10 Tips to Visit the Granada Alhambra Palace
The Alhambra is an essential place to visit in Granada. Take note of these tips to get the most out of your visit.
The Alhambra | Cayetano Gros
When we think of Granada, the first monument that comes to mind and to which we associate this charming city in southern Spain is the Alhambra. The visit does not disappoint, which is why it is the most popular tourist attraction in the country.
To make the most of this experience, here are some tips that are always good to know.
1. Buy tickets online and in advance to skip the line
Many travelers dream of going to Granada to see its legendary Alhambra, the emblem of the city and its main tourist attraction, whose beauty has inspired people from all over the world for generations. It is, therefore, a very popular monument inside and outside Spain so to ensure access to the Nasrid fortress on the date and time you want, I advise you to book your tickets as far in advance as possible, as soon as you book your flight or your hotel.
This is the first tip I would give you when it comes to know it. If you buy your tickets to the Alhambra this way, besides being able to compare prices and types of tickets (with or without guided tour, in small or standard groups, day or night visits, etc.) you will avoid endless queues at the ticket office and the risk of running out of tickets, because the demand is very high and the capacity is limited every day.
In my opinion, the best option is to buy online a ticket to the Alhambra without queues with which you will enjoy direct access to the monument and you will have the attention of a professional guide who will accompany you throughout the visit to show you all the secrets of this ancient palatine city.
- Price: From 30 €.
- More info: If you want to know more, I recommend you to read the article tickets to the Alhambra.
2. A guided tour is always better than a visit on your own
Although you can visit the Alhambra on your own, if it is the first time you visit this monument and you are not familiar with its history and the different spaces that make it up, my advice is to book a guided tour of the Alhambra to discover all its amazing corners and curiosities with an expert guide. Here are the two proposals:
- Guided tour of the Alhambra and the Generalife of Granada, from $29.
- Private guided tour of the Alhambra and the Generalife of Granada, from ** $147**.
If you explore it on your own you will undoubtedly see a beautiful monument but the experience may not be enough as you will miss the context and the global vision of the Alhambra provided by a guide. Not only about its historical and artistic dimension but also about the anecdotes and legends that the guides know and that make a cultural visit something very entertaining and enjoyable.
Therefore, in my opinion, guided tours of the Alhambra are the best way to tour the ancient Nasrid palatine city, the last living trace of this dynasty in Spain.
- Price: From 25 €.
- More info: If you want to know more, I recommend you read the article guided tours of the Alhambra.
3. Get to know the most mysterious side of the Alhambra with a night visit
If you have visited the Alhambra before and on this trip to Granada you would like to enjoy it in an original and different way, how about booking a guided night tour of the Alhambra?
If the beauty of this ancient palatine city is striking in daylight, at night it shines with a special charm, contemplating it in the moonlight and in the stillness of the night is a magical and intimate experience that you must live! In addition, thanks to the delicate lighting of the monumental complex you can better appreciate certain decorative elements of its architecture and get to know the most enigmatic side of the Alhambra.
Night visits are also a good option for those travelers who prefer to avoid the crowds that occur in the fortress at certain times in the morning. If you are one of these people, do not hesitate to join one of them because you will have a great time and you will see the Alhambra from a unique perspective.
- Price: From 61 €.
- More info: If you want to know more, I recommend you to read my article night visits to the Alhambra where I tell you all about these fascinating tours.
4. Eating well near the Alhambra is possible
With permission of its mythical Alhambra, if Granada is known for something is for its rich gastronomy. There is no doubt that one of the best souvenirs you can take away from your trip is to taste the delicious local food whose flavors are the result of the mixture of different cultures. So that at the end of your visit to the Alhambra you don't have to live an odyssey trying to find a free table in such a touristy area, my advice is to be proactive and look for a good place in advance.
Normally, when planning a trip we usually pay more attention to the search for transportation or accommodation than to the restaurants where to eat during the stay and by forgetting this small detail we run the risk of ending up in a tourist trap when the hunger presses. Especially if we travel with family and small children.
So in order to live an excellent dining experience in Granada, in the post where to eat near the Alhambra I leave you a short list with some of the best places to eat near the monument and with spectacular views. And if your visit coincides with the sunset, you can take the opportunity to book a flamenco show in a cave-restaurant that includes dinner, an experience that will amaze you.
