter in Seville.

The social club in Seville

ARSEC.CO

Address: Alvaro de Bazán, 6

Phone: 600 84 37 02

Like in many other European countries, prostitution is legal in Spain, but all ancillary activities, particularly pimping and exploitation, are prohibited. Brothels, usually marked as "Eros Center" or Clubs where prostitutes work and organize themselves as cooperatives or businesses, are also legal. Street prostitution is almost non-existent.

ZERO TOLERANCE FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST ADULTS AND MINORS.

We remind you that those who commit offenses against minors abroad (sexual abuse, exploitation, prostitution) are prosecuted under Italian law upon returning to our country.

Speed Limits

In the city, the limit is 60 km/h and on highways, it is 90 km/h. On motorways, the speed limit is 120 km/h.

USE OF HEADLIGHTS

It is mandatory to use low-beam headlights in tunnels and during poor visibility conditions.

DRUNK DRIVING

In Spain, there are 3 limits for blood alcohol content, with a bit of tolerance for tourists.

**Tourists 0.25 mg/l

Professionals 0.15 mg/l

New license holders 0.15 mg/** and drinking before driving is not allowed.

A test is mandatory if requested by the authorities. Refusal is considered a very serious offense.

Child Seat: Children under 3 years must travel in a child seat appropriate for their size. From 3 to 12 years can travel in the front seat with a suitable child seat or in the back seats with an adult seatbelt.

Reflective safety vest: You are not fined if you do not have it on board, but it is required to be used when exiting a stationary vehicle on the roadway outside urban centers.

Using a cellphone while driving is prohibited.

Fines and Sanctions

In Spain, fines for foreigners are paid at the time of the offense. If you cannot pay at that moment, there is a real risk of vehicle seizure until the fine is paid.

If you arrive in Seville by car or intend to rent one on-site, you can drive with an Italian license. It is not necessary to have the Green Card; just the vehicle's registration certificate is enough. If the car is not yours, it is better to have a notarized delegation to drive signed. Seatbelts are **mandatory on all equipped seats.

We know and hope you won't need it, but the numbers and references you find on this page are also useful if you're staying in Seville for just a few days. Here are all the useful numbers and addresses for those deciding to spend a weekend in Seville.

In case of minor or major health emergencies (accidents, illness), Italians in Seville have the right to free healthcare. You can find all the information in our section Healthcare, Hospitals, and Emergency Services in Seville.

The reference number is 112 to call the Police, Fire Department, and emergency services. The European number 112 can be dialed for free from all cell phones and payphones. This is the number to call in case of accidents or various emergencies. You will likely receive a response in Spanish, so if you do not know this language, hand the phone to a Spanish speaker who can help you ask for assistance.

The Spanish National Police can be reached at 091, the Civil Guard at 092, while for the municipal police, call 092. For medical emergencies, use 061, while the fire department can be reached at 080.

Italians visiting Seville for study, vacation, or work have the right to healthcare as they do in Italy. However, it is necessary to carry the Italian Health Card issued by your competent local health authority. The card covers all normal emergency services and reimbursement for medical expenses incurred. Private doctors and hospitals in Spain do not accept the European Health Card. If you wish to receive medical assistance in this type of facility, you must pay the expenses or take out a health insurance policy. The Italian health card does not cover any costs for possible emergency transport in Italy. Spanish healthcare facilities are of excellent quality, in line with European and Italian standards.

The Emergency Room in Seville can be contacted at the European number 112, which can be called for free from all cell phones and payphones. This is the number to call in case of accidents or various emergencies. You will likely receive a response in Spanish or English, so if you do not know either, hand the phone to a Spanish speaker who can help you ask for assistance.

These hospitals in Seville are the ones to contact in case of emergency:

Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio phone 955 012 000

Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena phone 955 008 000

Pharmacies in Seville are marked with the word Pharmacy and a green cross. The pharmacies in Seville stock all the medications that you can also find in Italy.

They sell over-the-counter drugs without a prescription and prescription medications, which you will need to bring from Italy. If you use particularly rare medications, it's a good idea to bring extra with you from Italy.

The address of night pharmacies is posted on the bulletin boards of those closed. A 24-hour pharmacy is located on Calle Castillo de Constantina.

Spain has an excellent mobile phone network that meets European standards, so you won't have any difficulty calling and receiving calls even with your Italian mobile phone. Once you arrive in Seville, your phone will connect to one of the active providers in Spain. Before leaving, it is a good idea to inquire about the costs by asking your provider about rates for calls and messages.

To call from Seville to Italy, you need to enter our international prefix +39 followed by the local or mobile number. To be called from Italy to Spain, the prefix they need to enter is 0034. There are no problems with mobile phones. As soon as you enter Spanish territory, your operator will automatically connect to the Spanish operator with which they have commercial agreements.

The electric current is the same as in Italy, at 220 volts. The most common sockets have round holes. Bring along adapters as many sockets, especially in older homes and hotels, might not match those of your devices. Typically, hotels have several adapters to lend to their guests.

The official currency used in Seville and Spain is the Euro, so you can use the banknotes and coins that you use in Italy. Like in our country, there are 7 banknotes and 8 coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents; 1 and 2 Euros and banknotes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 Euros.

In Seville, the most commonly accepted credit cards are widely accepted. Before entering a store or restaurant, always check that the logo of your credit card is on the door. Payment with cards requires presentation of your passport or ID card. To withdraw Euros in cash, you can use the ATMs (cash machines) available day and night throughout Seville.

In case of lost cards, here are the numbers to call in Seville:

• Visa 900-99-1124

• American Express 800.263.92.279

• MasterCard 900-97-1231

• Maestro Card 0039.02.34980132

• Diners Club 0039 02.3216.2656

Banks are open from Monday to Friday, from 8:30 AM to 2:00 or 2:30 PM. Some branches open on Saturday mornings.

If something goes wrong, the Italian Consulate in Seville is available for assistance.

Honorary Consulate Seville

District: Algeciras, Badajoz, Cáceres, Cádiz, Córdoba, Huelva, Sevilla

Address: Calle Fabiola, 10 - 41004 Seville

Fax: 954.228.549

e-mail: siviglia.onorario@esteri.it

Telephone assistance provided by "Innovatel Europe s.l" at number 807.300.747

(paid service). For calls from abroad, +34 902 502512.