Where to stay in Seville first time? without a car, for families, on a budget? In this blog post, I will give you some helpful tips about the best areas to stay in Seville for first-timers (include video and map), the best hotels in Seville for all budgets, and safest areas to stay in Seville.
Located on the plain of the River Guadalquivir, the capital and largest city in the Andalusia region of Spain, Seville (Sevilla in Spanish), draws tourists from around the world each year. It is famous for its flamenco dancing, architectural design, historic churches, palaces, and Moorish buildings.
Seville has a rich history dating back to Roman times. It became an important center for trade, culture, and the arts during the Islamic rule in the 8th century. After the Reconquista, it became a hub for exploration and trade with the Americas. Today, it’s famous for its lively culture, beautiful architecture, and lively festivals.
Seville is one of the safest cities in Spain, but as in any famous tourist destination, you should practice common sense and be aware of pickpockets. Unsafe neighborhoods in Seville are far from the city centre. Seville city centre, Triana, Los Remedios, Nervion are some of the safest areas to stay in Seville for tourists all day and night.
Where to stay in Seville for the first time?
The best areas to stay in Seville for first-timers are Seville Centro, Barrio Santa Cruz, El Arenal, Macarena, Alameda, La Cartuja, Triana, Los Remedios, and Nervion. These are popular neighborhoods for tourists that offer a wide variety of attractions and amenities.
If you are looking for where to stay in Seville without a car, I would recommend staying in the district of Centro, Barrio Santa Cruz, and El Arenal. If you stay here, you will be located within walking distance to the major attractions, as well as many shopping, dining, and nightlife venues.
If this is your first visit, I recommend spending 3-5 days in the city, which is enough to get the sense of the local history and culture, and to visit the most famous tourist attractions of Seville. If you have more days, you can take day trips to Cordoba, Granada, Jerez, Carmona, Ecija, Osuna.
| 💖 Best Area for first-timers: | Seville Centro |
| 💎 Best luxury hotel: | Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seville |
| 🏨 Best mid-range hotel: | Hotel Casa de Indias By Intur |
| 💰 Best budget hotel: | Petit Palace Puerta de Triana |
Overviews of best areas to stay in Seville for first-time visitors
Here is an overview of recommended areas in Seville for first-time visitors:
| Best areas in Seville for first-time tourists | Why should you stay in this area? |
|---|---|
| Seville Centro | best overall area to stay in Seville for first-timers due to its prime location, well-connected to public transportation, vibrant nightlife, shopping, and dining scenes. |
| Barrio Santa Cruz | a historic neighborhood is the heart of Seville, featuring narrow winding streets, beautiful squares, and the famous Alcázar. It’s a fantastic area for exploring the city’s history and enjoying traditional tapas. |
| El Arenal | a lively neighborhood located near the Guadalquivir River that is known for its bullring, the Maestranza theater, a charming riverside promenade, great restaurants, and easy access to major attractions. |
| Macarena | best for budget travelers, located north of the city center, it is famous for its Basilica de la Macarena and the ancient city walls. It has a local vibe, vibrant markets, and a bohemian atmosphere. |
| Alameda | a trendy and bohemian neighborhood with a vibrant nightlife scene, alternative shops, and plenty of bars and clubs. It’s a popular spot for both locals and tourists. |
| La Cartuja | a modern neighborhood with parks, cultural centers, and attractions like the Isla Mágica theme park and the Cartuja Monastery. |
| Triana | Across the river from the city center, Triana is a vibrant and authentic neighborhood renowned for its flamenco scene and traditional ceramic workshops. It offers a lively atmosphere, excellent tapas bars, and picturesque streets. |
| Nervion | a bustling commercial district with numerous shops, restaurants, and hotels. It’s a convenient area for shopping enthusiasts and football fans. |
| Los Remedios | a residential area on the west of the city center, with wide boulevards, charming squares, and excellent shopping opportunities. It offers a relaxed atmosphere and is well-connected to other parts of the city. |
Map of areas and neighborhoods in Seville:
🎬 You can check out this video, the full video is at the end of this post:
The Best areas to stay in Seville for first-time visitors are:
1. Seville Centro
Sellive Centro is the best overall area to stay in Seville for first-time travelers due to its central location and proximity to Seville’s most popular attractions such as Alcazar Palace and Seville Cathedral. Staying here also offers easy walk to many shops, restaurants, tapas, and cocktail bars.
