Adding to the charm of the Seville skyline and overshadowing all the other buildings, lies the majestic Seville Cathedral in Seville, Andalusia, Spain. It is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the 3rd largest church in the world.
Catedral de Seville or the Seville Cathedral is a major crowd puller and the key highlight of Sevilla tourism. It is also known as La catedral metropolitana de Santa María de la Sede (Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See) and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The cathedral was constructed between 1401 and 1506 as a symbol of the Christian Reconquest over the Moors. Be it the Giralda Tower or the chapels with Spanish paintings, this Gothic gem with baroque architecture is a sheer architectural marvel.
Advantages of a Seville Cathedral Guided Tour
Skip the line
Seville Cathedral is crowded at most times. The crowds are thinner during the morning hours but after that the crowd starts multiplying and there are chances you will end up waiting in long queues before you get to enter the Cathedral and see the Giralda and Alzazar. Also, there is so much to see at Seville Cathedral that you cannot afford to kill time waiting in queues. Waltz through the crowd and save time with your guided tour ticket.
An expert tour guide
An ancient, historic place like Seville Cathedral has many stories to tell and no one better than a local tour guide can narrate the history and facts of the Cathedral. All you must do is reach on time and the tour guide will show you around. Having a tour guide in Seville Cathedral is important because the Cathedral in itself does not share much information. So, if you go without a guide you will miss out on the tales and stories behind each ornamental minaret, door, chapel, burial, mosaic and the artistry of the place.
Flexible timings
With your Seville Cathedral guided tour tickets, there is no time constraint or fixed time to visit the cathedral. The timings are flexible so you can explore the cathedral at your own pace and take enough time to understand the history of that place. Enjoy at your convenience!
Pro tip- It is the best to choose timings that fit into your travel schedule and not the other way round.
Multilingual Guide
Do not let language be a barrier in your Seville Cathedral experience. English, Spanish, French or Italian speaking guides are available who not only help you get a quick entry into the cathedral but also share information about the Cathedral in the language you prefer. Although English is the standard language, finding a guide who speaks your native language will surely make you feel welcomed, won’t it?
The Best Seville Cathedral Guided Tours
Guided Tours
Combo Guided Tours
Your Complete Guide To Seville Cathedral
Choosing the Best Seville Cathedral Ticket
Before choosing your tour, take a look at the main features of each type of tour and then make an informed decision. Here’s a list of all your Seville Cathedral tour options and their highlights.
1Skip the line guided tour to Seville Cathedral and Giralda
This is one of Seville's most popular tourist attractions, so be sure to book your tickets in advance. See the world's biggest gothic church up close on a 1-hour guided tour. Comb through the magnificent towers and take in astounding panoramic views of Seville from this unique vantage point!
2Skip the line guided tour to Alcazar
Explore the ancient Alcazar royal palace, one of Seville's oldest landmarks. Enjoy the magnificent vista of its lush gardens while studying the exquisite works on display. Make your way to Seville Cathedral, which is the world's largest Gothic church.
33 in 1- Alcazar+ Cathedral+ Girala Guided Tour
Discover the Alcazar, the Spanish Christian rulers' royal palace, on this guided tour. See Seville Cathedral, the biggest Gothic church around, and La Giralda bell tower housed inside of it. Your expert guide will tell you all about Seville's history along the way.
Seville Cathedral Tours Deconstructed - A Typical Seville Cathedral Guided Tour Experience
Seville Cathedral has an old-world charm and never fails to mesmerize visitors with its surreal beauty. There’s more to the grandeur and splendour of this place than just its massive structures, ornamental murals, the decorated marble pillars, and the intricate carvings on the tombs, chapels, burials etc. It has stood the test of time and is one of the most famous attractions in Seville.
La Giralda (Bell Tower)
La Giralda was built in the Almohad style by dexterous architects Ibn Basso and Ali de Gomara and reflects the harmonious blend of the Muslim control in Seville, the Catholic Reconquest, the Inquisition, and the Renaissance. Once a minaret for the Great Mosque of Seville, it is now the bell tower of the Cathedral and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is 343 feet tall and you have to climb 34 wide sloping ramps to reach the top and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city.
Patio de los Naranjos
Patio de los Naranjos or the garden of orange trees is nestled between the massive architectures in the Seville Cathedral like the northern facade of the Seville Cathedral on the left, Iglesia del Sagrario in the middle, and a gallery on the right.
Tourists use the Door of Forgiveness or the Puerta del Perdon to enter the Patio de los Naranjos from the Calle Alemanes. It is the perfect spot to rest and relax under the shade of orange trees after the tour.
Tomb of Christopher Columbus
This is the final resting place of the great navigator, Christopher Columbus. As you enter the cathedral door, stands a Christobel Colen Monument at the entrance. His tomb was designed by the sculptor Arturo Melida and was one of the last additions to the cathedral, installed in 1899.
It is carved in alabaster and polychrome bronze, based on a large stone and marble base and reads: “When the island of Cuba was emancipated by the mother of Spain, Seville obtained the deposit of the remains of Columbus and its town hall erected this pedestal.”
Main Chapel (Capilla Mayor)
The Seville Cathedral is gigantic and houses 80 chapels inside it. The Main Chapel or Capilla Mayor lies beyond the choir area of the main transept with ceilings rising to a height of 36 meters.
The piece of attraction in the Main Chapel is the dazzling altarpiece, a classic example of Gothic woodcarving. It was created between 1482 and 1564 and features the Virgen de la Sede surrounded by scenes from the Life of Christ and the Life of the Virgin.
