This is a large pool overlooked by a balustrade and a striking 16th-century fountain featuring a bronze statue of the god Mercury. The pool reflects the Gallery of the Grotesque—a long arcade wall adorned with mosaic fragments and whimsical designs.
What are the Alcázar Seville gardens?
The Alcázar Seville gardens are the palace’s lush, sprawling backyard—an oasis of fountains, pavilions, and exotic plants spread across seven hectares. Your Alcázar Seville tickets include access to these gardens, offering a peaceful escape from the bustling city outside. Further, if you’ve watched Game of Thrones, you might recognize the gardens of the city of Dorne—those scenes were shot in the Alcázar Seville gardens.
Walking through these seven hectares of greenery seems like entering a fantastical world. Dotted with low fountains, geometric paths, and tranquil pools, the gardens seamlessly blend Islamic, Mudejar, and Renaissance styles and elements.
How to visit the Alcázar Seville gardens
The best way to visit the Alcázar Seville gardens is to book your Alcázar Seville tickets online. Whether you book entry tickets or a guided tour, you get to access these stunning gardens and enjoy the peace they offer.
Book Alcázar Seville TicketsHighlights of the Alcázar Seville gardens
Estanque de Mercurio
Dance Garden
One of the most enchanting corners of the Alcázar, the Dance Garden is nestled between the Gothic Palace and the Casa de la Contratación. It features elegant fountains, tiled benches, and manicured hedges arranged in geometric harmony.
Garden of the Poets
The Garden of the Poets or the Jardín de los Poetas is one of the palace’s romantic, themed gardens, designed to evoke contemplation and inspiration. Like other areas of the gardens, it blends geometric Moorish layouts with lush plantings and tranquil water features.
Fountain of Fame
The Fountain of Fame (Fuente de la Fama) at the Alcázar of Seville is a unique 17th-century organ fountain—one of only three of its kind in Europe, and the only one in Spain. Located at the eastern edge of the gardens near the Grotto Gallery, this fountain features a statue of a trumpeter whose trumpet is sounded by water pressure, producing music on the hour.
Featured in Game of Thrones
These Alcázar Seville gardens backdrop for scenes in Game of Thrones where Myrcella and Trystane used to walk, and where the Sand Snakes arrive and ambush him.
170 plant species
To say that the Alcázar Seville gardens are an entire ecosystem in themselves would be an understatement. With 170 plant species on display, including flowering plants, fruit trees, and a vast collection of herbs and palms, the gardens are a sensory treat for any nature enthusiast.
History of the Alcázar Seville gardens
The Alcázar Seville gardens have evolved over 1,000 years, shaped by the tastes of Moorish rulers, Christian kings, and modern monarchs. During the Islamic reign, the gardens were filled with orchards, which served two main purposes—providing food for the palace’s inhabitants and enhancing its aesthetic value.
The 13th century saw the gardens undergo a renovation with Gothic and Romanesque elements, while the Italian designer Vermondo Resta popularized the Italian Mannerist style in the 17th century under the reign of Philip III.
Alcázar Seville HistoryThe Alcázar Seville gardens in all their glory
Plan your visit to the Alcázar Seville gardens
- Between October and March, the Alcázar Seville gardens are open every day from 9:30am to 5pm.
- Between April and September, the gardens remain open between the hours of 9:30am and 7pm.
- Closure: The gardens, along with the rest of the palace remain closed on January 1 and 6, December 25, and on Good Friday.
The Alcázar Seville gardens are located within the larger palace complex in Seville, Spain. The Alcázar itself is part of the Monuments of Seville complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that consists of the Alcázar, the Seville Cathedral, and the cathedral’s bell tower, La Giralda.
Address: Casco Antiguo, 41004 Seville, Spain | Find on Google Maps
Frequently asked questions about the Alcázar Seville gardens
The Alcázar Seville gardens cover a total of 7 hectares. This expansive space gave the Spanish rulers the real estate to build several gardens, each with its own style and unique highlights.
The gardens you see in the city of Dorne in Game of Thrones were filmed in the Alcázar Seville gardens. The Mercury’s Pool, for example, was showcased in season 5 of the show, and the rest of the gardens feature several times in scenes set in Dorne.
Spanish for the Royal Alcázar of Seville, the palace is the oldest still in use by the Spanish Royal Family. Its upper stories are still occupied by the royal family whenever they visit Seville.
Several key locations appear in the show, including the Seville Shipyard, the Hall of Ambassadors, the Baths of Lady María de Padilla, and Mercury’s Pond. If you’re rewatching Season 5, keep an eye out for these iconic spots.
While the gardens are largely wheelchair accessible, keep in mind that the cobbled terrain isn’t exactly ideal for those with reduced mobility. However, you will be able to explore most parts of the garden during your visit. ****