The Centro can be broken into smaller neighborhoods, but generally, it is the area between Plaza Nueva and Plaza de Encarnación, that is home to the famous Seville Cathedral, Arenal neighborhood, and the famous shopping streets of Calle Sierpes, Calle Tetuán, and La Alfalfa.
Much of Seville Centro is quite walkable, you can easily explore the city on foot. You can start exploring the city from the Plaza de Encarnacion where you find several bars, restaurants, a shopping arcade, and the Metropol Parasol.
Known as Las Setas by locals, or The Mushrooms, Metropol Parasol has a giant mushroom shape and is made of wood. You can go up the rooftop walkway Metropol Parasol and enjoy views over the city from its a special walkway and a terrace called Mirador de las Setas.
At the basement of Metropol Parasol lies an archaeological museum called Antiquarium in the central Plaza de la Encarnación square. You can see some remains from Roman period.
You can find several other cultural attractions around Plaza de Encarnacion. The Church of the Annunciation is an interesting Renaissance buildings, while the Lebrija Palace is a beautiful Andalusian house with some stunning Roman mosaics, located in Cuna street;
If you are interested in architecture and art, you can take a look at The Palace of the Dukes, or the Palacio de las Dueñas in Spanish. Built in the 15th century with a mix of Gothic, Moorish, and Renaissance styles, by the Pineda family, the palace is now open for the public to view its art gallery, beautiful patios, and gardens.
History buffs and art lovers can also check out:
- the Seville Museum of Fine Arts (Museo de Bellas Artes), one of the most important museums in the city. You can view art works from Gothic era to the 20th century.
- the Flamenco Dance Museum (Museo del Baile Flamenco), to learn more about the history of flamenco dance at. It is also a great location to watch some of Seville’s best flamenco.
There are nice gardens in the heart of Seville while the squares and winding streets provide a great environment. The old city walls and cathedral are also things to put on your itinerary.
To the south of Plaza de Encarnación is another popular square called Plaza Nueva, which means New Square. It was historically known as the Plaza de la Libertad or Republic Square, and is surrounded by historical buildings. It has statue of King Fernando III at the center of the square.
In the Plaza Nueva’s surroundings, you can find the Ayuntamiento de Sevilla (City Hall) with its beautiful façade and clock, the Chapel of San Onofre, and Casa Longoria.
Plaza Nueva is filled with palm and orange trees, making it a popular place to hang out with friends and families. It is home to lots of designer shops, tapas bars, restaurants, as well as the location of a traditional Christmas market in December each year.
The historic center is also home to the iconic Seville Cathedral, which is an UNESCO’s World Heritage Site and one of the world’s most beautiful cathedrals. Climb up top of its bell tower La Giralda to enjoy sweeping views over the city.
If Seville Cathedral is the largest cathedral in the city, Seville center also hosts the 2nd Catholic church called Church of El Salvador, located in the Plaza del Salvador. It was constructed between the 17th and 18th centuries on the former old mosque.
In addition to historical and cultural landmarks, Sevilla Centro has a lively nightlife. The Calle Perez Galdós street attracts lots of international students and tourists with its pubs and tapas bars.
If you want a local atmosphere with traditional bars and restaurants, come to the area around Plaza de la Encarnación and Plaza de Los Terceros. There is a traditional Sevillan bar, El Rinconcillo on Calle Gerona.
If you love shopping, be sure to check out the Calle Sierpes, a busy pedestrian street and shopping spot in the historic center of Seville. It has lots of shops, tapas bars, and lively nightlife scene.
Seville’s city center provides luxury hotels, apartments, and boutique hotels. Seville’s best hotels are here, but if you look, you will find something that satisfies a tight budget.
Stay in the Centro if you are first-time tourists, couples, families, singles of all age who want a central location; you travel without a car; and you enjoy historic old cities; you like shopping.
