Built in 913, the Royal Alcázar is the oldest royal palace in Europe - an absolute must-visit!
Enjoy a guided tour of the incredible fortress of the Alcazar of Seville
Following a closure due to the ongoing pandemic, the Alcazar of Seville reopened its doors to the public on 15 July 2020. This move comes with various safety measures in places that visitors are expected to strictly abide by.
Here’s what you need to know before your visit:
Few landmarks in the world have withstood time to narrate the tale of centuries’ influence under a myriad of cultures and religions -- the Alcazar of Seville is exactly this. From the Iberians to the Muslims and Christians, the Alcazar has grown and flourished as a significant point of history in the city of Seville.
The Alcazar’s ornate, detailed architecture has been a symbol of culture, carefully recorded by historians over decades. Featuring surreal Gothic and Moorish style, the landmark features intricate carvings, beautiful stonework and craftsmanship, and multiple chambers, each more spectacular than the next. With Alcazar Seville tickets, guests have the option of getting an up-close and personal look at a remarkable historic monument.
The best way to learn interesting facts about a historic location is by opting for a guided tour. If you opt for a guided Alcazar Seville tour, you’ll be accompanied on your tour by a professional tour guide who is fluent in several languages including but not limited to English, Italian, Spanish and French. Your guide will enlighten you with the history, culture and significance of the Alcazar.
With standard Alcazar Seville tickets, visitors get skip-the-line access to the monument. This means you don’t have to waste time waiting in long queues, when you can simply bypass them and enjoy priority access. With a skip-the-line ticket, you get access to all the essential parts of the Alcazar and also have the option of opting for a handy audio guide to accompany you during your visit.
While a standard access ticket will give you access to the Alcazar, you can further enrich your trip to Seville by opting for a combo ticket. With these tickets, you not only get a guided tour by a local, multi-lingual professional of the Alcazar, but also a tour of two other major landmarks in Seville: the Seville Cathedral and the La Giralda bell tower.
Alcazar, Gardens
Lion’s Gate, Courtyard of Maidens, and Hall of Ambassadors
Alcazar, Seville Cathedral, and La Giralda
Audioguide available
Entry to the Cuarto Real (High Royal) Room
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
These tickets cannot be cancelled, amended or refunded
Cancel up to 72 hours in advance for a full refund
Cancel up to 48 hours in advance for a full refund
There’s plenty to explore and observe at the Alcazar of Seville, each more remarkable than the next. Here are a few highlights that make the Alcazar a historically significant monument.
One of the first sights you’ll witness at the Alcazar is the Puerto del León, also known as the Lion’s Gate. Situated atop a tall, red-maroon wall, is a wide ceramic panel featuring a heraldic lion holding a cross. The Puerto del León serves as the main entrance into the Alcazar and leads into the Patio del Léon from where your tour begins.
The Hall of Ambassadors was used primarily for administrative purposes and receiving VIP guests by the likes of King Pedro. The principal architect behind this magnificent room is Diego Ruiz, a Seville craftsman from back in the late 1930s. The perfectly geometric pattern on the gilded ceiling is the highlight of this room, along with the intricately-detailed motifs and balconies that represent classic Moorish influence.
If you’re looking for the perfect example of a pristine landscape, the Alcazar Seville Gardens will captivate your attention from the moment you set your eyes on them. These gardens are home to more than 20,000 plants and trees from around the world, including exotic species from hidden parts of South America. The lush greenery is perfectly complemented by delicate ponds and fountains.
Also known as the Courtyard of Maidens, legend says that this area drew its name from the fact that the ancient Moors demanded 100 virgins from the Iberian Christians as a form of tribute. The Moors invested heavily into the maintenance of the courtyards; watch out for the immaculately-kept gardens, mudéjar-style architecture and symmetrical pool.
Don Pedro -- commonly known as King Peter 1 -- while being a Christian ruler, employed Muslim architects and interior designs to build the Palacio Mudéjar (Palace of Peter 1). One of the most beautiful sections of the Alcazar, this palace is the ideal representation of Mudéjar art and heavy Moorish influence. Tip: Keep an eye out for the intricate patterns frequented across the walls and ceilings.
