Looking for a city that blends the old with the new, historical sites with historical tapas bars, and unrivaled nightlife with old-school charm? Add Seville to your travel bucket list! Located in Spain's Southern Andalucía region, this beautiful city offers something for food lovers, history buffs, and night owls alike.

Where to stay in seville spain

If you're on the hunt for unique places to stay in Seville or even areas to avoid in Seville, I've got you covered with my ultimate guide to the best hotels in Seville and the city's most popular neighborhoods.

Read on to discover where to stay in Seville that suits your preferences and how to make the most of your time in this picturesque Spanish city.

The Best Areas to Stay in Seville

There's no one-size-fits-all best area to stay in Seville for tourists – it all depends on what you're looking for from your trip.

First-time sightseers will benefit from the location of Santa Cruz, which is home to some of the city's most famous sights and charming streets, including the iconic cathedral and some of Seville's most iconic plazas.

Shopaholics should head straight to Centro Seville, while La Alameda offers the best opportunity for bar crawls and clubbing.

Luxury lovers will adore El Arenal, home to boutique hotels and highly-rated restaurants, while couples will find themselves at home in Alfafa.

Triana, just outside of the center, is where you'll find a more down-to-earth hipster vibe, with cool eateries and quirky locals. If you're wanting to save money by staying slightly outside of the center of Seville (while still being close enough to the action), look at the Macarena and Distrito Sur districts.

1. Where to stay in Seville for the first time & sightseeing: Santa Cruz

Seville's historical beating heart, Santa Cruz (also known as the Jewish quarter), is the perfect place to stay in Seville for first-timers. With charming narrow winding streets offset by large, noble buildings, the Santa Cruz neighborhood is colorful, attractive, and home to many of Seville's biggest sights.

Where to stay seville

Looking for places to stay in Seville's old town? Below is a selection of the best hotels in Santa Cruz.

Things to see & do in Santa Cruz

  • Visit the Alcazar (Seville's Royal Palace)

  • See the Casa de Pilatos

  • Stroll around the Jardines de Murillo

  • Do some people-watching in a plaza, such as the famous Plaza de Espana

Best area for:

  • First-time visitors to Seville

  • History buffs

  • Groups of friends

  • Seeing all the main attractions

  • Access to Seville's central neighborhoods

Best hotels to stay in Barrio Santa Cruz

($$$) Suites Murillo Plaza Santa Cruz

Located in the heart of the historical Santa Cruz lies this gorgeous accommodation, offering a range of well-equipped apartments, spacious rooms, and both a bike and car rental service to help you navigate the city and beyond.

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Suites murillo seville

($$) Hotel Rey Alfonso X

Offering an outdoor swimming pool that's open during the summer and proximity to some of Seville's most famous sights, this hotel boasts stylish air-conditioned rooms and modern amenities.

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($) CASA17 Santa Cruz Suites

Located within walking distance of the famous Plaza de España, CASA17 promises attractive and stylish units with air conditioning, free WiFi, and even a terrace on some units.

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2. Where to stay in Seville for the most central location & shopping: Centro Seville

If you decide to stay in the center of Seville, you'll enjoy proximity to some of the main sights as well as countless shops, restaurants, and bars.

Experience the famous art of ‘tapeo', strolling from tapas bar to tapas bar and tasting famous Spanish small plates, and enjoy some other famous spectacles that originate in this part of the world, such as flamenco.

Seville

It's the best place to stay in Seville to be within walking distance of both the historical Old Town, and if you're wondering where to stay in Seville with family, it's a good option.

Things to do & see in Centro Seville

  • Visit Plaza de Cabildo or Plaza Nueva

  • Hit the shops

  • Go to a flamenco show

  • See the Seville Cathedral

  • Visit the city's oldest tapas bar – El Rinconcillo

Best area for:

  • Shoppers

  • People wanting to soak up the culture

  • Flamenco lovers

  • Tapas bars

Best hotels to stay in Centro Seville

($$$) EME Catedral Hotel

Located not far from Seville Cathedral, this is one of the city's best luxury hotels, complete with a rooftop terrace with an outdoor swimming pool and bar, as well as an on-site restaurant and hotel-wide WiFi.

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Eme catedral hotel seville

($$) Hotel Inglaterra

With a 24-hour reception, a rooftop terrace with views of the entire city, and air-conditioned rooms decorated in an authentic Spanish style, this Seville accommodation is an ideal location to walk to great restaurants, local bars, and plenty of shops.

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($) Basic Hotel Sevilla Catedral

If you're in the market for the best boutique hotel in Seville for an affordable price, you'll love this stylish hotel, which is close to many of the city's sights, main tourist attractions, excellent tapas bars, and independent shops.

