Where to Stay in Seville in 2023 (Best Areas & Places)

7 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Seville

Deciding where to stay in Seville might seem complex, but you really can’t go wrong with any of the city’s incredible districts. Even better, the city is easy to navigate and logically spread out. So it’s easy to get to all the coolest areas no matter where you decide to stay.

Barrio Santa Cruz

👉 Best Area For History & Top Tourist Attractions | ✨ Best Santa Cruz Hotels: Hotel Casa 1800 Sevilla • Hotel Rey Alfonso X • Hotel Casa Del Poeta • Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel 

When people start typing ‘where to stay in Seville’ into that Google bar, the first thing they see is usually Santa Cruz. It’s easy to understand why so many visitors and locals are tempted by staying in this Seville neighborhood. 

It’s in a prime location right in the middle of Seville that’s close to practically every major place you would want to visit in the city. There are enough accommodations to go around. Plus you could eat at a new Seville restaurant every day and still find something different after a month. 

The only problem with staying in Santa Cruz is that many other people have the same idea. It’s probably the most popular place to stay in Seville. That means that it’s busy all the time and hotels are generally more expensive. That’s the price you have to pay to be in the center of it all. 

Pros of Staying in Santa Cruz Neighborhood:

• Central location right in the city center
• Close to lots of popular attractions
• Many accommodations
• Easy to find amenities like a rooftop pool and rooftop terrace
• Delicious restaurants nearby

Cons of Staying in Santa Cruz Neighborhood:

• Very popular and busy neighborhood
• Can be more expensive

Alfalfa

👉 Best Area For Tapas Bars Galore | ✨ Best Alfalfa Hotels: Aguilas5 SevillaSuites • H10 Casa de la Plata • Joya del Casco Boutique Hotel

I spent time in seven different neighborhoods across Seville, but my favorite out of all of them was the first one I stayed in – Alfalfa. As I struggled through the adorable, narrow streets with my bloated backpack trying to find my Airbnb, I immediately knew that I liked this area. Throughout the week I stayed there, I only learned that I loved it more than I originally anticipated. 

Like most spots in Seville, Alfalfa offers visitors an incredible array of restaurants to choose from. Mainly tapas bars that will leave you craving more, long after you leave, like Bar Sal Gorda (my absolute favorite tapas bar in the city). 

The big reason that Alfalfa was so perfect for me is that it was close enough to walk to all the exciting happenings. But most accommodations were tucked away on quiet, cozy streets that were kind of separated from all the action. It has the best of both worlds. However, accommodations around this area become scarce in the high season when everyone wants to stay here. So book in advance. 

Pros of Staying in Alfalfa Neighborhood:

• Delicious tapas is never far
• Cute boutique hotels
• Lots of other neighborhoods are within walking distance
• Fun nightlife scene without being too loud

Cons of Staying in Alfalfa Neighborhood:

• Hotels quickly sell out in this area during the high season
• The streets are often hectic and it’s easy to get lost

Centro

👉 Best Area For Central Location & Shopping | ✨ Best El Centro Hotels: Hotel Inglaterra • Querencia de Sevilla • Welldone Cathedral

I found Centro to be the busiest section of Seville, which makes sense given its name. It’s an even more centrally located neighborhood than Barrio Santa Cruz. However, Centro comes with way more clothing and souvenir shopping, as opposed to lots of intimate little restaurants. 

If you’re only in the city for a day or two, this may be the best area for you to stay in Seville. It’s literally right in the middle of all the other best neighborhoods. For people who love to walk, you can probably hit every other place just on foot. 

The downside to staying in the Centro neighborhood is that it is typically bustling with tourists. So if you prefer a more down-to-earth experience, it might not be the ideal option. 

