The Alhambra of Granada - An Extensive Practical Guide and Insider Tips

The Alhambra is a monumental complex made up of palaces, towers, gardens and aqueducts. It was a medieval walled city, the residence of sultans and kings from the 13th to the 16th century.


It was built between the 13th and 14th centuries and served as the capital of the Emirate of Granada. The Emirate's territories extended from parts of Córdoba, Sevilla, Jaén, Murcia and Cádiz, to the entirety of Almería, Málaga and Granada.

The first Emir of the Alhambra was Muhammad I or Al-Ahmar, the founder of the Nasrid dynasty, and the last Sultan of the dynasty was Muhammad XII, better known as Boabdil.

The following sections provide detailed information about the Alhambra (tickets, palaces, opening hours, parking, etc.). Also, further down this page, you can find additional historical information and answers to common visitor questions.


The Alhambra and the Generalife are the main symbols of the splendour and power achieved by the Nasrid dynasty, which founded the kingdom of Granada in 1246.

Its fall came on 2nd of January 1492 with the entry of the Catholic Monarchs into the city after a 10-year war.

Its beauty lies in its magnificent architecture, fascinating decoration, numerous gardens, fountains and courtyards.

Its unique location, with breathtaking views of Granada, the Albaicin and Sierra Nevada makes it an exceptional place.

The Alhambra is the most visited monument in Spain. About 3 million people visit the Alhambra and the Generalife every year. It became a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1984.

What is the Alhambra, who built it and its transformation

What is the Alhambra?

The Alhambra is a medieval palatine city formed by palaces from different periods, along with its medina, gardens, irrigation ditches and protected by defensive structures consisting of the citadel, watchtowers and walls.

What Does the Alhambra Mean?

It is believed that the Alhambra has its origin in a simple fortress built on this hill in the ninth century which was called 'AlHamra' (the red one) because of the reddish color of the earth used in its construction.

Who built the Alhambra?

A total of 22 emirs and sultans reigned in the Alhambra until the arrival of the Catholic Monarchs in 1492. Each of them added or modified something in the architecture of the Alhambra, trying to leave their mark.

Numerous artists and craftsmen have been involved in the construction of this marvelous monument, a World Heritage Site.

Muhammad I, known as Al-Ahmar, the founder of the Nasrid dynasty, began the construction of the Alhambra and moved to live here from the Albaicin in the first half of the 13th century.

Muhammad XII, known as Boabdil, was the last one.

The best extensions of the Alhambra took place during the reigns of Yusuf I and Muhammad V, the golden age of the kingdom of Granada, between 1333 and 1391.

Transformation of the Alhambra

From this period date such important constructions as the Gate of Justice, the Throne Room of the Palace of Comares and the Palace and Court of the Lions.

The surrender of Granada to the Catholic Monarchs in 1492 marked the beginning of a period of transformation of the Alhambra.

The Catholic Monarchs made major modifications to their new residence in the late Gothic and Renaissance styles.

Later, their own grandson, Emperor Charles V, commissioned Pedro Machuca, a master of the Renaissance, to build an imposing palace in the very heart of the Alhambra.

Did you know?

Each month, the Council of the Alhambra chooses an area that is normally closed to the public, and opens its doors for visitors only during that period.

Be attentive when you make your visit and ask for the "Space of the Month". It is included in the general admission.

World Heritage Site

Recently, the restoration of the beautiful Oratory of the Partal Palace has been completed.

This magnificent work earned international recognition in the form of the European Heritage/Europa Nostra 2019 award.

The Alhambra monumental complex was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984 for its outstanding universal value.

What Are the Main Areas of the Alhambra?

The Alhambra is divided into three main areas: the Nasrid Palaces, the Generalife and the Alcazaba.

What are the Nasrid Palaces?

The Nasrid Palaces are the heart of the Alhambra, serving as the center of the Palatine city where the Sultan and his family lived, where the government and court were installed.

The Nasrid Palaces include: the Mexuar, the Palace of Comares, the Palace of the Lions with added Christian constructions, and the Partal Palace.

Unfortunately, a part of the Nasrid Palaces was destroyed to build the Carlos V Palace.

What is the Generalife?

The Generalife was the summer residence of the Sultan and his family - a paradise full of aromatic plants, trees, walls and fountains.

It is made up of extensive gardens, where each corner holds a pleasant surprise.

The Generalife Palace is very old, probably of Almohad origin. From the Generalife you can enjoy spectacular views of the Alhambra and Granada.

However, the major construction work took place during the reign of Muhammad III (1302-1309) who built the Patio de la Acequia.

What is the Alcazaba?

The Alcazaba is the purely military part of the enclosure. The remaining buildings date from the 13th century.

The first thing you come across on entering is the Barrio Castrense or Plaza de Armas, the place where the troop houses and barracks used to be.

At present, only the plan of these buildings remains, marked with small walls. In the subsoil are the wells and dungeons.

To the left is the Adarves Garden (17th century), with many cypresses, flowers and fountains.

