Hotels near Seville Cathedral & Giralda

Seville Cathedral holds the title of the largest Gothic cathedral in the world by volume, and the third-largest church overall after St. Peter's in Rome and Our Lady of Aparecida in Brazil. Built between 1402 and 1506 on the footprint of the former Almohad mosque, the interior is staggeringly tall - the central nave reaches 42 metres. The main altarpiece (retablo mayor) took 80 years to complete and contains over 1,000 carved and gilded figures depicting scenes from the life of Christ. Christopher Columbus's tomb, supported by four figures representing the kingdoms of Castile, Leon, Aragon, and Navarre, sits in the south transept.

The Giralda bell tower is the Cathedral's most recognisable feature. Originally the minaret of the 12th-century mosque, it was preserved when the mosque was demolished and converted into a bell tower with a Renaissance belfry added on top. The climb to the top consists of 35 gently graded ramps (designed so the muezzin could ride a horse up) rather than stairs, making it more accessible than most tower climbs. From the top, you get a 360-degree view across the rooftops to the Alcazar gardens, the river, and on clear days, the mountains beyond. Combined entry to the Cathedral and Giralda costs about EUR 12.

Pro Tip: Visit the Giralda first thing in the morning or in the last hour before closing. Midday queues for the tower can add 30 minutes. If you are an EU citizen, check the free Monday afternoon slot (16:30-18:00) - availability is limited, so arrive early.