How to Visit the Alhambra: Tickets, Tips, & Best Time to Go

Planning a trip to Granada and wondering how to visit the Alhambra? You’re in the right place!

I live in Spain and have visited the Alhambra more than once, and I know how overwhelming it can feel to plan a visit here. 

Tickets sell out quickly, the time slots can be confusing, and many travelers miss out on visiting simply because they didn’t book early enough.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about visiting the Alhambra, from how to buy tickets to the best times to go and what not to miss inside the complex. 

I’ll also share practical tips from my own visits so you can make the most of your time at this incredible landmark in Granada.

Yes, the Alhambra is definitely worth visiting. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, one of the  most famous landmarks in Spain, and really the highlight of the city. 

I’ve been twice now, and on my second visit I was even more amazed by the size of the complex and how much there is to see.

The Nasrid Palaces are stunning with their detailed carvings, the Generalife gardens are a beautiful place to wander, and the Alcazaba gives you a glimpse of Granada’s history along with some of the best views in the city.

Getting tickets does take a bit of planning, but the effort is well worth it.

And if you’d rather skip the hassle, booking a guided tour of the Alhambra is an easy option since it includes entry tickets and a guide who can bring the history to life.

Either way, it’s an unforgettable experience and you don’t have to be a huge history buff to appreciate it.

The Alhambra is a historic palace and fortress complex that sits on a hill overlooking Granada. 

It was built in the 13th and 14th centuries by the Nasrid dynasty, the last Muslim rulers of Spain, as both a royal residence and a stronghold. 

Later, after the Christian conquest, new additions were made, including a Renaissance-style palace.

Today, the Alhambra is made up of four main parts:

1. Nasrid Palaces: The royal palaces and the most famous part of the complex, filled with decorative arches, intricate carvings, and beautiful courtyards.

2. Generalife: The summer palace with terraced gardens, fountains, and shaded walkways that offered a retreat from the main palaces.

3. Alcazaba: The fortress with towers and walls that once protected the city and now give visitors incredible views of Granada.

4. Palace of Carlos V: A Renaissance palace added later, known for its huge circular courtyard and the Alhambra Museum inside.

Think of the Alhambra as a small city rather than a single building, with each part showing a different side of its history.

Yes, you must book your tickets to the Alhambra very far in advance.

Tickets often sell out weeks (or even months ahead) especially in high season. 

The Alhambra General ticket is the main ticket and the one I recommend for most people. 

It costs €22.27 and includes everything you want to see: the Nasrid Palaces, Generalife, Alcazaba, and Palace of Carlos V.

When booking your ticket, you must select a time slot, but this only applies to the Nasrid Palaces. 

You’re free to explore the rest of the Alhambra, including Generalife, Alcazaba, and the Palace of Carlos V, at your own pace from the time it opens at 8:30AM. 

This ticket to the Gardens, Generalife, and Alcazaba costs €12.73 and is a cheaper option, but it does not include the Nasrid Palaces. 

If General tickets are sold out, this is a good fallback.

This ticket costs €30.48 and includes the Alhambra plus several Andalusian monuments in the Albaicín neighborhood. 

It’s a good option if you’re really into history and want to connect the dots between Granada’s old town and the Alhambra.

🌙 They also offer special night visits to the Nasrid Palaces, as well as the Gardens and Generalife.

The best place to buy tickets is on the official Alhambra website. 

Prices are lower there and you’ll see the full availability of time slots. 

You’ll need the passport or ID of every person in your group at the time of booking and make sure everyone brings the same ID on the day of your visit. 

They scan it multiple times around the site. 

Tip: If tickets are sold out on the official site, consider booking a guided tour. Many guided tours include entrance and sometimes still have spots when the main site is sold out. I’ve included some recommendations below.

For the Alhambra, I think guided tours are worth it.

The general ticket doesn’t come with an audio guide, and there aren’t many plaques or explanations around the site. 

A guide really helps you understand the history, symbolism, and unique design features you’d otherwise miss.

They’re also a good option if general tickets are sold out and you need last minute availability.

Here are some of the best Alhambra guided tours to consider:

• Alhambra & Generalife Skip-the-Line Small Group Tour (includes Nasrid Palaces)
• Alhambra: Small Group Tour with Local Guide & Admission
• Alhambra with Nazaries Palaces Private Tour

If you book a tour, just double-check that it includes the Nasrid Palaces since some don’t.

The Alhambra sits on a hill above central Granada. 

Most visitors enter through the Access Pavilion (📍Google Maps location), which is the main entrance with ticket checks and services. 

From there you can easily follow signs to the different parts of the Alhambra complex. 

Taking a taxi to the Alhambra is by far the easiest option. The hill is steep, and walking up is no joke. 

I was staying at Palacio Gran Vía in central Granada and a taxi from there only cost me 5-6€ and dropped me right at the main entrance. 

You can always walk back down after your visit.

Another option is to take one of the small red minibuses that run up to the Alhambra from the city center. 

I haven’t done this personally but the most common routes are the C30 and C32, which connect central Granada (around Plaza Isabel la Católica) with the Alhambra entrance. 

You can also use Google Maps to plan your route on public transportation.

Walking to the Alhambra is technically possible but it’s about a 30-minute uphill walk from the city center. 

It’s doable, but it’s extremely steep and not the best choice if you want to save energy for exploring the site itself.

The Generalife (pronounced “heh-neh-rah-LEE-feh”) was the summer escape for the Nasrid rulers, and this area consists of the Generalife palace along with gorgeous gardens. 

