Headed to southern Spain and wondering where to stay in Seville? Discover the top three neighborhoods and the best hotels in each!
I love asking people what cities make their top five list. Their absolute five favorite places to visit in the world. Guess what city has been on my top five list for nine years running. Seville. There’s a reason I’ve returned multiple times since my very first trip.
It’s one of those places that brings a feeling of excitement the moment I arrive. The mix of cultures, friendliness of the locals, walkability, mouthwatering tapas and sangria, and affordability make Seville a gem.
Seville is Spain’s fourth largest city and thrums with character and soul. Much of the city center’s main boulevards are pedestrianized, making it very walkable. It’s also very compact, which means you can kiss your rental car and public transportation goodbye and rely on your own two feet to get just about anywhere.
As long as you stay within a 15-minute walk from the Seville Cathedral, the very center of the city, you’ll be striking distance from every major sight and all the top restaurants.
While this may mean it’s not as confusing to decide exactly where to stay in Seville, especially when compared to larger cities like Madrid and Barcelona, I still highly recommend you choose your hotel and neighborhood carefully.
Seville is such a special place you want to make sure you stay in an area that oozes Spanish charm and is close to all the action yet quiet enough for a good night’s sleep.
There are three specific barrios (neighborhoods) that are hands down my favorite areas to stay in Seville. I’ll take you through all three barrios and the best hotels in each.
Even if you want to book a different hotel or go the Airbnb route, I recommend trying to pick something close to the hotels I mention as the location really is perfect.
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This map shows the best hotels in Seville, Spain listed in this post. Click the icon in the very top left to see a list view of each pinned location. Click the top right button to enlarge the map. Click the star to save to your own Google Maps account. To access this map once saved (after clicking the star), open Google Maps (on your phone/computer/tablet), click the menu button, go to "your places", select "maps", and you will see this map listed.
- Blue - Santa Cruz neighborhood hotels
- Red - Centro hotels
- Purple - Barrio El Arenal hotels
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Barrio Santa Cruz
Where to stay in Seville, Spain for first time visitors and those looking for picturesque streets, ambiance, and charm
Barrio Santa Cruz is usually where I send first time visitors. This was Seville’s Jewish Quarter back in the day and overflows with old world charm.
Narrow winding lanes, hidden courtyards, fragrant orange trees, and houses painted in an array of warm yellows, terra cotta shades, and clean whites.
If you want a romantic area to base yourself, this is it.
Santa Cruz is also the closest neighborhood to one of my favorite places in Seville; Plaza de Espana (a breathtaking and massive Spanish Pavilion) and Maria Louisa park. If you plan on visiting this park often or think you’ll be taking photos here in the morning before it gets crowded, this is the most convenient barrio to base yourself.
Barrio Santa Cruz is the most charming, atmospheric, and picturesque neighborhood in Seville. If you choose to base yourself in Barrio Santa Cruz, you won’t regret it and will have a hard time not returning to the same area again and again on future trips.
Best hotels in Seville: Santa Cruz
I have four favorite hotels in the Santa Cruz neighborhood. These hotels are very popular, have high rankings on sites like Trip Advisor and Google reviews, and in general, are some of the best places to stay in Seville, Spain.
Hotel Casa Del Poeta – I stayed here on my first visit to Seville and it left an impression. What stood out the most was the service and attention to detail. I had mentioned I was on a gluten-free diet and the staff went out of their way to provide gluten free options at the breakfast each morning (which was always delicious). The beds are ultra-comfortable, the rainfall showers are the perfect way to relax after a day of sightseeing, and the staff are brilliant at helping you plan your day and getting reservations or tickets.
Hotel Casa 1800 – this hotel has one of the most spectacular rooftop pool views. If having a pool with a view is on your list, this is your hotel.
Hotel Amaedeus – this quirky music themed hotel is a little easier on the budget than the hotels listed above. It might not be as luxurious, but the rooms are comfortable with a homey touch and the location can’t be beat. There is also a charming rooftop with sweeping views of the city.
SEE ALSO:
BEST TIME TO VISIT SEVILLE
SEVILLE 3 DAY ITINERARY WITH PDF DOWNLOAD
A DAY TRIP TO CORDOBA FROM SEVILLE - COMPLETE GUIDE
5 BEST TAPAS RESTAURANTS IN SEVILLE
BEST ROOFTOP BARS IN SEVILLE FOR INCREDIBLE VIEWS - TOP 5
CENTRO
Where to stay in Seville if being in the very heart of the city center is your focus
If being smack dap in the heart of the historic core is your jam, then the Centro neighborhood is for you. The best way to explain the Centro neighborhood is to look at a map and find the Seville Cathedral. The area around the Cathedral is the city center or Centro neighborhood.
It’s north of Barrio Santa Cruz and south of the Setas de Seville (the mushroom shaped structure). This area also includes Plaza Nueva, a popular square surrounded by shopping streets and restaurants. The hotel prices might be a bit steeper and you may have to deal with some noise at night. In exchange, you are steps from the best shopping, restaurants, and pretty much all the top attractions.
I will also note that Centro is known by several names. If you are using a hotel booking site it might be called the Old City, Historical Center, or city center.
Best hotels in Seville: Centro
H10 Casa de la Plata – a fairly new 4-star hotel designed to resemble a Sevillan home. This hotel is very cozy and right around the corner from the best churros con chocolate in town, Bar El Comercio.
Gran Melia Colón – a luxury 5-star hotel with all the amenities that are sometimes hard to come by in Europe like a gym, rooftop pool, spa, and more.
Barrio El Arenal
Where to stay in Seville if you are a return visitor and want to spend more time exploring across the river in the Triana barrio
El Arenal is to the left of the city center (Centro) and borders the river. You’ll not only be minutes away from the top tourist attractions but also have easy access to the Triana neighborhood across the river.
I usually recommend this area if you’re a return visitor to Seville as you’ll probably want to spend more time exploring the lesser-known areas of Seville like Triana and the neighborhoods to the north of the city center.
Best hotels in Seville: Barrio El Arenal
Hotel Gravina – is easily one of the best boutique hotels in Seville. The location is amazing as it actually borders El Arenal and Centro (city center). Not only are you steps away from the river, you are also next door to the Cathedral and historic core of Seville.
The rooms are the perfect mix of traditional luxury and modern comfort. The staff will go out of their way to help you with anything and I felt beyond safe staying here as a solo female traveler.
Summary of where to stay in Seville
I hope this post steers you in the right direction of where to stay in Seville, Spain. These are my personal favorite neighborhoods and some of the best hotels in Seville.
Barrio Santa Cruz is my top pick for first time visitors and for a romantic vacation. Centro is perfect if you want to be in the very heart of the city and steps away from the top attractions. El Arenal is the ideal barrio for morning jogs along the water and crossing the river to the Triana neighborhood.
No matter which area you pick, you’ll be walking distance to the best sights and restaurants!
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i like your post , very amazing photos
Thank you! It’s easy to take good photos in Seville as it’s beyond beautiful everywhere 🙂