The Bohemian Seville: Top Places to Stay, Eat & Explore

The Bohemian Seville: Top places to Stay, Eat & Explore

There is an area towards the northern side of the city that embodies the true taste of Seville’s local life. An area that is filled with so much energy and as buzzing as Soho in London! An unconventional hotbed of shops, cultures, music, clubs and life, lots of nightlife! The Bohemian Seville is a neighbourhood that is continuously renewed through imagination, art and style, attracting students, tourists as well as Sevillanos.

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Welcome to this mini guide on Bohemian Seville, encompassing four neighbourhoods as oppossed to one .

Traditionally, La Alameda is a neighbourhood that is associated with bohemian culture, a neighbourhood of different personalities, multi-cultural offerings and the area where Andalusian rock music was born. Home to the oldest public park in Europe, the Alameda de Hercules encompasses a large pedestrian area and is the most popular leisure area in the city. Although the Alameda neighbourhood is the heart of bohemian Seville, the areas of Las Setas, Feria and Macarena are included as wider Bohemian Seville in this article. All these four areas are located within 10 minutes of each other and share the Bohemian quirky vibe. It takes about 30 minutes to walk from the historic centre or an easy 10-minute taxi ride.

A visit to the off-track Bohemian Seville offer an alternative to Seville’s usual tourist sights, with a mix of avant-garde eateries, vintage clothing and a paradise of local independent shops.

What this mini-guide on Bohemian Seville covers

In this mini-guide on Bohemian Seville, you will find an overview on each of the barrios and what you could do on your visit along with suggestions on where to stay and places to try some delicious food. In Bohemian Seville, it is all about the “relax, fun and the easy-going where anything goes vibes” rather than ticking-off a list of attractions, although there are some unmissable historic monuments which you could see along the way, especially in Macarena.

Please also read Barrio Santa Cruz, the BEST guide to Where to Stay, Things to do and Where to Eat alongside this article for a greater context on the city of Seville.

A MINI GUIDE TO BOHEMIAN SEVILLE — LAS SETAS — CALLE FERIA — LA ALAMEDA and MACARENA AREAS

1 | LAS SETAS AREA

The area around Las Setas de Sevilla (The Mushrooms of Seville) or the Metropol Parasol was once a run-down area and now, is home to quirky boutiques, organic food shops, and independent shops.

1.1 | What to do at Las Setas Area

Las Setas de Sevilla is a large wooden structure at La Encarnación and is one of Seville’s iconic landmark that was built in 2011. The Metropol Parasol houses the local market, Mercado de la Encarnación, several tapas bars, and cafes. Alongside these are a rooftop walk and an archaeological museum.

1.2 | Calle Regina Sevilla

From Las Setas de Sevilla, walk up the quirky neighbourhood along Calle Regina towards Feria. Calle Regina is a pedestrianised street offering bookshop, Spanish-sweet shop, and a cafe for a quick break.

2 | FERIA, SEVILLE

Feria, as the name itself denotes is a ‘party’ neighbourhood and makes as one of Bohemian Seville. This cool barrio encompasses several streets clustered around Calle Feria with the lively part of this neighbourhood stretching along Alameda de Hercules, one of the busiest spots for nightlife in Seville.

2.1 | What to do at Feria, Seville

Calle Feria is famous for its noisy, hectic flea market on Thursdays for all things trash or treasure. Jueves Market is the oldest and the most colourful flea market in Seville and you can buy pretty much anything here – from books, flamenco dresses to bird cages! One of Seville’s best vintage clothing boutique, Ropero and Jueves is located at Feria, 37.

Located towards the northern end of Calle Feria is Mercado de Feria, a popular food hall with 100+ vendors dishing up paella and croquettes.

3 | ALAMEDA NEIGHBOURHOOD

The heartbeat of Bohemian Seville, the Alameda neighbourhood was once a down-and-out barrio. Now, this is where life is lived intensely and where people get the impression that Seville embraces diversity. Go here for a drink and to hang-out till the early hours.

3.1 | What to do at Alameda Neighbourhood

La Alameda is one of Seville’s trendiest and hippiest of neighbourhoods. Home of Andalusian rock music, the Alameda now boasts all kinds of music. You can enjoy jazz, pop-rock, concerts and music festivals. There are funky art galleries, chic bars, restaurants and vintage boutiques. La Alameda represents a marriage of historical places, spaces, style, art, imagination and cultural expressions. The aura of complete la libertad!

