#admin is giving us so many beautiful shots this season i love it so much

[adamfanti11i]

Center stage 🤩 // pregame cbj @ pit, 01.07.2025

[kaisooficrec]

Hi mods, thanks for opening up the Ask box! It's my first time doing this :/ hope I do it right… Can I ask for recs of long fics (say more than 50k? can be chaptered/one-shot) that the mods like but think are underrated? They can be any genre, and they can be from any writers (even some of the older ones who wrote more before 2017?) Thank you!!

Hi lovely anon! You rang the right bell because we have TONS of long fics to rec!! There are old fics but also a lot of recent ones, many different AUs and they’re all above 50k! ! we also made sure to rec fics that are underrated and need more recognition. It will probably take a long time to read all of those so TAKE YOUR TIME AND ENJOY

Amuse-Bouche - hehe this was recced not too long ago but its place on this list still stands! Chefs AU, very unique fic and extremely realistic! a true gem. (139k words)

Legends: The Chosen Twelve - this is an oldie! it was recced back in 2014 but still is pretty underrated and such an amazing fic! it’s ot12, MAMA AU. enjoy ^^ (151k words)

All is Said and Done - another oldie! BFFs!kaisoo that fall in love. it’s angsty c: (70k words)

Common Ground - also from 2014, this is a fantasy/ghost AU that doesn’t disappoint! (84k words)

Start Over - High School AU, lots of drama :’) originally posted in 2012, deserves so much more recognition! (65k words)

Lapis Lazuli - Fantasy + (School of) Magic AU, originally written for the exordium fest in 2015! ot12 although Kaisoo are one of the main pairings. There are adventures and action, it’s very entertaining, a good read c: (55k words)

If Only for Tonight - College AU, pretty angsty (warnings: violence, character death). Police officer Kyungsoo meets gangster jongin :-) (56k words)

French Lilac - Artist AU, jongin loves kyungsoo’s voice, but he’s already married. angst + smut. (50k words)

Trust You The Most - Cat Hybrids AU!! we need more of those . Soo ran a shelter for hybrids and he ends up (accidentally) keeping one for himself. (52k words)

Dear You - Kyungsoo really, really tries to get over Jongin. It’s not that easy. (sorry for all the angst o/) (59k words)

EXODUS - Supernatural AU, Kyungsoo meets a creature that makes him feel safe and cherished (55k words)

Beautiful Butterfly - CEO!Jongin and HS student!Soo, nini tries dealing with all the confessions thrown his way. Read on AFF. (63k words)

hearts and bones - High School AU, swimmer!jongin and photographer!soo meet, and the unexpected happens. (68k words)

Mixed Feelings - College AU, soo has a crush on his straight roommate jongin. pretty fluffy (50k words)

Fly With Me - Fantasy and Fae AU, jongin wanted an escape from reality but he didn’t intend to meet a bunch of men with wings on their backs. (warnings: slight gore, character death) (50k words)

Moon-Child - Fantasy AU, Kaisoo find themselves caught in a fairy tale. (warnings: character death). smutty too (51k words)

Save Yourself - Fantasy & Magic AU, Hybrids AU, War AU. Jongin is a cat hybrid and Kyungsoo’s just trying to make the spell that could save them all work. (68k)

The Stars, Our Saviour - Space AU (+ Royalty AU) + Bounty Hunter AU. Very impressive and unique fic! also smutty ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) (77k words)

Close To Home - a kai-centric fic, kaixeveryone but mainly/endgame kaisoo. Soulmates AU + Aliens AU. very smutty. (warnings: alien dicks?? alien sex, tentacles and knotting) (53k words)

Across - Assasins + Hitman AU, dark themes. (WARNINGS!: mental illness, mental instability, blood, violence, gore, murder, unhealthy relationship, mental and physical abuse.) Jongin has a crush on hitman!soo. Things don’t turn out as he planned. If you like freaky stuff, this is for you. (69k words)

Ghost of You - Future + Robots AU. Robots VS Humans. Kaisoo. A love story. (59k words)

