In Seville, the undisputed queen of Andalusia, there are many monuments and places to visit. Among these, the Seville Cathedral is of incomparable magnificence: together with the nearby Alcazar – which stands on the other side of Plaza del Triunfo – the Cathedral is without doubt one of the must-see sights in Seville. Its grandeur makes it the largest church in Spain and the third largest in the world: at 126 metres long, 83 metres wide and 37 metres high it covers an area of no less than 11,000 square metres. In 1987 the Catedral de Santa Maria de la Sede de Sevilla (Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See), together with the Alcazar and the Archivo de Indias, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Purchase skip-the-line tickets for the Cathedral and the Giralda
In Gothic and Renaissance style, this immense church preserves important Arab-Muslim elements such as the Giralda, today a bell tower but formerly a splendid minaret, and the Patio de los Naranjos, the cathedral’s cloister originally laid out as the garden of the mosque built here in the 12th century.
Inside Seville Cathedral you can also see the tomb of Christopher Columbus. The Cathedral of Santo Domingo claims to house the explorer’s remains there, but a DNA analysis in 2006 confirmed the authenticity of the remains kept in Seville.
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Historical notes on Seville Cathedral
Between 1172 and 1182 the architect Ahmad Ben Baso built the al‑Moharrem mosque in the area where the cathedral stands today. In 1248 the mosque became the property of the Christian archdiocese and in 1433 the mosque was almost entirely demolished (with the exception of the Giralda and the Patio de los Naranjos). In those years construction began on a Gothic-style church to designs by Ysambret and Carlin.
In the 1500s the Sacristía de los Cálices and the Sacristía Mayor (which today houses the Cathedral’s treasury) were added in Renaissance style by Diego de Riaño, and the towers were enlarged by Hernan Ruiz, who, however, did not complete the project. In the 1600s the church was further enriched with Baroque elements. The buildings erected around the church were demolished in the 1700s to give greater prominence to the cathedral, and throughout that century and the next the church was embellished with many Neoclassical and Neo-Gothic elements.
Plan of Seville Cathedral
The exterior of the Cathedral
Outside the cathedral, although perfectly integrated with it, you will find the Patio de los Naranjos. Construction began in 1172 and it is characterised by six arches on the short side and thirteen on the long side: a unique, harmonious and well-proportioned whole. The central of the thirteen arches, larger than the others, serves as the entrance to the garden and is called the Puerta del Perdón, featuring forms typical of Arab architecture.
A perfect blend of Moorish and Renaissance architecture is the Giralda, the bell tower originally built as a minaret in the 12th century: you can find more information in our article on the Giralda of Seville.
The main façade has three finely decorated portals: Puerta de la Asunción, the central one dating from the 19th century, Puerta del Nacimiento (or de San Miguel) and the Puerta del Bautismo.
Around the building you can see las gradas, steps built in 1392 that were once used by merchants to meet and trade. At Christmas you can get a sense of this atmosphere, when numerous Christmas markets are set up outside the cathedral.
What to see in the Cathedral of Seville
On entering the Cathedral of Seville, you’ll be left speechless by its grandeur: there are no fewer than 5 naves and a total of 25 chapels. A guided tour or an audio guide is the ideal way to make the most of all the artistic treasures contained in the church.
- Recommended guided tour: Alcázar, Seville Cathedral and La Giralda Guided Tour
The chapels that deserve the most attention are the Capilla Real, the Capilla Mayor and the Capilla de San Andrés. I recommend pausing to admire the altarpiece in the Capilla Mayor. It is the largest in the Christian world, constructed over roughly 80 years and a Gothic work by Duncart. Also particularly fine are the wooden choir stalls and the cathedral’s organ, built in 1996. The Cristo de la Clemencia, a wooden work by Montañés, is housed in the Capilla de San Andrés.
The tomb of Christopher Columbus is located in the church’s transept and attracts hundreds of visitors every day. Four statues bear the coffin of Europe’s greatest and most famous navigator. They represent the heralds of the four kingdoms of the Spanish crown: Castile, León, Navarre and Aragon.
