Alcázar Of Seville: Best Tips For Visiting This Year

Last Updated: 11/06/2025 / Spain / Castles and Palaces, Gardens and Parks, World Heritage

The Alcázar of Seville, officially called Royal Alcázar of Seville (in Spanish, Alcázar de Sevilla or Real Alcázar de Sevilla), is one of the oldest royal residences still in use today, serving as the official residence of the Spanish royal family during their visits to Seville!

The Alcázar of Seville is known for its Mudejar architecture, ornate rooms, and expansive gardens. Notable areas include the Hall of Ambassadors, the Maidens Courtyard, and the Baths of María de Padilla (in Spanish, Salon de los Embajadores, Patio de las Doncellas, and Baños de María de Padilla)!

So, do you want to know more about the Alcázar Of Seville: Best Tips For Visiting This Year? Keep reading!

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Alcázar of Seville
Alcázar of Seville
Table of Contents
  1. Brief History of the Alcázar of Seville
  2. How to Get to the Alcázar of Seville
  3. What to See at the Alcázar of Seville
  4. More Posts about Spain
  5. More Posts about Castles and Palaces
  6. More Posts about Gardens and Parks
  7. More Posts about World Heritage
  8. Where Do I Make My Reservations?
  9. What Photography Gear Do I Use?

Brief History of the Alcázar of Seville

The history of the Alcázar of Seville dates back to the 10th century, when it was built as a fortress for the city’s Muslim rulers under the Almohad dynasty. After the Christian conquest of Seville in 1248, the Catholic Monarchs of Spain transformed the complex into a royal palace.

In the 14th century, King Peter of Castile commissioned major additions in the Mudéjar style, blending Islamic artistry with Christian architecture. Over the following centuries, successive monarchs expanded and modified the palace, adding Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque features.

Despite these changes, much of the original structure of the Alcázar of Seville remains intact, showcasing a unique mix of cultural influences. Its layered architecture reflects the complex history of Seville itself, shaped by centuries of shifting power and artistic innovation!

World Heritage

Did you know that the Cathedral, Alcázar, and Archivo de Indias in Seville were part of Spain’s second set of inscriptions on the UNESCO World Heritage List? The 11th session of the World Heritage Committee took place in Paris (France), between December 7th and 11th, 1987.

Nowadays, Spain is the fifth country in the world and the fourth country in Europe with the most UNESCO sites. It has fifty heritage assets (both cultural and natural) inscribed on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization!

In the meantime, I’ve already had the opportunity to visit ten of them:

How to Get to the Alcázar of Seville

The Alcázar of Seville is situated in the Casco Antiguo (in English, Ancient District), the city’s historic heart and one of Europe’s largest medieval centers. The Old Town features a maze of narrow streets, charming plazas, and vibrant neighborhoods full of stunning architecture and lively tapas bars!

From here, you’re close to other points of interest, such as the General Archive of the Indies (130 meters), the Seville Cathedral (150 meters), the Giralda (250 meters), the Torre del Oro (450 meters), the Flamenco Dance Museum (650 meters), and the Church of San Salvador (750 meters).

Opening Hours & Ticket Prices

The Alcázar of Seville is open every day, from 9:30 am to 5 pm (from October 1st to March 31st) and from 9:30 am to 7 pm (from April 1st to September 30th). The only closing days of the year are January 1st and 6th, Good Friday, and December 25th.

TIP: Before your visit, check the opening hours, ticket prices, and other practical information on the Alcázar of Seville’s official website!

Tickets cost 15.50€ (standard rate) or 8€ (discounted rate for citizens over 65, students between 14 and 30 years old, and Europe Youth Card holders between 14 and 30 years old). If you wish to visit only the Upper Royal Room (in Spanish, Cuarto Real Alto), tickets cost 5.50€.

