The Alhambra in Granada - Essential Guide, Practical Information and Tips


☞ If you want to enjoy a special day in the Alhambra, you can reserve a guided tour:
☆ Alhambra Guided Tour: discover the wonders of the Alhambra with this tour that includes everything: the Nasrid Palaces, the Generalife, the Alcazaba, etc.
☆ Albaicin and Sacromonte Guided Tour: discover this old arab quarter of Granada with this guided tour.
☆ Alhambra Guided Tour: discover the wonders of the Alhambra with this tour that includes everything: the Nasrid Palaces, the Generalife, the Alcazaba, etc.
☆ Albaicin and Sacromonte Guided Tour: discover this old arab quarter of Granada with this guided tour.
It was built between the XIII and the XIV centuries and was the capital of the Emirate of Granada, whose territories stretched from part of Córdoba, Sevilla, Jaén, Murcia and Cádiz, to the whole of Almería, Málaga and Granada.
The first Emir of the Alhambra was Muhammad I or Al-Ahmar, the founder of the Nasrid dynasty.
Alhambra Tickets

Alhambra Guided Tour

Alhambra History

Tickets Sold Out?

Generalife Gardens

Alhambra Palaces

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Alhambra Opening Hours

Alhambra Parking

How to Get to Alhambra

Alhambra Free Areas

Alhambra Map

Alhambra Photos

Alhambra For Disabled

Alhambra Phone Numbers

The Alhambra Museum

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

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 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.What is the Alhambra?
The Alhambra is a medieval palatine city formed by palaces from different periods with its medina, gardens, irrigation ditches and protected by defensive structures composed of the citadel, watchtowers and walls.
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 in the construction of this marvelous monument, a World Heritage Site.

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

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 bringing late Gothic and Renaissance styles to their new residence.

Space of the Month
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.
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Page Updated: Jan 09, 2022
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Opinions about Alhambra in Granada
Astonishing place

A pure jewel

Alhambra History

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

Devastated visitor

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!!!
