Visiting the Alhambra Palace – A Complete Guide to Spain’s Crown Jewel

Where is the Alhambra Palace?

The Alhambra Palace is located in Granada, in the Andalusia region of southern Spain. Sitting high on Sabika Hill, it overlooks the city and directly faces the historic Albaicín district.

From this elevated spot, the views are nothing short of breathtaking. Granada sprawls below, with the Sierra Nevada mountains in the distance.

The Alhambra is one of the most stunning examples of Moorish architecture, built in the 13th century as a fortress before becoming the royal palace of the Nasrid dynasty, the last Muslim dynasty to rule in Spain.

Its intricate tilework, peaceful courtyards, and the lush Generalife gardens make it a true showcase of Islamic art at its finest.

Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s one of Spain’s most famous landmarks, drawing visitors from across the globe.

Read more: Fun Facts About Grenada & the Alhambra

How to Get There?

By Public Transport

Visitor access to the Alhambra is via the Puerta de la Justicia (Gate of Justice). To reach it, you have 2 options:

• On foot: It’s about a 20-minute walk from Granada’s city center, but much of the walk is uphill. So be ready for it!
• By bus: Lines C30 and C32 take you straight to the gate in about 10 minutes. Bus tickets cost €1.60 per ride.

Of course, you can also take a local taxi or an Uber as the app works in Spain.

By Car

If you’re driving, type “Parking PARKIA – La Alhambra de Granada” into your GPS to find the closest parking lot to the palace.

The Alhambra parking lot has 500 spaces across 4 zones, P1 being the nearest to the palace entrance.

Parking costs 2.82€/hour and the daily maximum is 19.25€. Since most visits take around 3–4 hours, you’ll likely pay between 7.32€ and 9.38€. 

Note that depending on your parking zone, it’s about a 10 to 20-minute walk to the Puerta de la Justicia (the palace’s main entrance)

Parking for free is not really an option in Granada. Apparently, there are a few free parking spots near the Parque de las Ciencias or in the Zaidín-Vergeles district, but these areas are quite far from the Alhambra, and finding a spot isn’t guaranteed.

Alhambra Castle Tickets & Opening Hours

Alhambra Ticket Price & Info

Visiting the Alhambra takes a little planning.

Daily tickets are limited to 6,600 to help preserve the monument, which isn’t much considering the 2.6 million visitors it gets each year.

Tickets are available online and can be booked up to a year in advance. I recommend booking at least 4 months ahead as they sell out quickly, especially in the peak season.

The full visit of the Alhambra including all parts of the palace costs 19.09€ per person (free for kids under 11).

‼️IMPORTANT‼️: Make sure to book your tickets online about 4 months in advance! Or you won’t be able to access the site. And on D-day, make sure to have your passport with you as it’s required at the entrance.

Your Alhambra tickets give you 4 hours to explore the site at your own pace. The only exception is the Nasrid Palaces, which have a specific one-hour time slot that you choose when booking online.

So, be sure to arrive on time for your slot (ideally even earlier, about 15 min before your slot), as missing it means you won’t be able to enter the palaces.

Alhambra Opening Hours 

• From October 15th to March 31st: Monday to Sunday from 8.30 am to 6 pm
• From April 1st to October 14th: Monday to Sunday from 8 am to 8 pm

Visiting the Alhambra

I visited the Alhambra with my wife in late May, during our Andalusian road trip.

The weather couldn’t have been better at this time of year! We went with the second morning slot at 9 am, hoping to dodge the crowds (spoiler: not quite) and beat the afternoon heat.

The Alhambra is divided into 4 main parts: the Charles V Palace, the Nasrid Palaces, the Alcazaba, and the Generalife.

Let’s explore them together!

Charles V Palace

The Charles V Palace (Palacio de Carlos V) is located right near the entrance, and you don’t need to present your ticket to enter. 

We arrived about 20 min before our time slot, so we visited it first.

Charles V Palace was built in the 16th century in the Renaissance style by the Catholic King Charles V, so it’s completely different from the rest of the Alhambra. Its construction actually spanned centuries, from 1527 to 1957, and it’s now considered Spain’s most important piece of Renaissance architecture. 