What to See at the Alcázar of Seville

Puerta del León

The Lion Door (in Spanish, Puerta del León) is the main entrance to the Alcázar of Seville and dates back to the Almohad period, although it has undergone later modifications. Named in honor of the painted lion on its upper panel, it serves as the primary access point to the palace complex.

The Lion Door is made up of a horseshoe arch framed by ashlar masonry and crowned by a battlemented wall. The combination of defensive and decorative elements reflects the Alcázar of Seville’s historical role as both a fortress and a royal residence.

Patio del León

The Lion Courtyard (in Spanish, Patio del León) is the first courtyard you encounter upon passing the Lion Gate. At first part of the 12th-century Almohad palace, it served as an access area for carriages, guards, and palace staff. Over time, it has been adapted to suit changing functions within the palace.

Rectangular in shape and enclosed by simple walls and arcades, the Lion Courtyard connects directly to the Alighting Area and the Hall of Justice. Its name references the lion emblem added during later renovations to symbolize royal power.

Palacio del Yeso

Sala de la Justicia

The Hall of Justice (in Spanish, Sala de la Justicia) is one of the oldest preserved Christian-era rooms in the Alcázar of Seville. Commissioned by King Alfonso XI of Castile in the mid-14th century, it was likely used as a space for legal proceedings or royal audiences – hence the name.

Architecturally, the Hall of Justice has a square plan with a central fountain and a wooden ceiling with Mudejar craftsmanship. Decorative elements, such as tilework and plasterwork, reflect the blending of Islamic and Christian styles that characterize early Castilian use of the Alcázar of Seville.

Patio del Yeso

The Patio del Yeso (in English, Plaster Courtyard) is another one of the oldest surviving parts of the Alcázar of Seville, dating to the 12th century. It belonged to the original Islamic palace and is one of the few remaining areas that preserve the architectural style of that era.

The Patio del Yeso served as a private space, likely connected to the ruler’s residence. Restored in the 20th century, its most notable feature is the eastern portico, which includes horseshoe arches and decorative plasterwork (in Spanish, yeso) that gives the courtyard its name.

Patio de la Montería

The Hunting Courtyard (in Spanish, Patio de la Montería) is the main courtyard of the Alcázar of Seville, giving access to several palace buildings: the Palace of King Don Pedro, the Gothic Palace, and the House of Trade (in Spanish, Palacio del Rey Don Pedro, Palacio Gótico, and Casa de la Contratación).

The Hunting Courtyard was the meeting place for the royal hunting parties during the medieval period. These were known as monterías in Spanish, which explains its name. In more recent times, were found the ruins of different 12th-century Almohad palaces, along with part of the defense wall.

Casa de la Contratación

Salón del Almirante

The Admiral’s Hall (in Spanish, Salón del Almirante), also called Admiral’s Room (in Spanish, Cuarto del Almirante), is a historic chamber from the late 15th century, adorned with Mudejar elements, including intricate wooden ceilings and plasterwork.

The Admiral’s Hall received some key figures of the Age of Discovery, like the Italian explorers and navigators Amerigo Vespucci and Christopher Columbus, the Spanish navigator and cartographer Juan de la Cosa, and the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan!

Capilla Virgen de los Navegantes

The Chapel of Our Lady of the Seafarers (in Spanish, Capilla Virgen de los Navegantes), known also as the Chapter House or Audience Hall (in Spanish, Sala Capitular or Sala de Audiencias), was established in the early 16th century as a spiritual space for sailors and officials involved in maritime expeditions.

The most notable characteristic of the Chapel of Our Lady of the Seafarers is the altarpiece dedicated to the Virgin of the Seafarers (in Spanish, Virgen de los Mareantes), by Alejo Fernández. This tryptic showcases one of the earliest known depictions of Native Americans in European painting.

Casa del Asistente

Patio del Asistente

The Assistant Courtyard (in Spanish, Patio del Asistente) refers to the Asistente de Sevilla, a royal-appointed official who governed the city from the late 15th century onward. For that reason, it likely formed part of the residential or working quarters used by this official.

