Neighbourhoods · La Macarena

La Macarena: what to see and how to explore the neighbourhood

Almohad walls, a devotion that moves the whole city and market streets where Seville still lives at its own pace.

By María Ramírez, Official Tourist Guide · Reviewed on 25 September 2026

La Macarena is the neighbourhood in the north of the old town. The essentials: the Macarena basilica, the arch and the best-preserved stretch of the city wall, the Andalusian Parliament and Calle Feria. Walk there from the Setas and allow two hours.

What to see nearby

A few minutes away is the Alameda de Hércules, with its Roman columns and café terraces. To the south, the Setas de la Encarnación and their Antiquarium, with Roman remains beneath the square. And to continue with neighbourhood Seville, cross the river to Triana.

Essential history

Date	Milestone
12th century	The Almohads extend the wall that still stands beside the arch.
1546	Construction of the Hospital de las Cinco Llagas begins.
1574	The Alameda de Hércules is created, one of Europe’s first public promenades.
20th century	The present Macarena basilica is built.
1992	The Andalusian Parliament moves into the former hospital.

What defines the neighbourhood

La Macarena is neighbourhood Seville: less monumental than the southern centre and far more everyday. The longest stretch of the Almohad wall survives here, and devotion to the Esperanza Macarena, whose brotherhood is based in the basilica, sets the local calendar.

It is also the Seville of markets, Mudéjar churches and old convents, and a good place to see how the city lives away from the queues.

Suggested walking route

About two hours from the Setas.

Setas de la EncarnaciónStarting point; Roman remains lie beneath.
Calle Feria and its marketOne of the liveliest streets in the north of the centre.
San Luis de los FrancesesJesuit Baroque on Calle San Luis.
Macarena arch and basilicaThe gate in the wall and the Esperanza.
City walls and ParliamentThe Almohad stretch and the former Hospital de las Cinco Llagas.

Editorial map: it shows the logic of the walk.

Five places explained

Macarena basilica
Home of the brotherhood of the Esperanza Macarena, one of the most venerated images in the city. Its museum helps you understand Seville’s Holy Week.
Macarena arch
One of the gates of the old city wall, remodelled in the 18th century.
City walls
The best-preserved stretch of the Almohad wall, with its towers, between the arch and the Córdoba gate.
Andalusian Parliament
Housed in the former 16th-century Hospital de las Cinco Llagas, one of Seville’s great Renaissance buildings.
Calle Feria
A food market, long-established shops and, on Thursdays, the traditional El Jueves flea market.

When to go

Thursday morningTo see the El Jueves flea market on Calle Feria.
MorningsMarkets are open and streets are busier.
Holy WeekThe early hours of Good Friday are the neighbourhood’s most intense moment. Plan well ahead.

Mistakes and clichés

Only visiting the basilicaThe neighbourhood deserves a longer walk through its streets and markets.
Thinking it is farIt is about a 15-minute walk from the Setas.