Monster - VAMPIRE AU YES!!!! I can’t believe this isn’t as popular as it should be! one of my absolute favorites, it’s vampires VS vampire hunters, a fic where jongin realizes vampires aren’t all bad (especially kyungsoo). OT12 and definitely underrated. (115k words) (warnings: unhealthy to healthy relationships, blood (obviously), murder, psychopath killer, attempted rape)

Bugs and Space Elves - LOVE LOVE LOVE! !! this was originally posted for the happyendingexo fest, but the author decided to rewrite some old parts and continue with the story and i’ve never been more thankful. IT’S SO UNIQUE AND WELL WRITTEN AND MINDBLOWING! i really love this. Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Space AU, human kyungsoo helps elf jongin on his quest to save the universe! worth the read, i promise. (96k words)

The Gates of Horn and Ivory - married!kaisoo are taken into a world of darkness that they probably should’ve avoided. Dark fairy tale elements. (135k words)

The Boy Next Door - kyungsoo finds out his neighbour is a pornstar ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) very funny, fluffy and smutty. PERFECT TRIO! (53k words)

The War. (226k words) + The One After Ten Years. (149k words, on-going) (sequel) - WHERE DO I EVEN START? these are MONSTER fics! OT12, High School AU and Slice of Life AU in the sequel, but also includes their powers from MAMA era. Kaisoo is one of the two main pairings and honestly, these two fics gave me so much feels. It’s not underrated per se but has been only recced once on the blog and i wanted to fix this! 

Kim Jongin’s Must Kiss List - College AU, kyungsoo embarrassed himself in front of nini a few years back and he’s still bitter and hateful about it, but jongin won’t stop running after him. (66k words)

2088 - Sci-Fi + Dystopia AU, kyungsoo has a mission to find a mutant boy after the war, but he realizes too late that they’re all just pawns part of a bigger plan. THIS IS HIGHLY UNDERRATED! (122k words)

I Feel Awake (This Time) - Hotel manager jongin and detective kyungsoo : truly a concept! the story of how jongin did his best to win the love of do kyungsoo. THIS FIC DESERVES SO MUCH LOVE! (57k words)

Being Brave - Non AU + Slice of Life AU. cute and smutty stories of kaisoo :-) (95k words)

Perfection - College AU, ballet dancer!jongin is going through a rough time. will singer!kyungsoo be able to save him and give him hope? (53k words)

Through Fire and Ashes - this was originally posted for the exoggedon fest but deserves so much more recognition!! Post-apocalyptic AU + Zombies AU. Basically humans VS zombies, established!kaisoo are ready to help defend their town. (warnings: blood, gore, side character death, PTSD) - ALSO MY FAVE - J

BITE - Vampire + Werewolf AU, both species are rivals (kind of like a twilight parody). Kaisoo and Chanbaek are both the main pairings, Baeksoo are vampires who find their soulmates in werewolves Chankai. Very interesting story! ! worth a shot :D (50k words, on-going)

Admin Macaroon at your service 💜

Mirrors - Youtuber AU, College AU, 132k and ongoing!!! kyungsoo makes covers a popular songs on yt and his fans get into a fight with fans of an idol named kai. it’s minty-pixie whew!

Horizon - 63k. one of the less known works of jongnugget imo! they have soo many fics over 50k wow :’) jongin is a new student at his hs and meets boy that changes his life

Kiss and Cry - 93k, figure skating au. jongnugget did it again

Enamoured - 96k. age gap with teacher soo and bad boy jongin, who is a lot younger than soo. soo always helps him and jongin likes him but they can’t be together for many reasons obvi. happy ending!

Bus Rides & Sleepy Misses - 133k, ot12 with main kaisoo ;) both meet on a bus ride and immediately catch each other’s attention! soft and fluffy :) 

Two Sugars / AO3 - 57k, ongoing jfjsjf this is so good ;) a lot of smut, fluff, comfort a bit drama whew! fashion editor soo falls in love with a cute barista by day, sexy dancer by night jongin and when they are together it’s very…cute and sexy :p

Lackadaisical Blue + White Night of Silence- 53k and 61k, kingsman au, with spy exo, also ofc there’s kaisoo too, and this is absolutely well-written!!! if you know And the Rose Said to Me, you’ll understand the quality of these stories!!