Contrary to other areas of the Alcázar de Seville, the Assistant Courtyard is modest in size and decoration, reflecting its administrative and functional purpose rather than ceremonial use. Nowadays, it’s an exhibition space of a collection of Sevillian tiles from the 15th to the 20th centuries.

Patio de los Levíes

The Levies Courtyard (in Spanish, Patio de los Levíes) takes its name from the Leví family, a prominent Jewish family that lived in this area during the late Middle Ages. The patio was incorporated into the Alcázar of Seville in the wake of the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492.

Though simple in form, the Levies Courtyard reflects the layered history of the palace, where private residences were gradually absorbed into royal and administrative use. Today, it stands as a reminder of the Jewish presence in medieval Seville.

Palacio del Rey Don Pedro

Vestibulo

The Entrance Hall (in Spanish, Vestibulo) of the Palace of King Don Pedro was the main access point to the palace’s interior spaces. Its left side led to the protocol area (the Maidens Courtyard), while the right led to the home area (the Dolls Courtyard).

The Entrance Hall has a rectangular floor plan with horseshoe arches and decorative plasterwork, reflecting Islamic artistic influence. It was designed to impress visitors with a transition from the exterior courtyards to the richly ornamented royal chambers.

Alcoba Real

The Royal Bedroom (in Spanish, Alcoba Real) was part of the private quarters of King Peter of Castile, created in the 14th century as an intimate and secluded space. Divided into an antechamber and a bedroom with alcoves on the sides, it was designed in the Mudéjar style typical of his reign.

The Royal Bedroom preserves original features like the paneled ceiling with interlaced designs and horseshoe arches in caliphal style. The floor combines the original ceramics with Renaissance marble, added by the King of Spain and Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.

Salón de los Pasos Perdidos

The Hall of the Lost Steps (in Spanish, Salón de los Pasos Perdidos) is a room whose name and function are quite common in many other European royal palaces: a transitional space used while waiting for access to more formal rooms.

The Hall of the Lost Steps features stunning 19th-century decorative elements, including painted ceilings and neoclassical detailing. The old Mudéjar ceilings from the original Alcázar of Seville can now be found on the upper floor.

Patio de las Doncellas

The Maidens Courtyard (in Spanish, Patio de las Doncellas) is the most iconic space in the Alcázar of Seville, built during the reign of King Peter of Castile. Surrounded by richly decorated halls and chambers, it was the royal quarters’ main ceremonial and residential courtyard.

The Maidens Courtyard features a central pool, sunken gardens, and multi-lobed arches with plaster and tile decoration that reflect the blend of Islamic and Christian styles. Archaeological excavations in 2005 led to restorations that revealed and restored its original 14th-century layout.

Salón del Techo de Carlos V

The Hall of the Ceiling of Charles V (in Spanish, Salón del Techo de Carlos V) is thought to have been the chapel of the Palace of King Peter of Castile, as suggested by the ‘Corpus Christi’ inscription on the door. It was later renovated under the reign of the King of Spain and Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.

The highlight of the Hall of the Ceiling of Charles V is its richly decorated wooden ceiling, featuring the imperial coat of arms as a symbol of royal authority. Built between 1541 and 1543, it includes 75 octagonal panels attributed to the Spanish architect Sebastián de Segovia.

Sala de los Infantes

The Hall of the Princes (in Spanish, Sala de los Infantes) was hidden deep within the royal family’s residential area, as it served as the private room for the king’s children. Part of the King Pedro of Castile original floor plan from the 14th century, it follows the Mudéjar style typical of his style.

The Hall of the Princes features horseshoe arches, carved wooden ceilings, and plaster decoration with Arabic inscriptions and geometric patterns. Though more modest than the ceremonial halls, it reflects the same refined artistic influences.