Head to La Alameda de Hercules, a historical public square encompassing a large (480 metres by 80 metres) tree-lined pedestrian area surrounded by tapas bars, terraces cafes and restaurants. It suits all personalities and frequented by artists, students, and tourists.

As revellers call it a ‘night’ on the early hours of Sunday morning, the historic square becomes alive with hectic vendors setting up stalls for one of Andalusian capital’s most interesting art and craft markets. You can visit the Alameda Market scene on Sundays from 7:30 a.m.

4 | MACARENA, BOHEMIAN SEVILLE

Macarena is popular for its creative vibe and home to a range of shops selling vintage clothes and books. This neighbourhood takes its name from the Basilica de la Macarena, home to the revered Virgin Macarena.

4.1 | What to do at Macarena Bohemian Seville

The Basilica de la Macarena sits next to the city’s ancient gates and parts of an ancient wall, possibly the largest remaining sections of Moorish city wall. This remarkable monument stretches from Puerta de la Macarena on the west to Puerta de Cordoba on the east, two of the oldest gates to the Andalusian capital city.

Macarena nowadays is an economically important part of Seville and is home to the Andalusian parliament. The Andalusian Parliament building was once a hospital, Hospital of the Five Holy Wounds (Hospital de las Cinco Ilagas).

Macarena is also host to Seville’s best loved Christian processions. The procession of Virgin of Macarena, Semana Santa (Holy Week) takes place every Easter.

This neighbourhood is filled with budget accommodations and apartments while also popular for its vibrant nightlife scene that keeps going till the early hours.

WHERE TO STAY AT THE BOHEMIAN LAS SETAS — CALLE FERIA — LA ALAMEDA and MACARENA AREAS

If the noise is not a bother and you wish to stay in these barrios that make up Bohemian Seville, look up the following hotels as they come highly rated for this neighbourhood. Also, this is a popular area for the night owls, so ensure you grab a good deal by booking early.

1 | Mid-range hotels at Bohemian Las Setas – Calle Feria – La Alameda and Macarena Area

1.1 | Exe Sevilla Macarena

Hotel Sevilla Macarena is located facing the city wall and the Basilica de la Macarena. The hotel offers rooftop pool, panoramic views and is set around a typical courtyard usually found in Seville. International breakfast buffet is offered as well.

1.2 | One Shot Palacio Conde de Torrejon

One Shot Palacio Conde de Torrejon is a 4-star hotel located within minutes of La Alameda de Hercules. Guests enjoy the seasonal outdoor swimming pool, a terrace, bar and a buffet breakfast. Offers family rooms.

2 | Budget accommodations at Bohemian Las Setas – Calle Feria – La Alameda and Macarena Area

2.1 | Alcoba del Rey de Sevilla

Alcoba del Rey de Sevilla is located close to the Basilica de la Macarena. This highly rated boutique hotel feature a rooftop terrace, a hot tub and is set around a typical Andalusian patio. Located at just 3-minutes from the La Alameda area. Alcoba del Rey de Sevilla is particularly noted by guests for its unique rooms, incredible breakfast and friendly hospitality.

2.2 | Sacristia de Santa Ana

Sacristia de Santa Ana is located in La Alameda de Hercules. A 18th century manor house feature parquet floors and classical-style decor. Conveniently located near a bus-stop.

2.3 | Patio de la Cartuja

Patio de la Cartuja features apartments in split floors. Conveniently located within minutes to La Alameda de Hercules. Continental breakfast is available each morning.

WHERE TO EAT AT THE BOHEMIAN LAS SETAS — CALLE FERIA — LA ALAMEDA and MACARENA AREAS

This is a neighbourhood where there are many tapas bar and cafes that serve some of the very best in authentic Andalusian dishes. The area is abuzz with vendors serving from paella and croquettes to seafood and empanadas along with snug and hidden bars.

Mix with the locals and soak up the sun at vibrant La Alameda while enjoying cañas till the morning hours. Your choices of local cuisine is endless with the offerings of over a hundred food stalls at Feria Market and at the great choices at the fresh food market at La Encarnación Metropol Parasol.

Within Bohemian Seville neighbourhoods, you may want to try the following which are highly rated:

Eslava – has been around for over thirty years and is a favourite for both locals and tourists. It has the buzz of a local bar and offers traditional tapas such as costillos (pork ribs) alongside some newer creatives.

Arte y Sabor – offers a fusion of cuisine. Morrocon dishes such as tagine alongside Spanish dishes. Vegetarian friendly

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