Alcázar of Seville Palace

Address: Patio de Banderas s/n, 41004 Sevilla, Spain (Real Alcázar)

Website: https://www.alcazarsevilla.org

Hours: Daily (opening times vary seasonally; check website)

Admission: Main adult admission charged (approx €13.50; reduced rates for EU/children/locals; timed-entry)

The Alcázar of Seville is a fortified royal palace in Seville originally developed by Muslim rulers and later expanded by Christian monarchs. Much of the surviving palace complex dates to the 14th century and is a leading example of Mudéjar architecture in Spain.

Intricately decorated courtyards with tilework and carved plaster, the ornate Salón de Embajadores, and extensive formal gardens stretching behind the palace. Visitors can explore a sequence of rooms and patios that combine Islamic, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements across several centuries.

The site evolved from a 10th-century Muslim fort into a royal residence after the Christian conquest of Seville in 1248; King Pedro I commissioned major 14th-century rebuilding in the Mudéjar style. Subsequent monarchs modified interiors and gardens, and the palace has continued in royal use to the present day.

The Alcázar sits within Seville’s historic centre, adjacent to the Cathedral and the Archivo General de Indias, a short walk from the Guadalquivir River and Seville’s main tourist thoroughfares.

• Access: Ticketed entry is required and timed; the palace is still used by the Spanish royal family for official occasions, so parts may be closed at short notice.
• UNESCO: The palace is part of the same UNESCO World Heritage listing as the nearby cathedral and archive in Seville.

What to See#

• Patio de las Doncellas: A 14th-century Mudéjar palace courtyard noted for its rectangular layout and reflecting pools, formed during the reign of Pedro I of Castile.
• Salón de Embajadores: The main reception hall used by Moorish and later Castilian rulers, famous for its richly decorated dome and intricate tilework.
• Gardens: Extensive formal gardens laid out and expanded over centuries, combining Moorish cisterns, Renaissance terraces and modern plantings.

The Alcázar of Seville sits next to Seville Cathedral in the old town (Barrio de Santa Cruz). It’s a short walk from the cathedral and Plaza Virgen de los Reyes. From Seville Santa Justa railway station the Alcázar is about 1.5-2 km away (roughly a 20-25 minute walk) or a short taxi/bus ride; from Seville Airport it’s about 10 km west (around 15-20 minutes by car depending on traffic).

• Reserve a timed-entry online and be among the first inside at opening to see the main Mudejar rooms - early visits let you enjoy the Salón de Embajadores before large tour groups arrive.
• After touring the palace interiors, spend extra time in the gardens and their maze-like walkways; the planted areas are extensive and considerably quieter in late afternoon when many visitors head back to the cathedral.
• Don't miss the palace's detailed Mudejar decoration and the Salon de los Embajadores - these are the architectural highlights and can be hard to appreciate when the central rooms are crowded.