Pros of Staying in Centro Neighborhood:

• Excellent, central location
• Lots of places to go shopping
• Some of the best things to do in Seville are located in this neighborhood
• It’s easy to reach any other area of the city from here

Cons of Staying in Centro Neighborhood:

• Very busy throughout most of the year
• Fewer hotel options directly in this neighborhood

Triana

👉 Best Area For Authentic Local Vibes & Families | ✨ Best Triana Hotels: Monte Triana • Ribera de Triana Hotel • Zenit Sevilla

Moving a little outside of the main city center across the Guadalquivir River, you’ll find the endearing neighborhood of Triana. This one probably ranks as the #2 best neighborhood in Seville on my personal list. If you want to stay in a less touristy, more laid-back area of Seville, head straight to Triana. 

Some of the most highly rated accommodations in the entire city are in Triana. Slightly removed from the business of staying in the center of the city. Most of these hotels offer intriguing amenities that can make your trip to Seville just a little sweeter, like a rooftop terrace or rooftop pool. It’s really a lovely place to relax and go into vacation mode, as opposed to being close to all the sites of Seville. 

The only thing to consider when staying in this area of Seville, Spain is that you’ll need to travel to get to the city’s other neighbors. Since you’re on the other side of the river, you may need to get familiar with Seville’s public transportation or put on your comfortable walking shoes.  

Pros of Staying in Triana Neighborhood:

• A chill and authentic atmosphere 
• Lots of chill bars and tasty restaurants around 
• Highly rated accommodations with top amenities
• Idyllic riverside location

Cons of Staying in Triana Neighborhood:

• Slightly outside of the city center 
• Fewer sites nearby

El Arenal

👉 Best Area For Delicious Food & Upscale Accommodations | ✨ Best El Arenal Hotels: The Zentral Arenal Suites • Hotel Kivir • Adriano Boutique Sevilla

El Arenal is located across the river from Triana. It provides visitors with that beautiful riverside location, but it’s still on the same side as all the other neighborhoods. El Arenal is in an advantageous location for foodies. So many incredible restaurants are within walking distance. 

Plus it doesn’t hurt that most of them are super affordable. Places like Bar Bartillo and Taberna del Arenal will feed you like a king without breaking the bank. It’s the best of both worlds. Many of the main tourist attractions in Seville are located in El Arenal. Including Torre del Oro and Plaza de Toros. 

There are a lot of upscale accommodations and some of the best boutique hotels around this neighborhood. It’s a good place to look if you want to treat yourself. Hotel Kivir is an especially beautiful hotel that’s sure to make you feel recharged after your stay in Seville, Spain. 

Pros of Staying in El Arenal Neighborhood:

• An abundance of excellent places to eat 
• Offers visitors boutique hotels and luxury hotels with spacious rooms 
• Home to several big attractions in the city
• Close to the exciting central area without being directly in it

Cons of Staying in El Arenal Neighborhood:

• Not a huge nightlife scene around here 
• Must take a cab or scooter to most other areas

Distrito Sur

👉 Best Area For Outdoor Activities | ✨ Best South District Hotels: Melia Sevilla • Occidental Sevilla Viapol • NH Collection Sevilla

A little bit outside of Seville’s central district, you’ll find the quieter, residential area of Distrito Sur. This area definitely provides a different experience than staying in busier neighborhoods, such as Centro and Alfalfa. 

It’s a more easygoing neighborhood with wider streets and fewer tourist crowds. Making it a more preferable spot for families with kids or anyone looking for a calmer place to stay in Seville. 

Even though Distrito Sur is removed from the central neighborhoods, it’s actually closer to many of the city’s sights. Such as the outdoor attractions of Parque de Maria Luisa and Plaza de Espana. 

The only drawback of staying slightly outside of the city walls is that there aren’t as many restaurant options around. Additionally, the nightlife is practically nonexistent. As long as you don’t mind traveling to these things, it’s a great place to stay in Seville. 