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3. Where to stay in Seville for nightlife: La Alameda

If you've visited Spain before or even read about it in your travel guide, you'll no doubt have heard about one of its most iconic draws – its bustling nightlife. In Spain, the night starts late. You head out for tapas with friends at around 10 pm (yes, really!) before hitting some bars and eventually arriving at the club at around 1 am.

If you're looking to enjoy this late-night culture, Seville offers an incredible opportunity to do so. This safe city is awash with vibrant tapas bars and even some nightclubs, many of which are located in the friendly neighborhood La Alameda.

Seville spain

Home to chic bars, trendy vintage boutiques, and some of the best tapas bars in Seville, this trendy neighborhood is a must-visit for foodies and nightlife lovers.

Things to do & see in La Alameda

Best area for:

  • Hipsters

  • Nightlife lovers

  • Foodies

  • Vintage shoppers

Best hotels to stay in Alameda

($$$) OMM Suites

Get a good night's sleep at OMM Suites, an apartment complex offering units with air conditioning, stylish furniture, and modern amenities.

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Omm suites seville

($$) Patio de La Alameda

Located in a restored 19th-century mansion, this friendly hotel offers a great location to stay in Seville, Spain, in a prime location for food and drink lovers.

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($) ​GoToSeville Faustino Flats

Located in the Alameda neighborhood, this set of apartments features contemporary units fitted with air conditioning, free WiFi, a kitchen area, and a dishwasher, all available at an affordable price.

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4. Where to stay in Seville for luxury & dining: El Arenal

Located right next to the Old Town, El Arenal is one of the best neighborhoods for finding luxury boutiques, top-notch dining, and high-end stores.

Its upmarket feel is perfect for luxury lovers, and its plazas and bars offer a great opportunity for people-watching Seville's wealthiest residents.

Accommodation Seville

What to do & see in El Arenal

  • Stroll down Calle Adriano

  • Visit the Naval museum

  • Walk down Paseo de Colón

  • Try one of the high-end restaurants

  • Enjoy food from the Mercado del Arenal

Best area for:

  • Luxury lovers

  • Foodies

Best hotels to stay in El Arenal

($$$) Hotel Lobby Room

If luxury is what you're looking for, you'll adore this stunning, stylish 5-star hotel, with all the rooms containing design features from well-known artists and interior designers.

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Hotel lobby room seville

($$) Hotel Kivir

This beautiful 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour reception, a buffet breakfast, and stylish, contemporary rooms, some even come with a private balcony!

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($) ​Adriano Boutique Sevilla

Set in a beautiful 18th-century building, this stunning boutique hotel is decorated in typical Andalucian style and is located just a stone's throw from some of the city's best tapas bars.

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5. Coolest neighborhood to stay in Seville: Triana

Located on the other side of the Guadalquivir River, Triana is a lively working-class neighborhood with colorful buildings, narrow winding streets, and some of Seville's most interesting culture.

If you want to experience Seville through the eyes of the locals, Triana is a great place to go since this vibrant area offers a unique insight into authentic Andalucian culture.

Accommodation seville spain

Triana hosts plenty of flamenco shows, so if you're interested in seeing this popular style of Spanish dance, head across the river to this delightful district.

Things to do & see in Triana

  • Book a flamenco show

  • Visit the Mercado de Triana

  • See the iconic Iglesia Santa Ana (Saint Ana church)

  • Stroll through the streets and enjoy the colorful buildings

Best area for:

  • Travelers seeking authenticity

  • Hipsters

  • Flamenco lovers

Best hotels to stay in Triana

($$$) Magno Apartments Castilla

There are very few places more stylish and modern than this Triana destination, an apartment complex featuring a gorgeous outdoor swimming pool, a sun terrace, a solarium, and free WiFi throughout the property.

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Magno apartments seville

($$) Zenit Sevilla

Offering a rooftop terrace with gorgeous views over the city, this luxurious hotel boasts rooms decorated in traditional Andalucian style and a restaurant serving up cuisine that's emblematic of this friendly Spanish city.

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($) ​Triana House

Offering premium accommodation at an affordable price, Triana House promises visitors air-conditioned rooms with everything they need for a comfortable stay and a good night's sleep.

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6. Where to stay in Seville for couples: Alfalfa

Located between Plaza de la Encarnación, Plaza Cristo de Burgos, and Santa Cruz, Alfalfa offers visitors an excellent blend of places to eat and drink, sights to see, and hustle and bustle that translate to a thriving nightlife during the weekends.

It's the best place to stay in Seville for couples, thanks to its laid-back atmosphere and an array of bars and eateries that provide the perfect destination for a date night.

Accommodation guide seville

Plaza de la Alfalfa is a great meeting point and even features a playground, so if you're coming with your partner and a little one, you'll easily keep them entertained.

With its narrow cobblestone streets and fantastic independent businesses, this Seville neighborhood is as authentic as they come.