Best places to stay in the Seville Centro for first-time visitors:
- luxury ($$$): Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seville
- mid-range ($$): Hotel Casa de Indias By Intur
- budget ($): Petit Palace Puerta de Triana
See more: Where to Stay in Seville with Family
2. Barrio Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz is one of the best areas to stay in Seville for tourists because it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city because it has an abundance of historic sites including the royal palace of Seville, Alcazar Palace and the Giralda Tower of the Cathedral.
Located in Old quarter of Seville, Santa Cruz is the old Jewish quarter of Seville and its name literally translates to Ancient Shell.
As the former Old Jewish quarter of the city during Medieval times, the streets display distinctive characteristics from that time period. A labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets and alleyways intertwine, to protect the inhabitants from the midday sun.
If you stroll along these streets, you will see white-washed houses, charming plazas and squares filled with orange trees, past some of the oldest buildings in the city, such as synagogues, palaces.
The Seville Cathedral, known as Catedral de Sevilla, is the largest Gothic Roman cathedral in the world after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. Seville Cathedral is known for it 104-meter high bell tower La Giralda.
You can climb the Giralda Tower where you can find a four-meter high bronze statue, called Giraldillo, representing faith. From its top, you will have stunning views.
Along with the Giralda, the orange tree courtyard of the cathedral of Seville was the surviving part of the mosque. Muslims wash from this courtyard before entering the mosque to pray.
The cathedral of Seville has the Tomb of Christopher Columbus, a treasure room, paintings of Murillo, Goya, Pedro de Campaña, and Luis de Vargas; and Royal Chapel devoted to King Ferdinand III of Castile who reclaimed Seville from the Moors.
For the best views of the cathedral of Seville, you can visit the Patio de Banderas, located between the Cathedral and the Royal Palace. At the square, you can walk through the orange trees grove, view its central fountain and the Seville Cathedral.
Santa Cruz has plenty of other beautiful squares. The Plaza del Cabildo offers good local restaurants with affordable prices and a flea market on Sunday.
There are also small charming orange trees lined squares such as Plaza Santa Cruz, Plaza Doña Elvira, Plaza de Triunfo, and Plaza de las Cruces.
Another important sight in the old town of Santa Cruz is the UNESCO-listed palace, Real Alcázar de Sevilla, known as the Royal Palace of Seville. Its Mudéjar architectural style is a mix of Moorish and Christian cultural influences.
In the Royal Palace, you can find Ambassador’s Hall, beautiful Moorish, Renaissance-style Murillo Gardens (Jardines de Murillo), and Casa de Contratación which granted the city the exclusive right to trade with the New World.
Another must-see palace is the Casa de Pilatos (Pilate’s House), one of the most beautiful palaces in Seville, located the Plaza de Pilatos. It was built in the 16th century by order of Don Pedro Enriquez.
You can also visit the General Archive of the Indies, an UNESCO World Heritage Sites for free. It displays a small fraction of 80 million pages of documentation about Spain’s conquest of the New World.
While in the area, you can take a look at the Hospital los Venerables (Hospital de los Venerables Sacerdotes), the 17th century baroque style building, located in a beautiful same name orange-tree-covered square. You can view artworks here, as well as visit the church, the Cloister, and the Velázquez Center.
Santa Cruz has several museums. The Murillo Museum is a small museum and art gallery in the home of the painter, Murillo. Flamenco Museum is the world’s first and only museum of its type.
Other places of interest in Santa Cruz are visit the Mateos Gago street full of tapas bars and restaurants; visit Callejon del Agua, known as the Water Alley, 140m long and very narrow street;
While the squares feature a collection of smaller, more traditional bars, taverns, and cafes, the larger streets are filled with bustling shops and restaurants, offering traditional food, souvenirs, handicrafts, and ceramics.
The area even has a number of bars and some clubs, open until the early hours of the morning, providing one of the best nightlife experiences on offer in the city.
Santa Cruz is easily explored on foot, you can choose to book a hotel that is located near subway and tram stops. The tram line stops at many tourist landmarks in the Santa Cruz neighborhood.