Salón de los Embajadores

The Hall of Ambassadors (in Spanish, Salón de los Embajadores) was the main throne room of King Peter of Castile and the most important ceremonial space in the Alcázar of Seville. Completed around 1364, it used to receive dignitaries and hold formal audiences.

The Hall of Ambassadors is a sumptuous square room with a golden hemispherical wooden dome richly decorated with combed muquarnas forming a star. Below the dome, there’s a wooden frieze with over 50 portraits of monarchs in chronological order.

Salón del Techo de Felipe II

The Hall of the Ceiling of Philip II (in Spanish, Salón del Techo de Felipe II) was constructed between 1589 and 1591, during the reign of King Philip II of Spain. Its author was Martín Infante, the Spanish master carpenter of the Alcázar of Seville.

With a mullioned window overlooking the Prince’s Garden, the Hall of the Ceiling of Philip II is also connected to the Hall of Ambassadors by three horseshoe arches. This entrance is nicknamed “Arc of the Peacock” due to its stunning bird decoration.

Sala del Techo de los Reyes Católicos

The Hall of the Ceiling of the Catholic Monarchs (in Spanish, Sala del Techo de los Reyes Católicos) is a square room covered by a magnificent coffered wooden ceiling carried out by the Catholic Monarchs, as attested to by the heraldic details that punctuate the interlaced patterns.

The Hall of the Ceiling of the Catholic Monarchs showcases the emblems of Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon: the yoke, the sheaf of arrows, and the motto “Tanto Monta” (“They amount to the same”) – the latter allegedly used by the couple.

Patio de las Muñecas

The Dolls Courtyard (in Spanish, Patio de las Muñecas) is a small square interior courtyard whose purpose was to organize the access to the different private areas of the Palace of King Don Pedro. Its name comes from small carved faces hidden in the capitals of the arches that resemble “doll heads”.

The domestic rooms around the Dolls Courtyard were remodeled by the Catholic Monarchs, and the upper floors were added in the 19th century. Don’t forget to admire the stucco decoration, polychrome tiles, and wooden ceiling – especially the columns and capitals of Caliphal and Roman Origin!

Cuarto del Príncipe

The Prince’s Room (in Spanish, Cuarto del Príncipe) comprises a central hall and two smaller rooms on both sides, called the alcoves. In the mesmerizing ceilings, you can find the interlaced Mudéjar decoration mixed with some Renaissance elements.

The Prince’s Room is named after Prince Juan de Aragon and Castile, the second child and the first-born and only son of Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon, referred to repeatedly as the Catholic Monarchs throughout this article.

Cuarto Real Alto

Exposición Lozas y Azulejos de Triana (Colección Carranza)

The Triana Tiles and Tableware Exhibition (in Spanish, Exposición Lozas y Azulejos de Triana) displays a selection from the Carranza Collection (in Spanish, Colección Carranza). The pieces from the 15th to the 20th century highlight the rich ceramic tradition of Triana, the historic pottery district of Seville.

The Triana Tiles and Tableware Exhibition includes decorative tiles, tableware, and architectural ceramics that illustrate the evolution of local craftsmanship and offer insight into the cultural and artistic influence of Triana ceramics on Andalusian identity.

Palacio Gótico

Patio del Crucero

The Courtyard of the Cross (in Spanish, Patio del Crucero) was part of the 12th-century Islamic palace’s water infrastructure, featuring pools and sunken walkways. In the 16th century, the King of Spain and Holy Roman Emperor Charles V added an upper level with Renaissance-style arcades.

The Courtyard of the Cross reflects the layering of Islamic and Christian architecture and served both decorative and practical purposes, including water management and garden display. Its lower level, which had been buried for centuries, was uncovered during 20th-century archaeological excavations.

Salón de los Tapices

The Tapestries Hall (in Spanish, Salón de los Tapices) is one of the rooms in the Alcázar of Seville that was destroyed during the Lisbon Earthquake of 1755, having been restored by the Spanish architect and military engineer Sebastián Van der Borcht in the late 18th century.

