Seville Cathedral & La Giralda: Complete Visitor Guide

Everything you need to visit Seville Cathedral and La Giralda: ticket prices, opening hours, what to see inside, and how to skip the queue. From a local.

The Cathedral of Seville is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. That is not hyperbole — it is an actual UNESCO distinction. Seville Cathedral and La Giralda tower beside it form a single site: one ticket covers both. The Giralda was originally the minaret of the mosque that stood here before the Reconquista. Which says quite a lot about Seville.

If you're planning your visit, the essentials: book online, go on a weekday morning, and give yourself at least 75 minutes. The rest is below.

The Giralda Tower: What to Expect

The visit starts at the Giralda, which has its own access control. Most people expect to walk into the cathedral first and are briefly confused. The tower has 34 ramps rather than stairs — the Almohad architects designed it so a horse could be ridden to the top. Today you walk up in about 10 minutes and arrive with your knees intact.

The views from the top are excellent: the Alcázar gardens directly below, the river in the distance, and the labyrinth of Santa Cruz at your feet. Worth the climb, worth taking time at the top before the ramps back down start filling up.

Inside the Cathedral: What to See

When the chapter decided to build it in 1401, they apparently said: “Let us build a church so grand that those who see it finished will take us for madmen.” The main nave delivers on that promise. Give your eyes a moment to adjust before moving on.

Columbus's Tomb

Four heralds bearing a coffin — this is Columbus's official tomb, near the main entrance. Whether it actually contains his remains is still disputed by historians (a competing claim exists in Santo Domingo). See it, consider the question, move on.

The Retablo Mayor

The main altarpiece: 45 metres high, 44 gilded relief panels depicting scenes from the life of Christ. Spend real time here. Most people glance at it from behind the iron grille and keep walking. Don't. Get as close as you can, look at the individual panels, notice the scale. It took 82 years to build.

Sacristía Mayor

Easy to rush through. It contains the cathedral treasury including Goya's Santa Justa y Santa Rufina and important pieces of religious silverwork. The room itself is a fine example of Plateresque architecture. Worth slowing down for.

Tickets, Prices & Opening Hours

One ticket covers both the cathedral and the Giralda tower — there's no separate entry for one without the other.

• Monday to Saturday: 11:00–19:00 (last entry 18:00)
• Sunday: 14:30–19:00 (free 16:30–18:00 with prior online reservation)
• Standard ticket: €13 online, €14 at the door
• Reduced (over 65s, students under 25): €7 online, €8 at the door
• Audio guide: €5 (€4 for the app version)
• Free entry: Sundays 16:30–18:00 — prior online reservation required

The free Sunday visit sounds appealing. In practice it means a large queue of people who all had the same idea. If you want to actually see the building, pay the €13 and go on a weekday morning.

How to Avoid the Queue

Book online in advance — that covers 90% of it. In spring and summer, same-day tickets at the door sometimes sell out. Book at least a few days ahead, more in April and May.

If you're also visiting the Alcázar, pair them on the same morning: Alcázar from 9:30 AM (book the first slot), Cathedral at 11. They're a five-minute walk apart. Both done before lunch, afternoon free. Read more in the full Alcázar guide.

Getting There

• Central Seville — walkable from almost anywhere in the historic centre
• Address: Avenida de la Constitución, s/n, 41004 Sevilla
• Nearest bus stop: Puerta de Jerez or Archivo de Indias
• No parking nearby — the area is pedestrianised; don't drive
• Budget around 75 minutes minimum — more if you linger