Stay in Santa Cruz if you are interested in the history of the city; you travel without a car; you want a vibrant nightlife; you want central location; you travel on a budget; you travel with family;
Best places to stay in Seville in Santa Cruz for first-timers:
- luxury ($$$): EME Catedral Hotel
- mid-range ($$): Hotel Doña María
- budget ($): Apartamentos Murillo
See more:
3. El Arenal
El Arenal along with Seville Centro and Barrio Santa Cruz is the best area to stay in Seville without a car due to its convenient location. El Arenal is located between the Avenida de la Constitucion and Guadalquivir River, within easy access to both Seville Centro and Triana neighborhood.
El Arenal is sit directly to the west of Santa Cruz, which was once the city’s port, from where ships sailed to the New World. “Arenal” refers to dust clouds that would have formed when gusts of wind blew up the river.
While not quite as abundant with history as its neighbor, it still has a rich history, as the primary port of the city from its founding up until the 17th- century, when river silting forced it to be moved to the south of the city.
As this caused much of the industry to move away from the area, it has developed into an area full of local residents, filling up the areas surrounding the attractions with other businesses, such as family-run taverns, tapas bars, and traditional restaurants.
The main attractions in the area is the second most important bullring in all of Spain, Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza, or Bullring of the Real Maestranza. It is the venue for the bullfights that take place in bullfighting festivals in the Seville April Fair.
The Plaza de Toros is home to Museum of bullfighting and a hall with bullfighting’s paintings. In its surrounding area, you can find numerous statues of important poeple in the bullfighting’s history.
Other popular landmarks in El Arenal neighborhood are:
- the Reales Atarazanas, the abandoned medieval shipyard dating back to the 13th century;
- the 13th-century Torre Del Oro Moorish (Gold Tower) watchtower. It is home to the Museum of Naval History.
- the Teatro De La Maestranza opera house
- Postigo del Aceite (Oil Gate), one of the three existing gates in the old Arab wall.
- Hospital de la Caridad, 15th century baroque style hospital
When you add this historic list of attractions to the fabulous range of shops, traditional restaurants and tapas bars, taverns in the area, especially on Calle Adriano, making it a fantastic place to for foodies.
To experience local daily life, you can visit the Mercado El Arenal, a covered food market, located in Calle Pastor y Landero, close to the Plaza de toros. Mercado de Artesanes is also a great market nearby to purchase souvenirs for your friends and families.
Combine that with the fact that accommodation in El Arenal tends to be slightly cheaper and more abundant here, and you could have found yourself a winner.
Stay in El Arenal if you travel without a car; you travel on a budget; you want to be situated on the river; you travel as a family;
Best places to stay in Seville in El Arenal for first-time tourists:
- luxury ($$$): Hotel Mercer Sevilla
- mid-range ($$): Las Casas de El Arenal
- budget ($): Adriano Boutique Sevilla
4. Macarena
Macarena an authentic neighborhood located north of the Old Town, and is right on the boundary of the ancient city limits of Almohad, a larger portion of those ancient Moorish city walls that can be found anywhere else in the city still run through the district to this day.
Macarena was founded by the Almohades in the 20th century. A fairly affluent area, some of the grandest buildings and attractions in Seville can be found in this part of the city.
There’s the Basilica Of Nuestra Senora De La Esperanza Macarena, a Neo-Baroque, 20th-century basilica, built to house the 17th-century wooden statue of Our Lady Of Hope Macarena.
Beside it is the Museum And Treasure Of La Macarena, a location dedicated to teaching visitors about the famous Holy Week processions in the city.
Elsewhere in the area, you will also find the Andalusian parliament building, located within the 16th-century Hospital De Las Cinco Llagas, an ancient hospital with the Andalusian Mannerism style;
The Torre De Los Perdigones and Los Perdigones, gardens on the banks of the river, containing the last remnant of the 19th-century foundry; the Puerta De Cordoba, a stunning gate in the aforementioned Almohad city walls; and the San Hermenegildo Church.
This authentic Seville barrio also features El Rinconcillo, the oldest Tapas bar in the city and possibly the world, as well as Mercado De La Feria, the oldest marketplace in Seville, constructed in the 17th and 18th centuries respectively.
