20 Best Alhambra Tips: How To Visit Alhambra in Spain 2024

I visited Alhmabra on my recent trip to Andalusia. And I loved it!
Here are my 20 essential Alhambra tips and tricks to help you make the most of your Alhambra visit.
Be aware that Alhambra is the second most visited site in Spain. Only Sagrada Familia in Barcelona gets more visitors than the Alhambra in Granada. 2,000,000 people visit Alhambra every year. Visits to Alhambra are limited to 6,600 visitors a day. Arm yourself with these 20 Alhambra tips and tricks to ensure a relaxed Alhambra visit. Enjoy my Alhambra photos, too!

Alhambra Palace is a must-see if you are planning to spend a week in Spain — The Alhambra and Granada © World Travel Connector

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Alhambra tips — The Court of the Lions in Alhambra © World Travel Connector

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How to visit Alhambra in Granada: 20 Best Alhambra tips and tricks

How to visit Alhambra in Granada: 20 Best Alhambra tips and tricks

Spain is the second most visited country in the World, following only France. And, Alhambra Palace in Granada is the second most visited site in Spain, following only Sagrada Familia by the number of visitors.
Every year more than 80 million people visit Spain. More than 2 million people visit Alhambra a year.

Visiting Alhambra in Granada in southern Spain on an amazing Andalucia road trip and sampling along the way flavourful Spain foods (which are among the best food in the world) are among my top things to do in Spain.

When you visit Alhambra, it becomes clear why Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage site, a top tourist attraction in Spain, the most visited monument in Spain, the best of the best castles in Spain, and one of the most famous tourist attractions in the World overall.
There are only a few places in the world that can be compared to Alhambra in Spain. Probably the Taj Mahal in India is the one.

Alhambra tips include visiting Daraxa's Mirador and all of Nasrid Palaces early morning as possible — Daraxa’s Mirador is a part of the Nasrid Palaces in Alhambra © World Travel Connector

La Alhambra in Spain has been inspiring poets, writers, artists, and alike for centuries: among others Washington Irving, Salaman Rushdie, Federico Garcia Lorca, Paulo Coelho, and George Brandard Shaw. , Morrish poets called El Alhambra ‘a pearl set in emeralds’.

The Alhambra complex is colorful in every sense: historical, cultural, architectural, and artistic. Alhambra is deep and rich in history, culture, and stories.
Alhambra is a palace, yet a fort. Alhambra of Spain is romantic, yet mystical. It is royal, yet military.
But above all Spain’s Alhambra is impressive in every way.

best views of one of the Alahmabra tips is to go to Albaicín for the best views of Alhambra — A view of Alhambra from Albaicín © World Travel Connector

The Alhambra Palace is simply majestic and the Alhambra setting is stunning.

Magnificent Alhambra Palace stands on the top of Al-Sabika hill superiorly overlooking the valley of the river Darro and dominating the city of Granada in Spain with the Sierra Nevada in the background.

one of the Alhambra tips is for the best views of Granada to go to Alcazaba fortress — A view of Granada from Alcazaba fortress in Alhambra © World Travel Connector

Magical Alhambra Castle was named the Red Castle by the Moors since Alhambra means literally ‘the Red One’ in Arabic.
Although it was founded by Romans, the true shine was given to Al Alhambra by the Moors in the 8th century during the Al Andalus era, while the Renaissance style was added by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella in the 15th century.

One of Alhambra tips is to visit first Nasrid Palaces — The interior of the Nasrid Palaces in Alhambra in Granada © World Travel Connector

A unique mix of architectural and artistic styles adorns Alhambra. Thus, it is not surprising that Alhambra is one of the most visited sites in the World.

One of the Alahambra tips is to head early in the morning to Nazrid Palaces to see Place of the Lions before the tourist crowds come — Palace of the Lions is a part of Nasrid Palaces in Alhambra in Granada © World Travel Connector

Tips for visiting Alhambra Palace in Granada in Spain

VISITING ALHAMBRA TIPS

These essential Alhambra tips on how to visit Alhambra will help you to prepare yourself for visiting Alhambra.