Seville Cathedral: how to get there, opening hours, prices
The main façade of Seville Cathedral is located on Avenida de la Constitución and extends in its grandeur along Calle Fray Ceferino Gonzales to the right and Calle Alemanes to the left; indeed, if you exit the Patio de los Naranjos, the Garden of the Oranges, you will find yourself on Calle Alemanes. At the Cathedral’s actual entrance, in front of the Puerta del Príncipe, there is also a copy of the Giraldillo, the statue that stands atop the Giralda.
Bearing in mind that the best way to reach the Cathedral is on foot during a stroll through the historic centre, you can also reach the cathedral by bus, tram or underground.
- The nearest bus stop is Garcia de Vinuesa (Avenida Constitución) for the C5 line. The cathedral is about 100 meters from the stop.
- The nearest tram stop is Archivo de Indias for the T1 line, and the cathedral is less than a 1-minute walk away.
- The nearest Seville metro station to the Cathedral is Puerta de Jerez on the L1 line. From the metro station, it takes about a 7-minute walk to reach the cathedral.
From Seville Airport you can take the EA bus or the 32 to reach the Cathedral in about 45 minutes. If, instead, you are at Santa Justa Station, it’s best to take the 32 or C1 bus and in about 30 minutes you’ll arrive near the cathedral.
Opening hours of the Cathedral
Seville Cathedral is open from 11:00 to 18:00 from Monday to Saturday, while on Sundays it is open only from 14:30 to 19:00. Tourist visits are not permitted on 1 and 6 January and on Christmas Day.
For several years now there has been no difference between the winter and summer opening hours.
Mass times
- On Sundays at 8:30 AM and 6:00 PM in the Capilla Real; at 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM at the Altar Mayor;
- On Saturdays at 8:30 AM, 12:00 PM, and 8:00 PM in the Capilla Real; at 10:00 AM at the Altar Mayor. In addition, at 6:00 PM there is a sign language mass in the Capilla Real;
- From Monday to Friday at 8:30 AM, 12:00 PM, and 6:00 PM in the Capilla Real; at 9:00 AM in the Capilla de la Antigua; and at 10:00 AM at the Altar Mayor.
Times may change over time: check the official website!
Ticket prices for the Cathedral and the Giralda
The admission ticket to Seville Cathedral includes access to the Giralda and access to the Iglesia del Divino Salvador. At the link below you can purchase the skip-the-line tickets with audio guide.
Buy skip-the-line tickets for the Cathedral and the Giralda
Admission is free for residents of Seville and for children under 14 accompanied by a paying adult.
Not to be overlooked is the combined tour of Alcazar, Cathedral and Giralda, ideal for those who prefer to learn about the historical, cultural and architectural aspects from an English-speaking guide. In the case of this tour, tickets are included.
Buy tickets for Alcazar, the Cathedral and the Giralda
Seville Cathedral roof tour
A not-to-be-missed experience is the visit atop the tetti of Seville Cathedral (cubiertas). The ticket costs €15 per person and includes insurance, a cathedral technician who accompanies visitors, and admission to the cathedral without a guided tour. The ticket can be booked online via the official website and the maximum number of people per group is 25. Tickets can also be purchased on-site, but purchase is subject to availability. The view of the city from the cathedral roofs is stunning, but for safety entry is prohibited for children under 13.
Visiting times vary depending on the day and the season:
- From May to September:
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 8:00 PM, 8:30 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 PM, 8:30 PM, 9:00 PM, 9:30 PM
- Sunday: 7:30 PM, 8:00 PM
- From October to April:
- Monday and Tuesday: 11:30 AM, 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM, 4:30 PM
- Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday: 11:30 AM, 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM, 4:30 PM, 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 11:30 AM, 12:00 PM, 12:30 PM, 4:00 PM, 4:30 PM, 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:30 AM, 12:00 PM, 12:30 PM, 4:00 PM, 4:30 PM
How Long Does It Take to Visit Seville Cathedral?
You should allow at least 2 to 3 hours to visit Seville Cathedral properly, especially if you also plan to climb the Giralda Tower. If you are short on time, a quick visit can take around 1 hour, but to fully enjoy the experience without rushing, 2 to 3 hours is the ideal amount of time.
Where to stay near the Cathedral?
Staying in the centre of Seville has a charm all of its own: it’s lovely to wake up early and step out in the morning to have breakfast in one of the bars near the Cathedral, perhaps in the Barrio Santa Cruz. In the link below you’ll find a few targeted recommendations for hotels in the area.