You can take a stroll along Calle Feria, which is the heart of the La Macarena. it is the location of local market and Thurday El Jueves market to buy antiques.
These give you the opportunity to shop, dine and relax, while surrounded by history and culture, offering you the chance to do your sightseeing around the city at your own pace.
Macarena is ideal for budget travelers who looking for an affordable accommodation area and are still close to the action!
Stay in Macarena if you want to stay in a budget-friendly area; you want to see the walls of the ancient city, you want to visit the oldest tapas bar or marketplace in the city;
Best places to stay in Seville in Macarena for first-time visitors:
- mid-range ($$): San Gil
- budget ($): Lola 14 Suite Apartment
- budget ($): Oasi Macarena
See more: Where to stay in Seville on a budget
5. Alameda
Alameda is the area around La Alameda de Hércules and is one of hippest and trendiest barrios in the city. It is conveniently located in the northern part of Casco Antiguo (Old Town) and is next to the Macarena neighborhood.
In the 19th Century, it was a place for the wealthy, but things changed so that it became a place to avoid. Today, it is now a trendy yet bohemian district with shops, grocery stores, selling a range of old and new, artistic, and literary.
You can expect a lively nightlife with tapas bars, restaurants, music, and shows with outdoor terraces. The square has plenty of open spaces & playgrounds for kids to play, as well as shaded places to relax.
At the south end of the La Alameda de Hércules square stands Two Roman columns with statues of Caesar and Hercules on top of them. Next to the Roman columns is the the clock tower, a popular meeting place for many people.
Within easy walking distance from Almeda’s main square is the Chapel of Nuestra Señora del Carmen y Cruz del Rodeo.
Other points of interest are the Convento Santa Clara, the Torre de Don Fadrique, the Convento San Clemente with its stunning frescoes and 16th-century azulejos, an arts centre, ICAS (Instituto de las Artes y Cultura de Sevilla).
Accommodation of every kind is here, whatever your budget. La Alameda has cheaper hotel options compared to the popular areas of Seville Centro.
Stay in Alameda disitrict if You travel on a budget; you want a lively and bohemian atmosphere;
Best places to stay in Seville in La Alameda for first-timers:
- mid-range ($$): One Shot Palacio Conde de Torrejón 09
- budget ($): Llama Sevilla Apartamentos
- budget ($): Opera Apartments – Alameda
6. La Cartuja
La Cartuja is a great place to stay in Seville, situated on the Isla de la Cartuja. It can be reached from Seville Centro by crossing the Guadalquivir via numerous bridges such as Pasarela de la Cartuja, Puente de la Barqueta, and Puente del Alamillo.
Formerly an island in the river, La Cartuja was joined to its west bank by a bridge to expand the site to be used for Expo ‘92 (1992 Universal Exposition of Seville).
It is named after the 15th Century Monasterio de la Cartuja de Santa María de Las Cuevas, now a base for Andalusian art shows. The Cartuja Monastery is where Columbus stayed before his second voyage to the Americas.
There is still plenty to see here including the crypt, chapel, and chapter house. The Cajasol Tower on La Cartuja is the highest structure in Andalusia.
While there are now some residences here, the attractions for a visitor also include botanical gardens, a golf course, music venues, clubs, theatres.
You will find the Rocio Jurado auditorium, the CaixaForum Sevilla which is underground cultural centre, and the Andalusian Centre of Contemporary Art.
There are numerous of bridges connecting the island with the city including Barqueta Bridge, close to the Science and Technology Park and the Isla Mágica theme park; and the Alamillo Bridge near Alamillo Park.
Other places of interest area Navigation Pavilion, American Garden, and the Palacio Andaluz which is the flamenco stage.
Accommodation here comes in the form of apartments and a few hotels. They are worth investigating.
Stay in La Cartuja if You are looking for a base full of local attractions, Apartments are your first choice for accommodation, You want to be entertained each evening.
Best places to stay in Seville in La Cartuja:
- luxury ($$$): Barceló Sevilla Renacimiento
- mid-range ($$): Exe Isla Cartuja
7. Triana
Triana is the former gypsy neighborhood, the birthplace of famous bullfighters, and flamenco dancers. If you are looking for an authentic experience and local vibe, you must look into Triana, located on the left side of the Guadalquivir River, within walking distance from Seville Centro.
