The essential guide and tips for visiting the Alhambra, Granada

Moorish castles with vaulted ceilings and sculpted walls
Courtyards with ornate fountains and mystic waterfalls.
Defensive towers with the stunning views of Granada
Just few of the things to see when visiting the Alhambra.

Dig into this Alhambra Palace guide and discover one of the best-preserved Islamic architecture in Spain. Get the best tips for visiting the Alhambra including how to book the Alhambra palace tickets, the best time to visit and what to see.

The Alhambra is just as iconic to Spain as the Taj Mahal to India.  Known for its fascinating history, and elaborate architecture, this rose-red fortress was the main reason to include Granada in my Spain itinerary. The UNESCO World Heritage site in Spain lived up to every bit of its reputation. So, if you are deliberating a visit to the Alhambra, I give you a big Thumbs up with a caveat – you have to start preparing for it well ahead of your trip.

I discovered that visiting Alhambra, Spain requires a fair bit of planning. For one, this ever-popular Granada attraction has a daily cap of 6600 visitors with timed entry to its inner Nasrid palaces. Two – it is humungous with numerous sightseeing points that honestly created a frenzy and FOMO in me.

Alhambra - one of the most popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Spain
Alhambra – one of the most popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Spain

If you are wondering where to start planning and how to visit the Alhambra, you have landed on the right page. My Alhambra travel guide includes tips on the tickets, how to book them, what are the options, should you do an Alhambra guided tour or not, the cost involved, last-minute deals and day trip options. It also covers information on what to see in Alhambra, a handy Alhambra map and what you can expect during your visit.

I have divided my visiting the Alhambra tips and guide into two main sections – pre-visit and during your visit. You can use the table of contents below to jump between them.

Quick links for your trip to the Alhambra and Granada

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Contents

The Pre-visit planning section of the Alhambra Palace guide

Read up a little on the Alhambra history

The Alhambra has a fascinating and long history. Even with a guided tour, it gets a little hard to keep up with the story of the various places inside Alhambra. A little background reading before you visit the Alhambra helps in connecting the dots of the actual attractions and the people as well as events involved. I have included a synopsis of the same here.

Alcazaba - the oldest part of the Alhambra
Alcazaba – the oldest part of the Alhambra

Alhambra comes from the Arabic word – Al Hamra which means Red one. The credit for the present-day fort goes to the Nasrid Emir – Muhammed I who established the Taifa of Granada in Al Andalus. This was in the 1200s when he replaced a smaller fortress on the Sabika hills that was built by Samuel ibn Naghrillah. Muhammed I of the Nasrid dynasty created a citadel to protect himself from the constant attacks of the Castilleans. The initial Alhambra complex consisted of Alcazaba (the fortress), living spaces, a modest palace and a water system consisting of hydraulic lifts and channels.

The later Nasrid Kings – particularly Yusuf I and Muhammad V expanded this into a grand fortress with gorgeous palaces, noble houses, shops, mosques, hammams and roads. The self-contained citadel thrived under the Nasrid rule – which was the longest Islamic rule in the Iberian peninsula. It was in 1492, when the then Emir – Muhammed XII handed over Granada to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, ushering in the Catholic era.

The Court of Myrtles in the Nasrid Palace - one of the key places to see when visiting the Alhambra, Granada
The Court of Myrtles in the Nasrid Palace – one of the key places to see when visiting the Alhambra

The Christian family used the Alhambra as their royal court for a while. The epic fortress bore witness to significant historical events like that of the Alhambra decree which dictated the expulsion of any Jew who refused conversion. Even the expedition of Christopher Columbus was finalized here. The Catholic kings added a few of their touches to the Alhambra.

In the 1700s, the Alhambra was abandoned – specifically after Philip V took over. It fell victim to vandalization, earthquakes and even an attack by the Napolean troops. It was rediscovered by visitors later in the 1800s and finally popularized by Washington Living’s book – Tales of Alhambra. This brought attention back and massive restoration efforts commenced.

