Best location to stay in Seville
Aug 25th, 2015, 11:49 AM
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Best location to stay in Seville
Planning 2 week trip to spain for May 2016 ..... Seville, Madrid, Barcelona, San Sebastian. Working on Seville today, so we are trying to find the best location for a home base (2 to 3 days). My wife and I are young 50 ish adventures and would appreciate feedback.
Aug 25th, 2015, 01:29 PM
#3
I would definitely try to spend 3 nights in Seville - which will probably give you only 2 days.
and is there some reason why you are trying to see places that are so far away from each other? I understand why you might want to see those other places but It's going to add a lot to the time that you spend travelling. May would be a great time to concentrate on Andalucia - Granada, Cordoba, Malaga, Ronda, along with Seville, would all make a trip in themselves.
just a thought!
and is there some reason why you are trying to see places that are so far away from each other? I understand why you might want to see those other places but It's going to add a lot to the time that you spend travelling. May would be a great time to concentrate on Andalucia - Granada, Cordoba, Malaga, Ronda, along with Seville, would all make a trip in themselves.
just a thought!
Aug 25th, 2015, 06:04 PM
#7
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... thanks for the barrio santa cruz info. having never been to spain we may not realize the distances between locations. we didn't encounter any issues traveling from venice to florence to assisi to rome. is spain that much larger ? ... we can only do these type of trips every 4+ years so we're not sure we'll make it back.
Aug 25th, 2015, 08:03 PM
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Last October we stayed in Hotel Casa 1800, about a block or two from the cathedral. It was a very lively area with lots of restaurants, bars etc. and it is a
lovely hotel. We paid more than for the other hotels on our trip although I don't remember what. We went to Madrid, Toledo, Seville and Barcelona. You might want
to check their website:
www.hotelcasa1800sevilla.com
lovely hotel. We paid more than for the other hotels on our trip although I don't remember what. We went to Madrid, Toledo, Seville and Barcelona. You might want
to check their website:
www.hotelcasa1800sevilla.com
Aug 25th, 2015, 08:44 PM
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Holy Cow - apologies, I meant EAST and northeast of the cathedral. I would have had you in the river - but you probably found Santa Cruz anyway - lol. You can even stray into the area northwest of the cathedral (go a little past vertical on the arc).
I have found many places I would have gladly stayed at during my 3 planning phases for Seville trips and have stayed at three different ones, both hotels and an apartment. Personally, I like to stay as close to the cathedral as possible. I can suggest that you use booking.com and view places that meet your criteria, including budget, on their map view. They have both hotels and apartments (Seville is well stocked with tourist apartments). I also use flipkey.com (affiliated with Tripadvisor) to get a more thorough picture of the apartment situation.
I have found many places I would have gladly stayed at during my 3 planning phases for Seville trips and have stayed at three different ones, both hotels and an apartment. Personally, I like to stay as close to the cathedral as possible. I can suggest that you use booking.com and view places that meet your criteria, including budget, on their map view. They have both hotels and apartments (Seville is well stocked with tourist apartments). I also use flipkey.com (affiliated with Tripadvisor) to get a more thorough picture of the apartment situation.
Aug 25th, 2015, 08:51 PM
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I agree with the Barrio Santa Cruz, it is magical...as is lovely Sevilla, it is one of my favorite places on earth.
I have stayed at Hotel Casa 1800 a few years ago with my husband in a room on the top of the building with a private jacuzzi. Lovely hotel, lovey views, paper-thin walls, at least for the rooms at the top of the hotel. We did this at the end of our trip, at the start we stayed for 6 days at the marvelous Puerta Catedral Apartments, which we absolutely loved! We stayed in an apartment that had a balcony with view over the cathedral...such fun people-watching and a really breathtaking view at night! Plus easy walking distance to everything in Sevilla.
A few years earlier I went to Sevilla solo and stayed at Suites Murillo, which were also brilliant, I've yet to have a bad night in that city, all nights spent in the Barrio Santa Cruz.
Also you didn't ask for things to do in Sevilla but the baths there are nothing short of stunning. I cannot recommend this place enough: http://www.airedesevilla.com/ Beautiful, nice people, soft Arab music, hot pools, cold pools, massage, Moroccan lamps, they only let a few people in at a time, I feel like I have to pour myself out of this place every time I leave. I think if there is one place I miss most in Europe from here in Seattle, it's Aire de Sevilla. (At least right now while I'm thinking about it, I've got a lot of European favorites! Haha. But this place is definitely in the top few things, even after 30+ trips to Europe...)
Another idea since you'll be in Spain in May: Check out the Patios of Cordoba festival when the dates are released and try to work your trip around it if possible. It's a really lovely event and a nice reflection of Cordoba, the town is apparently said to have the prettiest patios in Spain. If you go, you can choose itineraries and visit private patios that are normally off-limits to tourists. My husband and I did this and loved it! Really lovely and it was funny to see my 6 foot 1 inch husband literally tower over the little Spanish senoras in the courtyards. I'm pretty short too and I was so envious of him! Plus Cordoba is great and the Mezquita is one of a kind cool, really awe-inspiring Moorish architecture.
