I am not a fan of palaces as most of them remain identical. But the Royal Alcazar was different, the main reason being old, it witnessed centuries of religious transition just like the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. No wonder that the palace is called the most beautiful palace in Seville.
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Oldest in Europe
The Royal Alcazar of Seville is still in use, making it the oldest used palace in Europe. The palace surpassed the times of Islamic Isbyllia, later through the medieval Christianity and Jewish of Seville.
Surviving many damages over the years, the palace was restored several times and is well preserved now. In 1987, UNESCO included the palace in the list of World Heritage sites.
History
The palace was originally a fort in the 10th century. The first Caliph of Andalucía began the construction. The transformation from the fort to the Royal palace took place in the 14th century. The palace is in Mudéjar style, simple structures with intricate design.
Entrance fee
Adults: 11.5 €
Students between 17 to 25 years: 3€
Disabled, children under 16, residents of Seville city: Free
To know more, check the Alcazar Seville.
Opening times: 9.30 am – 5 pm
Expecting a big tourist crowd, we reached 30 minutes before the opening time. To our surprise, there was a large queue already waiting to enter. It took about an hour to enter.
Free admission on Mondays:
The entry is free on Mondays. But expect long waiting lines to enter.
Would you like to skip the lines? Then pre-book your tickets for 1€ on Real Alcazar Seville
Inside the Alcazar
Ever wondered why the Alcazar palace is unique?
Because it has a blend of Gothic, Islamic, Renaissance, and Morrish (a variation in Islam) architecture.
The entire complex is breathtaking, especially the interiors are jaw-dropping. You can admire the stunning arrangement of colorful tile patterns in the ceilings, walls, arches, and beams.
The Hall of Ambassadors
The hall is the heart of the palace. It has a gold ceiling just to recreate the star-filled night sky. The columns here are of Caliphal and Roman origin.
The Royal apartments
The upper part of the Alcazar belongs to the city residents, the reigning Spanish Monarchs who can conduct their family events and celebrations.
Royal Alcazar surroundings
The palace entrance is organized in such a way that you first the surrounding like the gardens, ponds, fountains. The walls exhibit Muslim culture with wonderful wall paintings.
Gardens
The palace hosts a huge garden made in Arabic style. They are as beautiful as the palace, maintained well, and a lovely place to wander around. The garden is divided into many sections that hold several names and styles. Mercury gardens, Doña María de Padilla (underground garden) are a few of them to name.
Did you know that the famous TV series Game of Thrones was picturized in these gardens? Yes, the ‘Water Gardens of Dorne’ part.
My experience
Get there as early as possible. The Royal Alcazar of Seville is one of the best palaces in Europe. One can spend around 1-2 hours in the palace, admiring the architecture, wandering through the huge Arabic gardens, discovering the Royal rooms.
You never get bored, it is worth every penny. The palace is the best attraction, so don’t leave Seville without visiting it.
Overall experience: 
out of 5
Time of visit: June 2019
“Thanks be to God, the air is soft as in April in Seville, and it is a pleasure to be in it, so fragrant it is” – Christopher Columbus