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The short answer
The Alhambra is a palace city built by the Nasrid sultans of Granada in the 13th and 14th centuries, above the city on the Sabika hill, with the snowy Sierra Nevada behind it. It is the most visited monument in Spain, and for most people the reason to come to Granada.
- Time needed: 3 to 4 hours for the whole complex
- Ticket: “Alhambra General” (about €19–21), which includes the Nasrid Palaces at a set time
- Book ahead: yes, weeks ahead from spring to autumn. Tickets sell out
- Bring ID: tickets carry your name, and you may be asked to show the ID you booked with
- Best time: the first slots of the morning, or a late afternoon slot for the light
The Alhambra, the Generalife and the Albaicín are together a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Opening hours and prices
| April to mid-October | About 8:30 to 20:00 |
| Mid-October to March | About 8:30 to 18:00 |
| Night visits | Several evenings a week, Nasrid Palaces or gardens only |
| Closed | 25 December and 1 January |
| Alhambra General (day) | about €19–21, including the Nasrid Palaces |
| Gardens, Generalife and Alcazaba | about €10, without the Nasrid Palaces |
| Night visit to the Nasrid Palaces | about €10 |
| Children under 12 | Free, but they still need a ticket |
Buy only on the official Alhambra ticket website or from an authorised seller. Our Alhambra tickets guide compares every option and explains what to do if the official tickets are sold out.
How the visit works
The Alhambra is a large site with four main areas, and one rule matters more than any other:
The Nasrid Palaces have a fixed entry time, printed on your ticket. You must enter within that half-hour slot, and if you miss it you can’t visit the palaces. Everything else can be seen in any order during the day of your ticket.
So plan the rest of the visit around your palace time. From the main entrance (by the ticket office, next to the Generalife) it is a 15–20 minute walk to the Nasrid Palaces.
What to see: the best route
- The Alcazaba. The oldest part: the fortress at the western tip of the hill. Climb the Torre de la Vela for the best view over Granada, the Albaicín and the Sierra Nevada.
- The Palace of Charles V. A Renaissance palace with a circular courtyard, built after the Christian conquest. It houses the Alhambra Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts.
- The Nasrid Palaces (at your time). The highlight, and one of the finest examples of Islamic
architecture anywhere:
- the Mexuar, the council hall;
- the Comares Palace, with the Court of the Myrtles and its long pool, and the Hall of the Ambassadors under a cedar-wood dome;
- the Palace of the Lions, with the Court of the Lions and its fountain, the Hall of the Abencerrajes and the Hall of the Two Sisters with their honeycomb (muqarnas) domes.
- The Partal. Gardens, pools and a portico reflected in the water, just after the palaces.
- The Generalife. The sultans’ summer palace and gardens on the next hill, with the Patio de la Acequia, a long pool framed by fountains and flowerbeds.
Allow about an hour for the Nasrid Palaces and an hour for the Generalife. Toilets, water fountains and cafés are few and far between; bring water in summer.
Night visits
On several evenings a week, the Alhambra opens the Nasrid Palaces (or the gardens and Generalife) for night visits. They are quieter, atmospheric and a good second visit, but you see less of the detail than by day. The day ticket does not include them.
Tips for your visit
- Book as early as possible. Spring, autumn and holiday weeks sell out weeks ahead. See tickets.
- Morning or late afternoon. Early slots are cooler and quieter; late slots give golden light on the red walls.
- Be at the palaces 10 minutes early. The slot is strict.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You will walk 3–5 km, some of it uphill.
- Summer: it is hot from late morning. Start early, carry water and a hat.
- Bags: large bags and luggage are not allowed. There are lockers near the entrance.
How to get to the Alhambra
- On foot: from Plaza Nueva, walk up the Cuesta de Gomérez through the Puerta de las Granadas and the woods: about 20–30 minutes uphill. You enter the complex by the Puerta de la Justicia or at the main entrance.
- By bus: the small red city buses (Alhambra lines, such as the C30 from the centre and the C32 between the Albaicín and the Alhambra) stop at the main entrance.
- By taxi: about 10 minutes from the centre.
- By car: there is a paid car park next to the main entrance. The historic centre is closed to traffic.
Where to stay nearby
For the Alhambra itself, stay inside the walls at the Parador de Granada or next to them. For the Albaicín views and the city life, stay below in the Albaicín or the centre. See where to stay in Granada and the best hotels in Granada.
FAQ
How long do you need at the Alhambra?
About three to four hours to see the Alcazaba, the Nasrid Palaces, the Palace of Charles V and the Generalife without rushing.
Can I visit the Alhambra without a ticket?
You can walk the woods below the walls and see some outer areas, but the palaces, the Alcazaba and the Generalife need a ticket. The best free view of the Alhambra is from the Mirador de San Nicolás in the Albaicín.
How far ahead should I book Alhambra tickets?
As early as you can: several weeks ahead for spring and autumn, earlier for Easter and holidays. In winter a week or two is usually enough.
What happens if I miss my Nasrid Palaces time?
You won’t be allowed into the palaces, which are the highlight. You can still see the rest of the complex with the same ticket. Arrive early.
Can I visit the Alhambra on a day trip from Seville?
Yes, but it is a long day. See Seville to Granada.