Wondering where to stay in Seville? In this article, we are going to talk about the best areas to stay in Seville, according to their location in the city, and the budget of the accommodations.
During a trip to Andalusia, a visit to Seville is a must.
Designated as the Andalusian capital, it is the main city of the region. Thus, it’s very popular with tourists.
Thanks to the Alcazar and its gardens, its impressive Gothic cathedral, and its narrow streets where it is good to get lost, Seville attracts thousands of visitors every year.
But beware, if the city is all about the good life and breathtaking monuments, the temperature can be high in summer.
And it is its busiest period, especially during Holy Week, you will see hordes of visitors storming the city.
What area is the best to stay in Seville?
Santa Cruz, the historical heart of the city
Santa Cruz is the most touristic place in the city. If you come to visit Seville for a few days, you will inevitably pass through this neighborhood.
It is located in the Old City, and it is in this neighborhood that you will be able to find the greatest number of historical monuments, religious buildings, palaces, and more generally places of interest.
Santa Cruz is made up of many small pedestrian streets, where you will have the opportunity to walk around and enjoy a very friendly atmosphere.
In this old Jewish neighborhood you can visit the Alcázar of Seville, the Cathedral of Seville, and the Murillo Gardens.
You will find many small squares full of life and restaurants where you can enjoy a typical Sevillian meal.
This neighborhood is without a doubt one of the best places to stay in Seville.
This is where you can enjoy the most pleasant surroundings, and you will be within walking distance of the city’s major tourist attractions.
However, hotel rates are often much higher than in other parts of Seville.
- Budget: quite high prices in some places, we are here in the heart of the tourist Seville.
- Highlights: those who choose to stay in the neighborhood will be at the doors of the must-see places of the city.
Impossible to leave Seville without having seen the Cathedral, the Alcazar and the Santa Cruz district. - Weaknesses: we often meet more foreigners than Sevillians in this neighborhood. The area is as sublime as it is touristy.
The Arenal district, the authentic Seville
If you want to discover the lively and friendly side of Seville, the Arenal district is the place to be.
In the Old Town and close to the most important monuments, the Arenal is the place to be if you want to discover the authentic atmosphere of Seville, and get to know the locals.
Located on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, across from Triana, in the streets of this neighborhood, you will have the opportunity to discover the Plaza de Toros, the Naval Museum of the Torre del Oro, and the baroque chapel of the Hospital of Charity.
Although it is known to be a rather quiet area throughout the year, the bullring district comes alive between April and October.
See the locals rush there on the days of the performances and parade in their Sunday best in the alleys next to the bullring.
The bullfighting season runs at the Real Maestranza de Caballería bullring, so it’s best to check before booking, especially since prices increase easily at this time of year
On other days, you can also visit the El Arenal market, one of the city’s main indoor markets, which is open every morning from Monday to Saturday.
Here, at night, all the tapas bars and restaurants are full and the atmosphere is exceptional.
It is an ideal place to stay in Seville if you are looking for peace and quiet close to the main tourist attractions or if you are a bullfighting aficionado.
- Budget: medium.
- Highlights: On bullfighting days, the bullring district is ablaze.
El Arenal is the place to be to capture the soul of Seville and to immerse yourself in the history of the city. - Weaknesses: The bullring area is not suitable for those looking to stay in the heart of bustling Seville. The area is rather quiet throughout the year.
The Historical Center, the shopping district of Seville
Ideal for those who want to do a little shopping between two visits, the hypercenter of Seville, mainly composed of clothing stores and big brands, is only a few blocks from the Cathedral and the Alcatraz.
This neighborhood is ideally located, from which you can easily reach any place in Seville.
In the plazas and streets of this neighborhood you can also find the City Hall, the Church of the Divine Savior and the Metropol Parasol, one of the most famous monuments in the city.
Unlike many other areas of the city, it is much less lively at night, so it will be perfect for you if you like to do shopping and want to enjoy a very quiet atmosphere for your evenings.
The place teems with Sevillians in the morning and then empties out in the warm hours to come back to life at the end of the day.
- Budget: average.
- Weaknesses : the places lack a little of charm (even if Seville as a whole remains a splendid city), and it is not in the hypercenter that beats the heart of the Sevillian night.
- Strengths: hypercentral, as its name indicates, the district is ideal for shopping addicts.