Growing Seasons: A Universe of Us - Farmer AU, farmer jongin finds an unknown bloodied man passed out in his cabbage field and decides to take care of him, not knowing this man will change his life forever. (warnings: blood, PTSD, mentions of murder) (77k words) - Adm. Ginger

- Admin J

[bugheadfamily]

Bughead Family Discord Member Spotlight

This Halloween week the spotlight is on our spooky admin, Tori ( @tory-b  )! Click the read more link below to get to know our member!

Spotlight by Mila, @jughead-jones | Graphic by Katie, @betty-cooper

Tori | @tory-b

Name: Tory or Tori

Age: 21 (but only for a few more months!)

Location: Western US

Any other languages aside from English people can contact you in?: I can read basic Japanese and German. I won’t be able to communicate well but I have like some understanding. (I’m just really bad at languages I’m sorry universe, i want to be good at them)

Favourite Riverdale characters and ships?: BUGHEAD! Jughead Jone is my son, I love that boy. But I’m also a big Archie girl you know? Like just in the ‘he is my big dumb son and he just needs to be protected at all costs.’ I’d probably kill for a Jarchie person.

Favourite moments from S1 & S2?: There are so many it makes it hard to choose from you know? But S1: the iconic “hey there, Juliet, nurse off duty” is just like…so cheesy and soft it makes it hard to not just be utterly in love with that big dork. S2: When Archie cuts Jughead’s chains in front of the building, and they have that shot where the chains are falling away and he looks just like a fucking mythical fallen angel. That moment is so powerful between the boys, but it’s also just such a beautiful image on screen. Like Riverdale’s cinematography is eh on the best of days but in that moment like wow just absolutely WOW

What are your hopes for S3?: All my hopes and dreams look like they’re coming true and I could cry. Betty has a therapist! Bughead is investigating! Josie is getting more SCREEN TIME. I really do want more Cheryl/Betty friendship moments but I’m not sure if we’ll get them. I’d also love a Jug/Cheryl friendship moment. Also if we could get our Jarchie kiss.

Other fandoms you’re into?: I was in the Miraculous Ladybug fandom for a little while, and the Voltron fandom for some time after that. I just kind of commit to like one fandom or I’ll be dead.

What are some of your favourite movies/TV?: My other go-to show right now (I’ve been rewatching) is RuPaul’s Drag Race because I’m Reality TV Trash. My favorite movie is tricky. I always tell my mom that I don’t watch many movies because I like that TV can show longer more complex plots than movies.

Favourite books?: Fever 1793 was my favorite growing up and sometimes I’ll still read through and cry like a fucking baby even though I know how it goes. I love historical fiction. BUT my absolute FAVORITE book is Crime and Punishment by Dostoevsky.

Favourite bands/musicians?: It is I, your friendly admin hipster who has a lot of vinyl, and my fave bands are Panic! At the Disco, Walk the Moon, and the 1975. Also I listen to an absurd amount of broadway musicals because I’m a theatre nerd through and through.

If you could live in any fictional world which one would you choose and why?: I was gonna say Riverdale but I don’t want to chances of me getting murdered to jump up to an absurd amount. I’m small and meek I’d die like Midge. Maybe the Miraculous Ladybug’s Paris because it’s soft and even if I get turned into a bad guy no one hates me and I get a cool costume.

Favourite food?: Strawberries! Specifically Strawberry Shortcake but anything with strawberries on it.

Favourite season?: Winter or Fall! Spring is amazing but it makes me sneeze because allergies.

Favourite plant?: Sunflowers!

Favourite scent?: Lime! It’s clean and fresh.

Favourite colour?: Pastels. Pink, blue, yellow!

Favourite animal?: Doggos! (I’d say cats but i’m terribly allergic to cats even though I love them).

Are you a night owl, an early bird, or a vampire?: My sleep schedule is garbage. I am a night owl who works early morning shifts and is forced to be an early bird.

Place you want to visit?: I want to visit more of europe, specifically France, see more of England, and very much Japan!

Do you have pets? If you do, tell us a little about them: I do have pets! I’ve got my sweet little Poppy. She’s a rescue mutt who I got on my 13th birthday. She’s probably 11-12 right now but none of us have an idea. She’s so soft and beautiful but she is absolutely a little bitch. I go to college so whenever I come home for holidays, she stares at me like I’ve just utterly offended her and turns away. She’s a Princess who is utterly spoiled.

