Best Places to Live in Seville: The City’s Top Areas
The Andalusian capital of Seville encapsulates the true essence of Spain and has become one of the country’s most iconic cities. Bathed in the southern Spanish sun, Seville has quickly risen to the top of the list of most popular destinations in Spain to visit and settle.
Along with its fantastic climate, Seville stands as a testament to southern Spain’s rich culture. The perfect blend of modern Spanish sensibilities mixed with its dual Spanish and Moorish heritage makes Seville a truly unique Iberian city.
Some of the best neighborhoods in Seville boast their own unique identity and charms; whether you wish to settle in the historic districts of Seville with their undeniable rich culture and heritage, or its booming modern communities where the modernity of southern Spain can be found in full bloom, there is something for everyone in the capital of Andalusia.
From the affordability of rental apartments in Seville to the culture of the neighborhood and everything in between, read on to find out what the best places to live in Seville are and what each one of them can offer.
1. Santa Cruz
Best for: Living in the very heart of Seville and close to its most famous and iconic landmarks.
Santa Cruz is one of Seville’s most famous and iconic neighborhoods. Lying within the very heart of the city, Santa Cruz is one of the city’s oldest districts and forms the majority of Seville’s Old Town. Made up of a network of ancient narrow tiny streets and open squares, Santa Cruz brings with it a sense of timelessness that takes you back through the centuries.
Dotted along these narrow streets and squares are a bustling community of tapas restaurants, quaint bars, and an atmosphere of daytime socializing and evening nightlife. Once the city’s old Jewish Quarter, Santa Cruz is home to many of Seville’s most famous and iconic landmarks.
These landmarks include the Seville Cathedral, a world-famous building renowned for its Moorish bell tower. Another of Santa Cruz’s iconic landmarks is one that embodies the dual heritage of Andalusia, the Royal Alcázar of Seville.
Known as the center of Seville’s historical and cultural landscape, Santa Cruz is unsurprisingly one of the largest hotspots for visiting tourists. If you are looking at where to live in Seville and wish for a far more laidback and crowd-less neighborhood, Santa Cruz may not be the best choice. On the other hand, Santa Cruz is one of the best neighborhoods in Seville if you want to be right in amongst the booming atmosphere and cultural heart of the city.
From its endless iconic landmarks to its ever-busy tapas bars, there is always something going on in the center of the Santa Cruz neighborhood.
2. Alfalfa
Best for: Having boutique and independent shops on your doorstep, leafy squares nearby, and living in the center of the city.
Just to the north of Santa Cruz is a similar neighborhood known as Alfalfa. Like its southern neighbor, Alfalfa is one of Seville’s most famous and historic districts. Made up of a maze of narrow alleyways and ancient streets, Alfalfa is one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, and it shows. The neighborhood is centered around Plaza Alfalfa, a pleasant square that is busy with cafes, restaurants, and social gatherings.
Other squares make up the Alfalfa neighborhood, including Plaza del Pan, which has a number of independent shops – quickly making the district one of the best areas to live in Seville for those who enjoy the chic and hipster vibe. Another square is the Plaza del Cristo de Burgos, a leafy green square complete with tree-lined streets and a children’s playground.
Alfalfa’s most famous landmark is the Casa de Pilatos, a Mudéjar-style Andalusian palace. This palace is another example of Spanish Christain imagery mixing with that of North Africa. Although it has become a hotspot for tourists. Alfalfa doesn’t receive the hoards of crowds that other neighborhoods in the center of the city do, making it a popular place to settle in Seville.
The huge collection of restaurants, independent shops, cafes, and boutiques has quickly made Alfalfa one of Seville’s trendiest and coolest neighborhoods. So much so that Alfalfa has been dubbed Soho Benita and is a haven for the bohemian population in Seville.
3. San Bartolome
Best for: Quiet living and affordable properties in the center of the city.
Often known as the forgotten barrio of Seville, San Bartolome was once part of la Judería, the old Jewish quarter of the city, until the population dispersed. The San Bartolome neighborhood fell into decline during the 20th century but has gone through a revival over the past few decades and has risen out of the ashes to become one of the best neighborhoods to live in Seville for living close to the city center in relatively quiet surroundings.
