- A deep-dive into the cathedral's history: A skip the line guided tour is the perfect option for someone who wants to dive into the cathedral's Islamic and Christian history, its architecture, and key highlights such as the La Giralda, the Retablo Mayor, and most importantly, the mystery behind Christopher Columbus' tomb.
- Quick and easy access: This cathedral is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Spain, which is why it usually sees huge crowds of tourists every day. Booking a guided tour of the most visited sights in Seville, the Seville Cathedral and Alcázar of Seville will make access to the UNESCO World Heritage Site easier and quicker.
- Cover all key highlights: Given the cathedral's vast scale, knowing what to prioritise can be challenging. A guided tour ensures you cover all key highlights, missing out on no detail.
- Skip-the-line access: Your Seville Cathedral tours also get you skip-the-line access, which means you get priority entry to the cathedral. This is the perfect solution if you're short on time and want to make the most of your visit.
Top things to do in Seville
The Seville Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the See, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Andalusia in Spain. Built between 1401-1506 on the site of a former mosque, it's the world's largest Gothic cathedral featuring Gothic, Renaissance, and Neoclassical styles. It is also the fourth largest church worldwide that has four facades, 15 doors, and twin organs.
Home to about 80 chapels and tombs of several greats including Christopher Columbus and his son Diego, the cathedral is a major tourist attraction. This guide tells you why a guided tour is the best way to visit this site to understand its complex history and stunning architecture.
Book Seville Cathedral TicketsWhy take a Seville Cathedral guided tour?
The Seville Cathedral is an iconic and one of the most visited landmarks in Spain. Here are a few reasons why you should take a Seville Cathedral guided tour.

Highlights covered on your Seville Cathedral tour

Royal Chapel
Added to the cathedral in the 16th century, Capilla Real or the Royal Chapel is a Renaissance-style structure placed right behind the Great Chapel featuring royal tombs and two altars. One altar is home to a silver shrine that consists of the relics of Saint Ferdinand while the other features a 13th-century figure of the Patron Saint of Seville, the Virgin of the Kings, holding a 22-carat gold crown with almost 12,000 precious stones on his head.
Tomb of Christopher Columbus
Installed inside the cathedral in 1899, the tomb of Christopher Columbus was designed by Arturo Melida and is held high up by four allegorical figures that represent the four kingdoms (Castile, Navaro, Leon, and Aragon) of Spain, which existed at the time of Columbus and where he spent his life. You'll find the tomb right inside the cathedral's main entrance.
Capilla Mayor
Known for housing the richest and largest altarpiece in the world, Capilla Mayor or the Retablo Mayor consists of the main chapel along with several other side chapels, a choir, and 15 doors. The altarpiece, which features 45 beautifully carved scenes from the Bible, is made of polychrome wood and gold and is placed opposite the choir.
Chapter House
A Spanish Renaissance addition to the Seville Cathedral, the Chapter House was built in the 16th century right next to the Main Sacristy. Also known as the Capitular, the Chapter House is home to several beautiful paintings and artworks of Murillo. It is known for its magnificent domed ceiling that reflects the stunning marble floor.
Door of Forgiveness
Also known as Puerta del Perdon, the Door of Forgiveness is located in the North Façade of Seville Cathedral and provides access to the Patio de los Naranjos (orange tree courtyard) from Calle Almanes. Originally built as the entrance to the Almohad Mosque, the Door of Forgiveness has retained its shape of a horseshoe arch and several other Islamic architectural elements like the intricate carvings and inscriptions from the Quran on the iron door.
Colombiana Library
Located on the west side of the Patio de los Naranjos, the Colombiana Library houses over 6,000 copies of rare books, 940 incunabula, and manuscripts on the discovery of America. Several of these manuscripts have been written by Christopher Columbus himself. Fernando Colon, a known scholar and second son of Columbus, inherited his father’s personal library after his death and bought books to enrich it. The library, as of today, contains books on Columbus’ interests and explorations.
Main Sacristy
Accessible from the antechambers of the Capilla Mayor on the south side of Seville Cathedral, Sacristia Mayor or the Main Sacristy is a Renaissance-style museum displaying the Montanes crucifix and several magnificent and iconic artworks by celebrated Spanish artists like Francisco de Goya, Bartolome Esteban Murillo, Luis de Morales, Campana, Zurbaran, and others. The ceiling of the dome depicts scenes from The Last Judgment while the interiors feature arched doors and countless sculptural reliefs.
Patio de los Naranjos
Also known as the Orange Tree Courtyard, the Patio de los Naranjos was retained from the Almohad Mosque and is lined with beautiful orange, palm, and cypress trees. The Moorish-style courtyard was originally the prayer hall of the mosque. The courtyard, as we know it today, also features a large fountain from the Visigoth Period built on the site of the Sabil, an area where Muslims performed ritual ablutions before entering the mosque. It is the perfect place to relax and unwind after a tiring tour.
What are the Seville Cathedral's opening hours?

