Casa de Pilatos is Seville’s largest and most sumptuous private palace, a rare blend of Mudejar and Renaissance styles a ten-minute walk from Seville Cathedral.
This guide was update in July 2026. Previously, the free Monday visit was a simple walk-up, which led to long queues and visitors turned away once capacity filled. Since October 2025, that free Monday slot requires advance online booking. You can book through GetYourGuide to secure your visit in advance.
Quick facts: Casa de Pilatos
| Address | Plaza de Pilatos, 1, 41003 Seville, Spain |
| Opening hours | Daily, 9am–6pm |
| Admission | Ground floor €12; combined ground and upper floor (with guided tour) €18 |
| Nearest transit | A 10-minute walk from the Cathedral and Real Alcázar |
| Typical visit | 30 to 60 minutes |
Opening hours for Casa de Pilatos
Casa de Pilatos opens every day of the year, from 9am to 6pm. Because the palace also hosts private events, the last recommended entry is around 30 minutes before closing, so building rental work doesn’t interrupt your visit. A free visit is available on Monday afternoons, between 3pm and 5:30pm, for EU citizens. Since October 2025, this free slot must be reserved online in advance, rather than simply queuing on the day.
Ticket prices for Casa de Pilatos
All prices are in euros. Two main ticket types are available.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Ground floor only (self-guided) | €12 |
| Ground floor + upper floor (guided tour of the upper floor included) | €18 |
Children under 11 or 12 usually enter free, and visitors with a disability of 50% or more receive a discount, with full documentation required at the gate. Booking ahead is worthwhile, especially in high season, and you can book tickets in advance through GetYourGuide to guarantee your visit.
Why book Casa de Pilatos tickets?
- 🏛️ Seville’s largest private palace: A working synthesis of Gothic-Mudejar and Renaissance design, built across three centuries.
- 🎟️ A genuine film set: Featured in Lawrence of Arabia, 1492: Conquest of Paradise, and Kingdom of Heaven.
- 🌿 Two tranquil gardens: The Jardín Chico and Jardín Grande offer a shaded escape from Seville’s busy streets.
- 📜 A Renaissance staircase: Lined with azulejos and topped by an ornate wooden dome, considered one of the palace’s highlights.
- 💰 Free on Monday afternoons: EU citizens can visit free between 3pm and 5:30pm, with advance booking.
How to get to Casa de Pilatos
On foot, Casa de Pilatos sits on the edge of the medieval Jewish quarter, barely ten minutes’ walk from the Cathedral and Real Alcázar, making it easy to combine with a wider day exploring Seville’s historic centre. Given its central location, most visitors reach it as part of a walking tour of the old town rather than by car or public transport.
Parking near Casa de Pilatos
The historic centre around Casa de Pilatos is largely pedestrianised, so driving isn’t the most practical option. Public car parks are available around the edges of the old town for visitors arriving by car.
How long to spend at Casa de Pilatos
Most visitors spend 30 to 60 minutes here, enough time to see the ground floor’s courtyards, chapel, and gardens at a relaxed pace. Adding the guided upper floor tour extends a visit further.
Accessibility at Casa de Pilatos
The ground floor is fully accessible for visitors with reduced mobility, with the exception of the main staircase. The upper floor, reached only by that staircase and a guided tour, isn’t wheelchair accessible.
What to see inside Casa de Pilatos
The main courtyard is the heart of the palace, a 25-metre square patio with a central fountain, surrounded by galleries displaying 24 busts of Roman and Spanish emperors.
The Renaissance staircase leads to the upper floor, decorated almost entirely in azulejos and crowned by a wooden dome inspired by the Hall of Ambassadors at the Real Alcázar.
The chapel and Salón del Pretorio sit just off the main courtyard, decorated with an extraordinary collection of 16th-century tiles from the Triana workshop of the Pulido brothers.
The Jardín Chico and Jardín Grande offer two distinct garden spaces, one more intimate with a pond, the other the palace’s original garden, remodelled in the 16th century to display part of the Duke of Alcalá’s antiquities collection.
The upper floor, accessible only on a guided tour, houses the Medinaceli family’s collection of paintings and tapestries, including works by Goya and Lucas Jordán.
Practical visitor tips for Casa de Pilatos
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book the free Monday slot in advance | Since October 2025, the free Monday afternoon visit requires online reservation. |
| Add the upper floor for the full collection | The ground floor is self-guided; the upper floor requires a separate guided tour ticket. |
| Arrive early in high season | It’s one of Seville’s most visited palaces, and queues build quickly. |
| Bring a hat for the gardens | The Jardín Grande and Jardín Chico are mostly uncovered. |
| Book ahead for a smooth visit | Advance booking is recommended; book through GetYourGuide to guarantee your visit. |
FAQ: Casa de Pilatos
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the free Monday visit still a simple walk-up? | No, since October 2025 it requires advance online booking. |
| What’s the difference between the ground floor and full house tickets? | The ground floor is self-guided; the full ticket adds a guided tour of the upper floor’s paintings and tapestries. |
| Is Casa de Pilatos wheelchair accessible? | The ground floor is accessible, with the exception of the main staircase. |
| How long does a visit take? | Most visitors spend 30 to 60 minutes here. |
| Do I need to book in advance? | Advance booking is recommended, and you can book through GetYourGuide to guarantee your visit. |
Things to do near Casa de Pilatos
Seville Cathedral and La Giralda, the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, are a short walk away. The Real Alcázar, a stunning Mudejar royal palace, sits just beyond the Cathedral. Barrio Santa Cruz, the old Jewish quarter, offers narrow lanes and orange-tree-filled squares right next to Casa de Pilatos. Casa de Salinas, another privately owned 16th-century palace-house, is a short walk away and makes an easy pairing. The Hospital de los Venerables, in the heart of Santa Cruz, houses a small but notable art collection.
What to visit tomorrow: more Andalusian noble houses
Palacio de Viana, in Córdoba, is around 45 minutes away by train and famous for its twelve individually designed courtyards. The Palacio de los Duques de Medina Sidonia, in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, is roughly an hour away and holds one of Andalusia’s most significant private archives. Casa del Rey Moro, in Ronda, is about two hours away and pairs its historic house with dramatic gardens overlooking the city’s gorge.
More Andalucia travel
Other Andalucia travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Exploring Las Duenas Palace in Seville.
- Trying to understand the culture of bullfighting in Seville’s bullring.
- A guide to Granada for first time visitors – including the Spanish Inquisition Museum and Royal Chapel.
- Five things to do in Cordoba once you’ve seen the Mezquita.
- Museo Carmen Thyssen visitor guide.