The narrow winding streets of San Bartolome have an undeniable charm, and although the district lies within the center of Seville, it is not lacking in greenery. San Bartolome is centered around Plaza de Las Mercedarias, another leafy square that is blessed with brightly colored houses and a flickering of orange trees – acting as the perfect antidote to the urban surroundings.
The main landmark in San Baratolme is the same building that gives this neighborhood its name, the San Bartolomé Church. Originally built as a synagogue, the church of San Bartolomé acts as a center for the neighborhood, and its colorfully painted exterior blooms up over the skyline of the district.
San Bartolome is one of the best neighborhoods in Seville for those who want the perfect balance of historical winding streets, greenery, and quiet. The neighborhood is also ideal for residents looking for more affordable properties in Seville, as San Bartolome is renowned for competitive rental prices within the center of the Andalusian capital.
4. El Arenal
Best for: Riverside living and surrounded by the thriving culture of Seville.
Lying along the eastern banks of the Guadalquivir River, the neighborhood of El Arenal is seen as one of Seville’s most cosmopolitan districts. El Arenal, meaning the sandbank, takes its name from the sandy nature that the east bank of the river once used to have.
Its location along the River Guadalquivir meant that El Arenal was once a busy river port, taking in ships that sailed to the new world. This reputation as a booming port neighborhood meant that El Arenal flourished with spleen splendor, complete with eye-catching landmarks and excellently built homes.
El Arenal is therefore awash with history and culture on every corner, with numerous Seville landmarks prized by its citizens. Taking center stage is the Torre del Oro or Tower of Gold, which stands along the eastern edges of the neighborhood. This 13th-century tower gives the neighborhood of El Arenal its regal and historic feel. Another of El Arenal’s most iconic landmarks is the La Maestranza Bullring, one of the city’s oldest buildings. Even if, for obvious reasons, you are not a fan of bullfighting, the imposing building has an undeniable effect on El Arenal’s neighborhood landscape.
Aside from El Arenal’s historic and cultured feel, it is a neighborhood full of vibrancy and life. Here, you will find great tapas bars, restaurants, and booming cafe culture. As El Arenal has a thriving social scene and riverside homes, it has become one of the best neighborhoods in Seville to settle. This has created competitiveness over houses and apartments, driving up the price, though many would argue that to live here is worth the cost.
5. San Vicente
Best for: Residential neighborhood, ideal for families and those who want good markets and bustling nightlife on their doorstep.
Located north of the city center and along the banks of the River Guadalquivir, San Vicente is another of Seville’s east bank neighborhoods. This location means San Vicente is blessed with stunning riverside views and openness rarely found so close to the city center. San Vicente is one of the least well-known of the historic center neighborhoods and this anonymity from tourists has kept the crowds down – ideal if you want to escape the rush of visitors and tourists heading to Seville.
As San Vicente is not seen as a touristy part of the city, it has become one of the best areas to live in Seville if you are looking for a purely residential neighborhood. The larger open streets and pleasant architecture only add to the residential feel of the district. Originally part of the Moorish new town, San Vicente’s architecture has a North African flavor that optimizes the Sevillian charm.
Another aspect of San Vicente that makes it one of the best places to live in Seville is its booming market scene, especially the famous El Jueves Street Market. As the name suggested, the El Jueves Street Market takes place every Thursday and is a fantastic place to buy fresh local produce and an array of different items.
At the very north of the neighborhood is the district known as Alameda de Hércules. Once seen as more of a seedy part of Seville, Alameda de Hércules has grown into one of the best nightlife spots in the city. Overall, San Vicente is the ideal residential neighborhood, complete with bustling markets and a touch of nighttime fever.
6. Triana
Best for: Family communities and those who wish to live away from the hustle and bustle of inner-city Seville.
The neighborhood of Traina stands on the western banks of the River Guadalquivir, a location that has meant the region has developed its own unique style and air compared to the rest of Seville. As Triana stood alone, unconnected from Seville before the building of the now-iconic Triana Bridge, it feels like a whole different town altogether.
Traditionally a working-class neighborhood, Triana has a long history of manufacturing, especially in the traditional pottery and tile industries. This working-class vibe has given rise to many aspects of Seville’s now world-famous characteristics. At the top of this list is being the birthplace of flamenco, aided by the huge Romani population that once called the district home.