1. Buy an Alhambra ticket online on the official website

Buy La Alhambra tickets in advance on the Alhambra official website. Choose the date, with the exact time of your visit to Alhambra and the type of ticket.
Visits to Alhambra are limited to 6,600 visitors a day. The official recommendation of the Alhambra is to buy tickets for Alhambra 90 days in advance since only 300 people can enter the Nasrid Palaces (the main attraction of the Alhambra complex) every 30 min. ALHAMBRA TICKETS OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Tickets for the Alhambra complex are valid for the whole day, but the tickets for the Nasrid Palaces are valid only for an exact time slot indicated on the Alhambra ticket.

If the tickets are not sold out, you can buy tickets to Alhambra Spain at the Ticket Office on the same day. Before you head to the Ticket Office, check out the official Alhambra website to see if there are any available tickets for the day. If Alhambra tickets are sold out, there’s no need to get up to the Alhambra fortress.

I visited Granada and Alhambra in May and bought my ticket for visiting Alhambra 2 days before heading to Granada. I got lucky. I traveled to Spain without a strict itinerary and had the freedom to select the dates for visiting Granada. If you travel to Andalusia with limited time, I strongly advise buying Alhambra tickets online in advance. ALHAMBRA TICKETS OFFICIAL WEBSITE

2. Choose the type of Alhambra ticket

There are different types of tickets to Alhambra: General Alhambra Entrance, Generalife and Alcazaba, Night Visit to Nazrid Palaces, Night Visit to Generalife, Combined Visit, and Alhambra Experiences (the nighttime visit to Nasrid Palaces with the daytime visit to Alcazaba and Generalife gardens on two consecutive days).

The Alhambra General Ticket (a ticket that allows visiting the entire Alhambra complex during the day) and the Alhambra Palaces at Night Ticket are the most sought-after Alhambra Palace tickets.

I bought the Alhambra General Ticket which gave me access to the whole Alhambra complex.

3. Alhambra ticket price

Alhambra tickets vary in the range from 7,42 EUR – 19,09 EUR
General Alhambra admission ticket fee (the one I bought): 19,09 EUR

4. Choose your time of visiting Alhambra wisely

The best time of day to visit Alhambra is the early morning.

If you want to have Alhambra visit with no crowds, aim to buy a ticket for visiting Alhambra at the earliest time possible, before big group tours come: at 8:30. I went to Alhambra at the earliest possible time (8:30 am) and took some great Alhambra photos with no tourists.

5. Keep your Alhambra Palace ticket on your phone

When you buy a ticket online, you don’t need to print it.
You just need to show the QR code of your ticket on your phone for scanning and to show your passport.
Visitors needed to print their online tickets previously. But, not anymore.

6. Be at the entrance at least 30 min before the time on your ticket

Aim to be at least 30 minutes ahead of the time on your ticket at the entrance to the Nasrid Palaces. If you are late, you won’t be allowed to enter the Alhambra.
You can’t change the date and time of your entry to Alhambra.

7. Consider buying a fast-track ticket

If you don’t like or don’t have time to wait in line, buy a Fast-Track Ticket.

8. Bring your ID

To enter the Alhambra Palace you need to show your government ID or passport. So, don’t forget to take your ID or passport with you!

9. Keep in mind that Alhambra has two entrances

The Alhambra Palace has two entrances: the Main Entrance and the Gate of Justice Entrance.

If you are visiting Alhambra on a tour, you are most likely going to meet at the Main Entrance. However, if you are visiting Alhambra independently, you can choose whichever.
The main Entrance is close to the Generalife Palace, while the Gate of Justice Entrance is close to the Nasrid Palaces, Alcazaba, and Charles V Palace.

10. Start your Alhambra visit with Nasrid Palaces

Alhambra tips Court of the Lions 1 1 — The Court of the Lions in Alhambra © World Travel Connector

Plan your Alhambra itinerary.

The main structures of the Alhambra complex in Spain are the Court of the Myrtles, the Nasrid Palaces, the Generalife Place with Gardens, the Partal Palace with Partal Gardens, the Palace of Carlos V, and Alcazaba.

The most beautiful part of the Alhambra complex is the Nasrid Palaces.