Also...speaking of which...Granada and the Alhambra and its gardens in May...really spectacular and right there by Sevilla and Cordoba. Spring was my favorite time to visit. Not to be missed.
In summary, I have happily spent 10-12 days in Andalusia (Sevilla, Cordoba and Granada) two times and could have spent much more there each time, so much to see! (The second time was to show my husband all the fun things I discovered on the first trip.) I've been to other parts of Spain and have visited a few other times, but I think you might want to consider choosing one or two regions for a 2-week trip. Andalucia in May is magical, so far it is by far my favorite place in Spain. But I know there's more to see, which is why I will keep going back! Happy Travels...
I have stayed at Hotel Casa 1800 a few years ago with my husband in a room on the top of the building with a private jacuzzi. Lovely hotel, lovey views, paper-thin walls, at least for the rooms at the top of the hotel. We did this at the end of our trip, at the start we stayed for 6 days at the marvelous Puerta Catedral Apartments, which we absolutely loved! We stayed in an apartment that had a balcony with view over the cathedral...such fun people-watching and a really breathtaking view at night! Plus easy walking distance to everything in Sevilla.
A few years earlier I went to Sevilla solo and stayed at Suites Murillo, which were also brilliant, I've yet to have a bad night in that city, all nights spent in the Barrio Santa Cruz.
Also you didn't ask for things to do in Sevilla but the baths there are nothing short of stunning. I cannot recommend this place enough: http://www.airedesevilla.com/ Beautiful, nice people, soft Arab music, hot pools, cold pools, massage, Moroccan lamps, they only let a few people in at a time, I feel like I have to pour myself out of this place every time I leave. I think if there is one place I miss most in Europe from here in Seattle, it's Aire de Sevilla. (At least right now while I'm thinking about it, I've got a lot of European favorites! Haha. But this place is definitely in the top few things, even after 30+ trips to Europe...)
Another idea since you'll be in Spain in May: Check out the Patios of Cordoba festival when the dates are released and try to work your trip around it if possible. It's a really lovely event and a nice reflection of Cordoba, the town is apparently said to have the prettiest patios in Spain. If you go, you can choose itineraries and visit private patios that are normally off-limits to tourists. My husband and I did this and loved it! Really lovely and it was funny to see my 6 foot 1 inch husband literally tower over the little Spanish senoras in the courtyards. I'm pretty short too and I was so envious of him! Plus Cordoba is great and the Mezquita is one of a kind cool, really awe-inspiring Moorish architecture.
Also...speaking of which...Granada and the Alhambra and its gardens in May...really spectacular and right there by Sevilla and Cordoba. Spring was my favorite time to visit. Not to be missed.
In summary, I have happily spent 10-12 days in Andalusia (Sevilla, Cordoba and Granada) two times and could have spent much more there each time, so much to see! (The second time was to show my husband all the fun things I discovered on the first trip.) I've been to other parts of Spain and have visited a few other times, but I think you might want to consider choosing one or two regions for a 2-week trip. Andalucia in May is magical, so far it is by far my favorite place in Spain. But I know there's more to see, which is why I will keep going back! Happy Travels...
Aug 26th, 2015, 01:50 AM
#14
we didn't encounter any issues traveling from venice to florence to assisi to rome. is spain that much larger ? ... we can only do these type of trips every 4+ years so we're not sure we'll make it back.>>
well, the places in Italy were relatively close to to each other unlike the places you mention in Spain which are relatively far-flung. Each time you move you're going to lose at least ½ a day if not longer whereas if you were to concentrate on Andalucia, you could reduce your travel times quite a lot. Also May is possibly the very best time to visit that area - the gardens should be at their best and it won't be too hot.
Another time you could perhaps concentrate on more northern parts - but as you have the chance to see Andalucia in the spring, I should grab it with both hands.
well, the places in Italy were relatively close to to each other unlike the places you mention in Spain which are relatively far-flung. Each time you move you're going to lose at least ½ a day if not longer whereas if you were to concentrate on Andalucia, you could reduce your travel times quite a lot. Also May is possibly the very best time to visit that area - the gardens should be at their best and it won't be too hot.
Another time you could perhaps concentrate on more northern parts - but as you have the chance to see Andalucia in the spring, I should grab it with both hands.