Today, you can still find the best flamenco performances here. This gives Triana the well-deserved reputation of being Seville’s artistic neighborhood. The age-old blend of working-class industries, art, and culture makes Triana one of the best neighborhoods in Seville for working families to settle.
The authenticity of Triana is what brings visitors and ex-pats here to settle year after year. Alongside close communities and residential streets, the Triana neighborhood is renowned for its vibrant nightlife, especially in the streets of Calle Betis close to the western banks of the River Guadalquivir. For those looking for the best places to live in Seville and who are on a budget, the working-class neighborhood of Triana is an ideal choice.
7. Encarnacion Regina
Best for: Ultra-modern housing, young professional community and boutique businesses.
The neighborhood of Encarnacion Regina lies within the eastern district of inner Seville and is one of the more modern regions of the city. Centered around the Metropol Parasol Encarnacion Regina is the perfect example of modern Spain and the architectural spirit of the country. The wooden structure of Metropol Parasol, known as The Mushrooms to the locals, was completed in 2011 and is one of the largest wooden structures in the world.
Surrounding the Metropol Parasol, the neighborhood of Encarnacion Regina continues this ultra-modern feel and is an ideal place to settle if you want a little more than traditional Seville. Renowned as a great shopping district, Encarnacion Regina is home to unique boutique clothes shops, organic food stalls, a natural beauty store, and craft beer bars. All of this creates a vibrancy of modernity in the heart of Seville and is one of the best neighborhoods in Seville for those who like the modern comforts.
Similar to the Alfalfa neighborhood, Encarnacion Regina has a long and winding pedestrian street that is now known as the Regina Market – a collection of independent stalls, restaurants, and cafes that add something new to the already colorful landscape of Seville. Homes within Encarnacion Regina are often those of students or young professionals that have made their mark on the neighborhood. Encarnacion Regina also attracts a fair share of tourists, making it a truly diverse neighborhood in which to live.
8. Nervión
Best for: Young professionals, soccer fans, and those who like to fine dine and shop at major-label stores.
To the eastern side of the city is the neighborhood of Nervión, one of Seville’s most upmarket and fashionable districts. Renowned for being the location of the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuén Stadium, the home ground of the Sevilla FC soccer team, Nervión has been developed by brand-name fashion stalls that attract the well-off in Seville and this has trickled down to the residents within the neighborhood.
During the evening hours, Nervión becomes a favorite haunt for young professionals who enjoy the huge range of tapas bars, cocktail bars, and modern restaurants. For young professionals looking for the best neighborhood in Seville, Nervión is an attractive choice.
Although Nervión is home to many city-based institutions such as sports stadiums and high-end shops, it is not without its flush of green spaces. One such place, Buhaira Gardens, is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and lie amongst the flowers and grass. During the summer months, Buhaira Gardens also plays host to live music events, bringing the neighborhood together in the warm air of the summer evening.
9. Los Remedios
Best for: Experiencing traditional Seville with the layout of a modern pre-planned neighborhood.
Sprawling across the western banks of the river, the neighborhood of Los Remedios is another of the region’s most celebrated and traditional neighborhoods. Similar to its neighbor Triana, Los Remedios has carved out its own strong identity and sense of self, somewhat apart from the eastern banks and inner-city Seville.
In stark contrast with the inner city’s winding maze-like streets, Los Remedios is home to the first planned neighborhood, which was constructed in the 1960s. The straight-lined streets and an open-air feel make Los Remedios one of the best places to live in Seville if you want both the rich character of Triana and old town Seville with the organization and calm of a residential neighborhood.
The perfect balance of rich Seville culture, including flamenco bars and artistic shows, is blended perfectly with the almost suburb feel of the straight line, pre-planned neighborhood of Los Remedios.
Final Thoughts
The Andalusian capital of Seville is a city with many contradictions and subtle balances. Here, you will find neighborhoods that are steeped in historic tradition, looking back to the days of Morrish rule with their elegant architecture and Spanish folkways of life.
On the other hand, the city has its fair share of modern cityscapes and neighborhoods, many of which illustrate the ever-growing modernity of southern Spain. Whether you want the relaxing old way of life in the winding maze streets of traditional Seville or the modern fast-paced business-like feel of modern Spain, there is a neighborhood for everyone in Seville.