The Alhambra in Granada was declared a National Monument in 1870 and finally became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. Much of its iconic palaces, towers and royal gardens has been recovered – all of you will witness when visiting the Alhambra, Granada.

While this is just a gist of the whole Alhambra story, it should be enough for you to gear up for your trip. You will find helpful signages with more details at the Alhambra. Or if you fancy, you can always research for more details.

Book your Alhambra Palace tickets well in advance (at least a month ahead)

This is the most important among all the tips for visiting the Alhambra. Given the cap on visitors, the Alhambra Palace tickets get sold out weeks (sometimes months during the peak season) ahead. So, as soon as you know your probable dates, reserve your tickets for the Alhambra.

My impending trip to Granada was planned for early-mid April and when I attempted to book the Alhambra entry tickets, I found my preferred dates were all sold out on the official Alhambra website. There were no slots available for a daytime visit to the Alhambra. Luckily, with a bit of shuffle, I managed to get a confirmed slot. More on how I managed this in the subsection on what to do when the Alhambra tickets are sold out.

One of the most important visiting Alhambra tips - get your Alhambra palace tickets in advance
One of the most important visiting Alhambra tips – get your Alhambra palace tickets in advance

The Alhambra ticket prices and types

The Alhambra is a huge complex with three main sections – the Alcazaba, Generalife and Nasrid Palaces. You will find various types of tickets and prices on their official website that cover these sections. Decoding the various options and their prices per adult –

  1. Alhambra General – €19.09. This includes all the main sections of the Alhambra and a timed entry to the Nasrid Palace during the day. This is my recommended choice for those visiting the Alhambra, Spain for the first time.
  2. Alcazaba, Gardens and Generalife – €10.61. Ideal for someone on a budget. This, however, does not include the crown jewel section of Granada’s Alhambra – the Nasrid Palaces
  3. Dobla de Oro General – €27.30. In addition to the day visits in Alhambra, you can visit the other Andalusi monuments located in the Albaicin neighborhood of Granada.
  4. Nasrid Palaces night visit – €10.61. Only a timed entry to Nasrid palaces in the evening. I am told that it is gorgeously lit but with the crowds, taking pics (without flash) gets quite tricky.
  5. Night visit to Gardens and Generalife – €7.42.
  6. Dobla de Oro night visit – €20.93
  7. Alhambra experiences – €19.09. Night visits to the Nasrid Palaces and day visits to the other sections.

There are a few more options available on the official website but those are just combinations of the above. These entrance tickets are Alhambra tickets without a guide. Guided tours are not available on the official website. More on that coming up.

Where and how to book the Alhambra tickets?

On the official website

This should be your first option for getting the entrance tickets to the Alhambra. Just click this to get to the official website, pick the type of visit or ticket that you want, select the Nasrid Palace time slot, pay and voila – it is all done.

Keep the digital copy of the tickets handy with the QR Code or if you so wish, take a printout of the same for your actual visit to the place.

Note that you will have to give your photo ID reference (passport or Government ID cards) when booking the tickets for the Alhambra. To be on the safe side, give the same reference as the one that you will be carrying while visiting Alhambra, Granada.

Palace of the lions - one of the Nasrid palaces that you can see with the Alhambra  palace tickets
Palace of the lions – one of the Nasrid palaces that you can see with the Alhambra palace tickets
On-the-spot bookings for the Alhambra

Use this option only as a last-minute hack. You can get tickets for the Alhambra at the ticket counters or vending machines at the gate. However, there are limited tickets and the queue is inordinately long. The chances of you getting lucky are much slimmer than an online confirmed entry.

Note that the ticket windows open at 8 am – 30 minutes ahead of the Alhambra’s opening time. You should try to get to the window earlier than that as the queues can get really long.

Booking through Third-Party sites

GetYourGuide or Viator are two websites that I recommend for booking your Alhambra tickets. These sites offer a variety of options – from basic entry tickets to Alhambra with tour guides.

