Visit The Alhambra

View of the Alhambra from Plaza Nicolas

The Alhambra

The Alhambra is one of those monuments that is worth seeing at least once in your life. So if you are planning a visit to Granada or Spain and are wondering what to see in Granada in a weekend (two days), take note. Because we have prepared this guide on the essentials to see in the Alhambra.

Ready to discover the charms of the 'Red Fortress'?

La Alhambra

1. How to get to the Alhambra?

2. What to see in the Alhambra

3. Monuments with admission fees

4. The Generalife

5. The Alcazaba

6. Nasrid Palaces of the Alhambra

7. The Partal Free monuments

8. Palace of Charles V Church of Santa María de la Alhambra

9. Alhambra Museum

10. What to see near the Alhambra: Carmen de los Mártires

11. 3rd - Booking tickets for the Alhambra Types of tickets for the Alhambra in Granada

12. PDF map of the Alhambra and Generalife monuments
    

    How to get to the Alhambra?

The most traditional way to reach the Alhambra on foot is via the Cuesta de Gomérez, starting from Plaza Nueva or Plaza Isabel la Católica.

From either of these two points, you will soon reach the Granada Gate, built during the reign of Charles V and crowned by three large stone pomegranates, symbolising the city. Through this gate, we enter the Alhambra forest, a charming area where all kinds of trees grow, such as hazelnut, hackberry, horse chestnut, elm and elder trees. Another way to get to the Alhambra is by bus. The red Alhambra buses leave from near Plaza de Isabel la Católica approximately every eight minutes. The lines that go from the city centre to the Alhambra are the C30 and C32. Another way is by car, but you will have to go early to avoid running out of parking spaces, as the Alhambra car park only has 500 spaces. There are four areas, one of which is for buses and caravans, which is the first one you come to as you enter, and the others are for cars.

2. What to see in the Alhambra

Now that you know how to get there, we will explain what to see in the Alhambra. And then we will tell you about the different types of tickets available. The Alhambra is a citadel located on the Red Hill, southeast of the city of Granada. It is a complex settlement, made up of several parts and built mainly under the Nasrid dynasty, although it has Islamic precedents and Christian remnants. The Alhambra and Generalife Monumental Complex consists of various monuments and buildings, which can be divided according to whether they require a ticket or are free to enter.

Monuments with admission fees

El Generalife

Although this area is located outside the castle walls, it is practically next door, so it is usually visited together with the castle.  The Generalife served as a space dedicated to cultivation, to supply the residents of the Alhambra. Here we find the Sultan's summer palace, where his family spent the hottest periods of the year in the city. Here you can also enjoy the colourful gardens of the Generalife, which, like all outdoor spaces, are meticulously cared for.

La Alcazaba

The Alcazaba is the military area of the castle. Here you will find the great defensive fortress and the Torre de la Vela, from which you can enjoy one of the most spectacular views in Granada. From here you can see a complete panorama of the city and the Sierra Nevada.

Palacios Nazaríes de la Alhambra

The palaces are the must-see attractions on a visit to the Alhambra. Each of these buildings was constructed by a different sultan, and all of them are uniquely beautiful, steeped in history and charm. According to history, the palace complex originally consisted of seven buildings, although only three remain today:

Palacio Mexuar

Through this palace, you will access the palaces, finding the first courtyard and the first central fountain.

Palacio de Comares

Tras pasar por la fachada de Comares llegarás a un palacio en las que todas sus paredes son obras de arte, con inscripciones y fragmentos del Corán. Aquí también encontrarás el Patio de los Arrayanes, que ofrece una estampa encantadora del reflejo de la fachada en su gran fuente central.

Palacio de los Leones

After years of restoration, it is finally possible to see the Patio de los Leones in all its splendour. This palace was the heart of the Sultan's home and is divided into several rooms, each with a specific function. Remember that visits to the palaces have specific opening hours, which are posted at the entrance to the monument and must be respected in order to visit them.

El partal

After marvelling at the palaces of the Alhambra, you will exit onto the El Partal garden, which is laid out over several terraces and features a large central pool where you can see colourful fish, as in many other fountains in the palace.

free Monuments

Within the Alhambra complex, there are also several monuments and buildings that are free to enter. Here is a list of those you can visit without purchasing a ticket. Palace of Charles V The emperor who gave this monument its name ordered the construction of a palace where he and his family could enjoy all the amenities and necessities.  Construction began in 1527, although the work was not completed until 1957. It is a square palace with a giant circular courtyard inside. It is this peculiar shape that makes it a unique building in the world.

Iglesia de Santa María de la Alhambra

Next to the Palace of Charles V, on Calle Real, we find the Church of Santa María de la Alhambra, where many Granadinos say "I do." In the past, this street was home to various shops and homes, as well as public buildings such as the Great Mosque and its baths, on which the Church of Santa María de la Alhambra was built.

Museo de la Alhambra

This museum, created in 1942, houses the largest collection of Nasrid art in existence. Most of its pieces come from excavations and restorations carried out in the Alhambra complex.

If you are planning a visit to this city, please note that the Alhambra Museum is closed on Mondays. On Tuesdays, it is only open in the morning.

