mike_b12

Will be in Seville for two nights Early next May. What are good areas to stay in?
Thanks

Aramis

Start from the Puerta de Jerez (just south of the Cathedral and SW of the Alcazar and make a fan bounded on the left by the river and the right by the major road "Avenida de Menendez Pelayo". Go out on the left side of the fan as far as the Calle San Pablo and then sweep across to the right in the same general distance arc to the Avenida.

If you are looking for Barrio or district references; Santa Cruz (probably the most atmospheric), Centro Historico, Al Arenal and Triana are the names to research.

Generally, the closer you are to the Cathedral and the Alcazar, the more enchanintg Seville feels.

Christina

hi, I was just there, my second time. I find the Santa Cruz quarter the most convenient and with the most atmosphere. Otherwise, I'd probably pick the Arenal area or near the cathedral (think that is centro historico, at least the part that isn't Santa Cruz).

stokebailey

We enjoyed staying in Triana, a more residential area across the river.

mike_b12

Thanks,
I am looking for a hotel and want to be in a good location. We do like to walk!

mike_b12

From across the river how far into the city center?

stokebailey

We walked everywhere. Maybe 20 min to the Catedral, another 10 min to Santa Cruz? Something like that. If you feel like it, skim my trip report. We had great luck with our airbnb apartment.

aliced

Santa Cruz definitely, check out Hotel El Rey Moro, located in a narrow alley, such a lovely courtyard and kind service. With only two days, you need front and center location.

kimhe

Triana is just across the city river Guadalquivir, and from central C/Pages del Corro, it will be some 15-20 minutes walking to the cathedral. Great part of town.

The Santa Cruz district is beautiful but very touristy. I prefer to stay a little North of Santa Cruz, towards the more local atmosphere Alameda de Hercules and the Macarena area. C/Feria, with the food market etc up here, is excellent and very local feel. Past couple of times, I've stayed in excellent value Vime Corregidor, fifteen minutes walking to the cathedral through emblematic Calle Sierpes, and with many of the best tapas bars and restaurants in town on your doorstep. The hotel is five minutes walking from vibrant Plaza de la Encarnación with the new Metropol Parasol (great views of the city from top of the structure). http://www.theguardian.com/travel/20...macarena-spain

Vime Corregidor: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/vime-corregidor.html
Metropol Parasol: http://www.setasdesevilla.com/?r=1&A=1600

Christina

I disagree that staying in Triana would be convenient to most of the things you probably want to do as a first-time visitor. And of course, it depends where in Triana you are. If you mean you like to walk a lot to do anything, sure.

The bus system in Seville is mysterious in that they make it extremely difficult to find out the routes. The tourist office does not carry maps of the bus lines, and if you go online to the city bus system website, they don't even give detailed maps that show you the routes by street and where the stops all. All they give you is a real rough outline with the names of the major stops (which doesn't even show you the streets it runs on and sometimes the name is not attached to any major site or location you would recognize). When I asked for one at the tourist office, they said they didn't have one and I'd have to go to the main bus office at Prado to get one.

pgriffin

Assuming it is your first time and given that you are only staying for two nights, then I would stay in the Barrio Santa Cruz. It is close to all the major attractions and, while touristy, is a nice atmospheric place.

However, some of the eating options are not the best there and I would recommend venturing a little further afield for a more authentic dining experience. Not necessarily too far away but more towards the river as if heading towards Triana (which also has some great options). Shout if you want some recommendations.

annhig

you really can't go wrong with kimhe's suggestions. with only 2 nights in Seville, you want to be reasonably close to the centre but in a nice area.

Don't miss the Alcazar - more like the Alhambra than we had imagined and when we were there, lacking the crowds too. Otherwise the suggestions in the Guardian article look very good.

aliced

Exactly-- we went across the river one day and it was just too far for access on the two days you'll have. Also toured the "M" area (Marconi, Mahrena??) and was completely unimpressed, wasted afternoon. What's wrong with being in the tourist area??

mike_b12

Thanks for all the help.
I have some hotel points i can use, here is one I looked at.
-ac-hotel-sevilla-torneo

kimhe

Here's info about the hotel with hundreds of guest reviews: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/sevi...tml#map_closed

Would be some 15-20 minutes walk to the local atmosphere central areas of Macarena (with the basilica and the famous madonna) and Alameda de Hercules (with all the cafes, restaurants and bars), and an extra 15 minutes walk to the cathedral and the most obvious sights in and around the Santa Cruz district. I would recommend to stay closer to the centre of town, but Sevilla is very walkable and taxis are everywhere and cheap.