From Seville to Salzburg: inside the best Airbnbs and accommodations managed by religious people in Europe

Airbnbs in Europe have faced seemingly endless criticism of late. People say they’re too expensive, too small, too noisy, and guests are expected to do an unfair amount of homework before checking out.

A slew of new properties on the vacation rental market are looking to change that.

In the Spanish city of Seville there are recently opened apartments, promising “peace… light and calm”, offering refuge to weary travellers.

While Airbnb’s statements are not always 100% true, that may be the case for these particular apartments; they are located within the walls of the Convent of Santa Maria di Gesù.

The 16th-century institution is home to the nuns of the cloistered Order of Saint Clare, nuns once accustomed to supporting their income by selling homemade goods to passers-by.

Racking their brains, they initially decided to dive into the rental market by providing a long-term lease of a unit previously occupied by a former doorman and his family.

After some consideration, they came to the conclusion that short-term rentals were the way to go instead. But don’t expect to be welcomed into your apartment by a nun.

“We didn’t want to deal directly with the management of the apartments because it’s not our way of life,” Sister María José told the Spanish newspaper El País.

“They bring an income that helps us live but we didn’t want it to be to the detriment of our vocation, which is why we had someone else take over management,” she added.

After making the decision, Sevillians Javier Bernal and his partner Luis Bidón heard about the sisters’ new venture.

“We got in touch with them last summer after someone who buys their desserts told us that they were interested in using some of the rooms they had there as tourist apartments, so we went and asked them,” Bernal told El Pais.

After some negotiations between the men and the nuns, they made a two-year agreement.

How much does it cost to stay in the Spanish convent Airbnb?

The apartments are now available at a price between 90 and 180 euros depending on the size of the spaces for a minimum stay of two nights.

Bernal says the unusual accommodations have been popular with both Spaniards and foreign visitors.

“So far it’s mostly been [foreigners] but it is true that the percentage of Spaniards is higher than what is normally found in this type of property,” he told the newspaper.

If you’re not planning on going to Seville anytime soon, but still need a religious stay in another part of Europe, we have some suggestions run directly by nuns and priests.

Experience the Pope as your neighbor in the Vatican

Starting from the very heart of Catholicism: there are no fewer than 27 accommodations within and around the walls of an area of ​​1 square kilometre. Vatican CITY.

Run by the order of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, Casa Maria Immacolata is just a short walk from St. Peter’s Basilica, where you might catch a glimpse of the Pope himself.

Rates start from €55 per person per night, but we advise against using this type of accommodation as a base if you are in Rome for anything other than a restful break. There is a strict curfew at 11pm which the nuns will no doubt take very seriously.

Visit the Amalfi Coast on a budget

Staying in Italy, but traveling further south, choosing to stay in a religious-run property is an economical option.

The Amalfi coast is infamous for high hotel prices, but La Culla Convent bucks this trend.

Just over 1 km from Sorrento, the guest house boasts a splendid 18th-century villa with panoramic views of the Gulf of Naples and Vesuvius.

Costing from €50 per person per night, you’ll be greeted by members of the Oblate Sisters of the Child Jesus order, with previous visitors claiming to be some of the most “helpful and hospitable” nuns they’ve ever met.

Live your fantasy All together passionately in Austria

Travel north and across the border and you will come across the Gästehaus im Priesterseminar, located in the heart of Austrian city of Salzburg.

Built in 1693 for the training of men who intended to enter the diocese of Salzburg, the guesthouse has been open to the public since 2012 after some “light renovation work”.

Hosts say its 50 rooms are filled with “historic charm… combined with 21st-century comforts” and that there are more options for every type of traveler than most religious lodgings.

Prices, which reflect the rather elegant facilities, range from 80 euros per night for a single room to 156 euros for a studio apartment.

Stay in an iconic Slovenian building in Ljubljana

If you like your accommodation with a side of historical significance, you can’t go wrong with the Saint Ignatius Retreat House in the center of Slovenian capital, Ljubljana.

Operated by the Society of Jesus in Slovenia, the building was created by Jože Plečnik 100 years ago, in 1924. He was a famous architect originally from Slovenia and known for many other architectural works throughout Europe.

With prices starting from €64 per night, previous guests say the guest house – which has two separate chapels for visitors – is more like a hostel, but is still a great place to stay while seeking solace from the exhausting travel plans.

See the City of Lights affordably

For a true experience in a hostel run by the Catholic church, we recommend going to Paris and, in particular, the Foyer Catholique Résidence Lanteri.

Located 20 minutes outside the French capital, in the suburb of Fontenay-aux-Roses, you’d be forgiven for confusing this residence with student accommodation.

This is partly because it provides basic services at low prices for Paris university students and offers a number of common spaces for visitors.

The rules are strict, no entry is allowed after 8.30pm, and guests have said the rooms are very basic, but for just €40 a night, it’s a perfect base for young people wanting to explore the City of lights and love.