Seville · Spain
Royal Alcázar of Seville
A practical guide to the Royal Alcázar of Seville: how we visited it on a combined tour, what not to miss in the Mudéjar palace and the gardens, and what to know about tickets, times and clothing.
It is the biggest visit in Seville and it pays off more with a guide. If you can, go to Casa de Pilatos first: the other way around, Pilatos feels small.
The Royal Alcázar is the complex of palaces and gardens next to Seville Cathedral. It was built in stages starting in the 10th century, and the most famous part is the Mudéjar palace of Pedro I, with its courtyards and halls. It has been working as a palace for more than a thousand years and is still a residence of the royal family.
Our experience
We visited on Monday, May 18, on a tour in Spanish that covered the Alcázar, the Cathedral and the Giralda, with skip-the-line entry and headsets. We met the group at 12:40 in the Plaza del Triunfo, next to the monument to the Immaculate Conception, and started at 13:00.
That morning we had already seen Casa de Pilatos, and that was on purpose: we wanted to see the small palace first and the big one after, so we would not compare them the wrong way around. We chose the tour because the Alcázar and the Cathedral have the longest lines in the city, tickets are timed, and at that hour in May it is better to be behind thick walls and in shaded gardens.
A bit of history
In the 10th century, Caliph Abd al-Rahman III had a government palace built here, the origin of the whole complex. The Almohads expanded it in the 12th and 13th centuries. After the Christian conquest of 1248, the kings of Castile kept using it.
The big change came in 1364, when Pedro I had a new palace built by Mudéjar craftsmen. The Patio de las Doncellas and the Hall of Ambassadors date from then, which is why this palace is often compared to a small-scale Alhambra.
Since 1987 the Alcázar has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the Cathedral and the Archivo de Indias. Today the gardens are also known for Game of Thrones.
How it fits into your day
The Alcázar sits in the middle of the monuments morning: the Santa Cruz quarter and Casa de Pilatos before, the Cathedral next door. See our day 9 and the guide to Seville Cathedral and the Giralda.
What to see, in order
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The Patio de las Doncellas
The postcard courtyard, with its long pool down the middle. It is part of the palace Pedro I had built in the 14th century.
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The Hall of Ambassadors
The room with the golden dome of interlaced stars. Look up as you walk in.
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The gardens
Fountains, orange trees and peacocks. They are the coolest part of the visit, with thick walls and shade.
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The Game of Thrones locations
The gardens and courtyards appear in the series as the kingdom of Dorne, in the Water Gardens.
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The Patio de Banderas
On the way out of the Alcázar you pass through this courtyard of orange trees, with the Giralda framed above it.
Tips we wish we’d known
Tips
- It is a working royal residence: they ask for appropriate clothing and good behavior. No sandals, tank tops or short skirts.
- Official or religious events can limit access on some days. Check before you go.
- Photos are allowed, but no flash.
- If you are on a combined tour, the gardens are the best break after the climb up the Giralda.
Do
- Bring the same ID you booked with, or a clear photo of it.
- Get to the meeting point with time to spare: entry is by time slot.
- Visit Casa de Pilatos first if you are doing both on the same day.
Don’t
- Do not bring suitcases or large bags.
- Do not eat or drink inside the grounds.
- Do not stop for anyone offering rosemary or photos in the Plaza del Triunfo: they ask for money afterward.
Frequently asked questions
How much time do you need to see the Royal Alcázar?
We saw it as part of a 2.5-hour tour that also included the Cathedral and the Giralda. In reviews, many people say they wished they had more time in the gardens.
Is the Alcázar still a royal palace?
Yes. The upper floors are used by the Spanish royal family when they visit Seville.
Where was Game of Thrones filmed?
In the gardens and courtyards of the Alcázar, which are the kingdom of Dorne in the series.
Can you see it on the same tour as the Cathedral?
Yes. We did a combined tour with skip-the-line entry to all three sites: the Alcázar, the Cathedral and the Giralda.