Dating back to the 10th century, the Royal Alcázar of Seville is one of Spain’s most historic attractions, drawing large numbers of visitors every year.
A view through an arch at the Royal Alcázar of Seville (Photo: Dmitry Djouce via Flickr / CC BY 2.0 DEED)
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the vast Moorish palace lays claim to being the oldest royal palace in Europe still in use today. To explore its incredible confines as well as the palace’s stunningly landscaped gardens, you can either buy standard admission tickets or visit as part of a guided tour that takes in other city attractions along the way. Here’s our breakdown of the two best options – and where to book them.
Tickets
If you’re only looking to visit the Royal Alcázar, you can purchase admission tickets for prices starting at around €13 per person. This includes access to the palace and gardens, but not the Royal Bedrooms, which are available to book onsite for an additional fee. Opening hours for the attraction are 9.30am to 7pm daily and visits tend to last between 1.5 and 2 hours. If you buy tickets online, they can be stored as e-tickets on your smartphone and shown at the entrance.
We recommend buying Royal Alcázar admission tickets via Tiqets.com
Tours
You can also visit the Royal Alcázar as part of a group guided tour with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide. During the 1.5-hour tour, you’ll get to learn all about the landmark’s history and fascinating facts about the its art, architecture and royal residents down the years courtesy of your expert guide. There’ll also be a chance to head outside to admire the lush gardens, golden archways and tranquil pools and fountains that are dotted throughout the palace grounds.
We recommend buying Royal Alcázar guided tour tickets via Tiqets.com
If you have time for a more extended excursion, the Royal Alcázar also features on the itinerary of several guided tours that include visits to at least one other attraction as part of the package. For example, you can book a 3-hour combo tour that takes in the Alcazar, as well as the majestic Seville Cathedral and The Giralda bell tower for around €58 per person – representing a sizeable saving compared with visiting them all separately. Most tours take place as part of a small group with an expert guide for company, or for a more intimate and exclusive experience, there are also some private tours available that include a stop at the Alcazar.
We recommend booking Seville tours that include the Royal Alcázar via GetYourGuide.com