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Torre del Oro Seville – Information and Guide
Torre del Oro Seville – Information and Guide
Tourist Information for Visiting Torre del Oro Seville
The Torre del Oro in Seville is a historical naval tower located on the banks of the Guadalquivir River. This iconic tower, often referred to as the ‘Golden Tower‘ has stood as a symbol of the city’s maritime heritage for centuries.
Built in the early 13th century, it served as a watchtower and defensive fortification during a time when Seville was a bustling port city, and today is featured as one of Seville’s most iconic attractions.
Torre del Oro Seville General Information |
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Location | The Golden Tower, P.º de Cristóbal Colón, s/n, 41001 Sevilla, Spain |
Opening Times | Monday to Sunday: 9:30AM – 18:45PM |
Entry and Tickets | – General admission for adults is €3 and €1.50 for children, students and 65+. |
Torre del Oro Seville Tickets and Tours |
How to buy tickets to Torre del Oro SevilleTickets for the Torre del Oro in Seville are exclusively available for purchase at the tower’s physical location, with no online or advance booking options available. Despite this, I would recommend visiting as early as possible as the tower can get busy in the afternoons and queues do form. The cost for adults is just 3 euros with discounts for children, the elderly and students. In my opinion, a great way to the see the Golden tower is from the Guadalquivir River on a one-hour cruise with commentary in your preferred language. You’ll be able to get some stunning photos and see the tower from the perspective of the water – it’s original intention! Not only that but you can witness other iconic landmarks on the trip such as the Bullring, Triana neighbourhood, and some of Seville’s iconic bridges. This relaxing cruise offers a unique perspective on Seville’s top attractions – Cruise lasts 1 hour with drinks available to be purchased on-board – Tickets cost just €15 (Book Tickets Online) Book Cruise Ticket: |
Overview and History of Torre del Oro Seville
The Torre del Oro in Seville has a rich history that spans over 800 years. Constructed in the early 13th century during the Almohad dynasty, it was originally designed as a watchtower and defensive structure guarding the city’s river entrance. Its strategic location along the Guadalquivir River played a crucial role in safeguarding the city from potential naval threats.
The tower received its name, ‘Torre del Oro‘ (Golden Tower in English) due to the golden glow it gave off in certain light – a result of the Moorish tiles it is made from. The golden glow of the tiles wasn’t just a decorative feature, but also served as a symbol of the city’s prosperity and naval prowess during that period.
Over the years, the Torre del Oro has had various purposes. During the Middle Ages, it was converted into a prison, housing both common criminals and high-profile political prisoners. The tower’s evolution continued with the construction of a second, circular tower during the 18th century.
Today, the Torre del Oro has been meticulously restored and houses the Naval Museum of Seville. Inside, visitors can explore an extensive collection of maritime artefacts, ship models, and historical displays that provide insights into the city’s maritime heritage.
What to see at Torre del Oro
A visit to the Torre del Oro is well worth it, and it won’t take too long. It’s situated in the centre of Seville so you can combine it alongside some of the other major attractions – the Cathedral is just a brief stroll away.
Make sure you check out the historical exhibits inside the tower at the Naval Museum. This museum has a really interesting collection of maritime artefacts, offering a deep insights into Seville’s maritime and naval history.
The museum has lots of miniature replicas of ships, some documents about discoveries made at sea, and some beautiful artwork on display. Some of the paintings are worth the visit alone! It’s fairly small in size, but for the cheap entry price (3 euros as of 2024) it’s definitely worth it.
The tower also has a viewing deck and you can climb to the multi-level top for some beautiful views and photo opportunities of Seville. It’s a great vantage point and you can see right along the river (it’s original purpose), as well as Triana and Arenal.
Once you’re finished with visiting the tower I recommend a stroll along the scenic promenade by the Guadalquivir River. Not only is it a lovely walk, bur it’s also a great spot to take in the tower’s reflection on the water and get another view of those stunning golden tiles.
If you can, try and visit the tower around sunset to really appreciate the tower in all it’s glory, and see where it gets its name from! Perfect for some lovely photo opportunities.
Torre del Oro Location and How to Get There
The Torre del Oro is located in central Seville, on the banks of the River Guadalquivir, making it convenient to visit alongside a large number of Seville’s top attractions.
It is possible to walk to the tower from the centre, and it is easy to get to via public transport.
You can get to the Torre del Oro by taking the tram. The closest tram stop is Puerta Jerez which is then a 4 minute walk to golden tower.
For the Metro, get the L1 (line 1) to Puerta de Jerez which is then a 3 minute walk away.
With regards to buses, you can take any of the following TUSSAM buses (03, 05, EA, M-140), and get off at Paseo Colon (also called the Torre del Oro stop!), which takes you to the tower’s doorstep.