Alcázar

Alcazar showing a pond, heritage architecture and château or palace
Once a Moorish fort, this architectural gem is now the oldest functioning palace in Europe.

There are many things that make the Royal Alcázar, Seville's royal palace, special. It's particularly gratifying to know that Spain's royal family still uses part of it as a residence today. This astoundingly intricate complex is indeed worthy of any monarch – a rich mix of mudéjar architecture and subsequent embellishments made through the ages. This is not just one building, but a collection of them, ensconced in lush gardens.

The lower portion of the Patio de las Doncellas (Courtyard of the Maidens) was built at the behest of Pedro I in the 14th century. The centrepiece of the courtyard is a rectangular pool flanked by sunken gardens. Explore the decadent reception rooms that surround this courtyard and imagine yourself as one of Pedro's courtiers. He called upon artists and architects from both Spain and Morocco to execute this brilliant fusion of the Christian and the Islamic. Wander up to the courtyard’s upper section this was an addition made by Carlos V. Look our for Luis de Vega's Italian Renaissance style, fused with mudéjar plasterwork.

The central palace of the complex is another commission of Pedro's. Accomplished marble columns, detailed stucco, colourful mosaics and an overhanging roof make the palace particularly spectacular. Also make sure you see the Patio de las Muñecas (Courtyard of the Dolls), where you'll be able to pick out two little faces positioned on the inside of the arch.

When it comes to the interior, the Baños de Doña María de Padilla (Baths of Lady María de Padilla) – two large rainwater tanks – show an astounding mix of practicality and aesthetic, looking almost like miniature, water-filled cathedrals. The golden domed ceiling inside the Salon de los Embajadores (Hall of Ambassadors) is another Royal Alcázar highlight.

The Royal Alcázar is in Seville's Old Town, on the east bank of the Guadalquivir. It can be accessed via the Plaza del Triunfo, which is adjacent to Seville Cathedral. The Royal Alcázar is open every day with the exception of national holidays. There is a minimal entrance fee.

Reviews of Alcázar

4.8
Top destination
5 - Excellent
473
" "5 - Excellent 80.4421768707483%
4 - Good
101
" "4 - Good 17.17687074829932%
3 - Okay
11
" "3 - Okay 1.870748299319728%
2 - Disappointing
3
" "2 - Disappointing 0.5102040816326531%
1 - Terrible
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" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
27 Feb 2020

Book in advance to avoid queue.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
19 Jan 2020

Book tickets online on the Real Alcazar website

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller
2 Dec 2019

Alkazar was excellent however the security and ticket staff were unfriendly, unhelpful, rude and aggressive, refusing entry to our tour group of 25 people on the first day (29th November) over a simple matter of showing ID for 2 concession tickets.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
15 Nov 2019

Get the audioguide when you are there - do not pre-book online. Ours was very poor

5/5 - Excellent

Chipmonk
29 Oct 2019

Be sure to book in advance as the queues are awfully long anytime of the day! It is a stunning palace and worthy of a long visit. If you are a small group, don't purchase more than one audio guide to save some money and take a multi headphone socket.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
23 Oct 2019

Queues are enormous book with a guide and beat them

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