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Getting your tickets with the Granada pass

If you are planning to spend time in Granada, then this option might be a good one. Granada city passes for 24 hours – 72 hours are available online and they not only get you entry into the Alhambra but have loads of other entrance tickets included plus free bus rides, discounts on cafes and more. You can get one along with a guided tour of Alhambra through this link.

What should I do if the Alhambra tickets are sold out?

You can opt for tickets to Alhambra at night in case the daytime tickets are sold out
You can opt for tickets to Alhambra at night in case the daytime tickets are sold out

This happened to me. The Alhambra tickets were sold almost a month and a half before my travel to Granada. That said, I saw tickets quickly selling out on GetYourGuide too. I took a call and finally found a good deal on the website that includes the Alhambra with a tour guide and a 72-hour Granada pass. Sure, I had to shell out a bit more but the rest of Granada sightseeing and other perks of the card more than made up for it.

So, if you too find yourself in the same situation as me, head over to GetYourGuide or Viator through the quick links section of this travel guide (before the table of contents). The tour operators generally, are a good bet here as around 30% of the Alhambra castle tickets are reserved for them.

Alternatively, just buy a Granada city pass. And yes, you always have the last-minute option of standing in a queue at the venue itself. The night tours of Alhambra are generally less in demand and there is a chance, you might get that at the least.

If all of this fails, you can just visit the free sections of the Alhambra

  • The Charles V Palace
  • Torre de la Cabezas
  • The Alhambra Museum
  • Carmen de los Marties
  • Puerta de la Justice
  • Baño de la Mezquita (Alhambra mosque bath house)

Should you go for the Alhambra guided tour or not?

Personally, I think this is a good option – especially if you are interested in the stories of Alhambra. I enjoyed my guided tour of the Alhambra for the little quirks and gossipy tales of the palace.  My Alhambra tour guide knew how to keep us all engaged and managed our Alhambra itinerary well.

That said, there is a certain need to keep up and stick to the time given by the guide. I would have loved a little leisure time at some of the places to visit inside the Alhambra. There was also, that little wait time that I missed for a crowd-free picture. However, besides the Nasrid palaces, you can always revisit those areas.

You also have the option of downloading an audio guide or purchasing one at the entrance. This does add a little flexibility to your visit to the Alhambra.

In case you are looking for some options for these guided tours of Alhambra, here are three that I had shortlisted for my visit.

Well, with that a last insistence on the Alhambra entrance tickets – Do not keep it for the last minute. Book it as soon as you can – possibly even before you book your Granada stay and travel.

What is the best time to visit Alhambra in Granada?

Alright, so now that you know that the tickets to Alhambra are precious and need to be procured in advance, let me share a bit about the best time to visit Alhambra.

Best season for visiting Alhambra, Spain

Spring is one of the best times to visit the Alhambra
Spring is one of the best times to visit the Alhambra

The peak season for Alhambra is summer – particularly the months of July and August. This is when you will find it hard to escape the crowds plus the sweltering heat of 40 degrees or more. It is better to visit the Alhambra in spring season (April to May) or autumn (September to October).

I visited this Granada attraction around mid-April when the weather was just perfect. The spring had almost set in – adding further vibrancy to the Alhambra woods and gardens.

Best time of the day to visit the Alhambra

The Alhambra opens at 8:30 am every day. During the summer months, the Alhambra closing time is 8:00 pm while in winter, this gets reduced to 6 pm. You will indicate a preferred time for the Nasrid palaces when booking your tickets for the Alhambra.

You can avoid the crowd when visiting the Alhambra by booking an early morning slot or an evening slot
You can avoid the crowd when visiting the Alhambra by booking an early morning slot or an evening slot

If possible, try to book the Nasrid palaces for the first slot in the morning. As is the case with most historical sites and landmarks, the Alhambra gets crowded by 10 am with tons of tours. The other alternative is around 4 pm when the crowds reduce owing to the heat. Depending on your slot, you can visit the rest of Alhambra before or after the Nasrid palaces. (check the suggested Alhambra itinerary)

With my last-minute Alhambra complex tickets, I did not have a choice but to visit mid-morning. However, thankfully my Nasrid palace slot was around 3 pm – by when the crowds had thinned – allowing me to enjoy the most beautiful part of Alhambra a little better.