Things to see & do in Alfalfa

  • Visit tapas and wine bars

  • Visit Plaza de la Alfalfa

  • Stroll around Plaza del Pan

  • Party on Calle Pérez de Galdos

Best area for:

  • Couples

  • Small groups of friends

  • Tapas lovers

Best hotels to stay in Alfalfa

($$$) Genteel Home San Leandro

Offering super stylish accommodation in close proximity to many of Seville's most iconic sights, Genteel Home boasts luxurious touches such as air conditioning, a full kitchen, and free WiFi throughout the entire property, as well as a washing machine to help you stay fresh during your trip.

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Genteel home san leandro seville

($$) Boutike Guesthouse

Blending modern amenities and well-equipped rooms with affordability, Boutike Guesthouse offers visitors comfortable accommodation as well as free unlimited access to the nearby Cuesta Sports Fitness Centre.

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($) ​Casa Boutique La Pila del Pato

Located just a 10-minute walk from the city's iconic Plaza de España, this boutique accommodation boasts a charming interior, complete with authentic Andalucian-style tiles, free WiFi, and proximity to excellent tapas and wine bars.

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7. Where to stay in Seville outside of the city centre: Distrito Sur & Macarena

Whether for budget reasons or simple logistics, there are some times you don't want to stay right in the hustle and bustle of the city center. That's where neighborhoods like Macarena and Distrito Sur come in.

Accommodation guide seville spain

Macarena is a characterful, colorful district with many churches to visit and trendy clothing stores.

Distrito Sur is located south of the city and is mostly residential, with some comfortable accommodation available as well as places to eat and drink.

Things to do & see

  • Visit the flea market El Jueves, held on Calle Feria every Thursday

  • See the Basilica de la Macarena

  • Take a trip to the Convento de Santa Paula

Best area for:

  • Those on a tight budget

  • Travelers seeking an authentic atmosphere

Best hotels to stay outside of Seville

Distrito Sur:

($$$) Exe Sevilla Palmera

($$) AC Hotel Ciudad

($) NH Collection Sevilla

Exe seville palmera
Monkeys apartments la artista seville

Macarena:

($$$) MonKeys Apartments La Artista

($$) ​Exe Sevilla Macarena

($) Macarena Flat

Where to stay in Seville – Frequently Asked Questions

📍 Where can I find the city center in Seville?

The historic center of Seville is located in the Santa Cruz neighborhood, and the geographical city center is Centro Seville. Both offer plenty of cultural, historical, and social activities for visitors and are within walking distance of the top tourist attractions.

While these areas are considered Seville's center, the good news is that the majority of the city can be explored on foot, so even if you don't stay in one of the central districts, you'll still be able to navigate yourself to the most important sights.

📅 How many days should I spend in Seville?

If you're short on time, you're able to see the main sights of Seville in one long weekend, although this doesn't give you much time to explore all the neighborhoods. Ideally, around 5 days in Seville is optimum to see all the sights and take your visit at a leisurely pace.

If you're planning a longer trip to Spain, Seville offers a great jumping-off point to visit other parts of Andalucía, such as the beautiful city of Granada or the coastal gem of Málaga.

🏨 What’s the best area to stay in Seville? 

There's no one best area to stay in Seville, it depends on your preferences and who you're traveling with. The best neighborhoods for staying in the center and seeing the main sights are Centro Seville and Santa Cruz.

Other cool places to stay in Seville include Triana, La Alameda, and Alfafa, while El Arenal provides luxury 5-star hotels in Seville and restaurants that appeal to many visitors. La Alameda is also the best area to stay in Seville for nightlife. If you're looking for where to stay outside Seville, Macarena and Distrito Sur are both great options.

🚶 Do you need a car or can you walk around Seville?

Having a car can help when you visit Seville and it's great for day trips, but it's certainly not necessary. If you pack a pair of comfortable walking shoes, you'll be fine navigating most of the city on foot.

There are also trams, buses, and a metro system, so there's no shortage of public transport options offering an easy way to navigate the city.

❓ Is Seville or Barcelona better?

Both of these incredible Spanish cities have their own pulls, so it's impossible to see which is better. Barcelona is the capital of the Spanish region, Cataluña, and has its own language and quirky style of architecture. Staying in Barcelona is laid back with a world-class food scene, incredible nightlife and even a beach.

Seville is slightly more old-fashioned and representative of traditional Spain – at least in appearance. It's home to tons of historical sites and some of the best tapas you'll ever eat, including many of the oldest sites in the country. For friendly locals, iconic tapas bars, and flamenco, head to Seville. For beaches, new-style cuisine, and hipster bars, head to Barcelona.

Where to Stay in Seville – Final Words

This stunning Andalucían city is rich in culture and offers something for every type of traveler.

Whether you're visiting this Spanish gem for nightlife, shopping, or history, you'll find a neighborhood where you feel at home.

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