Catedral de Sevilla y La Giralda
The largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the third-largest church by floor area, built on the site of the former Almohad mosque. La Giralda, its 97-metre bell tower, is Seville's undisputed symbol. Inside lies the tomb of Christopher Columbus. The ticket includes access to the tower, which has no steps — only ramps.
The world's largest Gothic cathedral — and why you feel it the moment you step inside
The first thing that overwhelms you in Seville Cathedral is not a statistic — it's the scale: the central nave forces you to tilt your head all the way back. It is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world and the third largest Christian church by floor area, after St Peter's in the Vatican and St Paul's in London. It was built between 1401 and 1506 over the 12th-century Almohad mosque, and two jewels from that earlier building survived: the Patio de los Naranjos and La Giralda. The canons who commissioned it reportedly wanted 'a church so large that those who see it finished will think us mad' — and they succeeded. Inside, the highlights are Christopher Columbus's tomb — his coffin borne by four heralds representing Castile, León, Aragon and Navarre — the main altarpiece and the treasury. La Giralda stands 104.1 metres tall: the lower section is the original 12th-century minaret, while the Renaissance bell tower was added between 1558 and 1568, topped by the Giraldillo, a 4-metre bronze weather vane that turns with the wind and gives the tower its name. Also look for the stuffed crocodile hanging from the ceiling in the Patio de los Naranjos: legend links it to a gift from the Sultan of Egypt to Alfonso X.
Tickets, prices and hours: how to beat the queues
The standard ticket costs 13 € online and 14 € at the box office, and includes access to La Giralda. The reduced rate (over-65s, students up to 25, large families or a disability rating of 33–65%) is 7 € online / 8 € at the box office; children under 13 with an adult get in free. An audio guide costs 5 € (device) or 4 € (app), and a guided tour is 20 € online. Here is a tip most visitors miss: on Sundays (except public holidays) entry is free from 16:30 to 18:00, but it requires prior online booking with limited capacity and sells out extremely fast. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday 11:00–19:00 and Sundays 14:30–19:00, with last entry at 18:00. My advice: book online at catedraldesevilla.servitickets.es, especially between April and August and at weekends. To avoid queues, go at opening time (11:00–12:00 on a weekday) or late afternoon (17:00–18:00), and avoid weekend lunchtimes and public holidays. Note that hours can change due to religious services, so check the calendar on the day.
Getting there and tips from someone who's been
The cathedral is right on Av. de la Constitución, s/n, 41004 Sevilla, in the heart of the old centre. The easiest option is tram line T1, which drops you at the Archivo de Indias stop, just metres from the entrance. By metro, line 1 (Puerta de Jerez station) is about a 5-minute walk, and several bus lines (C1, C2, C3, C4, 5, 41 and 42) stop nearby at Jardines del Cristina. Allow at least 75–90 minutes to see the cathedral and climb the Giralda at a comfortable pace; if you want to explore the chapels, treasury and Columbus's tomb in detail, budget two hours. Good news for visitors with mobility issues: the climb to La Giralda uses 35 ramps, not steps — they were designed in the 16th century so that a horse could be ridden to the top — making it quite accessible, and the views from the summit are worth every metre. Two practical warnings that will save you trouble at the door: there is a mandatory dress code (shoulders and knees covered, and hats are not allowed inside), and it is worth checking the official website before your visit in case a liturgical event affects opening hours.
Frequently asked questions
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