What is the best time to visit Alhambra in Granada?

Alright, so now that you know that the tickets to Alhambra are precious and need to be procured in advance, let me share a bit on the best time to visit Alhambra.

Best season for visiting Alhambra, Spain

The peak season for Alhambra is summer – particularly the months of July and August. This is when you will find it hard to escape the crowds plus the sweltering heat of 40 degrees or more. It is better to visit the Alhambra in spring season (April to May) or autumn (September to October).

I visited this Granada attraction around mid-April when the weather was just perfect. The spring had almost set in – adding further vibrancy to the Alhambra woods and gardens.

Best time of the day to visit the Alhambra

The Alhambra opens at 8:30 am every day. During the summer months, the Alhambra closing time is 8:00 pm while in winter, this gets reduced to 6 pm. You will indicate a preferred time for the Nasrid palaces, when booking your tickets for the Alhambra.

If possible, try to book the Nasrid palaces for the first slot of the morning. As is the case with most historical sites and landmarks, the Alhambra gets crowded by 10 am with tons of tours. The other alternative is around 4 pm, when the crowds reduce owing to the heat. Depending on your slot, you can visit the rest of Alhambra before or after the Nasrid palaces. (check the suggested Alhambra itinerary)

With my last minute Alhambra complex tickets, I did not have a choice but to visit mid-morning. However, thankfully my Nasrid palace slot was around 4 pm – by when the crowds had thinned – allowing me to enjoy the most beautiful part of Alhambra a little better.

Make sure you are at least 20 minutes early for visiting the Alhambra palace complex – specifically Nasrid Palaces

The hall of two sisters inside the Alhambra's Nasrid Palaces
The hall of two sisters inside the Alhambra’s Nasrid Palaces

The timed entry to Nasrid Palaces is quite strict and if you miss your slot, there is no way of visiting the place unless you spend again and book another slot (which will likely not be available immediately). Only 300 people per half an hour are allowed inside this section of the Alhambra complex. Expect a queue at the entrance.

Most Alhambra tour guides factor this in and keep prompting you to be at least 20 – 30 minutes before your Nasrid palace entry. However, if you are on your own, factor in this invaluable visit Alhambra tip and trigger an alarm to ensure you are on time.

How to visit the Alhambra from Granada city?

An important part of visiting the Alhambra tips is planning how to get to the UNESCO World heritage site. There are two entrances to the Alhambra. The first is Puerta de la Justicia or the gate of Justice which is closer to the Nasrid palaces and the Alcazaba. This entrance allows only people with pre-purchased tickets (one with the QR code). The queue is comparatively shorter here.

The second entrance is a pavilion which is a 10- 15 minute walk to the Nasrid palaces. This is also, the entrance that you will need to use if you are planning to get your tickets on that day.

Depending on the mode of commute that you take, you will find yourself at either of these two points. There are four ways of getting to the Alhambra entrances from the city.

1) Walk up to the Alhambra

Depending on where you are in the city, there are three possible walking routes you can take to get to the Alhambra entrances. I have plotted these routes on the Alhambra map below which you can use when you visit.

The 1st route takes you from Plaza Neuva through Cuesta de Gomez and the Pomogranate gate to the Puerta de la Justicia. The walk time is around 20 minutes. It is a winding path that allows you to experience the woods around the Alhambra.

The 2nd route is ideal for anyone near Paseo de los Tristes. You have to go through Cuesta de Rey Chico to the Pavillion entrance of the Alhambra. The walk takes around 15 minutes.

The 3rd option is from Plaza del Realejo via Cuesta del Realjo to the Alhambra Pavillion entrance. The walking time is around 10 minutes

Note that the walking is uphill and you might just want to conserve your energy for your Alhambra tour. That said, the routes are quite scenic with gorgeous views of the city. I chose to hike down on the first route after my visit rather than walk up. Instead, I chose to take the bus.