Tell us a little about yourself?: Oh gosh. I’m not sure what to say in this really. I’m graduating a semester early with a double major in Psychology and Anthropology, which I think is really cool, even though I have no idea what I’m going to do with that frankly. I moved a lot growing up because my mom can’t stay still. I’ve got this skin condition called vitiligo so lots of my body doesn’t have pigment!

Fun or weird fact about you?: I can’t properly scowl. Like bring my eyebrows together. I have no idea why.

Asks for fanfic authors:

How long have you been writing?: Oh gosh. So I’ve been writing in notebooks since I was like 5, but I posted my first ever fanfiction (did you mean that Harry Potter fic I posted that I like to ignore?) when I was 10 or 11? I quit writing publicly from about 12 until…I was like 20?

Which is your favourite of the fics you’ve written?: One Last Chance. It was 12k of really just emotional catharsis. I cried while writing it and it just felt so good to write it. Whenever I read it I just smile because I think ‘wow i can’t believe I’m the person who wrote this’.

Favourite fic/chapter/plot-point/character you’ve ever written?: The plot points in What Happened on Elm Street are my favorite because they’re so twisty and turny!

Which was the hardest to write, and why?: What Happened on Elm Street is very difficult to write for me. It’s super complex and I can only give away a little at a time to keep some of the mystery in it. So I have to think a lot for each word I write.

How do you come up with the ideas for you fic(s)? (examples: Do you draw inspiration from real life? Listen to music? Get inspired by TV/movies?) Do you have an process to your writing?: It’s a combination of everything! It’s real life in some ways, like my college experiences, or with songs, like my oneshot I Hate Love Songs! It all depends. Sometimes it just comes to me, like I’ll be watching a movie and I go ‘yes!’.

Idea that you always wanted to write?: A Zombie Apocalypse AU. SO BADLY. But I don’t think it would be very popular, so I always sort of hang back and don’t write it even though I kind of have the first chapter of a WIP written for it. I just love that kind of angst and fear.

Favourite character to write?: Cheryl fucking Blossom. She is just…I love writing all her wittiness! Also apparently Jughead? Since all of my writing has been through Jughead’s POV lately.

Best comment/review you’ve ever received?: So I received a comment on the first chapter of 101 Ways and it was just “DOGGIES” which made me laugh out loud> I also had someone (her name is Cat, she’s an admin, not sure if you’ve heard of her) tell me she cried into her Taco Bell reading One Last Chance. That was iconic.

Best and worst parts of being a writer?: Best parts are absolutely getting to stretch my creativity. I have a lot of ideas and writing is just such a cathartic thing for me. Writing makes me feel unburdened and free and that means a lot to me. I use my writing to cope with some of my anxiety and depression, because I feel good about words and how well I can manipulate them. Worst: That fear. That constant fear of not being enough. Of not being as good. Of comparison. It comes with fandom culture I think, this need to compare yourself to other people. I don’t ever mean to do it, but I can feel it happening sometimes. I love being able to learn from other writers by reading things and being encouraged to experiment, but perhaps it’s just who I am but I do have a problem with comparison.

Do you have any advice to offer?: Experiment experiment experiment! If you like something in another person’s writing, like a certain style, how they use metaphors, etc, there’s nothing wrong with adopting things you like and evolving you're writing based on what you like to read. It’s so important to keep changing and evolving and the only way you can do that is by trying new things!

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This is the fifteenth instalment of Bughead Family’s Member Spotlight series. Each week, a member’s url is selected through a randomizer and they will be featured in a spotlight post. In order to participate, please join the Bughead Discord (more information found here). Thank you.

[leepacefansnetwork]

New interview with Lee Pace for eCartelera: "Only Time Can Change Relationships"

As Halt and Catch Fire S4 starts tomorrow on AMC Spain, Lee Pace gave an interview to eCartelera, published Aug 30th. aided by Google and one of our admins with Spanish skills, we tried our hand at translating it. It’s another generous and insightful interview like we’ve come to expect from Lee, hope you enjoy! 

