More about: Alcázar of Seville Tickets and Tours
Entering the Alcázar of Seville is a treat for the eyes: its beauty is more than a match for the rest of the monuments and neighbourhoods of Seville and although its name does not resonate as much as the Giralda or the Torre del Oro, the Alcázar is an obligatory stop on your trip.
Seville Alcazar Tickets
Secure access to one of the most important monuments in Seville
Save time and money by buying your tickets in advance and enjoy exploring the Alcázar of Seville. Walk through all the rooms and admire the different styles that make this palace complex so special.
One of the must-see sights of the Andalusian capital. The Real Alcázar of Seville is an architectural work that receives millions of tourists every year and that I recommend you to visit if you are travelling through the city. Book your tickets in advance and save unnecessary queues and waiting.
This palace has features from different historical periods: Islamic, Mudejar, Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque. An authentic architectural jewel declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO at the end of the 1980s. It is made up of three palaces and is currently the only enclosure that still functions as the residence of Spanish royalty.
Recommended if... you are going to visit Seville and want to ensure access to one of the city's emblems without having to take care of anything.
What types of tickets are available to visit the Alcázar of Seville?
A visit to the Alcazar is a must in Seville and it is common to find combined tickets for the Alcazar and a guided tour or some other activity, such as visiting the Cathedral or the Giralda.
You can also buy tickets at the ticket office or online. I suggest the second option, so you don't risk having to queue for ages or even having to come back another day. Make sure you get access to this wonderful monument and explore the history of Andalusia and Spain in each of its rooms.
Entrance and guided tour of the Alcazar of Seville
The Alcázar of Seville is located in the historical centre of the city and visiting it is an essential activity in your visit to the city of Seville. The option of taking a guided tour of this palace and its gardens is the most convenient if you want to learn in depth about the history and architectural details hidden in each of its corners.
What this tour consists of
The details are as follows: the tour lasts 1-2 hours and the price is around 34 euros. To secure your place, you must book online and, once you choose the day you want to take this guided tour of the Alcázar of Seville, you will receive an email informing you of the timetable, meeting point and other instructions.
In addition, you will be accompanied by a professional guide throughout the tour, who will be able to answer any questions you may have.
Remember, with or without a guided tour, buy your tickets online. Waiting in line at the ticket office in the sun is a sacrifice and does not guarantee you will be able to get in on the day.
Entrance and guided tour to the Alcazar, the Cathedral and the Giralda
Seville Cathedral and its famous tower, the Giralda, are key attractions for visitors to the city. If you want to see them all, I recommend you take a guided tour that combines the Alcázar, the Cathedral and the Giralda, as they are a reference in terms of architecture and cultural richness, not only in Andalusia but in the whole of Spain.
What this tour consists of
The price is CAD 79 and the total duration of the guided tour of these two monuments is around three and a half hours. You'll avoid the queues at the entrance by going straight in with your expert guide and the rest of the group.
You can book your place online and choose the day and time that suits you best for your visit. I recommend choosing early in the morning to escape the heat and avoid the crowds on weekends. The tour includes tickets for the Alcazar, the Cathedral and the climb to the Giralda tower.
Any lover of art and Islamic and Christian history will be fascinated by this tour of Seville's most outstanding and visited monuments.
Guided tour for small groups to the Alcazar of Seville
If you are a fan of guided tours or are particularly interested in the history of the city of Seville and its Moorish legacy, this guided tour of the Alcazar for small groups is well worth it. The price of CAD 59 is very similar to a normal guided tour and the difference is that you will be in a group of no more than 20 travellers; this will allow you to feel more confident with your guide and more comfortable when touring the Alcazar.
What this tour consists of
In addition to the services of a professional guide, the price includes admission without queues. In other words, you won't have to wait in the long queue at the ticket office, but you will meet your guide outside and go straight in. Once you book online and choose the day you want to visit, you will be informed of the meeting point and time.
This tour covers the history of this enclave, but also information about the architecture of the place (with Arab, Renaissance and Baroque influences) and about the rooms that served as the setting for the popular series Game of Thrones. You can book this tour in English or Spanish and it lasts about an hour and a half.
What am I going to see in the Alcázar of Seville?
Many people compare the Alcazar of Seville with the Alhambra in Granada, not in terms of importance or size but in terms of style. Certainly after visiting both sites you will see many similarities between the two as both are among the oldest palaces in Spain and also both have in common the Moorish and Andalusian decoration.
To get the most out of the Alcázar of Seville, my first recommendation is that you should either take a guided tour or do a little research on what you will find inside and who were the kings who lived in this palace. Although getting lost in the Alcázar of Seville is a delight, don't forget to get a map at the entrance so you can recognise what you are seeing.
The essential stops
- The gardens: totally captivating and dotted with wonders such as the pond of Mercury or the Charles V pavilion.
- The Palace of King Don Pedro: called the little Alhambra. It is not difficult to see why; I could name several of its rooms but I would not know which one deserves more recognition.
- The Casa de la Contratación: of the highest historical value for being a reference in terms of trade with America.
- The Gothic Palace: where the Christian kings lived after the reconquest.
