The Real Alcazar of Seville is a living palace that has served as a royal residence for over a thousand years, making it the oldest royal palace still in active use in Europe. Originally built as a fort by the Moors in 913, it was expanded and transformed over the centuries by successive rulers, resulting in a mesmerizing layering of Islamic, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. The crowning achievement is the Palace of Pedro I, built in the 14th century by the Castilian king who was so enchanted by the Alhambra that he brought Muslim craftsmen from Granada to create his own Mudejar masterpiece. The result is a dazzling labyrinth of carved stucco, geometric tilework, horseshoe arches, and coffered ceilings that rivals anything in the Islamic world.

The gardens of the Alcazar are a destination in their own right, spreading across several terraced levels with reflecting pools, palm-shaded walkways, and walls of fragrant orange and jasmine. Renaissance-era features like the Mercury Pool and the Grotto Gallery blend seamlessly with the older Moorish garden traditions. Fans of popular television will recognize several locations used in filming, but the Alcazar’s beauty needs no fictional enhancement. The palace remains a working royal residence, and sections are occasionally closed when the Spanish royal family is in Seville.

Pro tip: Book the Cuarto Real Alto guided tour for an additional 6€ to see the upper floors of the royal apartments, which include rooms still used by the Spanish king and queen during state visits. These ornate private chambers are accessible only through this special tour and are far less crowded than the main palace rooms below.