Lee Pace ('Halt and Catch Fire'): " Only Time Can Change Relationships "

Pedro J. García Miércoles

'Halt and Catch Fire' returns to give its final goodbye, and as always, does so whilst looking into the future. The final season of the series created by Christopher Cantwell and Christopher C. Rogers opens Thursday, August 31 at AMC Spain. So far, 'Halt and Catch Fire' has shown us the ins and outs of the computer industry throughout the 80s, and for this latest batch of episodes (ten in total), the series jumps forward by placing us straight in the 90s, to show us their characters living in the first days of the Internet, and how technological evolution forces them to "reset" their lives and relationships.

On the occasion of the premiere, we had the privilege of interviewing Lee Pace, an actor known among other things for his participation in blockbusters such as 'The Hobbit' or 'Guardians of the Galaxy', and for his role in one of the most beloved of cult series, 'Pushing Daisies'. Pace, who gives life to Joe MacMillan in the AMC drama, was so kind as to answer our questions and tell us how it has been to interpret this complex character over four seasons, as well as what awaits us in the last chapters of the series. And don’t worry, of course we asked if he would also like to see a revival of 'Pushing Daisies'. Without further delay, we leave you with the interview.

eCartelera: In the last season of 'Halt and Catch Fire', the story skips several years into the future. As an actor, is it difficult to adapt to a new context from time to time?

Lee Pace: No, in fact it seems to me a very interesting circumstance. Time is the only thing that can change relationships. You can see this clearly in the relationship between Joe and Cameron (Mackenzie Davis). There is nothing that could happen or that could be said to repair the damage between them, only time can do it. The passage of time is what they needed to mature a bit and connect the way they do at this point in their lives. 

eCartelera: Your character has always been dark and mysterious, a code difficult to decipher. Will we meet the real Joe MacMillan in this final season?

Lee Pace: Joe is a hard code to decipher, and I think he's still trying to figure it out. He is still trying to understand who he is and what he wants. Although he now understands it better than when we first met him. The most surprising thing about Joe this season is his relationship with technology. He wants to have Gordon (Scoot McNairy) and Cameron in his life, he prefers this personal connection with them to everything else, and that's totally opposite the Joe we saw in season one, who was determined to build that computer without any care for the people in his life. He is now a person who values ​​the connection, who values ​​others, and it’s incredible, because he has spent a lot of time alone, especially after Ryan's death (Manish Dayal), which plunged him into a deep depression. That's the most surprising thing about Joe this season, and the reason I find it so interesting to interpret him. After all that has happened to him I thought he succeeded in learning his lesson and discovering that nothing matters more than the people you share your life with.

eCartelera: You've come a little ahead of my next question. Joe is visibly happier this season. What is more interesting for you, playing the dark Joe or the more optimistic and proactive Joe?

Lee Pace: Each has its place. Joe is still mysterious. Even when he is content, he cannot help being a danger to others. Joe MacMillan’s story has become the story of failure, and not what he expected, nor what I expected when I began to play the character. Joe was someone who wanted to win at all costs, who triumphed in what he did, regardless of the price. It's been ten years since we saw him for the first time in the pilot, and I find it very interesting to see what he has done right, and what went wrong. Regardless of how much he tried, and sacrificed, everything has gone wrong. That is something odd and unusual.

eCartelera: At the beginning of the final season, Joe and Cameron spend a whole episode talking on the phone. Was it difficult to connect on such a deep level with her without physically sharing the scene? How was it captured on camera?

Lee Pace: In fact, we shot those scenes in two adjacent sets connected with a telephone line, so there was a camera recording each one at all times. It was a great way to work. Mackenzie and I were talking on the phone for real, while each stayed in their own space, not knowing what the other was doing. I did not see her movements. That was the idea behind the conversation, connecting to such an intimate level, being in separate places. There is a privacy component, and that allows them to be honest like they have never been able to while in the same room. The call starts because Joe is playing the video game she has created. Cameron is the definitive video game player and Joe goes out of his way to keep her on the other end of the line playing the game that she created, which I found very interesting.

eCartelera: Joe and Gordon work in a basement while Donna (Kerry Bishé) and Cameron succeed in "the outside world." What do you think about the emphasis on women’s empowerment throughout the four seasons of Halt and Catch Fire?

