The Real Alcázar is the oldest royal palace still in use in Europe: almost a thousand years of history under one roof, from Islamic to Mudéjar, Gothic to Renaissance. For the full story — its courtyards, its gardens, its place in Seville's history — see our full guide to what to see in Seville.
This guide covers just the practical side: opening hours, prices, and above all why it's worth booking ahead rather than just showing up, because access to the palaces is limited by timed entry slots.
At a glance
- General ticket
- €15.50
- Reduced ticket
- €8 (65+, students 14-30, European Youth Card)
- Winter hours
- 1 Oct-31 Mar: 9:30am-5pm
- Summer hours
- 1 Apr-30 Sep: 9:30am-7pm
- Capacity
- Limited to 30-minute entry windows
- Buying
- Online in advance or at the ticket office (card only)
Everything to visit the Real Alcázar
Opening hours by season, prices and discounts, and why it pays to book ahead.
Opening hours: winter and summer
Hours change depending on the season. In the winter season (1 October to 31 March) it's open 9:30am to 5pm, with clearing of the grounds starting at 5:45pm. In the summer season (1 April to 30 September) hours extend: 9:30am to 7pm, with clearing starting at 7:45pm.
It's closed on 1 and 6 January, Good Friday and 25 December. The rest of the year it's open every day, including public holidays.
- Winter (1 Oct-31 Mar): 9:30am-5pm; clearing starts at 5:45pm.
- Summer (1 Apr-30 Sep): 9:30am-7pm; clearing starts at 7:45pm.
- Closed: 1 and 6 January, Good Friday and 25 December.
Tip: It's open every day of the week, Monday to Sunday — the only real difference is the season, not the day.
Price, discounts and free entry
The general ticket costs €15.50. There's a reduced ticket at €8 for people over 65, students aged 14-30 and holders of the European Youth Card. Access to the Cuarto Real Alto (the royal apartments, a separate guided visit) costs €5.50 extra and isn't sold on its own: you need to buy the general ticket first.
Entry is free for people born or resident in the municipality of Seville, under-13s accompanied by an adult, people with over 33% recognised disability (plus a companion), and unemployed people from the province of Seville, all with the relevant documentation. There's also a free entry slot on Mondays; you still need to book a ticket even though it's free, and it's worth checking the exact time slot when booking.
- General: €15.50.
- Reduced: €8: over 65s, students aged 14-30, European Youth Card.
- Free: Seville residents, under-13s, over-33% disability, unemployed from the province; plus the Monday slot, with booking.
Tip: The Cuarto Real Alto ticket is limited and not sold separately: book it together with the general ticket if you want to see it.
Why it's worth booking ahead
Access to the Alcázar's palaces is regulated by an hourly capacity limit, with 30-minute entry windows. Your ticket isn't just 'a ticket for today' — it comes with a specific time slot to enter.
You can buy it on the official website in advance, or at the Patio de Banderas ticket office on the day (card only, from 9am) if slots are still available. In high season, the earlier you book, the easier it is to get the time slot you want, so don't leave it to the last minute.
- Online: In advance, on the official website, choosing your time slot.
- At the ticket office: Patio de Banderas, from 9am, card only, if slots are free.
- Tip: Book ahead in high season to get the time slot you want.
Tip: Buy in advance when you can: the more days ahead, the easier it is to pick the time slot that suits you.
Explore it with an audio tour
The Alcázar is one of the stops on local guides' Seville tours, with the story of its courtyards and palaces as you walk through them. It's a way to add context to your visit without depending on a group tour's schedule.
You buy the audio tour once and listen whenever you arrive, at your own pace — it works well whether you're just visiting the Alcázar or combining it with the rest of Seville's essentials.
- At your own pace: You start when you arrive, no waiting on a group or a fixed schedule.
- With context: The Alcázar's history as you walk through it, not just before or after.
- Bought once: And listened to in the app whenever suits you.
Tip: The audio tour is a companion to your ticket: you still need to book your own entry time slot to the Alcázar separately.
See Seville's audio tourVisit the Alcázar with an audio tour
With a self-guided audio tour you explore the Real Alcázar at your own pace, with a local guide's story in your ear, without depending on a group's schedule. You buy it once and listen in the app whenever it suits you.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the ticket to the Real Alcázar of Seville?+
The general ticket costs €15.50. There's a reduced ticket at €8 for people over 65, students aged 14-30 and holders of the European Youth Card.
Do I need to book in advance?+
It's not compulsory, but it's strongly recommended: access is limited to 30-minute entry windows, and in high season it's worth booking ahead to get the time slot you want. You can also buy at the ticket office on the day (card only) if slots are still free.
Is there free entry to the Alcázar?+
Yes: year-round for Seville residents, under-13s with an adult, people with over 33% disability, and unemployed people from the province (with documentation). There's also a free slot on Mondays, though you still need to book a ticket.
What are the Real Alcázar's opening hours?+
In the winter season (1 October-31 March), 9:30am to 5pm. In the summer season (1 April-30 September), 9:30am to 7pm. Open every day except 1 and 6 January, Good Friday and 25 December.
Is the Cuarto Real Alto a separate visit?+
It's an add-on for €5.50 on top of the general ticket, not sold on its own. It's a short guided visit to the royal apartments, with more limited capacity as it's a residential space.