The Tapestries Hall houses replicas of “The Conquest of Tunisia” Flemish tapestries ordered by the King of Spain and Holy Roman Emperor Charles V after his victory in 1535. These replicas came from the Royal Tapestry Factory of Santa Bárbara (in Spanish, Real Fábrica de Tapices de Santa Bárbara).

Capilla del Palacio Gótico

The Chapel of the Gothic Palace (in Spanish, Capilla del Palacio Gótico) is home to the Byzantine altarpiece “Virgen de la Antigua” (in English, “Virgin of Antiquity”) by Diego de Castillejo, a copy of the original that is located in the Seville Cathedral.

Though damaged in the Lisbon Earthquake of 1755, the chapel retains elements of its original Gothic architecture, including ribbed vaults and pointed arches. Later restorations preserved its function and integrated it into the broader ceremonial layout of the Gothic Palace.

Sala de las Bóvedas (or Sala de las Fiestas)

The Vaults Hall or Celebrations Hall (in Spanish, Vaults Hall or Party Hall) was built in the 13th century during the reign of King Alfonso X of Castile. Before being adapted for different commemorations and events, it initially served as a storage and service area.

The Vaults Hall is characterized by its series of vaulted ceilings supported by thick columns, which create a cool and shaded space suitable for gatherings. The most famous celebration hosted here was the wedding of the King of Spain and Holy Roman Emperor Charles V to Isabella of Portugal.

Baños Doña María de Padilla

The Baths of María de Padilla (in Spanish, Baños de Doña María de Padilla), hidden beneath the Patio del Crucero, were the ideal place for the Royal Family to escape during the Andalusian heat of the summer months, thanks to their ideal temperature and humidity.

The Baths of María de Padilla pay tribute to the mistress of King Peter of Castile, whom he posthumously recognised as his wife. The structure was changed first by King Alfonso X of Castile (13th century) and then by King Philip III of Spain (late 16th and early 17th centuries).

Jardines

Jardín del Príncipe

The Prince Garden (in Spanish, Jardín del Príncipe) was, similarly to the Prince’s Room, devoted to Prince Juan de Aragon and Castile, the son of the Catholic Monarchs. To this day, these gardens preserve their Muslim influence with the layout of a courtyard in four sectors.

The Prince Garden has been planted with several aromatic plants, such as laurel, myrtle, and rosemary, offering pleasant perfumes when you walk through. Furthermore, the lemon trees were brought in from Asia during the Muslim period.

Columna de Al-Mutamid

The Column of Al-Mutamid (in Spanish, Columna de Al-Mutamid) is a marble structure erected to commemorate Al-Mu’tamid ibn Abbad, the third and last ruler of the Taifa of Seville in Al-Andalus. Otherwise known as Abbad III, he was a renowned poet as well.

The Column of Al-Mutamid bears an inscription honoring Al-Mutamid’s legacy as both a monarch and a writer. Although not original to his time, the monument reflects early 20th-century efforts to celebrate Seville‘s Islamic heritage and historical figures.

Jardín de Troya

The Troy Garden (in Spanish, Jardín de Troya) is another one of the gardens of Islamic origin. Probably from the X century, it has a central fountain made of marble, with an egg-and-dart pattern on the bowl and lion-head water spouts.

The Troy Garden’s rustic gallery is a work of the Italian architect Vermondo Resta and is a clear example of the Mannerism style, making it the earliest instance in the Alcázar of Seville of a rustic garden inspired by architectural treatises of the time.

Jardín de la Danza

The Dance Garden (in Spanish, Jardín de la Danza) is one of the oldest of the Alcázar of Seville. Moreover, what you see today is the result of the original Arabic gardens after the Renaissance restoration that took place in the XVI and XVII centuries.

The Dance Garden is divided in two levels: the upper level was dominated by two columns with mythological figures at the top which seem to be dancing, hence the garden’s name. At the lower level, there’s is a 16th-century water fountain with ceramic tiles and a water jet.