- The Patio del Yeso: this is the area you will find at the entrance and, although it will not impress you as much as others, it is one of the oldest preserved.
Tips for visiting the Alcazar of Seville
If you are not a fan of guided tours or are not interested in combined tickets, you can also visit the Alcazar on your own. Individual tickets can also be booked in advance by choosing the date and time of your visit on the official website of the Alcázar of Seville; this way, even if you don't have a guided tour, you will avoid queuing at the ticket office. The difference in price will only be in the handling fee, which is normally one euro.
The price of the general ticket is 11,50 euros adding 4,50 euros more for those who want to visit the area of the Cuarto Real Alto, located in the upper part of the Palace of King Don Pedro.
Attractions included in the entrance ticket to the Alcazar itself
- Antiquarium
- Bellver-Casa Fabiola Museum
- Triana Ceramics Museum
- Castle of San Jorge
Special groups
You should also note that admission to the Alcazar is free for disabled persons, children under 16 years of age and residents of Seville. Pensioners and students will also have a discount on the general entrance fee and during the last hour of access to the Alcazar (from 16 to 17 in winter and from 18 to 19 in summer) the entrance is free for all visitors. One very important thing: this does not mean that you should not book in advance for any type of free admission so as not to miss out.
Other options
Finally, you may also be interested to know that the Alcázar occasionally organises dramatised visits by night. Keep an eye on the official channels to find out when they are and book your place in advance.
Ana's Traveller Tip
Don't visit the Alcázar in a hurry. Set aside at least two hours of your trip to enjoy the gardens and architecture.
Plan your visit
How to get there
The Alcázar of Seville is in the historic centre, very close to the Cathedral and the Santa Cruz quarter. Once you arrive in this area you will have no problem finding the different signs that indicate the entrance, although it is true that it can go somewhat unnoticed in view of the beauty of the surroundings. Various city buses will drop you off near this area, as well as the metro line that runs through some areas of Seville.
The nearest metro and bus stop is Puerta de Jerez and from there, if you don't want to walk, you can take a tram that will drop you off at the door of the Cathedral, just a few metres from the Alcázar.
Opening hours
The Alcázar of Seville is open from Monday to Sunday from 9:30 am all year round. In winter it closes at 5pm and in summer at 7pm. It is only closed (with some exceptions) on 1 and 6 January, Good Friday and 25 December. Outside these hours the Alcazar can be opened to groups attending congresses, symposiums or similar events for the exclusive price of a night visit.
When to go
Those who are not used to the high temperatures of Seville may have a hard time visiting not only the Alcázar but also the different monuments of the Andalusian capital. Therefore, the first recommendation on when to go to the Alcázar, especially when visiting in summer, is to avoid the central hours of the day, despite the fact that there is plenty of shade in the gardens and palaces.
As it is one of the most visited monuments in Seville, I also recommend avoiding holidays and weekends as far as possible in order to enjoy the visit without crowds.
Duration of the visit
Whether you go on an organised tour or an individual visit, the Alcázar of Seville has a lot to see and it is not worth doing it in a hurry. My recommendation is to set aside a minimum of two hours to walk around the interior and enjoy the rooms and gardens.
Photographs
The Alcázar is undoubtedly one of the most photographable places in Seville. The beauty of both its palaces and its gardens will constantly invite you to capture every detail. Since photography, unless otherwise indicated by signs in certain rooms, is permitted, if you are particularly fond of photography, add an extra hour to the time you set aside for your visit.
Where to eat
If you want to eat before or after your visit, my main advice is to stay as far away from the area as possible. You will probably find various public relations people on the street selling you the typical delicacies of local restaurants. Regardless of the quality of these places, the price is quite inflated and let's just say they are not the most authentic in the area...
Instead of succumbing to these offers I recommend you to wander around a bit; the prices will probably still be high, but you will find more authenticity.
The surrounding area
The Alcázar is located in the historic centre of Seville. This means that just a few metres away you will find treasures such as the Cathedral and the Santa Cruz quarter, both of which are worth a separate visit. If you follow the tram route from Puerta de Jerez you will arrive at Plaza Nueva for a lovely, albeit hot, stroll. One last tip: wander around the area as much as you can, it's well worth it.
Visiting the Alcázar with children
The Alcázar is an ideal place to visit with children, not only because children under the age of 16 have free admission, but also because the little ones will love exploring its courtyards and labyrinths. If the Alcázar is like a fairytale setting for adults, it is even more magical for children.
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A few metres from the Reales Alcázares of Seville is the impressive Cathedral. The Cathedral of Seville, in Gothic style and crowned by the Giralda tower, is one of the most important works of architecture in the world and if contemplating it from the outside is already a privilege, accessing it, visiting its interior and climbing the tower is a unique experience.
The architectural styles of the Cathedral of Seville and the Real Alcázar are very different, which is why it is so fascinating for the traveller to enjoy both in the same visit. There are joint guided tours of both monuments, but I recommend that you take a look at this article on Seville Cathedral and Giralda Tickets and Visits to soak up all the information you need about an essential visit.