The Triana neighborhood is home to numerous of good tapas bars, a lively market, traditional ceramics, and great flamenco.
Triana connects to the rest of the city by the Isabell II Bridge, also known as Puente de Triana. Featuring a small neo-mudejar chapel on its right-hand side, the pair combine to form the most widely recognized symbol of the area.
Founded as a Roman colony by the emperor Trajan, who was born nearby, there’s some dispute over the origin of the name, with some claiming it to be derived from his own name, while others have translated it to mean “three rivers” or “those beyond the river”.
There are plenty of cultural attractions to explore including the Iglesia de Santa Ana, Capilla del Carmen (Chapel of Carmen), Callejón de la Inquisición (Alley of the Inquisition), the Museum of Tolerance in the ruins of Castillo de San Jorge (Saint George’s Castle).
Triana is home to the Plaza del Altozano, a large square located close to the city’s river. It is where you can find a monument to the Flamenco Art, the statue of Juan Belmonte bullfighter, as well as the Mercado de Triana (Triana Market) for fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and fish.
You can take a stroll along the popular streets of Betis, Alfarería, Calle Pureza, and Calle San Jacinto; or enjoy a meal or a drink at its one of the many restaurants, terraces, bars, and clubs on Calle Betis, while admire the views over the Guadalquivir river.
Triana is famous for its typical Azulejos tiles and pottery, tile workshops, and potteries, an industry from Roman times. You can learn more about its history at the museum of the Centro Cerámica de Triana (Triana Ceramic Centre), Ceramica Santa Ana (Santa Ana Pottery Factory).
Triana isn’t all about history and culture though, clubs, restaurants, and bars are abundant in the district, offering food, drink, live music, and entertainment, with many open well into the early hours of the morning.
There is a flea market, Mercado del Paseo del Arte (Handicraft market), that’s held at the bottom of the Isabell II Bridge, which perfectly represents the gypsy district moniker the region has earned.
Triani also hosts the traditional Holy Week, the flamboyant Feria de Abril (Seville Fair), or the local Vela de Santa Ana festival.
All of this means Triana is a perfect place to come for people prioritizing nightlife or learning about a unique culture, all while still being surrounded by the sort of historical attractions you can find elsewhere in the city.
Stay in Triana if you want to experience local life; you are a fan of flamenco; you want to purchase any pottery or ceramics; you travel on a budget; you travel as a family;
Best places to stay in Seville in Triana first-timers:
- luxury ($$$): Eurostars Torre Sevilla
- mid-range ($$): Zenit Sevilla
- budget ($): B&B Casa Alfareria 59
8. Nervion
Nervion is primarily seen as a business district, located next to Casco Antiguo district. While you may not initially see that as the ideal sort of place to stay on a vacation, there are a number of specific attractions in the area that may actually make it ideal, depending on your requirements and why you are visiting the city in the first place.
To begin with, it is the location of Santa Justa, the largest train station in Seville. This makes it a perfect option if you like to stay near the station, to avoid missing your train or having to carry your luggage all over the city on your way in and out of town.
Next, there is the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, the home of La Liga side Sevilla F.C. This soccer stadium opened in 1958 with the capacity of seating 45,000 people. It has hosted a several European Cup and World Cup games.
Next, there is the Nervion Plaza, a huge shopping center containing a range of stores and a 20-screen cinema, ideal for anyone wanting to catch a film or indulge in some retail therapy during their stay.
Outside of these, there are attractions like the University Of Seville’s School Of Business, the El Prado, which is a gardened zone featuring the city’s major bus hub, as well as Estacion De Cadiz, the smaller of the city’s two major train stations, which also features a fresh produce market.
It is also home to the Iglesia de la Concepcion Inmaculada, built in 1928, and designed by Antonio Arevalo.
In the middle of neighborhood lies the beautiful green area of Jardines de la Bulharia. The park is seperated into two parts by the Avenidaa de la Bulharia.