Estanque de Mercurio

The Mercury Pond (in Spanish, Estanque de Mercurio) was an ancient cistern that collected water from the Roman aqueduct and irrigated the orchards and gardens of the Alcázar of Seville. At the time, the Muslims called it the “Caños de Carmona” (in English, “Pipes of Carmona”).

From 1575 onwards, the Mercury Pond has been transformed and converted to a pond, when it’s revamped with a Renaissance bronze sculpture of the Roman god Mercury, made by the Spanish sculptor Diego Pesquera and cast by the Spanish metalsmith Bartolomé Morel.

Galería del Grutesco

The Grotto Gallery (in Spanish, Galería del Grutesco) is a Mannerist masterpiece by Vermondo Resta completed in the early 17th century. With the Almohad wall from the 12th century as a starting point, the Italian architect created an elevated loggia overlooking the gardens of the Alcázar of Seville.

In summary, the Grotto Gallery is a covered walkway opened on both sides by gaps supported on old columns of white and red marble. The rusticated stonework that seems to fuse architecture with nature is called “grotto” or “grotesque”, a style popular in Italian Mannerism.

Jardín de las Damas

The Ladies’ Garden (in Spanish, Jardín de las Damas) is the most important garden of the Alcázar of Seville. Bordered to the east by the Grotto Gallery, it was probably created as a quiet, private space for the queen and her ladies, which is how it got its name.

The Ladies’ Garden was expanded and redesigned at the beginning of the 17th century by Vermondo Resta. The Italian architect designed a large rectangular garden, divided into eight sections with trimmed hedges, and placed fountains where the symmetrical paths crossed.

Fuente de la Fama

The Fountain of Fame (in Spanish, Fuente de la Fama) is the only hydraulic organ fountain from the XVII century that is preserved in Spain and one of the four that are preserved in the world. It produces musical notes every hour on the hour as water passes through its pipes!

In 2006, the Italian archaeology Professor Leonardo Lombardi restored the Fountain of Fame with a new mechanism, making work with the air pressure produced by the water. This system was the one used in Italian villas during the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

Fuente de Neptuno

The Neptune Fountain (in Spanish, Fuente de Neptuno) is a monumental water fountain installed in the center of the Ladies’ Garden. According to historians, the structure is of unknown author and was probably conceived between the late 16th century and the mid-17th century.

The Neptune Fountain is crowned by a bronze statue of the Roman god of the sea holding his trident. Executed in the style of Giambologna, it resembles the Fontana del Nettuno in the city of Bologna (Italy), which was produced by Giambologna in collaboration with Tommaso Laureti.

Pabellón de Carlos V

The Carlos V Pavilion (in Spanish, Pabellón de Carlos V or Cenador de Carlos V) was built in honor of the marriage of the King of Spain and Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and Isabella of Portugal. With its origin in a Muslim qubba, it has a square floor and mixes the Mudéjar and Renaissance styles.

The Carlos V Pavilion was projected by the Spanish architect Juan Hernández between 1543 and 1546. Inside, there’s a central fountain, a coffered hemispherical vault, and windows on each side for airflow. The 16th-century tiles came from the Polido atelier, a family of potters from Triana.

Cenador del León

The Lion Pavilion (in Spanish, Cenador del León) is a small fountain-pavilion from the 17th century, conceived as a private retreat or lookout point for the royal family. The wall paintings that adorned this gazebo have almost vanished, and only the vault’s glazed ceramics have stood the test of time.

Its name derives from a carved lion statue that decorates the structure, symbolizing strength and royal authority. The Lion Pavilion reflects Renaissance architectural influences and was part of the broader transformation of the gardens of the Alcázar of Seville into a place of leisure and display.