One of the patios inside the Alhambra palace
One of the patios inside the Alhambra palace

2) Take one of the red minibuses to the Alhambra.

Spot any of these red minibuses – C30. C32 or C35 and get onto them for €1.40 for a ride to the Alhambra. This is stops at the main Pavillion entrance of the Alhambra and can be caught as early as 7:00 am. They are easily available in Granada city center, especially near the Royal Chapel of Granada and Plaza Isabel de Catholica.

3) Hire a cab

Uber or any of the radio taxis are an easy option, especially if you are a group of four. The price from central Granada to the Alhambra is around €5.

4) Self-drive to Alhambra in Granada

If you have a car at your disposal, then you will have to hit N 323 and follow the Alhambra signage to a public parking space. The parking fee is around €5.45 for three hours. Remember to take your parking ticket before you head to The Pavillion entrance, which is a small walk away from the parking area.

You cannot drive directly to the Alhambra from the city center of Granada.

How long does it take to visit the Alhambra?

The Alhambra is huge and there are just tons of things to see inside the Alhambra complex. With the Nasrid palaces, you will find yourself spending at least 3 – 4 hours. You will be spending a lot of time walking between the various places to see inside the Alhambra as they are spread over a large area. Also, budget time for the queues.

Remember to pace yourself while wandering around the Alhambra. This will help you enjoy the place better without getting frenzied.

Can you do an Alhambra day trip from other cities in Spain?

Yes, you can make a day trip to Alhambra in Granada from cities like Malaga, Marbella and Seville. You can either take a bus or train or rent a car to get to Granada. Alternatively, you can opt for day tours from these cities. Here are three suggested day tours that you can consider from these cities and book online

Comfortable shoes and outfits are the only dress code for Alhambra!

There are plenty of pretty frames inside the Alhambra complex for taking pictures
There are plenty of pretty frames inside the Alhambra complex for taking pictures

There is no strict dress code for the Alhambra. You can wear anything but make sure that it is comfortable for a long day and lots of walking. You will also, be climbing up the guard towers and the stairs are of uneven heights. I recommend flat shoes with your outfit.

Go for bright colors when visiting the Alhambra Palace as there are plenty of memorable frames to pose against.

Note this checklist of dos and don’ts of things that you can carry when visiting the Alhambra palace

Let me start with the list of things that you can and must carry inside the Alhambra complex

  • A small backpack (not more than 40 x 40 cm). The larger ones will have to be left at the luggage counter
  • Cameras and mobiles. Note that no flash photography is allowed inside Alhambra.
  • Battery packs and I recommend that you charge them well. You will need them
  • Water bottle. There are plenty of water stations to refill these
  • Food  – finger food or sandwiches or wraps would be ideal
  • And the most important – your original passport and photo ID. This will be checked at the ticket counters.

Among the things that you CANNOT carry for your Alhambra day trip

  • Selfie sticks and tripod stands
  • Baby strollers. Instead, take a baby bag
  • Large luggage and backpacks.

With that, I conclude the preparation section of this guide to Alhambra. Now, let’s get on with the tips and suggestions to follow during your Alhambra visit.

Tips for your Alhambra tour (for your actual visit)

Pick one of these three recommended Alhambra itineraries.

The Alhambra map
The Alhambra map

The map of the Alhambra complex is on display at various places within the complex. You can grab a photo of the same or just a print of the above map for your reference. Spread over 35 acres, the Alhambra is huge.  I would divide the layout into five distinct clusters – each of which has its own set of things to see. Note these clusters with the approximate time that you need to budget for them

  • Generalife and the Alhambra Gardens – 45 minutes
  • Alcazaba – the old fortress – 1 hour
  • Nasrid palaces – 1 hour
  • The Medina (No. 5 on the map) – 15 minutes
  • Charles V palace (No.11 on the map) – 30 – 45 minutes

I am sure you are wondering where to start and how to visit the Alhambra. Well, depending on your Nasrid palace entrance time, you can pick one of these Alhambra itinerary suggestions.

