Royal Alcázar of Seville working hours: opening times & best hours
The Alcázar opens daily at 9:30 am and closes at 7 pm in summer, 5 pm in winter. But between the official hours and a well-planned visit there are details worth knowing: last entry, evacuation time, the four days it closes — and the hours when the palace empties out.
Note: this is not the official Royal Alcázar website · Official hours: alcazarsevilla.org
Book your slot
Tickets with guaranteed entry times
Official schedule
Hours by season
| Season | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Summer (1 Apr – 30 Sep) | Monday–Sunday | 9:30 am – 7:00 pm |
| Winter (1 Oct – 31 Mar) | Monday–Sunday | 9:30 am – 5:00 pm |
| Closed | 1 & 6 January · Good Friday · 25 December | |
The final entry slot is sold for one hour before closing, and evacuation begins 45 minutes after closing time. In practice: enter on the last slot and you'll have just over an hour inside — enough for the palaces, tight for palaces plus gardens.
The best hours to visit
Since indoor capacity is capped, the question isn't "when is it empty inside" but when slots are available and queues are short:
- 9:30–10:30 am — the golden slot. Freshly opened palace, low side light in the courtyards, and the cruise groups haven't landed yet. It's also the first slot to sell out.
- 11 am–3 pm — rush hour. Coach tours, excursions and walk-ups converge. If this is your only option, go with a skip-the-line ticket.
- Two hours before closing — the quiet bargain. Groups are gone and the late light in the gardens is the day's best. In summer the heat finally breaks, too.
- Monday's final hour — free but full. That's the official free-entry window: perfect for tight budgets, worst for a peaceful wander.
Special schedules worth knowing
- Nights in the Gardens (summer): from June to September the gardens host evening concerts with separate tickets — dozens of classical, flamenco and early-music nights, booked via the official site.
- Theatrical night visits: in season, costumed evening tours run with very limited places.
- Cuarto Real Alto: operates on its own timed passes within general hours; the first morning passes are quietest.
- Holy Week and the April Fair: schedules can shift (Good Friday it closes). Double-check exact dates on the official site before travelling.
How much time you need, by plan
| Visit plan | Realistic time | Recommended slot |
|---|---|---|
| Palaces only (the essentials) | 1.5 h | Any, ideally 9:30 am |
| Palaces + gardens at leisure | 2.5–3 h | 9:30 am or two hours before closing |
| Everything + Cuarto Real Alto | 3–3.5 h | First slot, with the Cuarto pass pre-booked |
| With a guided tour | 1.5 h guided + free time | Per the tour schedule |
Short on time? Prioritise the Palace of Pedro I and the Hall of Ambassadors, cut through the Gothic Palace, then spend your last 30 minutes in the gardens up to the Grotto Gallery. That's 80% of the Alcázar in half the time.
Schedule questions
FAQ
What time does the Royal Alcázar open?
Daily at 9:30 am. Closing depends on the season: 7 pm April–September, 5 pm October–March.
What days does it close?
Only four days a year: 1 and 6 January, Good Friday and 25 December.
When is the last entry?
The final slot runs one hour before closing, and evacuation starts 45 minutes after closing. To see palaces and gardens without rushing, enter at least 2 hours before closing.
Are Sunday hours the same?
Yes — the Alcázar keeps the same hours all seven days of the week.
Can you visit at night?
Only through specific events: the summer Nights in the Gardens concerts and theatrical night tours, both with their own tickets via the official site.
How long does a visit take?
1.5 to 3 hours depending on pace, gardens and the Cuarto Real Alto. See also what each ticket costs.
Grab the 9:30 slot before it goes
The first slots of the day are the best — and the first to sell out. Lock in your entry time ahead.