Aug 26th, 2015, 03:22 AM
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.... wow, lots of great advice to digest ! ... thanks .... 2 questions, if we changed our plans to stay in andulacia for the whe trip, should we rent a car or use public transportation ? ... secondly, if we changed our plans to include just andulacia and one other destination, we really want to go to san sebastian (what are your thoughts)
Aug 26th, 2015, 05:35 AM
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First,count me in on recommending staying in Santa Cruz too; the favorite hotel of our entire Spain trip three springs ago was the El Rey Morro in this section. It was on a little alley, so cool and quiet; every room overlooked a lovely courtyard; every room is decorated differently as each room is slightly differently sized (very old structure). Our favorite restaurants were a short walk away. Overall, we did in 17 days Barcelona, Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, Ronda, Granada & Marbella. We trained until we left Seville and drove to Ronda, Granada & Marbella. Train connected us quickly and was very relaxing. We knew we wouldn't be back to Spain probably. Loved Cordoba, Seville, Ronda & Marbella. Granada was a quick two-nighter to see the Alhambra essentially. You could easily spend two weeks in Andalucía by car. Marbella was quintessentially the best spot in which to end a vacation, not much to tour, just unwind on the Med Sea and boat over to Puerto Banos. Ahhh. We had 3 or 4 nts in Seville and that seemed sufficient. You could do a very full day trip to Cordoba from Seville to see the old quarter to cut out one more hotel. Madrid that week was freezing (we had snowy day in Segovia!), Barcelona weather was perfect, Andalucía weather was perfect too.
Aug 26th, 2015, 06:57 AM
#17
where are you starting from, digo - and what airport/s are you likely to arrive at and leave from? you might be better off doing open-jaw rather than a round trip and it shouldn't cost much more [look for the multi-city button on the airline website].
Vueling has flights between San Sebastian and Seville but you have to change planes once so that isn't very efficient. However, they also fly direct between Seville and Bilbao so that might work better for you if you want to retain SS in your trip.
Vueling has flights between San Sebastian and Seville but you have to change planes once so that isn't very efficient. However, they also fly direct between Seville and Bilbao so that might work better for you if you want to retain SS in your trip.
Aug 26th, 2015, 07:20 AM
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Minority opinion on where to stay in Seville: Triana. The quarter is quieter, and you're staying among locals. For active walkers it's 20 minutes away from the tourist areas.
Seville is an excellent airbnb city.
Seville is an excellent airbnb city.
Aug 27th, 2015, 12:41 AM
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I think Seville, Madrid, Barcelona and San Sebastian is an excellent plan for two weeks. Would give you a good taste of four fabulous and VERY different cities.
Sevilla, Madrid and Barcelona are all on the high speed AVE train line, 2h and 30 mins from city center to city center. The Barcelona to San Sebastian leg is best done with a one hour low cost flight to Bilbao and direct bus from Bilbao airport to San Sebastian in 75 mins.
I would recommend lunch in one city, then train/flight, and you'll be in the next city in good time before dinner. The train rides would be pure luxcury, very comfortable, get a little sleep or have a glass or bite in the bar, as seamless as it gets.
Santa Cruz in Sevilla is beautiful but also full of tourists. Fine to stay here, but be sure to visit other parts of the city as well, such as the Triana neighbourhood right on the other side of the city river Guadalquivir: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/seville/triana.htm
I also love the Arenal district just west of Santa Cruz with the huge Maestranza theater, the bullring etc: http://www.sevillaonline.es/english/seville/arenal.htm
The San Vicente/San Lorenzo district close to what the sevillanos would consider centre of town: http://www.veoapartment.com/rent-sev...n-vicente.html
And bustling Alameda and local atmosphere Macarena. Calle Feria is a must, a fabulous small-town feel: http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...macarena-spain
In general the best and most interesting bars and restaurants would be outside tha Santa Cruz district. http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletapas/restaurants/
Sevilla, Madrid and Barcelona are all on the high speed AVE train line, 2h and 30 mins from city center to city center. The Barcelona to San Sebastian leg is best done with a one hour low cost flight to Bilbao and direct bus from Bilbao airport to San Sebastian in 75 mins.
I would recommend lunch in one city, then train/flight, and you'll be in the next city in good time before dinner. The train rides would be pure luxcury, very comfortable, get a little sleep or have a glass or bite in the bar, as seamless as it gets.
Santa Cruz in Sevilla is beautiful but also full of tourists. Fine to stay here, but be sure to visit other parts of the city as well, such as the Triana neighbourhood right on the other side of the city river Guadalquivir: http://www.andalucia.com/cities/seville/triana.htm
I also love the Arenal district just west of Santa Cruz with the huge Maestranza theater, the bullring etc: http://www.sevillaonline.es/english/seville/arenal.htm
The San Vicente/San Lorenzo district close to what the sevillanos would consider centre of town: http://www.veoapartment.com/rent-sev...n-vicente.html
And bustling Alameda and local atmosphere Macarena. Calle Feria is a must, a fabulous small-town feel: http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...macarena-spain
In general the best and most interesting bars and restaurants would be outside tha Santa Cruz district. http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletapas/restaurants/