  1. Nasrid Palaces – Alcazaba – Generalife
  2. Alcazaba – Nasrid Palaces – Generalife
  3. Generalife – Alcazaba – Nasrid Palaces

From the Alhambra map, you can see that the Charles V palace is close to the Nasrid Palaces and can be visited either before or after the Nasrid palace tour. The Medina is a section that falls in between the Generalife and the rest of Alhambra sections. So you can squeeze that in when you are walking between Generalife to the Alcazaba or Nasrid Palaces. The Medina does not need any detour and is mostly a set of excavated ruins that will not take time.

What to see in the Alhambra, Granada? (Key highlights and must-visit attractions of Alhambra)

I was there in the Alhambra for four hours but I could not see every bit of the place. The complete list of things to see in the Alhambra needs more than four hours. Also, it is a little overwhelming to do it all in one go. So, focus on covering these highlights of the Alhambra. I have included interesting stories and architecture of each.

Puerta de la Justicia or the Gate of Justice

Puerta de la Justicia or the Justice gate of the Alhambra - one of the places to see
Puerta de la Justicia or the Justice gate of the Alhambra – one of the places to see

It is possible that you enter the Alhambra through this gate. Built in the 1300s, this was one of the main entrances to the Granada fortress. Like most defensive forts (Agra Fort and Mehrangarh Fort for example), this has passages that turn sharply at 90 degrees, slowing the enemy if they entered. The paths, of course, had gaps for the defending party to attack the enemy by throwing stones or shooting.

The Renaissance water fountain next to the Gate of Justice in Alhambra
The Renaissance water fountain next to the Gate of Justice in Alhambra

What you need to, however, spot in this entrance or Alhambra arch is an etching of a hand. The five fingers symbolize the five pillars of Islam. Alongside it is a key that stands for faith. These sculpted parts of this Moorish entrance were the original part of Alhambra. When the Spanish kings took over, they included an image of Virgin Mary and the child Christ.

Just outside the entrance, note the Renaissance fountain built in 1524.

Alcazaba – an unmissable part of the Alhambra itinerary

Inside the Alcazaba of the Alhambra, Granada
Inside the Alcazaba of the Alhambra, Granada

The Alcazaba is the oldest part of the Alhambra complex. It was built in the 13th century by Muhammed I. Located on the highest point of the Sabika hill, it was a mini citadel with army barracks, watch towers and gardens. The initial palace and residence of Muhammed I was here till the 14th century. It was shifted out of this enclosure after the Nasrid palaces were constructed.

Among the various places to see in the Alcazaba, don’t miss these –

  • Jardines de los Adarves (Garden of the Ramparts) –  a small garden that you will see as soon as you enter the Alcazaba. This is along the ramparts that offer a gorgeous view of the city
  • Plaza de Armas (Arms Square) – these are the ruins you will encounter as you enter the Alcazaba enclosure. The space had the homes of several important people including those serving in the army. There are also, dungeons found here where the prisoners were kept. Remains of the hammams (bath houses) and cisterns are also, visible here.
  • Torre del Homenaje – the tallest tower with five floors
  • Torre de la Vela (watch tower) – this is the one tower that you can see from Granada City. It has four floors and you can climb up to get panoramic views of Granada. After the Christian kings took over the Alhambra, a bell was added here – run at intervals for a time check as well as to announce important days.
  • Torre de Armas (Tower of Arms) – this has an interesting gateway called as the Puerta de las Armas. This possibly is the oldest gate of the Alhambra which has the same key as the gate of Justice inscribed on it.
Granada city as seen from Torre de la Vela of Alhambra
Granada city as seen from Torre de la Vela of Alhambra

Palacio Nazaries or the Nasrid Palaces – the jewel of Alhambra fortress

Ornate interiors with intricate carvings, artistic ceilings and lavish gardens with fountains and pools – there is no doubt that the Nasrid Palaces were built to impress. Many of the iconic pictures of the Alhambra are of the Nasrid Palaces. The first of these was built in the 14th century. Later various Nasrid kings kept adding to the structures and more of these were made. There are three main sections of the Nasrid palaces.

