Las Dueñas is one of the finest examples of Andalusian architecture, combining Moorish, Rennaisance, and Gothic influences. It was built in the 16th century and it is considered to be of great architectural and historic heritage.
The name comes from the monastery Santa María de las Dueñas, which was located on the adjoining plot but demolished in 1868.
The palace served as a residence for Sevillian nobles, and throughout its existence, it has changed owners numerous times. Currently, it belongs to the House of Alba, one of the most influential aristocratic families in Spain.
In the 20th century, Las Dueñas became a meeting point for European royalty but also influential people from around the world (Jacqueline Kennedy, Grace Kelly to name a few).
Palacio de las Dueñas is a short walk away from Casa de Pilatos, so you can easily visit these two in one day.
So, is it worth visiting and what can you see?
In short – YES. The architecture itself is worth the trip, along with the lush gardens and an impressive collection of artifacts.
Shall we take a little tour?
The Entrance
After paying for your ticket in a small booth by the entrance, you will walk into a large courtyard dominated by bougainvillea-covered walls and a small central garden with Jacaranda trees.
It’s probably one of the most photographed spots in the palace, together with the main courtyard.
From there, you’re directed by the signs to continue exploring on your right.
You will pass through the old horse stables and enter the main garden.
Jardin de los Limoneros
It wouldn’t be an Andalusian garden if it didn’t have orange trees – but this one has lemon trees instead.
Jardin de los Limoneros is designed around a small central fountain with wide pathways leading around the edges and across the whole garden.
The walls are covered by lush vegetation and all you hear is the tricking water and birds singing.
There’s plenty to admire too – lots of plants and blooming flowers to inspect. The palace actually has a pretty cool Interatcive map where you can click and see the individual flowers in each garden.
Main Courtyard
The main courtyard feels a bit like a botanical garden, shaded by tall trees and lots of plants and blooming flowers.
You can sit on one of the benches in the gallery and just watch the birds having a bath in the central fountain.
Inside the Palace
The interior of the palace consists of long passageways and rooms, filled with artifacts, antique furniture, and an impressive collection of paintings.
The collection includes Italian and Spanish paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries and over 1000 artifacts protected by Andalusian law due to their historic and artistic importance.
It feels much more like a home, compared to Casa de Pilatos, which mainly consisted of empty rooms.
There was a small chapel, library, and endless array of decorative objects and photographs – much more exciting to explore than empty rooms.
While we could roam free on the lower floors, the upper floors of the palace were not accessible at the time of my visit.
Jardin de Santa Justa
On your way out of the Palace, you will walk through the last smaller garden called Jardin de Santa Justa.
It is dominated by giant palm trees creating a dramatic shadow display on the floor and framing the white bench underneath beautifully.
The garden also has old cactus plants towering over you as you make your way out of the garden.
On exit, you will enter the courtyard with the main entrance, and a small gift shop on your right side.
I hope you enjoyed the tour!
Below is some practical information to plan your visit along with more tips on what to see in Seville!
Palacio de las Dueñas – Visitor Information
Entrance fees: 10 euro for adults, kids between 6 -12 years old 8 euro, and under 6 years free. You can buy tickets online or at the small booth by the entrance.
Opening times: Monday – Thursday from 10.00 am to 3 pm, Friday – Sunday from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm (same on holidays). On windy days (50km/hr) the palace remains closed for visitors’ safety (they only announce that on the door).
Map layout of the Palace: available on their website
Most Popular Experiences in Seville
Here are some highlights you can experience while staying in Seville.
- Seville Cathedral, Royal Alcazar & Giralda Entrance with a Guided Tour – skip the line entrance for both locations, save a lot of time and enjoy an informative guided tour.
- Seville Cathedral and Giralda Tower Skip Line Tickets Only – save a ton of time with these skip-the-line tickets (no tour guide)
- Entry Ticket to Royal Alcazar Only – buy online and skip the line at the gates
- Guadalquivir River City Cruise – enjoy the stunning views and historic bridges on a city cruise.
- Casa de Memoria Flamenco Show – Seville’s most celebrated Flamenco show, in an authentic setting.
Explore More in Seville
Monument of Controversy: Las Setas de la Sevilla
Visiting the Seville Cathedral & Giralda Tower
Best Day Trips from Seville (Complete Guide)
Seville Alcazar Tickets: Top Tips & Common Mistakes to Avoid (2023)
Seville Cathedral Tickets: Top Tips To Save Money & Time
The Foodie’s Guide: Best Restaurants in Seville
Your Detailed Guide to Visiting the Royal Alcazar of Seville
How to See Seville in One Day: The Perfect Itinerary for All Highlights
The Venice of Spain: Plaza de España, Seville
Southern Spain Travel Planning Guide
Is it safe to drive in Spain?
YES! The roads in Southern Spain are generally in very good condition, with modern highways connecting the biggest cities. To rent a car, I highly recommend Discover Cars, which will get you the best deals on your car rental for your trip.
WHAT IF I DON’T WANT TO DRIVE?
PUBLIC TRANSPORT — Southern Spain has a well-established and modern network of trains and buses. To get the cheapest bus or train tickets, take a look at Omio to find the timetables and prices.
DAY TRIPS — If you don’t like the hassle of using public transport, local travel companies offer many day trip options from almost all the destinations in Southern Spain. You can check them out here.
WHERE SHOULD I BOOK MY ACCOMMODATION?
BOOKING.COM — I have been using booking.com for all my trips in Spain and abroad, and have never had any negative experiences. Their reviews are very accurate and you get the best deals even on apartments, not just hotels.
ARE THERE LUGGAGE STORE OPTIONS IN THE CITIES?
YES — If you would like to leave your luggage behind to explore the city on your last day, before heading to the airport, you can use Radical Storage service, which lets you book luggage storage options in almost all the destinations in Southern Spain.
DO I NEED TO BUY A LOCAL SIM CARD FOR THIS TRIP?
YES – You can, of course, use your own card if you have roaming data available. If you want to avoid surprising extra charges from your operator, you can use a service like Airalo, where you can buy digital packs for e-sim cards, avoiding the hassle of sourcing local physical sim cards and extra roaming charges anywhere you go.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – if you decide to book using one of the links, I will earn a small commission that helps me run this site. This is at no extra cost to you.
