Tour guide is baffled by British holidaymakers – 'why do they come and go to the beach?'

A tour guide in Europe's hottest city has a simple warning for British tourists this summer. Fiona Watson, a journalist and travel correspondent who relocated from London more than two decades ago, now guides holidaymakers around the city's tapas establishments.

But she said that her new home is "inconvenient" during the summer, and told British tourists to think twice about travelling there. The city has been labelled as "not pleasant" which is a sentiment shared by some locals. Fiona said she "wouldn't recommend going out at all at the moment" in the southern Spanish city.

In Seville, 12 hours a day of sunshine is the norm and while temperatures of 21C in March are wonderful, the summer may not be.

When asked about her recommendations for tourists with an afternoon to spare in Seville, Fiona told the Mirror: "Right now, in the afternoons, they need to be in an air-conditioned room. I wouldn't recommend going out at all at the moment."

Fiona said: "I flew back from a trip to England 10 days ago and noticed there were no Spanish people on the plane. I thought 'have you any idea what you're letting yourself in for'. We (locals) do ask 'why do they come and go to the beach?' It is not a place to come in the summer."

Fiona added: "It is great that we have tourists, but it is not a nice place for them to be in the summer. Hopefully they have a siesta in the afternoon."

Fiona characterised summer in the city as "inconvenient" and "like being in an oven", with most residents opting to stay indoors from approximately 1pm before venturing out only after sunset.

In extreme heat, schools close early, restauranteers sprinkle fine sprays of chilled water over their patrons, and the walkways are lined with protective parasols.

Despite Seville becoming increasingly sweltering, visitor numbers continue to surge. Last year, there were 12.2million international arrivals to Andalusia – the region housing the city – marking a record-breaking year, according to Statista.

But Fiona has a tip for travellers, suggesting they visit outside the peak summer months. She recommends the periods from March to May or after the summer rush. "October is lovely," she enthused.

Fiona also highlighted the city's diverse cultural tapestry, pointing out: "It is a very multicultural city. The Royal Alcazar is a must.

"It is absolutely beautiful, it is a mix of Moorish architecture and Mudejar. Part of Game of Thrones was filmed there. It was one of the palaces in Dorne."