Where to Stay in Seville, Spain, for a Local Experience

A great way to understand the aristocratic heritage of a city is to live as the upper classes once did. And while there’s no shortage of converted palacios (palaces) in Seville, the Palacio de Villapanés Hotel is one of the best. Soaring arches, marble colonnaded patios and chunky carved wood combine to majestic effect. What’s more, the excellent Los Rincones del Marqués restaurant takes diners on a culinary journey around Andalucia.

To immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and sensations of Seville, the Alfalfa neighbourhood is one of the finest spots in the city, and the Corral del Rey is in the heart of it. As well as having the buzzing bars and trendy hangouts of the barrio (neighbourhood) nearby, this beautifully transformed 17th-century palace offers a range of cultural and historical experiences, from private tapas tours and carriage rides to an exploration of the “forgotten” heritage of the city.

Nowhere showcases the varied elements of the cultural heritage of Seville with as much grandeur as Hotel Alfonso XIII, commissioned by the eponymous Spanish king to host international dignitaries during the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. From the native Andalusian design to extravagant Moorish detailing, this majestic landmark is bound to wow anyone with even a passing interest in history. Dining here dives into regional gastronomy, and it also offers on-site cooking courses and wine tasting.

As well as being one of the most ecofriendly places to stay in Seville, this popular hostel has an impressive catalogue of activities to help you plunge into local life, including bicycle hire and tailored tours that cover tapas adventures and kayaking trips. Its terrace bar holds regular cultural events such as theatre, cinema, dance and music, plus you can sign up for courses in cooking, Spanish and even flamenco.

When travelling solo, tapping into the local social scene is one of the best ways to get under the skin of the city, and the award-winning La Banda understands this. In what it calls the heart of the hostel – the funky rooftop terrace – it regularly hosts large “family” dinners, cocktail nights and live music to get guests in the mood to mingle. Staff are also key, comprising a young team passionate about showing off their city.

Seville isn’t just about the city centre – it also has a fabulous collection of barrios surrounding it and many attractions beyond. While Soho Boutique Sevilla does have an enviable location in the heart of the old town, the hotel makes it easy to explore other areas once you’ve ticked off all the central sights. Not only does it make hiring a car a breeze, but when you return from your day trip, it also has an arrangement with a nearby parking company to take the sweat out of finding a space.

If you’re looking for somewhere in Seville that feels like stepping back into the city’s past, consider a stay at Hospes Las Casas del Rey de Baeza. It occupies a beautiful slice of Sevillian-style architecture dating to the 18th century and has retained every ounce of period charm. Cobbled courtyards dotted with clay pots and millstones appear frozen in time, while dining is imbued in the Andalusian tradition – albeit with a modern twist.

This soaring landmark tower might not seem like a place to connect with local culture, but looks can be deceiving. It occupies the top 19 floors of the Torre Sevilla, a modern skyscraper highlighting the new economic and cultural spirit of Andalucia. The decor pays homage to the city, too, with Arabian detailing, photographs of Seville and touches inspired by local dress. The dedicated concierge service helps plan personalised cultural activities, while the lofty elevation means you can take in the whole city in one glorious panorama.

El Rey Moro, or the Moorish King, certainly lives up to the name with fabulous Arabian-infused architecture, decor and furnishings. It’s set in a converted 16th-century mansion, brimming with Andalusian charm and a sense of history. A city-centre location puts you right in the thick of it, with buzzy local bars and restaurants nearby. You can enjoy a free loaner bike for your stay, too, to help you explore every corner of the city.

While H10 Casa de la Plata opened in 2019, every effort has been made to infuse the property with a real sense of local cultural heritage. The interior design was inspired by a typical Sevillian house, blending classic elements such as hand-painted ceramics and Triana tiling. Reception features an impressive display of traditional silver ornaments (hence the name), where you can pick up info sheets detailing the best tapas bars and restaurants to immerse yourself in the local dining scene.