# The Alcázar of Seville > The Royal Alcázar is a palace complex in central Seville and an official residence of the Spanish royal family. Building began over a thousand years ago, and its treasure is King Pedro I's 14th-century Mudéjar palace, all carved arches, tiles and courtyards. Behind the palaces spread large gardens with fountains and peacocks. Entry is by timed ticket; allow 2–3 hours. Web page: https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/alcazar-of-seville - City: [Seville](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville), Spain - YesGo score: 50/100 (Yes, go) - Time on site: 2 h 30 min - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Timed ticket, book online - Hours: Daily by day, longer in summer - Time needed: 2–3 hours with the gardens - Highlights: Pedro I's palace, Maidens' Courtyard, gardens - UNESCO: Since 1987 - Location: Opposite the cathedral, centre - Coordinates: 37.38443, -5.99119 - Facts checked: 11.11.2026 ## Key facts - **10th c.** — construction of the fortress-palace began (source: English Wikipedia) - **1360s** — Pedro I's Mudéjar palace was built (source: English Wikipedia) - **1987** — added to the UNESCO list (source: UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 383) - **Residence** — upper floors used by the royal family (source: English Wikipedia) ## About the Alcázar The Royal Alcázar is one of Europe's oldest royal palaces still in use. Its upper floors remain a residence of the Spanish royal family when they visit Seville, and the complex is run by the state body Patrimonio Nacional. Visitors can explore the state rooms, courtyards and gardens. The Alcázar's story begins in the **10th century** with a fortress on this site. In the 11th and 12th centuries it grew into a large palace complex, and later the Castilian kings added new palaces and gardens. The most famous is King **Pedro I**'s palace, built in the **1360s**. In **1987** the Alcázar joined the UNESCO list together with [Seville Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/seville-cathedral) and the [Archive of the Indies](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/archive-of-the-indies). ## Pedro I's palace and the Mudéjar style Pedro I's palace is Spain's finest example of the **Mudéjar style**, the art of craftsmen who blended Islamic patterns with Christian themes. The walls are covered in carved plaster finer than lace, the doors in wood with geometric stars, and the lower walls in bright azulejo tiles. At its heart is the **Maidens' Courtyard** (Patio de las Doncellas): a long pool framed by arches on slender columns, with sunken gardens on either side. Nearby are the **Hall of the Ambassadors**, with a golden carved-wood dome like a starry sky, and the intimate **Dolls' Courtyard**, named after the tiny faces carved into its arches. Finding them is a favourite game for children and adults alike. ## What to see in the Alcázar - **The Maidens' Courtyard** — a pool and carved arches. - **The Hall of the Ambassadors** — a golden carved-wood dome. - **The Dolls' Courtyard** — tiny faces on the arches. - **The Gothic palace** — halls of tapestries and tiles. - **The Baths of María de Padilla** — a vaulted underground pool. - **The gardens** — fountains, palms, orange trees and peacocks. > **Buying tickets** Tickets are timed and sell out days ahead in high season, so buy online on the Alcázar's official website. You can also book a guided visit to the royal apartments upstairs in small groups. Arrive 10–15 minutes early, as bags are checked at the entrance. ## The Alcázar gardens Behind the palaces lie the **gardens**, nearly half the Alcázar's grounds. There are formal parterres of clipped hedges, shady avenues of palms and orange trees, ponds and dozens of fountains. **Peacocks** roam the paths and carp swim in the ponds. Don't miss the **Grotto Gallery**, a long arcaded wall you can walk along the top of for views over the gardens, or the **Mercury fountain** with its bronze statue. Deeper in, you'll find a hedge maze and the tiled pavilion of Charles V. In summer, open-air evening concerts are held here. ## The baths and the Gothic palace Beneath one courtyard lie the **Baths of María de Padilla**, a long underground pool under low stone vaults. The water mirrors the arches, and in the half-light it's one of the Alcázar's most photogenic spots, as well as a cool refuge from the summer heat. The **Gothic palace** feels quite different: spacious high-vaulted halls, walls lined with 16th-century tiles and large tapestries. Its windows overlook the gardens, and you can step straight out to the fountains and avenues. The Alcázar is also a well-known filming location for films and TV series, so many visitors recognise its courtyards at first sight. ## How to get there 1. On foot from the centre; enter through the Lion Gate on Plaza del Triunfo. 2. Tram to the **Archivo de Indias** stop. 3. Metro line 1 to **Puerta de Jerez**, then a 5-minute walk. 4. From the cathedral, 2 minutes across the square. ## Tips for your visit Go right after opening, while the palaces are quiet and cool. Summer middays in the gardens are very hot, so start with the palaces and head outside towards evening, or bring a hat and water. An audio guide or guided tour helps you tell which rooms belong to which era. The Alcázar faces the cathedral, so the two fit neatly into one day: the cathedral and Giralda in the morning, the palace and gardens after lunch. In between, grab a bite in the bars of the Santa Cruz quarter, which begins right by the Alcázar walls. Allow 2–3 hours for a full visit with the gardens. Photography without flash is allowed almost everywhere; leave tripods and big backpacks at the hotel. ## Before you go Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Book a timed ticket online - [ ] Find the faces in the Dolls' Courtyard - [ ] See the Hall of the Ambassadors dome - [ ] Go down to the baths - [ ] Walk the Grotto Gallery ## Places in Seville: compare and choose Places in Seville rated by YesGo. - [Alcázar of Seville](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/alcazar-of-seville) — YesGo score 50/100 (Yes, go) · 2 h 30 min · Paid ## Don't mix it up The Royal Alcázar of Seville isn't the same as the Alcázars of Toledo or Córdoba: several different fortresses and palaces in Spain share the name. ## Tips - Book a timed ticket online. - Palaces first, gardens later. - Find the faces on the arches. - Santa Cruz is next door. ## Questions ### How much does the Alcázar of Seville cost? Entry is paid with timed tickets; booking online is easier and safer. ### How long do you need at the Alcázar? 2–3 hours including the gardens. ### Do I need to book ahead? Yes, tickets for the next few days sell out in high season. ### What should I see first at the Alcázar? Pedro I's palace with the Maidens' Courtyard, the Hall of the Ambassadors and the gardens. ### Can you visit the royal apartments? Yes, on a separate guided ticket. ## How we checked Facts from English Wikipedia and UNESCO. Hours and prices weren't confirmed with an official source — hence the 'checking' badge. ## Sources - English Wikipedia: Alcázar of Seville - UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 383 - Official website, alcazarsevilla.org --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.