The building is square but has a massive circular inner courtyard with beautiful columns that make it grandiose!

Nasrid Palaces

After our tour of the Charles V Palace, we presented our tickets to the Nasrid Palaces at our time slot. 

The Nasrid Palaces are the heart of the Alhambra and a masterpiece of Moorish architecture.

Once the royal residence of the Nasrid dynasty, the palaces has 3 sections: the Mexuar (used for administrative affairs), the Comares Palace (the Sultan’s official residence), and the Palace of the Lions (a private space known for its iconic marble fountain supported by twelve lion sculptures).
 

Palace of the Lions

Here, the attention to detail is extraordinary, with intricate geometric patterns and Arabic inscriptions everywhere.

Don’t forget to look up to see the wonderful cedar-wood ceilings showcasing the brilliance of Moorish artistry.

Generalife

The Generalife was the summer palace and retreat for the Nasrid rulers.

We were blown away by the Generalife. I’m not usually a big fan of gardens, but this one, surrounded by amazing Moorish architecture and offering breathtaking views of the Alcazaba, Granada’s white buildings, and cypress trees, was absolutely marvelous.

Its beautifully designed gardens, with flowing water channels, fountains, and vibrant flowers, create a serene oasis and a perfect place for a peaceful break.

The Alcazaba

The Alcazaba is the oldest part of the Alhambra and served as a military fortress to protect the Nasrid dynasty. 

I absolutely loved the Alcazaba, not just for its architecture but also for the incredible panoramic views. Honestly, the Alhambra doesn’t get enough credit for the breathtaking views it offers over Granada and the surrounding mountains. It’s actually the best mirador in town!

We didn’t expect it, which made the experience even more special.

Walking through its massive walls and climbing the towers truly felt like stepping back in time.

Best Tips for Visiting the Alhambra

Here are some tips to ensure you have the best experience in the Alhambra: 

• If you want to visit in the morning, choose the first slot of the day: the light might not be the best, but you can avoid the crowds in your photos and the weather is ideal if you’re visiting in spring/summer. If that’s not possible, aim for the end of the afternoon. 
• Prefer visiting in the spring when the gardens are at their prime. And avoid summer if you can, as it gets very crowded and unbearably hot.
• Make sure to have your ID with you, they will ask you for it at the entrance.
• Wear good walking shoes to be comfortable walking for 3-4 hours. 
• Pack water and sunscreen as most of the visit is outdoors.
• Don’t bring large backpacks or luggage, otherwise you’ll have to leave them in the lockers at the entrance. Prefer a light bag to carry your essentials.

Where to Stay in Granada

If you want to be close to the Alhambra Palace, I’d recommend staying in the Albaicín district. From this neighborhood, you’ll have the best views of the Alhambra and the atmosphere is really authentic. 

Note that there are basically no hotels in the Albaicín as it’s a residential area. Most accommodations are properties, so book early as the offer is limited!  

If you’re spending a few days in Granada, the Old Town is more convenient to stay, especially if you want to enjoy the nightlife. You’ll have quick access to everything, restaurants, bars, shops, and more. 

✅ Best Hotel – Hotel Párraga Siete: Located in the heart of the Old Town, this hotel is beautiful and modern with spacious and comfy rooms for an incredibly low price!

✨ Luxury Pick – Palacio Gran Vía: Decorated in a typical Andalusia style, this 5-star palace provides outstanding services and facilities including a rooftop with a direct view of the Granada Cathedral, a swimming pool, and a spa center.

💰 Budget Pick – 4U Hostel: Located in the Old Town, this hostel has mixed and female dormitory rooms of 4, 6, and 8 people, perfect if you’re used to hostels or if you’re a family or friend group!

🔍 What to visit next?

• Guadix, A Day trip from Grenada
• Hike Los Cahorros de Monachil Near Grenada
• Hike the Gorafe Desert, Spain

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I hope you enjoy your visit to the Alhambra as I did! If you have any question, let me know in the comment below 😃

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