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Seville Cathedral Tours | Explore this Historical Landmark With an Expert Guide
Seville CathedralGuided Tours
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, Seville Cathedral is the largest Gothic church and cathedral in the world featuring Gothic, Renaissance, and Neoclassical styles. It is also the fourth largest church in the world that has four facades, 15 doors, and twin organs. It is also home to about 80 chapels and tombs of several greats including Christopher Columbus and his son Diego.
Read on to know more about how you can best explore the attraction through Seville Cathedral tours!
Why 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.
- A guided tour is the recommended option if you want to learn more about the largest cathedral in the world because it includes an expert guide who knows everything about Seville Cathedral.
- We suggest booking Seville Cathedral guided tours because they come with a skip the line feature that allows you to avoid waiting in long lines for hours to enter the site.
- Seville Cathedral is huge, which is why we suggest booking guided tours because they give you the chance to explore the cathedral more efficiently.
- The tour guide possesses in-depth knowledge of the attraction, which makes it more meaningful for you to learn about the fourth largest church in the world.
- 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 will make access to the UNESCO World Heritage Site easier and quicker.
All Your Seville Cathedral Guided Tour Options
Combo (Save 5%): 24/48-Hour Seville Hop-On Hop-Off + Alcazar + Seville Cathedral & Giralda Tickets
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Mobile Ticket
Flexible Duration
Audio Guide
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€52.72
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. A monument inside the Seville Cathedral door is the final resting place of the remains of Columbus. They were shifted to different locations before finding a permanent home at the cathedral.
Capilla Mayor
Known for housing the richest and largest altarpiece in the world, Capilla Mayor or the Great Chapel 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. The scenes depict events from the life of Christ and Santa Maria de la Sede, the patron saint of Seville Cathedral.
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. The Chapter House was built to listen to the problems of the members and arrive at a resolution that would be agreeable to everyone.
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. The door, which is now used as an exit from the cathedral, was embellished with terracotta sculptures and plaster ornaments in the 16th century.
Colombiana Library
Located on the west side of the Patio de los Naranjos, the Colombiana Library houses over 6000 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. It is maintained by Seville Cathedral and is accessible to students, scholars, and book lovers.
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. Also, find many beautifully- crafted liturgical items made of gold, silver, and other precious metals. The ceiling of the dome depicts scenes from The Last Judgment while the interiors feature arched doors, sculptural reliefs and a beautiful oil painting called Descent from the Cross.
The Tabernacle
The Baroque-style Tabernacle Church inside Seville Cathedral is a temple and a place of worship for Catholics. A heritage treasure inside the church comprises artist Juan Martinez Montanes’ carving of Jesus when he was a child. It also features Christ’s crown of thorns.
Office Pavilion
Built between the 18th and 20th centuries, the Office Pavilion is a Neoclassical addition to the cathedral featuring a series of offices and museums that were constructed because the then-existing rental units, barns, and warehouses were in a dilapidated condition. The pillars that make up the interiors of the new rooms inside the Office Pavilion are made using mortar. The arches were built to make the walls and the rooms more stable and secure.
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.
La Giralda
Formerly the minaret of the Great Mosque during the rule of the Almohad dynasty, 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 Giralda Tower was redesigned with a Renaissance-style top added to it after the Almohad Mosque was converted into the cathedral.
The bells are rung to call people for mass and during religious events and festivals. Admire the Renaissance architecture of the tower and soak in the stunning panoramic views of Seville from the top.
Know MoreGuided Tours vs Non-Guided Tours
Guided Tours
- Seville Cathedral guided tours come with an expert guide, who knows the attraction inside out and can provide you with all the information you need about the cathedral.
- A guided tour ticket comes with a skip the line feature, which allows you to avoid long queues and access the UNESCO World Heritage Site on priority.
- Guided tours have a fixed itinerary that includes all the major points of interest you should visit inside the Roman Catholic Church. It makes it easier to navigate a site as vast and historic as Seville Cathedral.
- Guided tours usually include a small group of people for a more complete, immersive, and interactive experience.
Non-Guided Tours
- A general admission ticket allows you to explore the attraction at your own pace.
- We recommend getting yourself an audio guide to know more about the history of Seville Cathedral.
- A general admission ticket does not allow you to skip the line or walk past huge crowds to enter the attraction on a non-guided tour. This means that you will have to wait in line to access the heritage site. This could take anywhere between 30 minutes to two hours.
Frequently Asked Questions About Seville Cathedral Tours
Q. Can I book a Seville Cathedral tour?
A. Yes. You can book a Seville Cathedral tour here.
Q. How can I book a Seville Cathedral tour?
A. You can book a Seville Cathedral tour online.
Q. How much does a Seville Cathedral tour cost?
A. Seville Cathedral tours start from €24.79.
Q. What are the different types of Seville Cathedral tours?
A. 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.
Q. What is included in Seville Cathedral tours?
A. The Seville Cathedral tour covers all the major attractions inside Seville Cathedral like the Giralda Tower, Royal Chapel, Tomb of Christopher Columbus, the Office Pavilion, Patio de los Naranjos, Capilla Mayor, and Chapter House, to name a few.
Q. In what languages are the Seville Cathedral tours available?
A. The Seville Cathedral guided tours are available in four languages – English, Spanish, French, and Italian.
Q. What does the Seville Cathedral tour cover?
A. 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.
Q. How many people can go on a Seville Cathedral tour?
A. 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.
Q. Is a Seville Cathedral tour worth it?
A. 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.
Q. Do the Seville Cathedral tours include skip the line access?
A. Yes. The Seville Cathedral guided tours include skip the line access.
Q. Can I cancel a booked Seville Cathedral tour?
A. No. The Seville Cathedral guided tour tickets cannot be canceled, refunded, or rescheduled.
Q. How long is the Seville Cathedral tour?
A. The Seville Cathedral guided tour lasts between 2 to 3 hours, depending on the tour you choose.
Q. Are there any discounted tickets for Seville Cathedral tours?
A. Yes. It depends on the type of Seville Cathedral guided tour you book. Children aged 2 and under can enter free of charge while others enjoy reduced ticket prices.
