If you’re planning a trip to Seville, then you may have heard of the Seville Cathedral, officially known as Catedral de Santa María de la Sede. This large religious site sees over two million visitors a year and it is not only a beloved Seville landmark, but also the third-largest church in the world, the world’s largest Gothic cathedral, and the final resting place of famed explorer Christopher Columbus. Now when you hear tourists talk about the Seville Cathedral, you might hear them speak of the Giralda Tower. The Giralda Bell Tower, which is part of the Seville Cathedral, is one of the tallest towers in Europe. As the name suggests, it’s home to 24 church bells, including one of the largest bells in the world. The tower was originally constructed as a minaret in the 12th century, but after the Reconquista (Christian campaign to recapture land from Muslims), it was converted into a bell tower with the addition of an El Giraldillo statue to represent the Christian faith.
A visit to the Seville Cathedral is a must, but you may be wondering what the best way to get tickets to the Seville Cathedral is. Well, that’s where we come in! We’re here to help guide you through the process so you can find the best ticket for you and your group.
Quick Answer – How to Buy Tickets to the Seville Cathedral and La Giralda: If you don’t want to spend your holiday standing in the hot sun, we highly recommend booking a skip-the-line ticket to the Seville Cathedral or a guided tour. The latter is generally the better option, as you’ll get further insight into the cathedral’s historical significance and architectural design. There is also an option to bundle the Alcázar, Seville Cathedral, and the Giralda Tower into one guided tour, giving you the best bang for your buck.
Best Ways to Get Tickets to the Seville Cathedral and Giralda
Wondering where to buy tickets for the Seville Cathedral? Well, there are many ways to go about getting tickets and the best way depends on what you’re looking to get out of your visit. From guided tours and free passes to skip-the-line tickets to Seville Cathedral, we’ll lay it all out for you!
Line Up In-Person (Not Recommended)
While you can line up in person and buy tickets for the Seville Cathedral at the office, we highly recommend against going this route. Not only are you wasting precious vacation time standing in line for one of the city’s most visited attractions, but you’ll also be doing this in extremely hot weather seeing as Seville is the hottest city in continental Europe. Seville Cathedral also runs its ticketing on a timeslot basis, meaning you could be waiting a long time for a ticket at peak hours, especially if the slots have sold out online first. Tickets are also €1 more expensive at the door. Avoid the inevitable long line to visit the church (especially during high season) and purchase your tickets online instead.
Book Online
The best way to get Seville Cathedral tickets is to pre-purchase the tickets online in advance as this will act as a skip-the-line Seville Cathedral ticket. Tourists can purchase up to a month in advance so that folks can choose a day and a time slot that works best with their itinerary. You can purchase your tickets for the Seville Cathedral online on the official website, however, we recommend you book them through GetYourGuide instead. The reason is that the official website is only available in Spanish, tickets are priced in euros, which might lead to currency conversion fees from your bank, and their payment system doesn’t accept all foreign debit and credit cards. On GetYourGuide, on the other hand, you can choose your preferred language and currency, which makes the process of purchasing tickets a lot smoother.
Book a Guided Tour (Recommended)
Booking a guided tour of Seville Cathedral is hands down the best way to visit the attraction. There is so much incredible history, architecture, and stories that stem from the cathedral and its rich past, which you won’t learn much about on a self-guided tour. For a general guided tour of the Giralda Tower and the Seville Cathedral, we recommend booking this tour as it is highly rated and fully refundable up to 24 hours in advance. However, if you want a specialty tour, then check out the official website for specific tours on the stained-glass windows or the roof.
Book a Combo Ticket
Beside the Seville Cathedral is another familiar and popular attraction, the Royal Alcázar. Savvy tourists can combine both a visit to the Seville Cathedral (including the Giralda Tower) and the Royal Alcazar with this guided combo ticket. The tour lasts three hours, during which visitors will tour the Seville Cathedral, Climb the Giralda Tower, explore the Royal Alcázar, and take a stroll through the palace gardens all while hearing about the history of these attractions from the guide. Tickets are fully refundable up to 72 hours before the tour.
Useful Information for Visiting the Seville Cathedral and Giralda
What’s the Best Time to Visit the Seville Cathedral?
The best time to visit the Seville Cathedral is between September and January on a weekday morning. Between September and January, the crowds die down and the weather is much more manageable so that you won’t be covered in a blanket of sweaty clothes. It’s also best to visit the cathedral on a weekday morning regardless of the time of year you are visiting as this will allow you to avoid the weekend tourists, visit at a cooler time of the day, and avoid the popular timeslots (11 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.).
What Are the Seville Cathedral’s Hours of Operation?
The Seville Cathedral is open 361 days of the year and is only closed on December 25, January 1 and 6, and Good Friday. Tourists can otherwise visit Monday through Saturday from 10:45 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sundays from 2:30 p.m. until 6 p.m.
How Do You Get to the Seville Cathedral?
The Seville Cathedral is located in the city center on the popular street of Avenue de la Constitución just a two-minute walk from the Royal Alcázar. Since the cathedral is centrally located, the easiest way to access it is by foot. However, if you’re staying outside of the central area, you can take the tram to Archivo de Indias and walk for two minutes or take the metro to Puerta de Jerez station. Seville Cathedral can also be accessed by bus lines C1, C2, C3, 5, 41, and 42.
How Do Seville Cathedral Tickets Work?
