For your next trip to Andalusia, you are wondering where are the best areas to stay and which areas of Seville to avoid?

Because even if Seville is not a dangerous city, it is prudent to find out about the best places to stay.

This way, we avoid choosing accommodation in a red-light district of Seville or one not recommended for tourists.

To help you, here is a guide to the neighborhoods of Seville and my advice for choosing the best neighborhood for a tourist stay.

Is Seville dangerous?

NO: Seville (just like Madrid, Alicante ou Malaga) is one of the safest cities in Europe. It is much less dangerous than many French or Italian cities such as Nice, Montpellier, Toulouse, Rome ou Naples.

This is confirmed in the Numbeo ranking of 150 major European cities where Seville is at the bottom of the table. With a crime index of 30.64, Seville is ranked among the least crime cities in Europe as is Prague, Warsaw ou Munich.

Map of city districts

Seville counts 11 large neighborhoods which are themselves divided into 108 small neighborhoods. I will not present them all to you, but only those which may be of interest to tourists.

Here are the 6 main neighborhoods in central Seville:

• Santa Cruz (central tourist area and lively);
• El Arenal (chic district known for its Plaza de Toro);
• Alfalfa (lively district of the old town known for its wine and tapas bars);
• Macarena (artistic and bohemian district);
• San Vicente (district located north of the historic center);
• Triana (district on the east side of the Guadalquivir river).

To help you spot the best places and neighborhoods in Seville to avoid, click here to easily locate them: Map of neighborhoods

Dangerous areas in Seville?

After searching travel forums, expat forums, travel blogs and government travel advisories, I could not find any lists of dangerous areas in Seville. However, there may be some areas to avoid especially at night (see below).

Seville neighborhoods to avoid

In the center of Seville, there is usually no security problem. But there are still a few more remote neighborhoods that are less safe. As in all large cities, poor neighborhoods with social misery and a high unemployment rate are neighborhoods where drugs and violence are gradually taking hold.

Without being dangerous neighborhoods like those of Paris, London or Palermo, these are areas to be avoided by tourists. Note that these neighborhoods are undergoing rehabilitation.

Here are the less safe neighborhoods in Seville:

• The Empty
• 3000 homes
• the little birds (poorest district in Spain)
• Poligono On

Best neighborhoods to stay in Seville

The most beautiful areas of Seville are also the safest for tourists (apart from the problem of pickpockets): Santa Cruz, Alfafa, Santa Catalina, Regina, Centro, El Arenal, El Porvenir, San Bernardo, Alameda de Hércules, La Macarena, Triana ...

All these neighborhoods are nice to sleep in because they all have their own atmosphere and interest. I will not present them all to you!

I'm just going to recommend the fanciest and most touristy neighborhood in Seville.

Most beautiful district of Seville

El Arenal is the elegant and chic district of Seville. Located between the Cathedral, the Reales Alcazares and the Guadalquivir, this beautiful district of Seville is well located for sightseeing. Additionally, for shopaholics, this area is home to many major fashion brands.

And finally, for those who want to enjoy the typical Seville atmosphere, this area also has many tapas bars, restaurants and tablaos with superb flamenco shows. See location of the El Arenal district

Because Palaces and large luxury establishments are located in the most beautiful places of the city, it is in this district that the most beautiful hotels of Seville are concentrated. Here is one of the best 5 star hotels in Seville:

Best area to visit Seville

Right next to the El Arenal district, Santa Cruz is the ideal area for visiting Seville on foot. Indeed, this district is in the heart of the old town of Seville (Casco Antiguo). This is the tourist district of Seville where the Cathedral, the Giralda and the Alcázar, the Casa de Pilatos and the Puerta del León are located.

With its pretty little streets, its good restaurants, its lively bars, Santa Cruz is a very charming and colorful historic district. See location of the Santa Cruz district

And finally, here is a good address for those traveling with little money. This hotel offers exceptional value for money. Just 10 minutes walk from the cathedral, it has a magnificent, typically Andalusian patio!