Finally, you can grab a traditional Spanish cuisine and wine at Casa Paco, which was first opened in 1999.
If you want or need to be near any of these attractions, then Nervion is probably the ideal place to stay. However, if none of these are on your itinerary, you’re admittedly better off looking elsewhere.
Stay in Nervion if you want to stay near the train station; you are football fans; you love shopping; you are on business;
Best places to stay in Seville in Nervion:
- mid-range ($$): Melia Lebreros
- mid-range ($$): Hesperia Sevilla
- mid-range ($$): Hotel Novotel Sevilla
9. Los Remedios
Los Remedios along with Seville Centro, Triana, and Nervion is one of the safest neighborhood to stay in Seville for tourists. Located on the Isla De La Cartuja, south of Triana, it takes its name from a Carmelite convent in the district, which was one of the few buildings remaining in the district when development began in the 20th-century.
It has become a fairly busy area in recent years, now featuring the city’s largest port, which opened when the one in El Arenal closed down. That said, it is a location more aimed at locals than tourists, so you will find much of the accommodation here to be in residential areas.
Perhaps the main draw to the area is that it is the site of the Seville Fair (Feria de Abril de Sevilla) in El Real, a week-long festival that begins 2 weeks after the end of the holy week.
Massive tents are erected along the bank of the river, where people can drink, dance, enjoy live entertainment, ride in horse-drawn carriages and even visit an amusement park which is erected for the event.
Outside of the fair, there are a few more attractions, such as Cuba Square and its sculptures, the Museum Of carriages, Los Remedios Tower, the San Telmo Bridge, Calle del Infierno, Paseo de Caballos, and the Parque de los Principes.
Despite the above list, this is still a place that relies on the fair and its residential accommodation to sell it, so, chances are, while it’s perfect for those two things, it may not be right for everyone else.
Stay in Los Remedios if you are attending the Seville April Fair in late spring; you want to stay in a residential area; you travel as a family; you travel on a budget;
Best places to stay in Seville in Los Remedios:
- mid-range ($$): Monte Carmelo
- budget ($): Ático en los remedios
- budget ($): Pierre & Vacances Sevilla
10. Este-Alcosa-Torreblanca
Este-Alcosa-Torreblanca is the most eastern district in the city. While much of the district is similar in ways to our previous one, being a much more rural location, it is another that comes with one main selling point.
On this occasion, the selling point is the fact that the area is home to Seville’s international airport, San Pablo (SVQ). Seville Airport is easily reachable by public transportation but people like to stay close to the airport when they have a single night or a layover. Seville Airport is easily reachable by public transportation.
This is because it saves them having to drag their baggage all over the city, limits the time wasted getting to and from the airport, and reduces the chance of them missing their flight. That makes Este-Alcosa-Torreblanca a perfect choice for people who are looking to do just that.
As an added bonus, anyone renting a car may be interested to know that there are also some farms outside this part of the city that grow the famous Seville Oranges. That means it’s also a wise choice of destination if you fancy taking a trip and sampling one of the region’s most famous exports straight from the source.
Stay in Este-Alcosa-Torreblanca if you want to remain near the airport, you are interested in visiting a Seville Orange farm, you prefer a more rural location.
Best places to stay in Seville near the international airport:
- mid-range ($$): M.A. Hotel Sevilla Congresos
- mid-range ($$): Vértice Sevilla
- budget ($): AACR Hotel Monteolivos
11. Distrito Sur
Located to the southeast of Casco Antiguo is Distrito Sur, or the South District. While history is still one of the main draws to the area, it is a much more recent history than the ancient offerings we have previously looked at.
From 1929 to 1930, this was the location of the Ibero-American Exposition Of 1929, a world’s fair that involved Spain, Portugal and countries from North and South America, held in Maria Luisa Park.
In the 19 years leading up to the exposition, the city constructed numerous buildings in anticipation of the event, many of the grandest among them designed by legendary Spanish architect Anibal Gonzalez and located around the Plaza De Espana, to house the Spanish exhibits at the event. This gives the area a very different and distinctive style to what you will find elsewhere in the city.