Lee Pace: I think it's great. That is precisely the story that reflects the time we are covering. But I am so involved in the intricate details that make up these characters, that I don’t see it that way. Donna and Cameron are beautiful women, very intelligent and interesting, but I don’t think of them as women, but as people who I work with. I've never seen that as a major component that defines what those characters are. But I understand that other people see it that way.

eCartelera: Now that 'Halt and Catch Fire' is approaching its end, how would you like the audience to remember the series?

Lee Pace: The show has become a very intimate and personal experience for me. I know these characters so well, I have lived their failures, their triumphs, their amorous disappointments...The audience reactions to the characters at the end of the season will be different, because the show has always been contradictory. There are no right answers, just the right idea at the wrong time. I would like the audience to have their own impression of the series, to draw their own conclusions from what we did with it.

eCartelera:  Have you learned a lot about computer science working on this show?

Lee Pace: When we started, I knew a little, but the show has given me the opportunity to learn a lot about computers. It is one of the advantages of working on something like this, studying a new subject. In the five years that I have worked on this show I have learned a lot, and I am very grateful for it.

ECartelera: What would you tell viewers who haven’t watched 'Halt and Catch Fire', to encourage them?

Lee Pace: I don’t know, I think the show is not for everyone. But of course I would love as many people as possible to watch it. I like to watch it, the people I know like it. To the others I would say that it’s a good show, an intimate and honest experience. We recreate a world in which everything moves very fast, technology advances fast and this creates a very strong stimulus. It’s a privilege to be able to observe this moment of the past, before everything became as complicated as it is now.

eCartelera: You have participated in cinematic sagas like 'The Hobbit', 'Twilight' and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Is there any other major franchise you would like to work in?

Lee Pace: I’m very grateful for the roles I have achieved so far. I have met great friends and I have forged great relationships for life. I keep working (laughs), and I'll be happy to continue to do so in the future.

eCartelera: We live in the age of revivals and 'Pushing Daisies' is one of the shows that most viewers want to see return. Would you be willing?

Lee Pace: Absolutely. I would love to return to work on 'Pushing Daisies' if we were lucky enough to return. Interpreting that character was one of the most fun experiences of my life. Working with Anna Friel, Kristin Chenoweth, Chi McBride and Bryan Fuller was an incredible experience and I would go back without a second thought.

[tripstations]

Guide to visiting the Royal Alcazar of Seville

One of the things to do in Seville that tops most visitors lists is a visit to the Royal Alcazar of Seville, and thanks to its new fame as a prominent filming location for HBO’s realization of George RR Martin’s smash hit Game of Thrones, it is now more popular than ever.

Declared a World Heritage site in 1987, the Alcazar of Sevilla site is a complex of palaces that have been built by various monarchs.  With more than 1000 years of history, the Alcazar contains Spain’s oldest palaces and some of the best examples of Mudejar architecture in Spain.

Mudéjar – of or relating to a style of Spanish architecture from the 13th to 16th centuries, a fusion of Romanesque and Gothic with Arabic.

Dictionary.com

There is no doubt that the interior of the palaces is stunning, especially the Palacio del Rey Don Pedro; however, the courtyards and the gardens are what that many people come to see. The beautiful, multi-layered patios create a maze of pathways that leads you down into the larger, orange tree-lined gardens below. It’s no wonder that a wander through the Alcázar Gardens is the most enduring memories for many visitors to Seville.

Coming up

Getting there Tickets for your visit What kind of tour you need A brief history of the Alcazar of Seville Game of Thrones in the Alcazar Other Alcazar highlights Nights in the Garden of the of Alcazar FAQs

Affiliate disclosure: The links to tours or accommodation in this post are affiliate links. This means if you purchase after following one of these links, I make a small commission at no cost to yourself. Think of it like a win-win.

Getting to the Alcazar

As you’d expect, the Alcazar is located right in the heart of the city, next to the Seville Cathedral and on the edge of the Jewish Quarter, also known as Barrio Santa Cruz.