The Royal Apartments at the Alcazar are a testament to the history of the monument and the city itself. Comprising 11 rooms, these apartments currently serve as the private chambers of the royal family. They can be accessed through a private visit; on this tour, visitors get a rare glimpse of the elaborate furnishings, architecture and tapestries that have been influenced by decades of Moorish rule.
Alcazar Seville opening hours are 09:30 AM to 05:00 PM from Monday to Sunday between October to March; 09:30 AM to 07:00 PM from Monday to Sunday between April to September.
Alcazar of Seville is closed on 1 and 6 January, Good Friday, and 25 December.
The best time to visit the Alcazar of Seville is during early mornings or right before closing for smaller crowds. The best time of the year is between February to April, right before summer, so that you can walk around without experiencing heat or large crowds.
You can get to the Alcazar Seville using either public transport options like the bus, metro or tram, or by driving down in a personal car or taxi.
Yes. The closest train station to the Alcazar is Prado de San Sebastian. From here, the Alcazar is at a 3-minute walking distance.
The Alcazar is located at Patio de Banderas, s/n, 41004 Seville, Spain.
Google Map Directions.
Also known as Santa Maria de la Sede, the Seville Cathedral is said to be the largest and most-awe inspiring Gothic-influence cathedral in the world. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it took about 100 years to complete construction! The landmark’s architecture, influenced by a combination of Moorish, Renaissance and Gothic design, is elaborate in every sense. The detailed stonework on the exteriors, the spires in particular, are dedicated to Christian saints. If the exteriors weren’t impressive enough, the interiors are absolutely mesmerizing. The highlight is the altar, that features intricate woodwork depicting various times from the life of Christ, along with the beautiful dome.
La Giralda, Seville’s bell tower, is a sight to behold. Towering over every part of Seville, a visit to the top brings to you a spectacular bird’s eye view of the city’s landscape, including landmarks like the Alcazar. The tower was earlier a minaret of Seville’s main mosque, way back during the rule of the Almohad Dynasty in the 1100s. With time, the minar faced destruction and damage and was finally re-constructed over 73 years, completed sometime in the 1500s. La Giralda is a beautiful representation of classic Baroque and Gothic architectural styles, a highlight being the shadows created by the ornate block and brick patterns across the tower, and the iconic weathervane situated right at the top.
Q. Is it safe to visit the Alcazar Seville post-COVID-19?
A. To ensure the safety of its visitors, Alcazar Seville now accepts only online reservations. Several safety measures and guidelines have also been enforced to ensure the safety of its visitors.
Q. What are the safety measures and guidelines in place at the Alcazar Seville?
A. In light of COVID-19, multiple health and safety measures have been enforced. The Alcazar now accepts only online reservations. It is mandatory that visitors wear masks and gloves throughout their entire visit; they will also be subject to temperature checks by thermal scanners before entry. Visitor capacity has been limited to 250 per hour and social distancing markers have been placed across the site to ensure unidirectional flow.
Q. Are Alcazar Seville tickets available online now?
A. Yes. You can book your Alcazar Seville tickets online as they now accept only digital reservations.
Q. What is the cancelation policy for Alcazar Seville tickets?
A. It depends on the ticket you choose to book. While some tickets offer a full refund on canceling tickets up to 48-72 hours in advance, for others there may be no refund available on cancelation. Please check before you make your reservation.
Q. What is the maximum group size for guided Alcazar Seville tours?
A. The Alcazar Seville is accepting guided tour groups with a maximum of 20 guests.
Q. What are Alcazar Seville hours post-COVID-19?
A. Alcazar Seville hours post-COVID-19 are 09:30 AM to 05:00 PM from Monday to Sunday between October to March; 09:30 AM to 07:00 PM from Monday to Sunday between April to September.
Q. Can I visit only the Gardens of Alcazar?
A. Unfortunately, no. There is no ticket that covers only the gardens. You will have to purchase the General Ticket which includes both, the palaces and the gardens.
Q. What is the best time to visit the Real Alcazar of Seville?
A. As with most tourist attractions in Europe, it’s best to avoid visiting on weekends, especially during summers and holiday seasons. Try visiting during on a weekday during spring or autumn. It also helps if you pick a time slot which is very early in the morning or later in the afternoon.