Jardín Inglés

The English Garden (in Spanish, Jardín Inglés) was commissioned by Queen Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg, wife of King Alfonso XIII of Spain. Its designation alludes not only to the English landscape gardens but also to the fact that she was the youngest granddaughter of Queen Victoria.

The English Garden of the Alcázar de Seville includes winding paths, irregular planting beds, and a more naturalistic arrangement of trees and shrubs. As a result, its informal landscape style highly contrasts with the geometric layouts of earlier Renaissance and Mudéjar designs.

Jardín del Laberinto

The Maze Garden (in Spanish, Jardín del Laberinto) was laid out in 1914, during a huge restoration work campaign of the palaces and gardens of the Alcázar of Seville. Inspired by the Renaissance models, it follows a formal and geometric layout like many other European royal residences.

The Maze Garden is achieved thanks to a smart arrangement of thujas and cypress trees that lead to a central fountain. Typical of early 20th-century landscaping trends across the Old Continent, it reflects a romantic reinterpretation of classical garden elements.

Jardín de los Poetas

The Garden of the Poets (in Spanish, Jardín de los Poetas) was designed in 1956 and consists of two large ponds flowing from a source. It typologically recreates the Sevillian garden, synthesizing Islamic, Renaissance, and Romantic influences.

Before the ambitious transformation during the 20th century, the area where the Garden of the Poets and the Garden of the Marquis of La Vega Inclán are located used to be titled Retiro Vegetable Garden (in Spanish, Huerta del Retiro).

Jardín Marqués de la Vega Inclán

The Garden of the Marquis de la Vega Inclán (in Spanish, Jardín Marqués de la Vega Inclán), sometimes still called Retiro Vegetable Garden, was designed by the Spanish architect José Gómez Millán between 1913 and 1917, taking the Ladies’ Garden formal layout as main inspiration.

In the early 20th century, Benigno de la Vega-Inclán became the curator of the Alcázar of Seville. The Garden of the Marquis de la Vega Inclán honors his contributions to cultural tourism and the conservation of Spain’s historic monuments.

Puerta de Marchena

The Marchena Door (in Spanish, Puerta de Marchena) is a secondary entrance to the Alcázar of Seville, likely erected between the 14th and 15th centuries. Its name refers to the town of Marchena, which was controlled by the Dukes of Arcos, a noble family with close ties to the Castilian crown.

The Marchena Door is mentioned in 17th-century records related to the administration and logistics of the Alcázar of Seville, including the movement of servants and deliveries. It has a plain architectural style, with no ornamental details, and its location corresponds to the palace’s service areas.

Jardín de la Alcubilla

The Water Tank Garden (in Spanish, Jardín de la Alcubilla) is likely the last garden you’re going to pass by on your visit to the Alcázar of Seville, as it’s situated next to the exit. Its name refers to an old water tank (also known as ‘alcubilla’ in Spanish) that once helped supply the palace’s irrigation system.

It might be hard to imagine, but the Water Tank Garden used to be a tennis court! This is because King Alfonso XIII of Spain was very fond of sports and decided to transform this courtyard into his very own private tennis court. It was one of the first in Spain, but it no longer exists.

Apeadero

The Alighting Area (in Spanish, Apeadero) of the Alcázar of Seville was projected in the 17th century as a space to receive royal visitors arriving by carriage. It served as a transitional space, and its function was mainly practical, allowing easy access from the entrance to the more private areas of the palace.

The Alighting Area is organized around a rectangular courtyard with modest ornamental elements, providing access to the royal stables and service areas. Though less decorative than other parts of the complex, it remains an important example of the palace’s logistical design.

Patio de Banderas

The Flags Courtyard (in Spanish, Patio de Banderas) was historically used for official ceremonies and military assemblies. Although its origins date back to the Islamic period, the patio only took its current form in the 18th century.

The Flags Courtyard owes its name to the royal standards displayed here during important events. Surrounded by arcaded buildings and offering a direct view of the Giralda tower, it also functioned as the main public square within the Alcázar of Seville.

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