Pros of Staying in South District Neighborhood:

• Close to big parks like Maria Luisa and Jardines del Prado de San Sebastián
• A residential area that’s great for families with kids 
• Accommodations around this area can be more affordable 
• Less touristy

Cons of Staying in South District Neighborhood:

• Fewer restaurants nearby
• Accommodations can be difficult to find during the high season

Alameda

👉 Best Area For Budget Accommodations & Nightlife | ✨ Best Alameda Hotels: Suites Lumbreras • The Corner House • Patio de La Alameda

Alameda is the best neighborhood for young travelers, solo travelers, budget travelers, or anyone in search of a party in Spain. Maybe you’re all of the above! Alameda is located north of the central Seville neighborhoods, but it’s still within walking distance of all of these places. 

Throughout this neighborhood, you’ll be close to all types of bars and nightlife options. Plus, there are also several popular attractions and markets around this area. 

There is also a surplus of affordable accommodations around the Alameda neighborhood. Lots of budget-conscious visitors opt to stay at The Corner House. It’s super comfortable, clean, and well-located. But a stay here won’t burn through your travel fund. 

Pros of Staying in Alameda Neighborhood:

• Thriving nightlife scene
• Lots of cool markets nearby like Mercado de Feria and Mercado de la Encarnación
• Walking distance to attractions like Plaza de la Encarnación
• Easy to get to other neighborhoods
• Plenty of budget-friendly hotels

Cons of Staying in Alameda Neighborhood:

• Can get noisy at night, especially on the weekends 
• Fewer large apartments available for big families

Tips for Staying in Seville

Plan For the Season

One of the important things to consider before coming to Seville is the season you’ll be there. While the summer is one of the best times to visit Spain for beach days, it’s also oppressively hot. 

This can be hard to deal with if you’re visiting a city like Seville that’s at least an hour from the nearest beach oasis. 

Plan Around Siesta Time From 2 pm To 5 pm

When you’re planning a vacation or a move, you want to be aware of all the local customs that may affect your trip. In Seville, that would be the siesta or “nap” time. Most people just relax, but almost all the local businesses shut down from 2 pm to 5 pm. 

For Americans, it can be a strange tradition, but I grew to love this quiet time when a lull came over the streets. 

The City Center Is The Busiest Part Of The City

When you’re deciding where to stay in Seville, you need to consider how you’ll feel about the area when you’re trying to sleep. While being in the city center of Seville has its benefits, it also has its drawbacks. Like how it’s busy and a tad noisy in this area from morning until night. 

Get Tickets To Major Attractions Online In Advance

I just showed up to at least three attractions in Spain before I realized that almost everyone else purchases a ticket online beforehand. Save yourself and everyone else a hassle by booking tickets to attractions online ahead of time.  

Eat Lots Of Tapas

In my opinion, Seville is one of the best places to visit in Spain to try the tapas of your dreams. It’s borderline impossible to find a mediocre restaurant in this city. Take advantage of this and get your fill of excellent tapas bars in Seville. 

Get Reliable Travel Insurance

Even though it’s a relatively safe country, travel insurance for anywhere in Spain is a must for any responsible traveler. I’ve heard one too many horror stories from uninsured travelers to ever not recommend travel insurance.

Don’t Rent A Car 

Unless you plan on heading off on a Spanish road trip, you won’t need a car to get around Seville. Having a car is actually a major hassle in this narrow-streeted city. Most places are close enough to walk to and there are lots of taxis available throughout Seville. 

Dinnertime Runs From 8:30 pm to 12 am 

Another potential culture shock for Americans visiting Seville is that dinner happens a lot later in the day than we’re used to. Usually, most restaurants close for the proverbial siesta time and then reopen around 8:30 pm. However, most locals head out for dinner well past 9 pm. 

👉 Read Next: Best Hotels to Stay in Barcelona

FAQs About Where to Stay in Seville

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Thanks for reading my guide to where to stay in Seville! Which Seville neighborhood are you most tempted by? Before you leave, don’t miss my Spain packing list, and have fun in the Pearl of Andalusia!

(Featured Image Credit: Arcady / Shutterstock)