Last updated August 18, 2026
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Seville
Santa Cruz is Seville's former Jewish quarter, a maze of narrow whitewashed alleys, hidden courtyards, and orange trees sitting directly against the Real Alcázar and Cathedral. It's the most central, most walked-through neighborhood in the city, and the default choice for visitors who want everything within a few minutes' walk.
Romantic and busy by day — tight lanes, flower-covered balconies, and a steady flow of visitors between the Cathedral, Alcázar, and the neighborhood's tapas bars and plazas.
Best for first-time visitors who want to be steps from the Cathedral and Real Alcázar, and couples drawn to its narrow, photogenic alleys.
Consider another neighborhood if you want a quieter, more local base or the city's best nightlife scene — Santa Cruz is Seville's most touristy corner, and its narrow lanes get genuinely crowded in peak season.
Our take A rooftop terrace and pool looking straight at the Giralda, two minutes' walk from the Cathedral, with tea and drinks included.
Our take A genuine landmark as much as a hotel — Moorish-Revival architecture worth seeing in its own right, right next to the Alcázar.
Our take A well-run Santa Cruz hotel five minutes from the Cathedral, with a rooftop pool and old-town views over the alleys.
No metro station reaches directly into the quarter — Seville's single metro line runs around the edges of downtown — so this is a walking neighborhood, with the C5 minibus looping through the old town for longer hops.
Skip the rental car for your stay in the city. The old town's streets are narrow, many are pedestrian-only, and parking is scarce and expensive. Walking, the tram, and occasional taxis cover the whole old town — only rent a car if you're using Seville as a base for day trips into the countryside.