Further on are the Torre de Polvora (Gunpowder Tower) and the Torre de la Vela (Bell Tower), so called because the Catholic Monarchs installed a bell in it, whose ringing indicated the irrigation shifts in the Granada plain.

The best thing about this tower is the view it has of the city, on one side, and the Alhambra, on the other.

If you continue around the Alcazaba in a clockwise direction, you will reach the Puerta de Armas, the main entrance during the Arab period.

Practical Tips and Recommendations

The most restricted area for the public are the Nasrid Palaces. Access is very limited for conservation reasons, and obtaining tickets can be quite challenging.

Therefore, it is advisable to visit the Nasrid Palaces first, as it also has strict entry times.

The Alhambra never fails to mesmerize its visitors.

However, during the summer months when the sun is intense, it is advisable to visit early in the morning to avoid the heat, especially in the outdoor areas of the Generalife and Alcazaba.

During autumn, the Alhambra takes on a beautiful golden hue, and the sunset light imparts a special glow that should not be missed. Visiting in the afternoon is a great option during this season.

The best time to visit the Alhambra depends somewhat on what you are seeking.

There will likely be fewer people if you choose to go first thing in the morning. The doors open at 8:30.

The Alhambra is open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. during spring and summer. It reopens later for night visits, except on Sundays and Mondays, from 10:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

If you have never visited the Nasrid palaces or the Generalife gardens under the moonlight, without a doubt, this is a unique experience that we recommend.

More information about the Alhambra's opening hours here.

The Alhambra is open every day of the week and is one of the most visited monuments in Spain

If you want to avoid queues, plan your visit for a weekday, particularly avoiding long weekends and high season.

The visit to the Alhambra includes the Nasrid Palaces, the Alcazaba and the Generalife, if you buy the General Admission. That would encompass the entire monumental complex.

However, with the Generalife ticket you can visit the Alcazaba and the Generalife Palace with its gardens, but not the Nasrid Palaces.

Sometimes, only these types of tickets are available, as the others tend to sell out first. The general ticket includes access to the Nasrid Palaces, which has a limited capacity quota.

Details on the different ticket types and what each includes: Alhambra tickets.

Entry to the Alhambra costs 19.09 euros for the General Admission and 10.61 euros for the Generalife and Alcazaba.

Discounts are available for children aged 12 to 15 years old, seniors (over 65), individuals with disabilities, and others.

There are also other types of entry. Please consult all the information here.

The Alhambra Access Pavilion is located on the Paseo del Generalife, very close to the Alhambra parking lot and the bus stop is called 'Alhambra - Generalife 2' on lines C30 and C32.

Here you will find the ticket offices and the entrance to the Generalife gardens.

The entrance to the Nasrid Palaces is located on Calle Real de la Alhambra next to the Palace of Carlos V.

There is a nearby taxi rank, but no bus stop, and access by car is restricted.

The entrance to the Alcazaba is in the Plaza de los Aljibes, next to Puerta del Vino. Access is only available on foot.

More information on how to reach the Alhambra here.

The Alhambra of Granada is located on Sabika hill, dominating the city landscape.

This monumental complex, a World Heritage Site, is located very close to the city center, about a 20-minute walk from Plaza Nueva along the Gomérez slope.

It is a distance of just over 1 km, but with an elevation gain of almost 800 meters.

More information about access to the Alhambra and location maps can be found here.

If you decide to arrive at the Alhambra in your own vehicle, please note that there is a large parking lot within the monumental complex where you will easily find a space.

The information about parking at the Alhambra you can find here.

Information and the telephone number for ticket sales to the Alhambra, guided tours, buses, and other services can be found here.

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Alhambra History

I would love to see Spain again most importantly Granada this time I will stay longer to get to know more. It was magnificent. I would like to know more about the history Moorish Kings and Queens who lived there? Why it was the palace was named Alhambra. My grandparents talked about Alhambra and I never get enough. Alhambra is our surname (Alhambra).

We were told on the day they couldn't get tickets!

I was on a tour of Andalusia last week with Newmarket travel U.K. with entrance to the Alhambra supposedly included. We were told on the day (Sunday) they couldn't get tickets! Our rep said all uk tour operators were being let down. I can't believe if the tickets had been purchased well in advance this wouldn't have happened. Has anyone else had this problem? (Dee)

Devastated visitor

Having paid 240 euro for a trip for my 80 year old husband and myself to visit the Alhambra and a tour of Granada we were really looking forward to it having last visited 35 years ago.

Things were going well until a woman took my husband's ticket which had passport number expirey date his date of birth even our country of origin and told him he was not allowed to enter.

I could go on my own but not him.
After pleading with this dreadful person and our tour guide we had to leave.
We were both devastated we had not on any occasion been told to take passports with us and this was the reason given.

At our ages we had to wait outside in temperature of 32% for over 3 hours for our transport back to our hotel.rnrnWe have wasted all that money as the tour company said it was not there fault the Alhambra are the problem.

Don't worry about pick pockets taking your passport (which you are told to be aware) just remember to take them with you in case you come across this miserable jobsworth!!!