# Seville Cathedral > Seville Cathedral is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and one of the biggest churches on Earth. Its 126-metre Gothic body stands on the site of the city's great mosque, whose minaret became the Giralda bell tower. Since 1987 it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the Alcázar and the Archive of the Indies. Entry is ticketed and usually includes the Giralda climb; allow 1.5–2 hours. Web page: https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/seville-cathedral - City: [Seville](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville), Spain - YesGo score: 53/100 (Yes, go) - Time on site: 1 h 45 min - With kids: Fine with kids - Entry: Ticketed, Giralda included - Hours: Daily by day, Sundays from afternoon - Time needed: 1.5–2 hours - Dress code: Shoulders and knees covered - UNESCO: Since 1987 - Location: Plaza Virgen de los Reyes, centre - Coordinates: 37.38574, -5.99310 - Facts checked: 11.11.2026 ## Key facts - **126 m** — length of the Gothic section (source: English Wikipedia) - **36 m** — height of the central nave (source: English Wikipedia) - **1987** — added to the UNESCO list (source: UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 383) - **Early 16th c.** — the cathedral was completed (source: English Wikipedia) ## About Seville Cathedral The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See, known to everyone as Seville Cathedral, is the largest Gothic church in the world. When it was finished in the early **16th century**, it became the biggest cathedral on Earth, taking the title from Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, which had held it for a thousand years. The Gothic section is **126 metres** long and **76 metres** wide, and the central nave soars to **36 metres**. It was built on the site of the city's great mosque, of which the orange tree courtyard and the former minaret, the famous [Giralda](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/giralda), survive. In **1987** the cathedral joined the UNESCO list together with the [Alcázar](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/alcazar-of-seville) and the [Archive of the Indies](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/archive-of-the-indies). ## What to see inside - **The main altarpiece** — a huge carved retablo covered in gold. - **The naves** — a forest of columns and vaults as high as a 12-storey building. - **The Giralda** — a climb up the bell tower by ramps. - **The Orange Tree Courtyard** — the former mosque's patio with a fountain. - **The treasury and sacristy** — church silver and paintings. - **Painted chapels** — works by Murillo and other masters. ## The main altarpiece and naves The cathedral's great wonder is the **main altarpiece**, or retablo: a vast carved wall of hundreds of saints and Bible scenes, all covered in gold. Several generations of craftsmen worked on it, and it's considered one of the largest altarpieces in the world. You could study its details for hours, especially with binoculars or a camera zoom. Inside, the scale is overwhelming: five naves lined with massive columns, stained glass, a choir with carved stalls and dozens of side chapels. The chapels hold paintings by Seville's artists, above all Murillo, while the sacristy and treasury display silver monstrances and festive church plate. > **Buying tickets** Buy your ticket online on the cathedral's official website to pick an entry time and skip the queue that stretches along the street by midday. It usually includes the Giralda climb. There are also free visiting slots, but they're snapped up in advance. ## The Giralda and Orange Tree Courtyard Climbing the Giralda is part of the visit. Instead of stairs, the tower has **ramps**, so the climb is easy even if you're not especially fit. From the top you see the old town's rooftops, the Alcázar and the Guadalquivir river. Afterwards, step into the **Orange Tree Courtyard**, the former mosque's patio, with neat rows of orange trees and an old fountain in the middle. It offers fine views of the Gothic walls and bell tower. You leave through the Puerta del Perdón, an arch surviving from the mosque. ## How to get there 1. On foot from anywhere in the old town; the cathedral is right in the centre. 2. Tram to the **Archivo de Indias** stop. 3. Metro line 1 to **Puerta de Jerez**, then a 5-minute walk. 4. From Plaza de España, about a 15-minute walk. ## Tips for your visit Arrive at opening time, when there are fewer people and the light in the naves is softer. Seville summers are scorching, but the cathedral stays cool, so it's a good choice for the hottest part of the day. Cover your shoulders and knees, or you may be turned away. The cathedral sits next to the Alcázar and the Archive of the Indies, so all three UNESCO sites fit easily into one day. Book the Alcázar ahead too: the cathedral in the morning, the palace and gardens after lunch. To see the cathedral without crowds, attend an evening service: the tourist route is closed, but you can stand in the nave and listen to the organ. Photography isn't allowed during services. ## Before you go Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Book a timed ticket online - [ ] Cover shoulders and knees - [ ] Study the main altarpiece - [ ] Climb the Giralda - [ ] Sit in the Orange Tree Courtyard ## Places in Seville: compare and choose Places in Seville rated by YesGo. - [Seville Cathedral](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/seville-cathedral) — YesGo score 53/100 (Yes, go) · 1 h 45 min · Paid - [Giralda](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/giralda) — YesGo score 45/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 40 min · With cathedral ticket - [Mezquita of Córdoba](https://yesgo.io/spain/seville/mezquita-cordoba) — YesGo score 36/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 6 h · Paid ## Don't mix it up The Giralda isn't a separate building but the cathedral's bell tower: you enter it through the cathedral on the same ticket. ## Tips - Book a timed ticket online. - The Giralda is included. - Head inside in the heat. - Dress modestly. ## Questions ### How much does Seville Cathedral cost? Entry is paid and usually includes the Giralda; booking online is easier. ### How long do you need at the cathedral? 1.5–2 hours including the Giralda. ### Should I book tickets in advance? Yes, the queue can be long in high season. ### Can you climb the Giralda? Yes, by ramps inside the tower, entering through the cathedral. ### Is there a dress code? Yes, shoulders and knees must be covered. ## 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: Seville Cathedral - UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 383 - Official website, catedraldesevilla.es --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.