A Genuine Summary of Seville’s Best Neighbourhoods – Where to stay in Seville

Seville is one of the best places in Spain to start (or end) a trip due to its international airport and the abundance of activities available. If you stay outside of town, you will miss out on many of the lovely things Seville has to offer. It would be a chore to get to town rather than just walking out the door. The question of « Where to stay in Seville » is central to planning your trip to the capital of Andalusia.

If you’ve ever started looking at accommodation options, you’re probably wondering why the same choices keep coming up and why hardly anyone offers you to stay in La Cartuja. You can discover here my detailed analysis of the various barrios (Spanish for districts) of Seville. I decided to give, for every location, its distance from the Real Alcazar; the palace being a fairly central attraction and a must-see in the city.

El Centro

Where to stay in Seville for the shopping

Distance from Real Alcazar: About 550 m
Its history: El Centro is not precisely (Syn) a barrio; it’s Seville’s primary shopping area.
Its best feature: Its many shopping opportunities as well as the Metropol Parasol

In a nutshell: El Centro is in the heart of Seville’s historic district. You’ll be close to Seville Cathedral, the Real Alcazar, and the Archive of the Indies, all located on the edge of the Barrio de Santa Cruz. Besides, El Centro is perfect for those who want to be close to everything but who particularly enjoy strolling and trendy bars.
Stay here if: you are a laid-back traveler who wants easy access to Seville’s major tourist attractions and good shopping opportunities.

TYPE	ACCOMMODATION	RATING	PRICE
Airbnb	Quiet and Central Apartment	4,96 / 5	From € 250 / night
Mid-range	Joya Del Casco Boutique Hotel	5 / 5	From € 141 / night

Barrio de Santa Cruz

Where to stay in Seville for the most picturesque experience

Distance from Real Alcázar: About 350 m
Its history: This Barrio is the old Jewish quarter of Seville.
Its best features: Plaza Santa Cruz, Plaza de las Cruzes, and Plaza Doña Elvira

In a nutshell: The Barrio de Santa Cruz is the most charming of Seville’s neighborhoods because of its colorful narrow streets. Moreover, there is no traffic in the vicinity, making it a quiet place, and being a 15 min. walk away from downtown, this barrio is ideally located.
Stay here if: you don’t have a car, are a die-hard Instagrammer/influencer, and want to be close to the main tourist attractions.

TYPE	ACCOMMODATION	RATING	PRICE
Airbnb	Typical Sevillian Palace House	4.86 / 5	From € 95 / night
Luxury	Boutique Hotel Casa del Poeta	5 / 5	From € 256 / night

Alfalfa

Where to stay in Seville for the night-life

Distance from Real Alcazar: About 900 m
Its history: Plaza de la Alfalfa is the place the Phoenicians chose for the foundation of their colony, which later came to be Seville.
Its best features: Plaza de la Alfalfa, Plaza del Pan, Plaza de la Pescaderia

In a nutshell: Alfalfa competes with Santa Cruz for its narrow alleys while offering a livelier environment. This barrio boasts a heap of tapas bars and small independent shops where you can find all the creative crafts to please your traveler’s heart. On the other hand, you should know that it is one of the noisiest places in town.
Stay here if you: are looking for a local atmosphere that balances well chic and hipster and don’t mind the late-night noise.

TYPE	ACCOMMODATION	RATING	PRICE
Budget	The Boutike Hostel	4 / 5	From € 105 / night
Mid-range	Itaca Boutique Sevilla	4 / 5	From € 109 / night

El Arenal

Where to stay in Seville for the bullfights

Distance from Real Alcazar: About 550 m
Its history: During the Age of Exploration, Arenal was where ships docked for the Americas and the Indies.
Its best features: Torre del Oro and its naval museum, Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza de Caballería de Sevilla (That’s the official name of the bullring)

In a nutshell: El Arenal is a riverside neighborhood close enough to the main tourist attractions to be considered « just round the corner. » What’s more, you’ll be happy to learn that there are also some good bars and restaurants to be found here. El Arenal has left its harbor past behind and is now an important cultural center. Music, theater, and bullfighting are crucial parts of this barrio‘s spirit. From April to September, the area becomes very lively as it is bullfight season. 
Stay here if you: are in Seville for the corrida.

TYPE	ACCOMMODATION	RATING	PRICE
Mid-range	Hotel Boutique Las Casas de El Arenal	4,5 / 5	From € 152 / night

Macarena

Where to stay in Seville for a reasonably priced stay

Distance from Real Alcazar: 2.2 km
Its history: It was once one of the poorest neighborhoods in the country.
Its best features: Mercadillo El Jueves (The Thursday flea market is the most colorful and celebrated in the city)

In a nutshell: Historically, the working-class part of Seville is far from the city’s main sights or restaurants.
Stay here if you: want a budget-friendly authentic place for a long-term stay and don’t care about the nightlife.

TYPE	ACCOMMODATION	RATING	PRICE
Airbnb	Casa Palacio	4,92 / 5	From € 80 / night

La Alameda de Hércules

Where to stay in Seville for an extended stay

Distance from Real Alcazar: 1.7 km
Its history: La Alameda has always been on the list of recommendable places to stay, but things have changed! After having been the meeting place of the elite, it slowly became one of the most impoverished neighborhoods of Seville. In 1989, you could find here about 35 brothels.
Its best features: –

In a nutshell: Quite trendy and growing, the area has excellent tapas bars and is one of the most vibrant places for true Sevillians. La Alameda is a good choice if you don’t mind being away from the historic center.
Stay here if you: are looking for a long-term stay in a neighborhood frequented more by locals than tourists. 

TYPE	ACCOMMODATION	RATING	PRICE
Airbnb	Design Loft	4,78 / 5	From € 70 / night
Mid-range	Soho Boutique Sevilla	4,5 / 5	From € 156 / night

Triana

Where to stay in Seville for the local atmosphere

Distance from Real Alcazar: 2,1 km
Its history: Traditionally the district of gypsies, bullfighters, Flamenco artists, and seafarers, Triana is rich in history without having always been as lavish as it is today.
Its best features: Centro Cerámica Triana

In a nutshell: One of the trendiest barrios of Seville nowadays, Triana will wow you with its distinctive character and delightful azulejos!
Stay here if you: have friends in the city or want to care for a local experience and are okay with being farther from the main sights.

TYPE	ACCOMMODATION	RATING	PRICE
Airbnb	Estudio Deluxe	4,85 / 5	From € 84 / night
Budget	Monte Triana Hotel	4,5 / 5	From € 108 / night

Los Remedios

Where to stay in Seville for the spring

Distance from Real Alcazar: 1.8 km
Its history: This neighborhood used to be one of the leading commercial districts of Seville.
Its best features: Feria de Abril!!

In a nutshell: Much more modern than Triana, Los Remedios has wide streets and is dominated by tall modern apartment buildings. With nothing noteworthy about it during most of the year, it comes alive during the Seville Fair.
Stay here if you: are in Seville during the Feria de Abril and want to be in the heart of it!

La Cartuja

Where to stay in Seville for reasons only you would know

In a nutshell: A quiet area, La Cartuja was the site of Expo 92, which now houses a technology park, university buildings, and offices. In addition, this neighborhood is where you’ll find the Andalusian Center for Contemporary Art in the Monastery of La Cartuja.

I apologize, but it’s a no for me. La Cartuja is undoubtedly a harmless neighborhood. However, I see no reason for a tourist to stay there, given its distance from the historic center and other places of interest. (La Cartuja is a whooping 3.3 km from the Real Alcazar!)