It would be an understatement to say that Real Alcazar (or the Royal Castle) of Seville bowled me over. Don’t get me wrong, I love surprises! Not the kind that blows my mind away but rather, the ones that slowly unfold into a fairytale. These are magical because you don’t know it is a surprise until much later. This is exactly what happened when I visited the Real Alcazar of Seville!
Being a total goofball when it comes to planning, I didn’t know that there was a royal palace in Seville nor that this said palace was still occupied by Spanish Royals. I didn’t know why there was a giant queue gathered around the corner of this humungous building (which funnily enough was the entrance of the palace). Most importantly, I didn’t know that this was one of the filming locations of Game of Thrones! Since I was a Game of Thrones nut head back then, the latter struck me as the most unforgiving one.
Ten minutes after my realization, I glued myself to the end of the giant queue and anticipated just how beautiful Dorne would be like! Although, anxious googling while waiting in the queue gave me all the information I needed, if you are planning to visit the Real Alcazar of Seville, it is probably a good idea to be prepared prior to the visit. Thus, I am putting all the information that I gathered about this place and my experience from that beautiful day into this blogpost so you can have the most memorable day at Real Alcazar of Seville!
Contents
- Why visit the Real Alcazar of Seville?
- Where is the Real Alcazar of Seville?
- Getting to Seville
- Getting to the Real Alcazar
- Things to know before visiting Real Alcazar of Seville
- Ready, Set, Go!
Why visit the Real Alcazar of Seville?
Initially used as a Moorish fortress, the Real Alcazar of Seville evolved to the present Seville Residence of the Spanish Royals. As the Alcázar was passed on from one ruler to the other since the 11th century, each of them added something unique to its architecture making it one of the most versatile palaces in the whole of Europe. The initial Islamic structure was interspersed with elements of Gothic, Renaissance and Romanesque designs which resulted in a very unique architectural style called Mudéjar. It is widely believed that the Real Alcazar of Seville is the best example of Mudéjar style of architecture in Spain.
Furthermore, the courtyards and the gardens are simply mind blowing! The gardens are designed to form a beautiful maze with plenty of orange trees, sculptures and fountains. It is truly a treat to the eye!
Where is Real Alcazar of Seville?
The Real Alcazar is located in the southern corner of Spain in a region called Andalusia. Therefore, to get to the Alcázar, the first step would be to arrive in Seville.
Getting to Seville
Seville is the capital of Andalusia and a major city in southern Spain. Thus, most major airlines fly to Sevilla International Airport (SVQ). A shuttlebus runs from the airport to the city center once every thirty minutes. The trip costs 4 EUR and takes around half an hour. The timetable of the shuttlebus can be accessed here. An alternate is to fly to La Parra International Airport (XRY) in Jerez. This airport is located 95 kilometers from Seville and is mostly served by budget airlines.
Seville is also served by high speed trains from Madrid and Barcelona. The high-speed connection cuts the travel time in half and takes less than three hours from Madrid and six hours from Barcelona. More information regarding the train connections can be found here. (The arrival station must be mentioned as ‘Sevilla – Santa Justa’)
Several companies also provide bus services to Sevilla from neighboring cities. Since, I was in Portugal when I decided to visit Seville, I took the bus from Lisbon. I opted for Flixbus, which is a major bus company with services across Europe. More information regarding the timings, price, frequency of the buses can be found here.
If you are looking for an inexpensive option to arrive to Seville from a city located at a 10-hour (i.e., an overnight bus ride) radius, taking a bus will be the cheapest last-minute option. However, if you plan ahead, trains and flight fares can be very cheap!
Getting to the Real Alcazar of Seville
Like many European cities, the city centre of Seville is also very walk friendly. As the Alcazar is located right in the heart of Seville, you should easily be able to get here in less than fifteen minutes once you are in the city center. Moreover, driving through the old town and finding a parking spot close to the Alcazar is nearly impossible. So, walking is your best bet!
If you are staying away from the city center and choose to travel with public transportation, the subway station closest to the Real Alcazar of Seville is called Puerta Jerez (served by Metro Line 1). The Alcázar is a mere five-minute walk away from here!
Things to know before visiting Real Alcazar of Seville
Why is it called the Real Alcazar?
