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The Santa Cruz neighbourhood is Seville’s former Jewish quarter and, today, its most visited area. It occupies the space between the Cathedral and the Alcázar, with narrow streets, small squares and whitewashed houses that preserve the medieval layout of the old Jewish quarter. If you’re wondering what to see in the Santa Cruz neighbourhood, the answer isn’t a single monument, but rather a walking tour through the squares, gardens and hidden corners that follow one after another within a few metres.
It takes a morning or an afternoon to walk the route, and it goes well with a visit to the major sights in the area. If you’re coming from the Costa del Sol and would prefer to sort out transport and planning in advance, you could organise it as a organised trip to Seville and spend your free time exploring this neighbourhood. Here are ten places well worth visiting along the way.
Plaza del Triunfo is the natural gateway to the neighbourhood and one of the city’s most densely concentrated clusters of monuments. Here, the Cathedral stands alongside the Giralda, the General Archive of the Indies and the main façade of the Alcázar. Its name derives from the Monument to Triumph, which was erected to commemorate the fact that the cathedral building was not damaged by the 1755 Lisbon earthquake.
This is where most visits begin, as from here you can reach both the major monuments and the first streets of Santa Cruz. Very close by, you’ll find Seville Cathedral, a must-see if you have time to go inside.
The Reales Alcázares is the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe and one of the complexes that illustrate the history of the neighbourhood. Built on top of Moorish fortifications and extended by the Castilian monarchs, it combines Mudejar and Gothic styles with Renaissance, Mannerist and Baroque additions from later renovations. They comprise courtyards such as the Patio de las Doncellas, halls, baths and extensive gardens overlooking the Santa Cruz neighbourhood itself, and remain the residence of the Spanish royal family when they visit Seville.
The entrance is in the Plaza del Triunfo and it’s a good idea to book in advance, especially during the high season. If you want to plan your visit in detail, check out the guide at the Royal Alcázar of Seville before you go.
Just a few metres from the entrance to the neighbourhood stands the Church of Santa María la Blanca, which in itself encapsulates the area’s historical layers: it was once a mosque, then a synagogue, and finally a Christian church. Successive renovations, particularly those carried out in the 17th century, erased the visible Arab and Jewish remains, but left an interior that surprises with its Baroque plasterwork covering the vaults, of an unusual density.
Today it is also home to the Brotherhood of the Rosary of Our Lady of the Snows. Admission is free and the visit is brief, making it a convenient stop on the tour and a good way to gain an understanding of the Jewish quarter’s past before moving on.
Mateos Gago Street is one of the neighbourhood’s main thoroughfares and the road that connects the Cathedral area with the heart of Santa Cruz. From here, you can enjoy one of the most recognisable views of the Giralda peeking out from between the buildings – a view that features in many photographs of the neighbourhood. Its terraces are shaded by orange trees and are lined with tapas bars, traditional pubs and shops, making it a popular spot to take a break halfway along the route.
If you’re looking for somewhere to stop, here are three classic spots on the street and in the surrounding area: the Bodega Santa Cruz, also known as Las Columnas; the Bar Giralda, which still has some Arab baths inside; and the Taberna Belmonte. It’s a busy street, particularly at midday and in the afternoon, so it’s best to take your time walking along it to appreciate the views of the tower.
Plaza de Doña Elvira is one of the neighbourhood’s most iconic squares: small, surrounded by orange trees, with gardens, benches adorned with Sevillian tiles and a fountain in the centre. It was linked to open-air theatres during the Golden Age and is associated with the legend of Doña Inés from *Don Tenorio*. It is one of the spots most cherished by the people of Seville.
It’s a good place to take a break in the shade before carrying on to the next squares. And if you fancy extending your stroll through the neighbourhood’s most photogenic streets, it’s well worth taking a detour down Calle de las Cruces or Calle Santa Marta, two of the most charming streets in the Jewish quarter.
The Hospital de los Venerables is one of the most complete Baroque buildings in Seville and has been declared a Site of Cultural Interest. Founded in the 17th century as a residence for elderly priests, it is situated in the Plaza de los Venerables, right in the heart of the neighbourhood, and features a central courtyard with a sunken fountain and a church decorated with frescoes on its vaults and dome, amongst which the famous trompe-l’œil stands out.
Its galleries house the Velázquez Centre, featuring works by the painter and other masters of the Sevillian Baroque such as Murillo; among these, the following stands out: Saint Rufina. The building also hosts theatre performances and concerts. General admission costs €12, and it is advisable to check opening times and discounts at the official website of the Hospital de los Venerables. It is a short walk from Plaza de Doña Elvira.
