Casa de los Salinas

Casa de los Salinas is a Renaissance-era palace in Seville's Santa Cruz district, just steps from the Cathedral, the Giralda tower, and the Royal Alcázar. Still a lived-in family home, it opens part of its interior to visitors — a rare chance to see behind the facade of one of the old town's historic residences rather than walk through another museum.

Where does this house come from?

The building was raised in 1577 by Baltasar de Jaén, a wealthy merchant whose fortune came from trade with the Americas. Over the centuries it changed hands and uses more than once, at one point even serving as the meeting place of a Masonic lodge. In the early 20th century it was bought by the Salinas family, who carried out a thorough restoration that brought the 16th-century interiors back to their original character. Descendants of the family still live there today, occupying the second floor, which remains closed to visitors.

What will you see inside?

The heart of the house is a double-height patio ringed by marble columns and arches carved with Renaissance plateresque plasterwork. The walls are lined with 16th-century azulejo tiles made in Triana, the potters' quarter across the Guadalquivir river. The tour also takes in a winter and a summer lounge with painted ceilings, plus a separate Roman patio holding a mosaic floor dating back to the 1st century AD — a trace of Hispalis, Roman-era Seville. Together the rooms stack up different layers of history: a Roman foundation, Moorish-inflected architecture, and the Renaissance polish of a merchant family's residence.

How do you visit, and how long does it take?

Casa de los Salinas is open daily, including holidays, from 10:00 to 19:00. Visits are guided and last around 40 minutes, offered in Spanish, English, and French. A standard ticket costs 12 euros; groups of 10 or more, and Seville residents, pay 10 euros per person. Children up to 11 pay 6 euros, children up to 6 enter free, and a reduced rate is available for visitors with disabilities.

How do you get there?

The house sits in the heart of Santa Cruz, Seville's former Jewish quarter, a few minutes' walk from the Cathedral, the Giralda, and the Royal Alcázar. That location makes it easy to fold into a walk around the old town's main landmarks — Casa de los Salinas works well as a short, quiet break between queues at the bigger sights, since the visit itself is brief and usually far less crowded than the neighboring monuments.

Who is this for?

The house appeals most to visitors who enjoy interior architecture, azulejo tilework, and the domestic history of old Seville more than large, crowded museums. Given its intimate scale and short visiting time, it pairs naturally with a longer stroll through Santa Cruz's narrow lanes, patios, and small squares.

Frequently asked questions

Is the house still lived in? Yes. Descendants of the Salinas family live on the second floor, which is not part of the tour — visitors see only the ground floor and its main patios.

How long is the tour, and in which languages? The guided visit lasts about 40 minutes and is offered in Spanish, English, or French.

How much does a ticket cost? A standard ticket is 12 euros. Groups of 10 or more and Seville residents pay 10 euros, children up to 11 pay 6 euros, and children under 6 enter free.

What is the highlight of the interior? The Roman patio with its 1st-century mosaic floor, alongside the main courtyard's marble columns and 16th-century Triana tiles — together showing the different historical layers of the building.