Seville Cathedral tickets work on a timeslot system in which visitors must purchase a ticket to the Seville Cathedral in advance for a specific time slot or wait in line to buy a ticket for one of the timeslots. Those who choose the latter will find the ticket office at Puerta del Príncipe and those who purchase in advance can enter at Puerta del Lagarto (beside Giralda Tower). Once you have your ticket, ensure that you arrive at least 15 minutes before your timeslot just in case there is a line or traffic on the way. Simply show your mobile ticket or physical printed version and then you’ll have access to both the Seville Cathedral and Giralda Bell Tower.
What is the Dress Code for the Seville Cathedral?
While there is no official clothing guideline for the Seville Cathedral, the church does request visitors wear modest clothing with nothing on their heads while in the building. A general rule for visiting religious sites is that your shoulders and knees remain covered, meaning no tank tops, strapless shirts/dresses, short shorts, mini skirts, crop tops, etc.
How Much Do Seville Cathedral Tickets Cost?
Tickets to the Seville Cathedral vary depending on where you purchase them and what kind of ticket you want. Free tickets for the Seville Cathedral are also possible to get as there are about 100 tickets available weekly for free visits with an entry timeslot of between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. However, these tickets are quite desirable and book up quickly, so make sure to keep an eye on the website to see when a new batch is released. The free tickets are only available online on the official website.
A general adult ticket purchased will run you €13 at the door and €12 on the official website. However, the official website charges a €1 online fee for each booking (not ticket). Reduced general admission is also offered at a rate of €6 online and €7 at the office for students 25 years old or younger (with valid ID) and seniors 65 years and older. Free admission is offered for children aged 13 or younger and residents of Seville. Visitors can also opt to add an audio guide for an additional €5 or €4 for an app-based audio guide.
For an official 90-minute guided tour of the Seville Cathedral booked through the official website, the rate is €20 online and €21 at the ticket office. A €1 fee is also added per booking to guided tours.
What Are the Best Hotels Near the Seville Cathedral?
Choosing the right accommodation for your holiday is going to be key, especially when it comes to location. Since the Seville Cathedral is centrally located, there are several fabulous hotels available right in this desirable area.
Hotel Legado Alcazar is ideally located right beside the Royal Alcázar, less than a five-minute walk from the Seville Cathedral. This stunning four-star hotel offers bright modern rooms along with an airport shuttle, room service, and an a-la-carte breakfast served daily.
For accommodation with a rooftop pool, tourists can’t go wrong with Hotel Fernando III. Located in the Santa Cruz area of town, which was once the Jewish Quarter, this four-star hotel offers a comfortable contemporary design with an on-site restaurant, private parking, and soundproof rooms. The Seville Cathedral is a six-minute walk away.
Another outstanding choice for tourists is the Querencia de Sevilla by the Autograph Collection. Located a five-minute walk away from the Seville Cathedral, this highly-rated hotel offers a lovely rooftop terrace with beautiful views of Seville as well as modern rooms and an outdoor swimming pool.
What’s the Security Process at the Seville Cathedral?
There are a few security rules that tourists should know before visiting the Seville Cathedral. The first is that no outside food or drink is allowed, except for water. The second is that flash photography is strictly forbidden, especially near the artwork. Lastly, visitors are not allowed to enter with dangerous weapons of any kind (i.e., knife, brass knuckles) or smoke on the premises.
What About Visiting the Seville Cathedral With a Disability?
We have great news for those visiting Seville Cathedral with a physical disability as the church is almost completely wheelchair-accessible! The Giralda Tower uses ramps to climb to the top instead of stairs, as its original design as a minaret accounted for sultans riding to the top on their horses. Additionally, there are ramps found throughout the church for access up and down stairs. Those with a disability with a grade greater than 65% will also receive free entrance.
FAQs: Facts About the Seville Cathedral
What Is the Seville Cathedral?
The Seville Cathedral is Seville’s crown jewel and the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. Today, the church has 80 chapels and seats for up to 20,000 people. It is home to several important artifacts, tombs, and structures, such as Christopher Columbus’s tomb, the Giralda Tower, Fernando III de Castillo’s tomb, and the Door of Forgiveness.
When Was the Seville Cathedral Built?
Construction began on the Seville Cathedral in 1404 and lasted over a century. The cathedral was officially completed in 1506.
How Long Do Tourists Spend Inside Seville Cathedral?
Visitors typically spend an hour and a half exploring the cathedral and tower on their own, but much longer is needed if you want to visit all of the chapels.
Is the Giralda Tower Included in a Ticket to the Seville Cathedral?
Yes, the Giralda Tower is included in a regular admission ticket. However, access is limited to a limited number of people at a time, so visitors will most likely need to queue up to climb to the top.
Can You Visit the Seville Cathedral For Free?
Yes! With a bit of luck, it is possible to visit the cathedral and tower for free. Every weekday the cathedral releases 20 free tickets for the day, which allow you to enter the Seville Cathedral between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Unfortunately, these tickets get released at random times which makes them quite difficult to get. Free tickets are also available for residents of Seville and for those with disabilities greater than a grade of 65%.
Why Was the Seville Cathedral Built?
In short, the city of Seville built the church to boast the city’s newfound wealth after the Reconquista in 1248. After Christians reclaimed the city and land captured by the Muslim Moors, the city saw a boom in its economy thanks to a large increase in global trade which led to Seville becoming a major trade center. It was during this time that city officials decided they wanted to build a grand cathedral to replace the Mosque that was (at the time) being used as a cathedral.
Now that you’re an expert on booking tickets to the Seville Cathedral and Giralda Tower, all you have to do now is pick the way you want to explore this beautiful attraction! We hope you have a sensational time visiting Seville and that you enjoy the jaw-dropping views from the top of Giralda Tower!
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