Side Chapels
The side chapels of the Seville Cathedral are abundant in striking art treasures, exquisite tombs, massive gates and stunning altarpieces.
The Guardian Angel by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo is displayed to the right of the Puerta Mayor while the Saint Antonio Chapel displays the Baptism of Christ and The Infant Christ appearing to Saint Anthony of Padua.
Juan de Cervantes in the Capilla de San Hermenegildo and the Plateresque-style tomb of Archbishop Mendoza in the Capilla de la Antigua are the rarest and finest sarcophagi found in the side chapels
Royal Chapel (Capilla Real)
Built in the 16th century style, the Capilla Real (Royal Chapel) is lavishly adorned with royal tombs and lies behind the Capilla Mayor. The Royal Chapel steps lead down to the crypt and an 18th-century grille surrounds the chapel.
The apse has two altars: one adorning a silver shrine with the relics of Saint Ferdinand; the other featuring a 13th-century figure of the Virgen de los Reyes, the Patron Saint of Seville.
The Door of the Lizard
A crocodile outside the Cathedral? Yes, as unusual as it sounds, a Lagarto or lizard, which is a stuffed crocodile, hangs beside the Seville Cathedral. This is known as the Door of the Lizard and leads to the Courtyard of the Oranges. It is an ancient Moorish gate with the typical Visigothic horseshoe arch and can easily be missed if you are not looking for it.
Are Seville Cathedral Tours Really Worth it?
Seville Cathedral is in the heart of the old town and the Cathedral is built ruins of a Grand Mosque by the Moors. It is the largest Gothic church that was ever built and is massive in size. It is famous for the splendid architecture, history, artistry and most importantly the main altarpiece which is covered in gold and narrates the story of Jesus in 40 scenes. The interiors have an influence of Moorish and Islamic architecture and the small details on the spinnable music rack, the massive tomb of Christopher Colombus, and the tall columns which hold the roof 130 feet above the ground will surely grab your attention.
It is surrounded by the Archive of the Indies, the Royal Alcazar Seville and Archbishop’s Palace. This makes the Seville Cathedral the most iconic attraction of Spain and is a tourist magnet. It should be on the top of your Spain bucket list.
Seville Cathedral Practical Information
Opening Hours
On Mondays from 11:00 AM to 15:30 PM
Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00 AM to 17:00 PM
On Sundays from 14:30 PM to 18:00 PM
July and August (except 17th July and 25th July)
On Mondays from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM (box office until 3:30 PM)
Tuesday to Saturday from 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM (box office until 5:00 PM)
On Sundays from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM (box office until 6:00 PM)
Getting to Seville Cathedral
The Seville Cathedral is located on Avenida de la Constitución and the following have transit lines that pass the Cathedral
- By Bus: The closest bus stop is Paseo Cristóbal Colón, only 200 meters from the Cathedral. Lines C4, C3, 5, 41, 42, C1 and C2. Jardines del Cristina Station.
- By Car: Drive to the Cathedral and leave your car in the closest parking lot in Jardines de Murillo, Puerta de Jerez, Mercado del Arenal or Plaza Nueva.
- By Subway: With only 400 meters walk to the Cathedral, Puerta Jerez is the nearest subway station.
- By Train: Sevilla-San Bernardo is the nearest train station. From here you can easily get a tram to Archivo de Indias for the Cathedral.
- By Tram: Archivo de Indias is the closest tram station, and you will reach the Cathedral in no time.
Insider Tips
- It is best to opt for a guided tour to explore and learn about the Alcazar, the cathedral, the Giralda and their history.
- Don’t be in a rush. It is recommended you have at least 2-3 hours for the tour.
- Purchase the Seville Card and waltz into the Cathedral with skip the line access.
- Wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes to explore the cathedral comfortably on foot.
- Book tickets beforehand to avoid pushing through long queues.
- Early morning slots are the best as there are lesser tourists at that time.
- Come armed with a guide to make the most of your tour.
- An entry ticket is mandatory to enter the Cathedral, Church of El Salvador, and Giralda.
- The same ticket cannot be used if you have left the temple and want to re-enter.
- Other than assistance dogs, not other fur babies are allowed.
- Tripods are prohibited but you can take pictures.
- To grab a spot, book the La Giralda tickets in advance as there are only 6 tours each day out of which only 1 or 2 are in English and the rest in French or Spanish and only 25 people are allowed in each tour.
- Ensure checking the Cathedral’s calendar online as the opening hours can be modified due to religious ceremonies and other cultural activities.
FAQs
Built in a five-aisled cruciform church with chapels, the Seville cathedral is 127 metres long, 83 meters wide and 43 meters high.
The best time of the day to visit is during the early opening hours. September to January are the best months to visit as the accommodations are cheaper and crowds thinner. However, March to May the city is flooded with tourists and not quite ideal for Seville Cathedral visit.
For security and safety reasons, the Giralda is restricted to people with reduced mobility. Free wheelchair service is provided for people with reduced mobility. Leaflets in Braille language are available for the visually impaired. In addition to that, for the hearing impaired, there is a free sign-guide service.
The 2 wonders of Seville can be explored by buying a combo guided tour ticket that covers the Alcazar of Seville and Cathedral. This not only saves you the hassle of purchasing two separate tickets but also long queues!
There is a free tour of Seville Cathedral with an audio guide and access to the Towers of La Giralda Towers on Mondays from 4 pm to 6 pm.
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