Alcázar Seville Entrances – from where should you enter

¡Hola, fellow travelers! As your Seville expert, let’s talk about the first and most stressful part of any visit to the Royal Alcázar: the entrance.

You’ve seen the photos, you’ve heard the Game of Thrones legends (yes, this is Dorne!), and now you’re standing in a massive plaza, confused about where to go. The lines are long, the sun is hot, and you’re not sure if you’re in the right place.

Let’s clear this up immediately. This guide will cover the official entrances so you know exactly where to go.

The Main Entrance: Puerta del León (Lion’s Gate)

Let’s make this simple. Despite being a massive fortress, there is only one entrance for all regular visitors – the Lion’s Gate.

• Where it is: It is on the Plaza del Triunfo, directly across from the Seville Cathedral. You can’t miss the towering, maroon-red wall. Get Directions
• What it looks like: Look for the emblem set high above the archway: a ceramic lion holding a cross.
• Who uses it: General Admission (with timed tickets) & Guided Tours

This is the beginning and end of your search. All public access to the Alcázar begins at the Lion’s Gate.

The “Other” Entrance: Puerta de Alcoba

Puerta de Alcoba: You may see this “second entrance” mentioned online. It is located on the opposite side of the complex, near the Murillo Gardens (on Avenida de Menéndez Pelayo).

• Why to ignore it: This entrance is not for regular visits. It is used only for special evening concerts, private events, or as a service entrance.
• My Expert Advice: Do not go here. You will be politely (but firmly) turned away and told to walk 10 minutes around the palace walls to the Puerta del León. In case you still want to try, get directions.

How to Beat the Queue at the Lion’s Gate?

The lines at the Puerta del León can be famously long, especially during peak season – March to May and September to November. It’s not uncommon to see waits of one to two hours.

However, there are two different lines at this entrance.

1. The “General Admission” Line: This is the long, slow-moving queue for visitors who have pre-booked a standard timed ticket.
2. The “Guided Tour” Line: This is a separate, much faster-moving queue for pre-booked guided tours.

How to “Skip the Line”

This is the number one point of confusion. “Skip-the-line” does not mean you use a secret door. It means you have a ticket that lets you bypass the main queue.

• With a “Skip-the-Line” Guided Tour: You will meet your guide, and they will take you through the much faster “Guided Tour” line at the Puerta del León. This is the single fastest way into the palace.
• With a “Timed Entry” Ticket: You are still skipping the old, hours-long ticket-buying line (which is now mostly gone). You must arrive at your pre-booked time and join the general admission queue, which is only for people who already have tickets.

If you don’t want to do anything with the crowd, we suggest the VIP Early Access tour.

Accessibility at the Entrance

The Alcázar has excellent accessibility for its main entrance.

• Wheelchair/Pram Access: The Puerta del León is step-free and fully accessible for wheelchair users and prams/strollers.
• Inside the Palace: Most of the palace interiors and gardens are accessible via ramps.
• Warning: The gardens, while beautiful, are historic. Some pathways are gravel, dirt, or uneven, which can be challenging or slow for a wheelchair.
• Service Animals: Guide dogs or service animals are welcome. You must carry all original supporting documentation to present at the entrance.

How to Get to the Puert del León

• By Tram (Best Option): Take the T1 Tram and get off at the Archivo de Indias stop. You will be less than 50 meters from the entrance.
• By Metro: Take Line L1 and get off at Puerta de Jerez. It’s a beautiful, 3-minute walk from the station.
• By Bus: Routes like C3, C4, 05, or 21 will get you close, but the tram and metro are far more direct.

FAQs on Alcázar entrances

Here are some questions tourists ask –