The gardens are full of fountains, shady walkways, and terraces lined with flowers and hedges. 

One of the best photo spots is the Patio de la Acequia, the long courtyard inside the palace with its water channel and fountains spraying into the air. 

It’s usually quieter here early in the morning, which makes it a great place to start your visit before heading into the busier palaces.

The Nasrid Palaces are the highlight of the Alhambra and the area everyone comes to see. 

Every courtyard and hall is covered with carved details, colorful mosaic tiles, and archways that reflect beautifully in the pools. 

Two of the most famous photo spots are here: the Court of the Myrtles, with its long reflecting pool, and the Court of the Lions, with its marble fountain supported by twelve carved lions. 

Another must-see is the Hall of the Ambassadors in the Comares Palace, with one of the most impressive wooden ceilings in Spain.

Important: The Nasrid Palaces are about a 15-minute walk from the main entrance so plan ahead to arrive in time for your selected time slot.

The Alcazaba is the fortress side of the Alhambra and the oldest part of the complex. 

It doesn’t have the intricate decoration of the palaces, but it makes up for it with incredible views. 

Climb up to the Torre de la Vela, and you can look out over the Albaicín neighborhood, the city center, and the Sierra Nevada mountains in the distance. 

It’s a great spot for photos and gives you a real sense of why the Alhambra was so important for Granada’s defense.

The Palace of Carlos V looks very different from the rest of the Alhambra, which makes it stand out. 

Built in the 1500s after the Christian conquest, it has a huge circular courtyard that feels more like Renaissance Italy than medieval Granada. 

Today it also houses the Alhambra Museum, where you can stop for a quick look at its collection of ceramics and artifacts from the site. 

Located near the exit to the Nasrid Palaces, the Partal Palace is one of the oldest Nasrid structures in the Alhambra.

It’s surrounded by beautiful gardens and is best known for its reflecting pool in front of an arched building. 

It overlooks the city and is a really nice spot for photos, especially on a clear, sunny day.

If you want to make the most of your visit without feeling rushed, here’s the plan I recommend. 

Book a 9:30AM or 10:00AM entry time for the Nasrid Palaces. 

Then arrive at the Alhambra about an hour earlier (it opens at 8:30AM) so you can get through security and start with the Generalife gardens while it’s still quiet. 

After visiting the Generalife gardens, make your way toward the Nasrid Palaces and aim to be at the entrance about 10 minutes before your slot.  It takes about 12 minutes to walk there.

After exploring the Nasrid Palaces, continue on to the Partal Palace and Gardens, which is on the way out.  

Then head to the Alcazaba fortress, which is right nearby and gives you incredible views over Granada. 

Then finish with the Palace of Carlos V before wrapping up your visit. 

Here are the Alhambra opening hours:

• From October 15 to March 31: Open daily from 8:30AM to 6:00PM
• From April 1 to October 14: Open daily from 8:30AM to 8:00PM 

Night visits are also offered separately for the Nasrid Palaces and the Generalife. 

The best time to visit the Alhambra is early in the morning when it’s cooler and less crowded. 

Early entry also gives you a chance to get better photos without a ton of people in them. 

Plus, that will give you more time in the day to explore the main attractions in Granada afterward. 

Night visits are also a unique option if you want to see the palaces in a quieter setting.

Most people need at least 3 hours to visit the main areas of the Alhambra. 

This allows time for the Generalife, Nasrid Palaces, Alcazaba, and the Palace of Carlos V. 

If you’re especially interested in gardens or photography, you might want closer to four hours. 

The complex is huge and walking between different areas also takes time, so plan with some flexibility.

Follow these tips to make the most of your Alhambra experience:

• Book tickets early: Alhambra tickets sell out quickly (sometimes months in advance) so make sure to book your tickets ahead of time on the official website as soon as you know your dates.

• Don’t miss your time slot for the Nasrid Palaces: The time slot selected when booking your ticket only applies only to the Nasrid Palaces. Plan to be at the gate to the Nasrid Palaces about 10 minutes before and keep in mind it’s about a 15-minute walk from the main entrance.

• Bring your passport or ID: It’s very important to bring the same passport or ID you used to buy tickets, as the staff will scan it multiple times around the site.  This applies to everyone in your party.

• Wear comfortable shoes: Make sure to wear comfortable shoes as the site is huge and has some dirt paths and some uneven stone surfaces.

• Bring sunscreen and water: Make sure to bring sunscreen and a bottle of water as much of the complex is outdoors and shade is limited.

• Dress in layers: Even in summer, mornings in Granada can feel surprisingly cold before the sun warms up.  Dress in layers to stay warm.

• Save your ticket to your phone: Save your Alhambra tickets to your Apple Wallet to make scanning easier throughout your visit.

• Consider a guided tour: Consider booking a guided tour, which adds a lot of context since there aren’t many explanations inside the complex.

Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about visiting the Alhambra Granada:

I hope this guide helps you feel prepared for your visit to the Alhambra in Granada! 

The most important thing to remember is to book your tickets well in advance (ideally months ahead) on the official website. 

And if you’d rather not deal with the booking process, a guided tour can be a great option since it usually includes entry and adds context to what you’re seeing. 

Once you’re there, follow the tips outlined above: don’t miss your timed entry for the Nasrid Palaces, bring the same ID you used to book, and plan enough time to see the main areas without rushing. 

With a little planning, you’ll be able to enjoy one of Spain’s most incredible landmarks stress-free.

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