San Telmo Palace, Seville

The San Telmo Palace It is the seat of the Presidency of the Regional Government of Andalusia, which is why many people assume that it is not open to the public.

Yes, you can – and it’s free, too. But you have to book in advance.

🎟️ How to visit: the «San Telmo Abierto» programme»

The Board runs an open-door policy with guided tours of the palace. The details:

• They are free of charge.
• You need to book, you can’t just pop in.
• Monday to Friday.
• They last an hour and a half approximately, with an expert guide.
• Small groups, around 25–30 people.

How to book

Three ways: online registration for the programme San Telmo Open, the telephone 955 001 010 —Monday to Thursday from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm and Friday from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm— or by email santelmoabierto@juntadeandalucia.es.

When booking, they ask for the name and ID number of all attendees, and they confirm this by email.

⚠️ Four things you need to know before you go

• Bring your ID card the one you used to make your booking: there is an access control system in place.
• Luggage is not permitted inside.
• Not even in stiletto heels, because some sections of the route do not allow it.
• The visit may be cancelled if there is an official or ceremonial event. It is the seat of the Andalusian government, and that carries weight.

And you can view the façade for free and without booking, from the street, at any time. Including the statue gallery.

What can be seen inside

• The Baroque façade, from the circle of Leonardo de Figueroa: Solomonic columns, sculptures and the statue of Saint Telmo presiding over the scene. It is Bien de Interés Cultural.
• The main courtyard and the stately rooms.
• The chapel from the old school, restored.
• The Hall of Mirrors, accessible only as part of a guided tour.
• The gardens, which have now been scaled back, and which provide a visual link with María Luisa Park.

The twelve statues on the façade

There are twelve figures on the balustrade: the gallery of illustrious Sevillians. And there’s one detail that hardly anyone mentions.

Not all twelve are from Seville: Nine were born in the city and three are Sevillians by choice. Among them, Velázquez and the playwright Lope de Rueda.

They were all sculpted by Antonio Susillo, a 19th-century sculptor from Seville.

They can be seen perfectly well from the street, so it’s the part of the palace you can visit without needing to book anything.

From an orphanage to the seat of the Andalusian government

It all began at the University of Mareantes, a trade union which, as early as 1509 brought together in Triana the owners, captains, master shipwrights and pilots of the ships bound for the Indies, under the patronage of Our Lady of Buen Aire.

And here’s the surprising fact: The school was founded to create orphans intended for the navy. It was not a school for the children of wealthy families, but a school and seminary for underprivileged boys who set off from there as pilots bound for America.

The name comes from Saint Telmo, the patron saint of sailors. It was subsequently renamed the Navy School.

Two people who passed through here

• Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer studied at this institution. The author of the Rhymes and legends He trained at the nautical college, although he ended up pursuing a different career.
• Cecilia Böhl de Faber, the writer who published under the pen name Fernán Caballero, lived in the palace years, whilst in the care of the Duke and Duchess of Montpensier, and provided an insight into life in Seville at that time.

The Montpensiers and María Luisa Park

In the 19th century, the palace became the residence of the Dukes of Montpensier, who renovated it and extended its gardens, turning it into one of the centres of Seville’s high society.

And that’s how Seville’s best park came about: part of those gardens was handed over to the city and gave rise to the Maria Luisa Park. When you walk through it, you are in what used to be the palace gardens.

Following various religious and educational uses, the building was refurbished and, since the late 20th century, has been home to the Presidency of the Regional Government of Andalusia.

Where is it and what’s nearby?

Avenida de Roma, between the Guadalquivir and María Luisa Park. The entrance is via the main gate.

Everything that matters is in motion:

• María Luisa Park and the Plaza de España, just a stone’s throw away.
• The Archive of the Indies, a Renaissance-style building, housing records of trade with the Americas. It fits in well behind San Telmo, as they both tell the same story.
• The Cathedral and the Giralda.
• The Royal Alcazar and the Santa Cruz neighbourhood.

To set up the route: must-see places in Seville y What to see in Seville in a day. And for lunch, where to eat in Seville.

Travelling from Málaga

We are a local tour operator based in Málaga with over 50 years’ experience organising trips around Andalusia. Seville is best explored in a day from Málaga and the Costa del Sol:

A tip to get it right: If you want to go into the palace, Book your visit before purchasing the tour and check that the times work out. Visits are from Monday to Friday, and a day trip leaves just enough time.

The whole destination, in The Seville Guide.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the Palacio de San Telmo?

Yes, and it’s free. The Andalusian Regional Government continues to run the «San Telmo Abierto» programme, with guided tours available from Monday to Friday, subject to prior booking. They last around an hour and a half, take place in small groups and are led by an expert guide. Unbooked visitors are not permitted entry, as this is the seat of the Presidency.

How much does it cost to visit the Palacio de San Telmo?

Nothing: visits as part of the San Telmo Abierto programme are free of charge. The only requirement is to book in advance, either by registering online, by calling 955 001 010 or by emailing santelmoabierto@juntadeandalucia.es. When booking, please provide the name and ID number of each participant.

What should I bring with me for the visit?

Your National Identity Card (DNI) or the document used to make the booking, as there are access controls in place. You are not permitted to enter with luggage or in high heels, as these are not allowed in certain areas of the tour. It is advisable to arrive in good time and bear in mind that the visit may be cancelled if it coincides with an official event.

What is the Palacio de San Telmo used for today?

It has been the seat of the Presidency of the Regional Government of Andalusia since the late 20th century. Previously, it served as a college of the University of Mareantes for the training of pilots, the residence of the Dukes of Montpensier in the 19th century, and a venue for various religious and educational purposes.

What is the connection between the palace and María Luisa Park?

The park was once part of the palace gardens. The Dukes of Montpensier extended the palace grounds during the 19th century, and a considerable portion was subsequently ceded to the city, giving rise to what is now María Luisa Park. This is why the two areas are adjacent to one another.

Who are the figures depicted on the façade?

There are twelve illustrious figures from Seville, including Velázquez and the playwright Lope de Rueda. Nine were born in the city and three were adopted by it. They were sculpted by Antonio Susillo in the 19th century and can be clearly seen from the street, with no booking required.