Visiting the Real Alcázar in Summer: Beating the Heat

In July and August Seville is one of the hottest cities in Europe, and a visit to the Alcázar is half outdoors. It is still worth it. You just have to plan around the sun: book the 09:30 opening slot, do the palaces first, and be out of the gardens before midday.

The best times in summer

• Opening, 09:30. The coolest and calmest part of the day. It is also the slot everyone wants, so book it early on the official shop.
• Late afternoon. The Alcázar stays open until 19:00 from 1 April – 30 September, and the gardens soften as the sun drops. Enter at least two hours before closing.
• Avoid 12:00 to 17:00 for the gardens. Inside the palace rooms it is bearable; out on the gravel paths it is not.

What helps

• Water. Bring a bottle and refill it when you can.
• A hat and sunscreen. Much of the garden shade comes from trees and galleries, not everywhere.
• Light, breathable clothes and comfortable shoes. There is no dress code at the Alcázar; see visitor tips.
• Skip the ticket-office line. It is outdoors and unshaded; see the queue.

A summer plan that works

1. 09:30: palaces while the patios are cool.
2. Around 10:30: gardens, starting with the shaded galleries.
3. By midday: out, lunch, rest.
4. Evening: the cathedral or Plaza de España as it cools down. See Seville in one day.

Let someone else hold the slot

A guided tour with priority access (from €37.40, free cancellation) gets you in at a set time without queuing in the sun, and lasts about 1 hour.

Related

• Opening hours and the best time to visit
• The gardens: what not to miss