The best is to start the Alhambra visit with the Nasrid Palaces and then head to the Generalife Palace and Gardens, Alcazaba, and the rest of the Alhambra complex.

Keep in mind, that visits to the Nasrid Palaces are restricted by the time slots.

Alhambra tips Generalife gardens — The Generalife Gardens in Alhambra © World Travel Connector

The Nasrid Palaces consist of the Palace of the Lions with central Patio of the Lions, Hall of the Mocarabes, Hall of the Abencerrajes, Harem, Hall of the Kings, Hall of the Two Sisters, Hall of the Ajimeces, Daraxa’s Mirador, the Emperor’s Chambers, Queen’s Dressing Room, Patio of the Wrought Iron Grille, Daraxa’s Garden, and Baths

Alhambra tips Calle Real de la Alhambra — Calle Real de la Alhambra in Alhambra complex in Granada © World Travel Connector

You can find the Alhambra map for download here

11. Plan to spend about 3 hours in the complex

Time to visit the Alhambra complex takes 3 hours on average (wear comfortable shoes and bring some water and snacks with you).

12. Chose your stay in Granada smart

Alhambra is on a hill. From the center of the city of Granada to Alhambra takes a 20 min walk or a 20 min drive.

Plan enough time to reach Alhambra to enter. The best would be to stay near Alhambra or to stay in an Alhambra Palace hotel.

There are two options to stay within the grounds of Alhambra Castle: Hotel America and Parador de Granada.

13. Decide if you want to walk to Alhambra

Decide how you will get to the Alhambra complex.
You can get to the Alhambra complex: on foot, by bus, and by car.

The Alhambra Palace is on a hill. The walk up the hill is steep and it takes about 20 min to the Alhambra complex from the Plaza Nueva in Granada.

There are two gates to enter the Alhambra complex: the Gate of Justice and the Main Entrance. If you are planning to start your visit to Alhambra from the Generalife Palace and Gardens, you need to go to the Main Entrance. If you are planning to start your Alhambra visit from the Nasrid Palaces, you need to enter Alhambra at the Gate of Justice.

In other words, the Gate of Justice is the entrance to the Nasrid Palace.

Alhambra tips Torre de Las Damas — Torre de Las Damas in Alhambra in Granada in Spain © World Travel Connector

14. Decide if you want to go to Alhambra by bus

If you are not into uphill walking, take bus No 30 and No 32 from the Plaza Nueva in Granada. The one-way ticket costs about 1.20 EUR. But, the bus takes to the Main Entrance, not to the Gate of Justice. If you don’t buy your ticket in advance, you’ll need to wait in a long queue to buy the ticket. From the Main Entrance, you can visit the Generalife Gardens before going to the Nasrid Palace.

15. Decide if you want to go to Alhambra by car

If you choose to get to Alhambra by car, there’s a parking lot in front of the Main Entrance. Alhambra parking ticket costs 5.45 EUR for 3 hours, and 7 EUR for 4 hours. You will get the ticket when you enter the parking lot. You need to pay for the parking at the parking machine before leaving the parking lot. From the center of Granada to the parking lot takes a 15-minute drive on average.

16. Admire Alhambra from different views in Granada

one of the Alhambra tips is for the best views of Alhambra to go to Carrera del Darro in Granada — A view of Alhambra from Carrera del Darro in Granada © World Travel Connector

Granada is among the most beautiful cities in Spain. Take a stroll in Granada, and see Alhambra from different places in Granada.
Admire the Alhambra fortress palace from the banks of the river Darro, from the Alabacin (a famous medieval Moorish neighborhood), and charming Sacromonte neighborhood (famous gypsy quarter).
The views of the Alhambra complex from Alabacin and Sacromonte are particularly spectacular in the sunset. The best sunset view of Alhambra is from Mirador de San Nicolas (Plaza San Nicolas in Alabacin).