The Macarena neighborhood, the “bohemian” district
This neighborhood is located in the north of the city of Seville, right next to the historic center.
La Macarena is an old working-class neighborhood where the workers of Seville lived until the middle of the 20th century.
This neighborhood is the “bohemian” district of Seville. It is one of the most picturesque places in the city, where all the atmospheres of Seville come together.
Its proximity to the historic center and its activities can make it a great place to stay during a stay in Seville.
You can party at night, discover the gastronomy of Andalusia and appreciate the hospitality of the Sevillians.
One of the attractions not to be missed in this neighborhood is the Mercado de Abastos, the market that takes place in Calle Feria, where you can find fresh and local products and taste all the specialties of the region.
You can also discover the remains of the city walls, as well as the Basilica of La Macarena.
La Macarena is a great neighborhood to visit if you want to experience the typical life of the people of Seville and party the night away.
If you come by plane, this neighborhood also has the advantage of being a close place to stay in Seville next to to the airport.
Alameda de Hércules, the trendiest neighberhood
This is another living area of Seville, ideal for going out at night and having a drink.
The party people will find their happiness on the side of Alameda de Hercules.
There are countless bars surrounding the huge square of the same name, with its two enormous columns that are easily recognizable.
It is one of the trendiest places in the city, where you can see the creations of street art artists.
Enjoy a unique atmosphere and discover a striking mix of historical sites and modern creations.
On weekends, the youth of Seville crowd the terraces to drink a few cheap copas and stuff themselves with tapas until very late at night.
In the Alameda neighborhood, you can find accommodations at very reasonable prices.
If the neighborhood still has a reputation of Sevillian slums in the eyes of some, the hype have not stopped blooming in recent years, until completely transforming the area.
- Budget: good rates can be found, Airbnb rentals are numerous in this part of the city.
- Strengths : night owls will find here something to quench their thirst for parties.
We bet that it will take them several weeks or even months to test all the bars in the area. - Weaknesses: noisy and animated at all hours of the night, the district will not suit travelers who seek peace and quiet.
Triana, the other side of the Guadalquivir River
Triana is a neighborhood located just across the Guadalquivir River from the historic center.
Once considered the city’s gypsy quarter, the area is now home to clusters of bohemians who choose to settle in this temple of crafts, pottery and tiles.
This neighborhood was originally a separate city from Seville. These two ancient cities are now united.
This simple separation is enough to make Triana a small village in its own right, with a very different atmosphere from the rest of the Andalusian capital.
Staying in Triana is like being in Seville without feeling Sevillian. The locals say that they are “Trianeros” before admitting that they are “Sevillanos”.
The neighborhood is quite lively with shops but also historical places like churches or the old Castillo San Jorge now refurbished as a covered market.
In the shopping streets of Triana, such as Alfarería Street, you will find many bars and restaurants, as well as small stores run by artisans.
This is a pleasant neighborhood, not far from the historic center, and it can also be a good alternative to stay in Seville at a lower cost.
Since the area is off the beaten path, the prices of accommodation are often quite attractive, especially in the case of B&B apartments.
If you are looking for a quiet place with a village atmosphere, less touristy than the central areas, Triana is a good place to stay in Seville.
- Budget: moderate, you can find rooms or roof terraces at very very affordable prices.
- Strengths: Triana’s traditional and picturesque atmosphere makes it a very special neighborhood to get lost in.
- Weaknesses: the area is out of the way and you need to be patient during the hot hours or have a good pair of sneakers to visit the main tourist attractions of Seville.
Where should I stay in Seville without a car?
If you are looking for a place to stay in Seville without a car, we strongly advise you to opt for the historical center of the city which combines the calm of the numerous small streets with the nearby effervescence of the more animated streets.
How many days do you need in Seville?
We recommend at least 3 days to discover it.
Of course, you can already have a good overview in a weekend, and it will probably make you want to come back!
But 4 days seems to me a good length of time to enjoy it, and even more if you can.
Seville is a great city to stroll around and enjoy the atmosphere! The city has a number of monuments and sights.
Is there a beach near Seville?
The closest beach to Seville is Matalascaas, which is located next to the Donana National Park and is only one hour away.
It is considered the official beach of Seville.
Other beaches are also within easy reach. Discover the other beaches near Seville.
Mazagon is 113 kilometers away, Isla Antilla is 134 kilometers away, and La Antilla is 133 kilometers away.
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