Get acquainted with Seville's architecture, history, and culture on this private half-day tour visiting three of its most important monuments: the Royal Alcazar, Seville Cathedral, and La Giralda.
On your private tour, you will:
- Explore Seville Cathedral the largest Gothic cathedral in the world;
- Witness the outstanding examples of Gothic architecture on the Cathedral's facade from flying buttresses to pointed arches;
- Learn about the Cathedral's origins as a Grand Mosque and the Islamic dynasties who ruled Seville for centuries as part of the Caliphate of Cordoba;
- Find out how the mosque and its minaret were repurposed as a Christian place of worship following the Reconquest;
- Visit the tomb of Christopher Columbus who is buried in the Cathedral;
- Admire a wide range of religious art and relics;
- Climb to the top of La Giralda bell tower and admire the amazing panoramic views of Seville;
- See the stunning Mudejar-style architecture showcased in the Royal Alcazar;
- Get a deeper understanding of the complex history of Seville's Alcazar and the confluence of Christian and Islamic cultures;
- Wander through the lush gardens of the Alcazar Palace.
No visit to Seville would be complete without entering the Alcazar, Seville Cathedral, and la Giralda. Our private half-day highlights tour of Seville will help you discover the city’s history from its Roman origins to the flourishing Muslim empire and eventual Christian Reconquest, right up to the bustling metropolis of the present day.
The capital of Andalusia, and 4th largest city in Spain, Seville is a truly charming city that delights visitors all year round. Once you meet with your guide, your personalized journey to Seville’s cultural epicentre will begin with a stroll through the winding streets of Casco Antiguo (historic centre) to arrive at our first stop: Seville Cathedral.
You will spend time exploring this impressive Gothic site, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world. Your guide will start with an in-depth look at the facade, which includes some typical features of the Gothic style of architecture including complex stonework, flying buttresses, and pointed arches. You will then proceed to the interior of the cathedral, also known as Santa Maria de la Sede, to marvel at its elaborate interior.
With your expert guide well-versed in local history, you will learn about the evolution of the building over the centuries, from its original construction as a mosque in the 12th century to its transformation into a stunning Christian Cathedral designed to serve the city’s devout Catholic population and show off Seville’s newfound affluence since it had become a major trading port in the years following the Reconquista in 1248. The Cathedral also serves as the final resting place of the legendary explorer Christopher Columbus so you can pass by his tomb and also see the wide variety of religious art and relics.
Upon exiting the Cathedral, your combined tickets will allow you to climb to the top of the bell tower, commonly known as La Giralda. Your private guide will give you some free time so you ascend the tower at your own pace and admire the stunning views of Seville from the summit. You will notice that the interior of the tower contains ramps instead of stairs, dating back to a time when people would go up on horseback.
Once you complete your descent of la Giralda, your guide will take you to the next stop: the Royal Alcazar of Seville. This beautiful palace dates back to the 14th century, and much like the Cathedral and la Giralda, the site upon which it was built is even older, dating back to the 10th Century during the Caliphate of Cordoba. You will visit the different parts of the palace and its lush gardens where you can admire the Mudejar style of architecture characterized by intricate geometric patterns, decorative tilework, and even elegant calligraphy. You may recognize some of the sites covered from the popular television show Game of Thrones as the Alcazar of Seville was used as the backdrop for the fictional city of Dorne.
Your private tour will conclude at the Alcazar, where you can continue to explore on your own or return to the city centre armed with plenty of recommendations from your guide of other things to do and see in Seville. By the end of your time with your guide, you will have a much deeper understanding of the history and culture of Seville and the importance of its most famous masterpieces.