One of the many great things about Seville is how compact it is, so you should be able to walk there quite easily from most of the hotels in Seville.

If you are a little further out, there is a Metro, Tram and of course taxi’s that operate in the center of the city.

Getting in

It is possible just to turn up and buy your tickets for the Seville Alcazar, but if you do this, expect to be waiting in big queues. So, what I tell you now is crucial.

Book your Seville Alcazar tickets before you go and if possible book for the earliest time slot with queue jump included.

If you do this, it means you can be some of the first of the day to enter and enjoy it while there are fewer people and also it will be cooler than if you visit in the afternoon. If you are in Seville for a couple of days, be sure to check out my recommend 2-day Seville itinerary for suggestions about fitting everything in.  

You can purchase tickets on the official Alcazar ticket site, and select the time you would like to enter. The Alcazar tickets can either be printed or scanned directly from your mobile phone.

Once you enter the site, there is a small gift shop on the left where you can pick up a map and hire a pre-recorded audio guide for an additional €2.

Self Guided vs. Audio Tour vs. Guided Tour

When it comes to exploring the palace, I definitely recommend getting a guide. The audio guide is a little dry at times (as these things usually are) but quite simple to follow and certainly better than having nothing at all.

The issue with a self-guided tour is that there is very little information anywhere. You will have a map, but there are very few explanations of what you are looking at and why it’s significant.

Alternatively, you can book a guided tour and not worry about a thing. There are many options for Alcazar tours that can be pre-booked via Get Your Guide. There are also packages available that include an entrance to the Seville Cathedral or tours of the Jewish Quarter, again, a recommended visit.

Click image for full size map – CC BY-SA 3.0

1-Puerta del León 2-Sala de la Justicia y patio del Yeso (cyan) 3-Patio de la Montería (pink) 4-Cuarto del Almirante y Casa de Contratación (cream) 5-Palacio mudéjar o de Pedro I (red) 6-Palacio gótico (blue) 7-Estanque de Mercurio 8-Jardines (green) 9-Apeadero 10-Patio de Banderas

While I would recommend ruling out the self-guided option, between the other two, I would say it depends on time. If you have plenty, then grab an audio guide and explore. If you are tight on time and want to see, learn, and enjoy as many stories as possible, a guided tour is undoubtedly the way to go.

Most guided tours last for around one and a half hours. If you are using the audio guide, I would allow two to three hours to cover everything, that also gives you time for a refreshment break in the lovely cafe they have overlooking some of the extravagant gardens.

A brief history of Seville’s Real Alcazar

There has been a prominent build on this site for more than 2000 years, but it was after the Moorish conquered the Iberian peninsula the Seville Alcazar really started to take shape. It started as a fortress which evolved over time and by the 11th century was being used as the Muslim king’s residence and state administration offices.

In 1248, Ferdinand III of Castille won back power in Seville, and the Alcazar became the Royal Palace. However, after the conquest of the city, Ferdinand III didn’t live for much longer, and power passed to his son, Alfonso X.

As you’d expect, this marked a significant change in the design of the Alcazar. The new Christian rulers favored more spacious rooms with high ceilings in stark contrast to the small, intimate rooms of the traditional Moorish style. Architects that had previously worked on Gothic masterpieces such as the Burgos Cathedral were brought into design Alfonso X’s new palace within the Alcazar.

After Alfonso’s modernizations, it was the wonderfully named Peter the Cruel who was next to build something special as he created the Palacio del Rey Don Pedro which is one of the highlights of a visit to the Alcazar.

From early in Pedro’s reign, it became clear to friend and foe alike that the monarch had a suspicious and vindictive personality. He employed deceit and cruelty wherever he encountered opposition, real or imagined. His unforgiving nature, combined with a very long memory, made it very hazardous for an opponent to attempt reconciliation with the king.

History Naked

Although technically it war with many of the Arab enclaves that remained on the peninsula, Mr the Cruel had a fascination and love for the Moorish ways and architecture and as such, summoned artists of Arab origin and ordered his palace to be built. The result is a beautiful Mudéjar palace straight from your dreams.

Things settled down for a while with no major works going on, just continual improvements and touches from the various Monarchs that adopted the Alcazar.