The Plaza de Santa Cruz gives its name to the neighbourhood and stands on the site of the old church, which was demolished during the French occupation. In the centre of the square, amongst orange trees, stands the Cruz de la Cerrajería, a wrought-iron cross dating from 1692 that was moved here.
That long-gone church holds a curious fact: the painter Bartolomé Esteban Murillo was buried there. When the parish moved, his remains were left buried on the site, as a plaque on one of the façades overlooking the square commemorates. From here, there is direct access to the Murillo Gardens, making it a natural link between the heart of the neighbourhood and the landscaped area.
The Murillo Gardens form the eastern boundary of the neighbourhood, running alongside the walls of the Alcázar; in fact, they used to form part of the Royal Alcázar itself. They consist of a tree-lined promenade featuring small gazebos, fountains, tiled benches and the monument to Christopher Columbus, which is situated in the shade of palm trees and tall trees.
They were designated as a Site of Cultural Interest in 2002, together with the adjacent Paseo de Catalina de Ribera. They are named after the painter Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, who had links to the neighbourhood, and are a great place to round off the morning. If you’d like to find out more about them, we have a guide dedicated to the Murillo Gardens.
The Plaza de los Refinadores is situated between the Jardines de Murillo and the edge of the neighbourhood, very close to the Plaza de Santa Cruz. It occupies a space which, until the 19th century, was covered by the old city wall, on the section leading to the former Puerta de la Carne.
It is a landscaped square with orange and palm trees, dominated by a statue of Don Juan Tenorio, the literary character whom José Zorrilla set in Seville. The sculpture serves as a reminder of the city’s significance in that work and connects to the Plaza de Doña Elvira, which is also linked to the legend. It is a peaceful spot, less busy than the area around the Cathedral.
The Casa de Pilatos is situated on the northern edge of the neighbourhood and is one of Seville’s most important noble palaces, regarded as one of the most iconic examples of 16th-century Andalusian civil architecture. It combines Mudejar, Italian Renaissance and Gothic architectural styles, centred around a main courtyard featuring one of the city’s finest collections of 16th-century tiles.
It features gardens, a monumental staircase, ornately decorated rooms and a remarkable collection of Roman sculpture. It was once the residence of the Dukes of Medinaceli and is now home to the Casa Ducal de Medinaceli Foundation. There is an admission charge, and visitors can explore the ground floor at their own pace and the upper floor with a guide. It is set somewhat apart from the centre of Santa Cruz, so it is best to leave it until the end of your tour.
The Santa Cruz neighbourhood is right in the heart of Seville’s historic centre, next to the Cathedral and the Alcázar, so it’s within walking distance of almost anywhere in the old town. The nearest tram stop is Archivo de Indias, on Avenida de la Constitución, just a couple of minutes’ walk from Plaza del Triunfo. If you’re arriving by car, you’ll need to park outside the neighbourhood, as it’s a pedestrian area with very narrow streets; the public car parks around the Paseo de Colón or in the Prado de San Sebastián area are the usual options.
Comfortable footwear is recommended for the walk, as the pavements are cobbled and the streets wind their way through the neighbourhood. One morning is enough to see the main sights, although if you wish to visit the Casa de Pilatos, the Hospital de los Venerables or the Alcázar, you’ll need to allow extra time for each visit. The best way to explore the neighbourhood is always on foot, without sticking to a strict itinerary, simply letting yourself be led by the streets that link one square to another.
The must-see sights include the Plaza del Triunfo, the Murillo Gardens and the Casa de Pilatos, as well as squares such as the Plaza de Doña Elvira and the Plaza de Santa Cruz, and the narrow streets of the old Jewish quarter. The tour can be done on foot in a morning and goes well with a visit to the Cathedral and the Alcázar.
Yes. It is the most characteristic area of Seville’s historic centre and, within just a few metres, brings together monuments, squares and gardens. As it is right next to the Cathedral and the Alcázar, it can easily be included in any visit to the city without the need for long journeys.
The neighbourhood takes its name from the former Church of Santa Cruz, built on the site of what had been Seville’s Jewish quarter following the Christian conquest. That church was demolished during the French occupation and today its site is the Plaza de Santa Cruz, from which the neighbourhood takes its name.
It is situated in Seville’s historic centre, next to the Cathedral and the Alcázar, so it can be reached on foot from almost anywhere in the old town. The nearest tram stop is Archivo de Indias and, as it is a pedestrianised neighbourhood with narrow streets, it is best explored on foot.
If you’d like to extend the route beyond this neighbourhood, have a look at what to see in Seville and find all the practical information about the city on the Seville.
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