While many of the buildings were to be converted into consulates and embassies for the countries that used them during the fair, some, including many of the ones that housed the Spanish exhibits, have been converted into tourist attractions, such as the Archaeological Museum Of Seville, located within the Pabellon Del Renacimiento, and the Museum Of Arts And Popular Customs Of Seville, found within the Pabellon Mudejar.
These attractions, and others like them, provide visitors with a unique opportunity, to learn about the history, culture, and art of the city throughout the ages, while witnessing examples of those very same things first-hand, from a different era, by studying the buildings in which they are standing.
Stay in Distrito Sur if you are a fan of museums, you like stunning parks, you want to learn more about the city’s modern history, you are interested in the Ibero-American Exposition Of 1929.
Best places to stay in Distrito Sur:
- mid-range ($$): Melia Sevilla
- mid-range ($$): NH Collection Sevilla
- budget ($): LS9- La Palmera Luxury by Valcambre
12. Bellavista-La Palmera
Located the south of the city of Seville, on the east bank of the Guadaira river, Bellavista-La Palmera is the location of the Estadio Benito Villamarin, the home of Real Betis football club. That makes it an ideal destination for anyone coming to see them play or attend another event at the stadium.
An added bonus the area offers, that might tempt a few other visitors down south, is the fact that it offers some very affordable accommodation, making it suitable for people traveling on a budget.
So, if you’re planning to watch some football, attend an event at the stadium, or get some great value accommodation, you may want to explore Bellavista-La Palmera further. If not, there’s probably not much for you here.
Stay in Bellavista-La Palmera if you are visiting to see a Real Betis football match, you are attending an event at the Estadio Benito Villamarin, you are looking for good value accommodation.
Best places to stay in Bellavista-La Palmera:
- mid-range ($$): Silken Al-Andalus Palace
- mid-range ($$): AC Hotel Ciudad de Sevilla
- budget ($): Hotel Sercotel Doña Carmela
13. Distrito Norte
For the next destination, we move from the very south of the city to its most northern point and the area of Distrito Norte. Unlike the rest of our destinations, this is a place that relies on its rural location, to offer experiences not commonly found elsewhere in the city.
It offers visitors the chance to get out in nature, go hiking, camping, or even hunting in the hills. You can immerse yourself in the natural environment of the area and discover more about the plants and wildlife that exist in Andalusia.
While this is certainly not what many people booking a city break will be looking for, some people still like the ability to balance history and culture with a little bit of nature.
The district is also the location of the stunning Puente Del Alamillo bridge, which leads across the Guadalquivir River to Isla De Cartuja. So, anyone who fancies taking a scenic drive across the river will be in for a real treat here as well
Stay in Distrito Norte if you want to stay in a more rural location, you want to experience the plants and wildlife on offer in the region, you want to go hiking, hunting, or camping.
Best places to stay in Distrito Norte:
- mid-range ($$): Hilton Garden Inn Sevilla
- budget ($): Ibis Sevilla
Where should I stay in Seville for the first time?
Seville Centro is the best area to stay in Seville for first-times due its super central location. If you stay here, you will be located within walking distance to attractions, restaurants, bars, and shops.
What are the best areas to stay in Seville?
Seville Centro, Barrio Santa Cruz, El Arenal, Macarena, Alameda, La Cartuja, Triana, Los Remedios, and Nervion are some of the best areas to stay in Seville because they are the most convenient locations for tourists.
How many days do you need to see Seville?
If you’re planning a trip to Seville, I’d say you need at least 3 days to see the main sights and get a feel for the city’s charm. Of course, the longer you stay, the more you can explore!
See more:
- Frequently Asked Questions about Best Places to Stay in Seville
- Best areas to Stay in Ibiza
- Best areas to Stay in Bilbao
In conclusion, Seville Centro, Barrio Santa Cruz, El Arenal, Macarena, Alameda, La Cartuja, Triana, Los Remedios, and Nervion are some of the best places to stay in Seville for tourists and first-time travelers.
Overall, Seville Old Town is the best area to stay in Seville for first-timers due to its central location. If you stay here, you will be located in the heart of action, within easy walking distance to Seville’s famous attractions and tourist facilities.