It was the Lisbon earthquake of 1755 that introduced the next major change as the façade of the Palacio Gótico was destroyed and rebuilt in the Baroque style to throw another style into the wonder architectural melangerie that is the Real Alcazar of Seville.

Game of Thrones in the Alcazar of Seville

While there are fleeting shots throughout the series, the Royal Alcazar became central to the Game of Thrones plot in Season 5 when Jamie Lannister rocks up to get his Daughter (also technically his niece) back. But the chances are if you are reading this, you already knew that. And if you didn’t know that, you probably aren’t reading this as you’ve gone “Uggh, Game of Thrones, eye-roll and skip. But for those of you that are still with me, let’s continue.

Dorne is the southernmost of the Seven Kingdoms, and The Royal Alcazar is the home of the Martell family, the rulers of the kingdom. While it briefly appears in earlier seasons, it is season 5 that really shows off the beauty of the Alcazar.

The locations used for filming in season 5

Episode 2

Doran watches his son, Trystane, playing with Myrcella from King Pedro’s palace overlooking Mercury’s Pool and the Grutesco Gallery.

Episode 6

Ellaria plots the downfall of Jamie Lannister with her daughters Maria de Padilla’s baths before the episode later breaks out into a big fight throughout the gardens but focussed around the Pavilion of Carlos V

Episode 9

A meeting is held between Doran and Jamie in the stunning Ambassadors’ Hall, you can really get a feel of what the Alcazar may have been.

Other Seville Alcazar highlights to look out for

Aside from the Game of Thrones filming spots, which as you’d imagine, are some of the nices corners of the site, there are still plenty of pretty spots to look out for.

Some of my favorites from my visit were the labyrinth, a great place to leave the kids if they have wound you up. Also, don’t miss the small staircases built into the courtyard wall, which enables you to get up high for some lovely pictures. But be warned, it’s a tight squeeze so there is a certain amount of waiting for others to go up or down before you can, or just stick those elbows out and plow on through!

Staying in the city? Check out some of my recommended hotels in Seville

Nights in the Garden of the of Alcazar

If you are a music fan and visiting Seville between June and September, be sure to keep an eye out for Nights in the Garden of the of Alcazar. Enjoy outdoors concerts every night with a program comprised of artists of different musical styles including flamenco jazz, and swing.

The concerts take place in the Alcazar’s stunning gardens between King Carlos V’s Pavilion and the Grotesque Gallery, and would certainly provide a special memory of your visit to Seville.

FAQs

How much is the entrance to the Seville Alcazar?

There are quite a lot of different entrance options starting from €5.50 for the basic entrance. There is an additional fee if you wanted to include access to the High Royal Room and also a dramatized night tour available

It’s worth knowing that admission is free on Mondays. You can still book a queue jump on their website below if you are willing to pay the €1 admin fee. I would say that is certainly worth doing.

Where can I buy tickets?

You can get tickets for entrance and queue jump with no guide on the official Alcazar of Seville ticket page.

When is the Seville Alcazar open?

October to March: From Monday to Sunday, from 09:30 to 17:00.

April to September: From Monday to Sunday, from 09:30 to 19:00.

Closed on the 1st and 6th of January, Good Friday and the 25th of December.

When is the best time to visit?

I would recommend getting the first entry of the day. This means you get a good headstart from the crowds and the sun will not be too hot as you will be avoiding the hottest hours of the day.

How long do I need in Seville Alcazar?

Most guided tours take around one and a half hours. However, if you are using the audio guide on your own, I would recommend giving yourself at least two and a half hours to enjoy the full guide and explore properly.

What is Alcazar in English?

It’s a palace-fortress built by the Arabs during the time of the Moorish invasion. The word is a synonym of castle (castillo), and it comes from the Arabic word al qasr.

Should I visit the Seville Cathedral or the Royal Alcazar?

Well, if you only have time to visit one, personally I would favor the Alcazar over the Cathedral. It is Spain’s oldest palace and home to amazing gardens and architecture. The Cathedral is a lovely cathedral, but there are plenty of very nice cathedrals in the world, only one Alcazar of Seville.

If you have any further questions or suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comments, and I can see if I can help and then add them to the post.

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