Departing from Seville
Royal Alcázar of Seville: Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
The oldest royal palace still in use in Europe — Mudéjar masterwork of breathtaking beauty
From
€42/ person
Rating
★ 4.7(7,600)
Duration
Half Day · 1.5 hours
Rating
4.7 ★ (7,600 reviews)
Languages
English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Portuguese
Group size
Max 15 people
About This Tour
The Royal Alcázar of Seville is the oldest royal palace still in active use in Europe — the Spanish royal family still uses its upper floors when visiting the city. Built primarily by Pedro I of Castile in 1364 on the site of an earlier Moorish palace, it is the finest example of Mudéjar architecture in the world: a Christian king commissioning Muslim craftsmen to create a palace of extraordinary delicacy, with honeycomb ceilings, arabesque tilework, and courtyard gardens that feel closer to paradise than to any European palace. Game of Thrones fans will recognise it as Dorne.
Highlights
- ✓Skip-the-line entry to the Royal Alcázar
- ✓Licensed guide for the Mudéjar Palace and gardens
- ✓See the Ambassadors' Hall — the finest Mudéjar room in existence
- ✓Walk the gardens: fountains, orange trees, and the Mercury Pool
- ✓Game of Thrones filming location (Water Gardens of Dorne)
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Itinerary
The heart of the Alcázar — Pedro I's extraordinary palace built by Moorish craftsmen from Granada and Toledo. The Ambassadors' Hall has a gilded half-orange dome of 1,400 interlocking cedar pieces. The Courtyard of the Maidens (used as a Game of Thrones filming location for the Water Gardens of Dorne) is surrounded by carved stucco arches of incomparable delicacy.
The Gothic Palace built by Alfonso X in the 13th century — used by Columbus to plan his voyages. The royal apartments above are still used by the Spanish royal family and are occasionally open for special access. The tapestry room contains 16th-century Flemish tapestries depicting Charles V's military campaigns.
Free time in the extensive gardens — a succession of formal parterres, fountains, and orange tree patios stretching back from the palace. The Mercury Pool, the English Garden, and the Lion Fountain provide shaded walks through what has been a royal garden for over 1,000 years.
What's Included
- ✓Skip-the-line Alcázar entry
- ✓Licensed guide
- ✓Small group (max 15)
Not Included
- ✗Hotel pickup/dropoff
- ✗Gratuities
Insider Tips
Book at least one week ahead — the Alcázar has a daily visitor cap and sells out regularly
The gardens are free to enter after 6pm on weekdays — worth returning for a quieter evening visit
The Alcázar is 5 minutes' walk from Seville Cathedral — combine both in a morning
Look for the carving of Columbus receiving the keys to the New World in the Gothic Palace
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Alcázar the same as a Moorish castle?
It is built on the site of a 10th-century Moorish palace, but the current structure was commissioned by the Christian king Pedro I in 1364. The extraordinary detail is that Pedro hired Muslim craftsmen from Granada — who were working simultaneously on the Alhambra — to build a Christian palace in the Moorish style. The result is Mudéjar: the finest synthesis of both traditions.
Why do Game of Thrones fans visit the Alcázar?
The Alcázar's Courtyard of the Maidens and gardens were used as the Water Gardens of Dorne in Seasons 5 and 6 of Game of Thrones. Several key scenes involving the Martell family were filmed here.
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From
€42
per person
Free cancellation available on most dates · Secure booking
Meeting point
Alcázar main entrance, Plaza del Triunfo, Seville
From
€42/ person