Funnily enough, the word ‘Alcazar’ is derived from the Arabic word, al-qaṣr, which means castle or palace and ‘Real’ is the Spanish word for royal. Put together, we have the ‘Real Alcazar’ or in true Spanish, ‘Reales Alcázares de Sevilla’. It really just means the ‘Royal Palace of Seville’.
What is there to see in the Real Alcazar of Seville?
The Real Alcazar can be best described as a collection of beautiful buildings, each belonging to a different era in history. Every section of the palace alludes to the artistic taste and the cultural heritage of the ruler who administered that particular expansion. Some of the most important parts of the palace that you must visit are,
- Ambassadors’ Hall
- Pedro’s Palace (with the beautiful Patio of the Maidens or Patio de las Doncellas)
- Gothic Palace
- House of Trade (Casa de la Contratacion)
- Gardens of Real Alcazar
Where is the entrance of the Real Alcazar?
The main entrance to the Real Alcazar is called the ‘Lion’s Gate‘ or ‘Puerta del León’ on opposite the Seville Cathedral. I got lost and went around the Alcázar several times. Thus, if you are planning to visit, it is a good idea to save this location in google maps!
How much does it cost to visit the Real Alcazar?
There are different types of entry tickets to visit the Alcázar. The general option gives you access to most of the palace and the grounds. This costs 11.50 EUR. Online tickets from the official website enables you to skip the queue. However, online tickets include a surcharge of 1 EUR making the total price of the ticket to 12.50 EUR.
If you are above 65 years or a student aged between 17 and 25 years, you are eligible for a reduced fee of 4 EUR. Do not forget to bring your ID in this case!
Audio guides are available for an additional 6 EUR at the entrance. Sadly, there is no provision to book this online. They will have to be purchased at the time of entry.
Is there a way to visit the Real Alcazar for free?
The entry to the Alcázar is free if you are visiting an hour before the closing time on Mondays. Since the opening schedule is dependent on the seasons, this free slot also varies! In summers, Alcázar is open from 9:30 to 17:00 and in winters from 9:30 to 19:00. Thus, it is possible to visit the Alcázar for free between 18:00 and 19:00 from April to September and 16:00 and 17:00 from October to March.
Is it required to take a guided tour?
This depends on how well you want to be acquainted with Alcazar’s history and how much you enjoy guided tours. I would rather get an audio guide and listen it at my own pace while navigating different parts of the castle. However, if you enjoy guided tours, you will not be disappointed!
For reference, the audio guide costs an additional six euros.
How much time does it take to visit the Real Alcazar?
The Alcázar is a vast compound with lots and lots of history hidden in every corner. To completely appreciate its beauty, I would recommend at least two to three hours. However, if you are short on time and still want to squeeze in a quick tour of Alcázar, an hour and a half should be enough to cover all the key areas.
When is the best time to visit the Real Alcazar?
Summers in Seville are HOT! The temperature can go up to 45 degrees. Since the Alcázar is the oldest royal palace in Europe, it can get very crowded during the weekends, public holidays and peak tourist season. For a pleasant experience, I would highly recommend visiting the Alcázar on a weekday either in early Spring or in early Autumn. Moreover, it is also worth it to be opt for the first possible time slot (9:30 a.m) while booking your tickets to enjoy the Alcázar sans the crowds!
What is the Game of Thrones Link to the Alcázar?
The Real Alcázar was one of the filming locations of the vastly popular HBO series, Game of Thrones. After visiting this beauty, I can confirm that there couldn’t have been a better location to showcase the mystery and magnificence of the last of the seven kingdoms, Dorne. If you were (or are still) a Game of Thrones fan, the specific locations where the filming was carried out are as follows,
- Ambassadors’ Hall
- Mercury’s Pool
- Baths of Maria de Padilla
- Gardens of Alcázar
As a Game of Thrones nuthead, I can vouch that this did feel pretty surreal. This was definitely the best way to envision the Dornish way of life and be the ultimate nerd!
Ready, Set, Go!
Now that you have a pocket guide to one of the most stunning palaces at your fingertips, the only thing left to do is plan a trip to Seville to marvel at its beauty!
If you are planning to club your trip to Spain with an Italian island, check out my blogpost on Sicily!
Have any questions about the Alcazar or traveling to Spain in general? Leave them in the comments below!
Some of the photos featured in this blog are taken by my friend, @doyouflash