The Mexuar
The Mexuar - one of the things to see in the Alhambra
The Mexuar – one of the things to see in the Alhambra

The Mexuar is the first place that you will encounter inside the Alhambra palace. This is the oldest surviving part of the original palace built by Abu l-Walid Ismail – the fifth of the Nasrid rulers. The rest of the palace was destroyed by Yusuf I who replaced it with another stunning building.

This section was used by the King for meeting with his ministers or as a private court. You can get the first dose of the Moorish architecture and design here in the tile work and the signature motifs that look like vines but in reality, are calligraphic verses from the Quran.

Comares Palace
Comares palace - one of the Alhambra attractions
Comares palace – one of the Alhambra attractions

The official residence of the King consists of a gorgeous patios and stunning rooms with porticos. Built by Yusuf I and finished by his son Muhammed V, the Comares palace includes the following

  • Patio de los Arrayanes – Also, called the Court of the Myrtles. It has two gorgeous fountains in a pond. Note the gorgeous Alhambra arches on either sides of the water body.
  • Hall of the Ambassadors – The throne room and meeting room for the King. Here you can see more calligraphic décor with some verses in praise of Allah, some on the Nasrid dynasty and a few words of wisdom.
  • Comares Tower – The upper part of the tower had the winter chambers of the King. The tower is over the Hall of Ambassadors and owes its name to the technique that was used to install stained glass windows in the tower. The technique called Comaries helped prevent harsh winter light from flooding the interiors.
  • Hall of the Boat – The large rectangular hall was once destroyed by fire but restored later. It has the Nasrid coat of arms on one of the walls.
  • Patio del Cuarto Dorado – The patio of the gilded room is a façade created by Muhammed V connecting the Mexuar to the Comares palace.
Palace of the Lions
Courtyard of the Lions - one of the most iconic places to see in the Alhambra
Courtyard of the Lions – one of the most iconic places to see in the Alhambra

Built entirely by Muhammed V, this is literally crown jewel of the Nasrid palaces. The section included the private chambers of the royal family as well as the harem. Here you will find –

  • Hall of the Mocarabes – The entrance hall
  • Hall of the Kings – This was used as a court and a justice hall. It leads to the famous Patio de los Leones – one of the most iconic structures of the Alhambra. This has painted ceilings that depicts various scenes from everyday life.
  • Patio de los Leones – 12 lion fountains surrounded by a gallery of 124 marble arches. You just cannot miss this place when visiting the Alhambra.
  • Hall of the Abencerrajes –  This is where you can see a spectacular muqarna ceiling (honeycomb structured)
  • Hall of the two sisters – The sultana’s chambers but not named owing to any story. It just has two marble flagstones. However, the most impressive part is the muqarna dome and the lattice works around it.
  • Hall of the Ajimeces – This has two balconies with stunning views of the city
  • Daraxa’s Mirador and gardens – A garden of Orange trees that separated the new palace built by Charles V from the Palace of lions.
  • El Partal – Technically, this is oldest of the Alhambra palaces built in late 1300s by Muhammed III. However, the structure has undergone several alterations. It now has arched portico that faces a reflective pool

Plenty to see, right? This is why I mention at least one hour in my visit Alhambra tips for the Nasrid palaces.

The gorgeous Alhambra ceiling with the muqarna
The gorgeous Alhambra ceiling with the muqarna

Charles V Palace

Charles V Palace in the Alhambra, Spain
Charles V Palace in the Alhambra, Spain

The very Renaissance building right before the Nasrid palaces and the Alcazaba was constructed by the Spanish King Charles V. Rather, he began constructing it but never finished it. It remained without a roof till 1957. The structure was built in the same place where an old Nasrid palace once stood.

Today, you can visit two amazing museums that hold many of the Nasrid gems and excavated treasures. Don’t miss its inner courtyard which is lined by gigantic pillars.