What to see near the Alhambra: Carmen de los Mártires

A great way to enjoy the Alhambra is to walk up the hill from the city centre, enjoying the Alhambra forest and the peacefulness that reigns beneath its tall trees.  Before reaching the Nasrid monument, we find this beautiful 19th-century building, a small palace surrounded by seven hectares of beautiful gardens. Another of the most popular places to celebrate weddings in Granada. One of its different gardens is in the French Baroque style, with a large pond where you can see a statue of Neptune and other statues representing the four seasons.  Another of the 'English-style' gardens is the Palm Garden, where you can see a three-tiered fountain and irregular shapes with straight hedges. A landscaped garden and a large lake, with a pond and a romantic island, a bridge and other small islands where ducks and swans rest.  Above the lake, you will see an enchanting tower in (false) ruins, which you can climb via a spiral staircase and from which you can enjoy splendid views of El Carmen and the surrounding area. You can also see a forest maze and a Nasrid courtyard, which replicates the most typical elements of Nasrid gardening.

Book tickets for the Alhambra

Something to bear in mind before visiting the Alhambra is that if you want to guarantee your visit and avoid long queues to buy your ticket, it is best to book in advance. Many agencies already include ticket reservations, but if you want to do it yourself, simply visit the Alhambra Trust website and purchase your tickets online.  If you want to visit Granada with children, you'll be happy to know that children under 12 years old get in for free. However, they must also have a ticket (even if it costs €0). To do this, simply indicate the child's age when purchasing the ticket.  If you are unable to get tickets in time and they sell out, you should know that the monument has some areas with free admission, such as the Palace of Charles V and the Alhambra Museum. Very close to the Alhambra, you will also find the romantic Carmen de los Mártires, which also has free admission. So if you are going to spend several days in the city, we encourage you to visit it.

Types of tickets for the Alhambra in Granada

The type of ticket you purchase for the Alhambra determines which areas you will be able to visit:

General admission to the Alhambra (+/- €14)

The General Alhambra ticket grants access to all areas of the monument that are open to visitors. These include: Alcazaba Nasrid Palaces Generalife

Jardens, Generalife y Alcazaba (7€)

This ticket gives you access to the recreational estates of the Nasrid sultans and the palace gardens. This is a great option if you want to split your visit over two days or if you simply want to take a leisurely stroll through these gardens. With the Gardens, Generalife and Alcazaba ticket, you can see:

• The Cypress Walkway Drylands

• San Francisco Gardens.

• Alcazaba: Adarves Garden. Portal: Palace portico, gardens and walkways, Rauda, Yusuf III Palace, Towers Walkway.

• Generalife Palace: lower gardens and upper gardens (Patio de la Acequia, Patio de la Sultana and Escalera del Agua).

• Palace of Charles V

Precio: 7€

Night tour of the Alhambra (€8)

This ticket allows visitors to rediscover the palaces of the Alhambra in a unique way, under the enchanting glow of night-time lighting. Night-time access to the Nasrid palaces must be at the time indicated on the ticket. This visit gives you access to:

• Pabellón de Acceso

• Palacio de Carlos V

• Palacios Nazaríes

• Puerta de la Justicia

Price: 8€

Night visit to the gardens and the Generalife (€5)

On this romantic tour of the Alhambra, you will discover the four areas that make up one of the most beautiful places in the world. The tour begins at the Access Pavilion and continues along the Cypress Walk, which leads to the Walnut Tree Walk in the Generalife. Finally, you will enter the northern area of the New Gardens or Lower Gardens of the Generalife and arrive at the Palace of the Generalife. The night tour of the gardens and Generalife includes:

• Entrance Pavilion

• Paseo de los Nogales del Generalife.

• New Gardens or Lower Gardens of the Generalife.

• Generalife Palace. Price: €5
  

Visit Dobla de Oro General (€19.65)

This ticket, in addition to including a general tour of the Alhambra, allows visitors to take a walk through the history of the city, between the fortress and the Albaicín. This itinerary aims to promote and unite the oldest neighbourhood in the city with the monumental complex of the Alhambra.  In addition to the palaces, gardens and Generalife, the Golden Ticket includes visits to the following monuments scattered throughout the Albaicín:

• Bañuelo

• Casa Morisca

• Palacio de Dar al-Horra

• Casa del Chapíz

• Casa de Zafra

These places can be visited the day before, the same day, and the day after the date of the visit to the Alhambra. Price: €19.65

Night-time gold double (€14.65)

With this ticket, you will have access to the same monuments mentioned in the Golden General Admission Ticket (during their established hours) and the night tour of the Nasrid Palaces. Admission to the gardens and Generalife is not included. Price: €14.65

Alhambra Experiences Ticket (€14)

If you're having trouble deciding whether to see the Alhambra during the day or at night, you might be interested in the Alhambra Experiences tour.  With this ticket, you can combine a night-time visit to the Nasrid Palaces with a daytime visit the following day to the Alcazaba, Gardens and Generalife. This option is also ideal if you are only spending two days in Granada and want to make the most of each day. Price: €14

Entrance to the Alhambra and Rodríguez Acosta Foundation (€17)

On the same hill as the Alhambra, we find the Carmen de la Fundación Rodríguez-Acosta. This building was constructed in the early decades of the 20th century and was declared a National Monument in 1982. It was once the studio of the prestigious painter José María Rodríguez-Acosta and houses a unique set of gardens and an extensive collection of works.  During the visit, you can also discover ancient caves and underground galleries. The visit to the foundation, which lasts approximately an hour and a half, can be done on the same day as the Alhambra or the following day. Price: €17