5. If you go with children, plan your visit in advance
Traveling to Granada as a family is a fantastic plan, but like all visits with children it has its trick and requires a bit of organization so that everything goes perfectly. Even more so when it is an extensive visit of several hours as is the Alhambra.
It is, therefore, that I recommend you plan a little visit to the monument if the children accompany you. Take note of these little tips that will help you to have a great family experience:
- Get your tickets online and in advance to avoid the kids getting tired waiting in long lines at the ticket office.
- Before making the visit, tell them what you are going to see so they know something about the Alhambra and can let their imagination run wild when they are inside.
- If you visit the Alhambra with children in summer, go early in the morning when it is still cool and they are full of energy.
- The visit to the Alhambra is long. Bring snacks and water in your bag in case the children get hungry or thirsty at some point. There are no restaurant areas inside the enclosure.
- I recommend booking a guided tour of the Alhambra because the tour guide will entertain them.
In the post visit the Alhambra in Granada with children you will find more tips that will be useful to make the most of this family plan. Do not miss them!
6. Protect yourself from the heat: bring water, hat and sunscreen
Many travelers take advantage of the summer vacations to visit the Alhambra and at this time of the year it is very hot in Granada, where temperatures can reach 40 ºC.
It is, therefore, very important to protect yourself from the heat and the sun to avoid hot flashes and go well prepared. Remember to carry cool water in your backpack, wear sunglasses, cover your head with a hat, apply sunscreen and use a fan.
Ah! And do not forget to wear comfortable shoes because the visit to the Nasrid fortress is long and you will walk a lot from one place to another. At the end of the day, your feet will thank you.
7. How much time to spend at the Alhambra
Whether you take a guided tour of the Alhambra or you go on your own to see the whole monumental complex, enjoying the walk at your leisure and enjoying the views, you will need at least 3 to 4 hours.
However, if you just want to see the Alhambra from above in order to add it to your list of travel landmarks, perhaps less time will be enough to get an idea of what the monument is like.
In any case, the route through the Alhambra should be organized according to the time of access to the Nasrid Palaces, as each visitor is only allowed to enter this part of the fortress at the time indicated on your ticket. So I advise you to see the royal residence of the sultans first and then explore the Alcazaba and the Generalife.
Isabel's Traveler Tip
To get the most out of your visit to the Nasrid Palaces try to be there 15 minutes before the time marked at the entrance. Punctuality is important or you will not be allowed to enter later.
8. The best sunset at the San Nicolás viewpoint
Did you know that the sunset at the Alhambra in Granada is considered the most beautiful in Spain? The best place to see it is from the San Nicolás viewpoint, in the Albaicín neighborhood.
Here you will have the best panoramic view of the Alhambra with the spectacular Sierra Nevada in the background. In addition, you will enjoy unbeatable views of the Generalife, the Nasrid Palaces or the Alcazaba.
Contemplating how the sun sets slowly behind the Alhambra, while the light colors its towers, walls and palaces reddish is a magical feeling that you can not miss and at the end you can take the opportunity to visit the Albaicin, one of the most beautiful neighborhoods of the city.
How to get there?
To go to the viewpoint of San Nicolas you can walk up the Paseo de los Tristes or by bus taking lines C1 or C2. Another option is to cross the Plaza Larga and take the Alhacaba slope. Or book a tour of Sacromonte and the Albaicin.
9. What is the best time to visit the Alhambra in Granada? And the best time of the year?
The best time
The best time to visit the Alhambra is usually early in the morning when it opens its doors.
There are usually not many tourists or large groups so you can visit all the corners of the monumental complex quietly and you will find it more pleasant to walk around without crowds.
In addition, after seeing the Alhambra you will have the rest of the day to make other plans for the city. In the article the best excursions and guided tours in Granada I give you some ideas to discover other interesting places during your trip.
The best time of the year
To enjoy good weather and admire the beauty of the Partal and the Generalife gardens in all its splendor the best time of the year to see the Alhambra is spring (April, May, June) and autumn (September and October).
10. Remember to bring your ID to make the visit
On the day of your visit to the Alhambra remember to bring your ID card or passport. For reasons of security and conservation of the monument, the staff makes identification checks to visitors and it is necessary to show this document with the tickets, which are nominative, personal and non-transferable.
At the time of booking your Alhambra tickets, you will be asked to provide certain information such as your name, surname, nationality, date of birth, passport number or ID number and passport expiration date.
Warning: This step is vital because if you do not provide this information correctly, you will not be able to participate in the tour and you will not be entitled to a refund.