What are the Seville Cathedral opening hours?
Monday To Saturday: 10:45am to 7:30pm
Sundays: 2:30pm to 7:30pmWhat is the last access time for Seville Cathedral?
Last access to the Seville Cathedral and La Giralda is at 6:30pmWhat is the eviction time at Seville Cathedral?
With Seville Cathedral closing at 7:30pm, eviction time begins at 7:10pm.
Where is the Seville Cathedral located?
Address: Cathedral and Giralda, Avenida de la Constitución, s/n,41004 Seville, Spain | Find on Google Maps
- The Seville Cathedral is located in the city of Seville which is in the southern Spanish province of Andalusia. The cathedral is located in the heart of the city, and is easily accessible via public transport. This includes the bus, metro, and tram.
- You can also drive to the cathedral, but keep in mind that it doesn't have any parking of it's own. However, you can park your car at any of the paid parking lots nearby and simply take a short walk to the cathedral.
La Giralda | The cathedral's unmissable bell tower

Formerly the minaret of the Great Mosque during the rule of the Almohad dynasty, the La Giralda is now the bell tower of Seville Cathedral and is also one of the most important symbols of the medieval city of Andalusia in Spain. Standing tall at 104.5 meters, the tower was redesigned with a Renaissance-style top added to it after the Almohad Mosque was converted into the cathedral. What makes it unique is you scale the tower via 34 ramps-not stairs, unlike most other similar structures.
Rules & tips
- Smoking, drinking, or eating inside the complex is strictly prohibited. You can drink water outside the building. Do not take off your shoes, undress, or lie down on benches, stairs, or the patio.
- Tripods are not allowed. Photography and videography for commercial purposes are prohibited without prior approval.
- Animals, except assistance dogs, are not allowed inside the complex.
- Toilets and baby changing facilities are available inside the attraction.
- The cathedral provides wheelchairs for those with reduced mobility.
- If you suffer from vertigo or anemia, are claustrophobic, have heart or respiratory problems, or tend to feel dizzy, please avoid climbing the Giralda tower.
Frequently asked questions about Seville Cathedral tours
There are four types of Seville Cathedral guided tours available – Seville Cathedral and Giralda: Skip The Line Guided Tour, Seville’s Alcazar, Cathedral and Giralda Guided Tour, Seville: Alcazar + Cathedral Guided Tour, and Super Combo: Cathedral and Alcazar of Seville.
The Seville Cathedral guided tour covers all the major attractions inside Seville Cathedral like the Giralda Tower, Royal Chapel, Tomb of Christopher Columbus, Main Sacristy, Patio de los Naranjos, Capilla Mayor, the Colombiana Library, Door of Forgiveness, and the Tabernacle, among other points of interest.
It depends on the type of Seville Cathedral guided tour you book. The small group guided tour will have no more than 10 people while others have a maximum capacity of 25 guests.
Yes. The Seville Cathedral guided tour is worth it because it is the largest cathedral in the world with a rich history and beautiful architecture. The Roman Catholic Church took over a century to build and is the largest Gothic church in the world with four facades, 15 doors, 80 chapels, and twin organs.
Yes. The Seville Cathedral guided tours include skip the line access.














