athengirl

I am considering a trip to Seville in January. I will be a female in my late 40s travelling my myself and would love some advice on safe areas to stay that are central. I prefer mid range small hotels than large chain hotels. I enjoy history, art museums, architecture and churches. I plan to be there for about eight days and so any day would love some ideas on day trips from Seville. Thanks for any advice for preparation for this trip.

Christina

I think any pat of central Seville is safe. The main neighborhoods to consider would be Santa Cruz, around the cathedral, El Arenal (between that and the river) and maybe what I think is called El Centro which is more towards the fine arts museum and Plaza Nueva. Triana is across the river and I don't think it's as convenient for most tourists. I prefer to stay in the Santa Cruz area myself, I generally walk to everythign I want but take buses for a few things where that isn't feasible. I stay not too far from the ave de Menendez-Palayo where buses go (this is a major thoroughfare along the edges of the old part of the city.

there are plenty of hotels like you want in the Santa Cruz area and around the cathedral or between it and Plaza Nueva.

Last time I did stay in a chain hotel and really liked it in the Santa Cruz area but before, I stayed in this B&B/small hotel which sounds like something you would like
http://www.hotelamadeussevilla.com/en/

kja

I was glad to stay in the Santa Cruz area, and although it's been a while, I was there as a solo female and felt safe everywhere I went in the city. I stayed at Las Casas de la Juderia, which still gets good reviews.
http://www.lascasasdelajuderiasevilla.com/en/

Many people visit Cordoba as a day trip from Sevilla; I was glad to spend 2 days and 2 nights there.

If you haven't already done so, please get yourself a good guidebook or two, or consult them in your local library; you'll learn things you never even knew to ask.

Hope that helps!

athengirl

Thanks very much for your useful information on Seville. I very much look forward to the visit and also visiting Córdoba.

Egbert

Hotel Murillo is great, as is Amadeus and several others.
Hostals are great, they are smaller, often family run hotels. Not the same thing as hostels.

Christina

oh, I forgot aobut day trips -- From Seville, I did do Cordoba as a day trip, which is convenient as you don't have to move hotels for that. Highly recommend that if you don't want to move.

I also did a daytrip to Jerez de Frontera. I took the train to Cordoba but the bus to Jerez (don't think there is a train, but if so, the bus is more convenient which is often the case in Spain). They have a famous equestrian school there that does shows at times. This is their website https://www.realescuela.org/en/

They have a show on Thursdays in January, one Sat near end of month, if like this year. The bus left from the Prado bus station (not far from Santa Cruz), not the main one near Plaza des Armas). Info on buses
http://www.andalucia.com/cities/sevi...s-stations.htm

kimhe

Good advice here, but I also very much recommend the local atmosphere and vibrant Triana district just across the city river Guadalquivir. Great tapas bars, people everywhere and a cradle of the flamenco culture so important for Sevilla and Andalucía. This gives you an idea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mFE9k0E-2Y

And Córdoba is someting special, "vida & genio" (life & spirit): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyfGdpF55Uk

Loacker

The must sees are the Cathedral, Alcazar, Plaza di Espana, Maria Luisa park, Iglesia Colegial, and Barrio Santa Cruz, Casa de Pilatus (+ many churches that are worth visiting)


Alameda de Hercules is a fun and vibrant place to hang around at night. Lots of cafes and restaurants.

Also, don't forget to watch a flamenco show at Casa de la Memoria.

Recommended tapas bars: Eslava, Az-Zait, Bar Estrella

You can do a day trip to Cordoba as suggested above or to one of the white villages such as Arcos

Seville is sexy. Enjoy!

kimhe

And when it comes to day trips, I recommend the ruins of the Roman city Itálica just outside Sevilla. The bus leaves frequently from the Plaza de Armas bus station just by the river a little north-west of the Santa Cruz district. Italica’s amphitheater seated 25,000 spectators, the third largest in the Roman empire, and it's very much intact. Roman emperors Trajan - allegedly the best of them all - and Hadrian were born here. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...Andalucia.html

Carmona is another good option: http://www.andalucia.com/province/se...rmona/home.htm

But so much to do and see in Sevilla itself. The last six years we always stay in or close to Alameda de Hercules, the oldest public park/promenade in Europe (from 1574) with a long and proud history as a cultural and political center with theaters, markets, flamenco and nightlife. The area has been heavily upgraded the past 15-20 years after decades of decay during the Franco regime and into the 1990s. http://www.sevillaonline.es/english/seville/alameda.htm

Today it's a very lively atmosphere up here, great tapas bars, restaurants, cafés and terraces all along the long Alameda itself. The area is once again very popular with all kinds of people and artists and full of bohemian atmosphere. Going back here in a few weeks, and then we'll stay here: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/pati...eda.en-gb.html

And Alameda de Hercules is "next door" to the wonderful Macarena district with all the small churches, the mudejar architecture, the market, the Feria street etc. etc. https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2...macarena-spain

emily71

As a 40 something singleton who visited Sevilla in 2012, you will enjoy it. I stayed in the Santa Cruz district at Hotel Musica, which was fine for me.

Wasn't much of a foodie but I do recommend if you don't like to eat alone eat at the bars. I ate at Enrique Becerra and for cheaper tapas at the touristy Bodega Santa Cruz, where the staff is grumpy and they write your order in chalk on the bar.

I would recommend the tours of Seville Walking Tours. Yes, you have to pay but the guides(I had Alfonso) for the city walk and Alcazar tour are quite knowledgeable, the tours are small and at least in the Alcazar-I learned more than I would have alone. Other things to see are the cathedral, Girona Tower(the old mosque minaret)the Honeycomas I call it), and the Plaza de Toros. Not a fan of bullfights but the tour was interesting. Also just walking along the river and walking through town. And at night, I enjoyed Casa de Las Memorias show.

Just the usual safety tips apply watch your belongings, listen to your gut instincts. I used a cross-strap purse and never had a problem. Also don't take anything from people on the street. Ladies by the cathedral hand out rosemary to unsuspecting tourist, and then demand money if you take the sprig. Just ignore them. Feel free to ask anymore questions.

Loacker

Emily has a good point. If you hate the idea of dining alone, you will feel comfortable at a tapas bar. The staff of Eslava are very friendly. Many locals come here on their own too.

kja

As a solo traveler, I feel much LESS comfortable dining in a bar than in a restaurant. To each his/her own!

Loacker

A tapas bar is more like a restaurant but with a casual bar seating area and regular tables (sometimes only a bar). I was suggesting she sits at the bar so she doesn't feel out of place.

This is not your typical drinking bar where a lonely woman can draw unwanted attention.
People go there to enjoy the food.

kja

Yes, I know -- I've been to the area and I've been to tapas bars and I felt more comfortable at a regular table than at the bar. As I said, to each his/her own.

Christina

I agree with kga, I think it is more comfortable when alone to sit at a regular table in cafe or restaurant than sitting at a bar because people at the bar tapas typically are part of a group, that's the norm. I just think you stick out more and there isn't really anything you can do.

But people can decide for themself.

I don't really understand why anyone would think it uncomfortable just to sit at a table at a regular open-air restaurant/cafe, or even inside whereas I also regard tapas bars as more of a group activity.

Loacker

You couldn't be more wrong, Christina. While in Madrid, I noticed that many locals would enter the nat, order a beer and a few tapas and then leave. It's not strictly a group activity.

Other than that, I think the restaurants/cafés at the museums are a good option for a solo traveller. They're very casual and relaxed. Many solo travellers having their coffee before continuing their museum visit.

Loacker

would enter the bar*