Church of Santa Maria

The church of Santa Maria stands where once the Alhambra mosque did
The church of Santa Maria stands where once the Alhambra mosque did

The Alhambra mosque once occupied the same space as what is now the Church of Santa Maria. The church was built in the 16th century and sports baroque interiors. A little ahead of the church are ruins of the Alhambra hammams.

The Medina

Medina inside the Alhambra
Medina inside the Alhambra

You will encounter a set of ruins and excavated sites between the Generalife and the Alcazaba. My Alhambra guide just mentioned them as the space for noblemen’s homes. However, when I probed a little deeper, I discovered that this was once a bustling medina with not just homes, but artisan shops, a marketplace, public bath houses and more.

Generalife

Court of the Sultana’s Cypress Tree - part of the Generalife in Alhambra
Court of the Sultana’s Cypress Tree – part of the Generalife in Alhambra

The Generalife was the summer palace, rather the pleasure palace of the Nasrid kings. The place is green with orchards and ornamental trees and plants. The spaces is interspersed by decorative water structures – from fountains to cascades and pools.  These gardens are believed to be one of the oldest Moorish gardens – designed to represent paradise.

The key places to see in the Generalife include –

  • Patio de la Acequia – A long pool with jets of water and arched porticos on either ends forms this structure.
  • Court of the Sultana’s Cypress Tree – This is a space full of cypress trees, ponds and stone fountains. You can also, spot the Water stairway with its four levels of flowing water
Patio de la Acequia in Generalife - one of the Alhambra sightseeing places
Patio de la Acequia in Generalife – one of the Alhambra sightseeing places

This concludes my list of must-see attractions in the Alhambra. If you have the time, you can wander around the Alhambra and find interesting towers, squares and miradors around the complex.

Remember to keep your energy up with some food and water

Another one of the Alhambra ceilings - this one has a painted scene
Another one of the Alhambra ceilings – this one has a painted scene

As mentioned earlier in this Alhambra guide, you must keep a water bottle with you. Hydrate frequently as there is plenty of walking under the sun. There are lots of water stations around the complex and you can always refill your bottles there.

I also, advise you to keep some food with you as there are not many cafes or restaurants in the complex. The one that I recall seeing – The Parador, is frightfully expensive. I packed some sandwiches for my visit, which I enjoyed at one of the public areas of the Alhambra.  

Remember to finish each section properly before exiting it

You can visit each section only once. To explain this further, if you have punched into the Alcazaba, you cannot exit and come back again. So make sure you finish exploring all you want in each section before moving out.

A glimpse of the beautiful Alhambra interiors and Moorish architecture
A glimpse of the beautiful Alhambra interiors and Moorish architecture

General tips for visiting the Alhambra

  • Restrooms are available at various points within the Alhambra complex
  • There is a route available for people with disability. You can access the same here.
  • I highly recommend a tourist guide or an audio guide when visiting the Alhambra. The audio guides can be got from the Pavilion entrance or you can download one here. The tourist guides will have to be hired separately. They are not available at the Alhambra. You can opt for one of these private guided tours or group tours.
  • Do not use flash when taking photos inside the Alhambra.

With that I conclude this mega Alhambra palace guide. I am sure by now you are clear on how to plan your own Alhambra visit. If you need any help, just leave a comment at the end of the blog and I will try to help you. Else, have fun!

Common FAQs section of this visiting Alhambra guide

Can you visit Alhambra without a guide?

Yes, it is possible to visit the Alhambra without a guide. There are several helpful signages within the Alhambra complex that will help you with your self-guided tour of Alhambra. You can also, download this audio guide or buy one at the entrance of the Alhambra fortress to help you with your tour.

Is Granada worth visiting without the Alhambra?

Absolutely, Granada is filled with several historic and architectural attractions. In addition to the same, you can also, visit the Albaicin and Sacromonte neighborhoods for some amazing sights and cultural experiences. For adventure lovers, there are plenty of activities that Granada has to offer. You can easily spend more than one day here even without seeing the Alhambra.

Before you go, pin this

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