17. Alhambra Hours

Alhambra tips view of Granada from the Torre de Las Damas — A view of Granada from the Torre de Las Damas in Alhambra © World Travel Connector

Alhambra opening hours:

8:30 – 18:00 (Mon-Sun; mid-Oct – Mar)
8:30 – 18:00 (Mon-Sun, Apr – mid-Oct)

Nasrid Palace at Night:

20:00 to 21:30 (Fri-Sat; mid-Oct – Mar)
22:00 to 23:30 (Tue-Sat, April – Mid-Oct)

Generalife Palace & Gardens at Night

22:00 to 23:30 (Tue-Sat; Apr-May)
22:00 to 23:30 (Tue to Sat; Sep – mid-Oct)
20:00 to 21:30 (Fri-Sat; mid-Oct – mid-Nov)

18. Choose where to stay in Granada to visit Alhambra easily

Alhambra tips for finding a perfect stay in Granada

Hotels in Granada Spain near Alhambra:

Hotel America – a 1-star boutique-style hotel within the grounds of the Alhambra Palace
Parador de Granada – a 4-star luxury hotel within the grounds of the Alhambra overlooking the Generalife. Romantic, especially recommended for couples
Alhambra Palace – a 5-star luxury hotel just outside of the ancient walls of Alhambra with spectacular views of the city of Granada. A peaceful oasis with views of Granada to die for.
Apartamentos Campo Del Príncipe – the 3-star apartments that are 10 min walk from the Alhambra Palace, 500 m from Albaicin, and 600 m from the Arab Baths. Great value for the money.
Lemon Rock Hostel – a budget option 25 min walk from the Palace Alhambra, in the heart of Granada. New and modern.

19. Consider taking Alhambra tours to get valuable insights into the history of Alhambra

If you don’t buy your Alhambra ticket online through the official Alhambra website www.alhambra-tickets.es, or at the Ticket Office at the Alhambra entrance, you can buy an Alhambra guided tour from an Authorized Travel Agency.

Alhambra tours: Book Alhambra tour

Or if you want to learn more about the history of Alhambra, a good idea is to take a guided tour with an expert guide.

Granada: Alhambra & Generalife Fast-Track Guided Tour (the most popular tour)
Granada: Alhambra, Nasrid Palaces, and Generalife Tour (a popular small-group tour)
Alhambra: Nasrid Palaces & Generalife Ticket with Audioguide (skip-the-line ticket)
Alhambra: Guided Tour with Fast-Track Entry (a 3-hour private tour)

If you are in Seville, Malaga, Marabella, and Estepona, you can take a day trip to Granada and visit Alhambra.

20. Dress comfortably

An extra tip in the end!
As I said, you will be touring Alhambra Palace for about 3 hours. Thus, dress comfortably.
You will walk that day a lot. Especially, if you decide to walk up the hill from Granada City center to Alhambra.
You will need comfortable walking shoes for visiting Alhambra. If you are traveling in summer, check out my list of top comfort women’s sandals for walking.

Pin and save these Alhambra tips and tricks to make the most of your Alhambra visit!

Are you planning a trip to Granada last minute?
If you are traveling to Granada last minute, I prepared for you a summary of the best tours of Alhambra and the best hotels in Granada.

BEST EXPERIENCES AND TOURS OF ALHAMBRA:
Granada: Alhambra Skip-the-Line Tour with Nasrid Palaces (the most popular Skip-the-Line guided tour in Alhambra)
Málaga: Alcazaba and Roman Theatre Guided Tour With Entry (the best-seller Skip-the-Line tickets)

BEST HOTELS IN GRANADA:
(luxury) Alhambra Palace – a luxury hotel just outside of the ancient walls of Alhambra
(mid-range)Apartamentos Campo Del Príncipe – a mid-range hotel within 10 min walk from the Alhambra Palace
(Budget) Lemon Rock Hostel – a budget stay within 25 min walk from the Palace Alhambra

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Milijana

Author at World Travel Connector

Milijana is an independent female solo traveler from Croatia. She enjoys nature, history, art, culture, and spiritual pursuits. Milijana is a foodie who enjoys sampling cultural food around the world, and a hiking enthusiast who did numerous trail around the globe. She greeted sunrise from the top of Mount Sinai in Egypt after a night hike and said hello to the Atlantic Ocean from Finisterre in Spain on one-month-long hike. However, she is not reluctant to rent a car and embark on a spectacular road trip. She believes that some scenic destinations like Tuscany in Italy and Andalucia in Spain are best enjoyed by car.