The Alhambra palace in Granada is completely unique – and quite fantastic. Nothing else in the world compares!

Therefore, despite the many visitors, it is unequivocally worth a visit. You shouldn´t miss this very special sight.

But it is necessary to order tickets well in advance – otherwise they sell out.

And note that by buying a guided tour you can contribute to reducing the towering youth unemployment in Andalusia.

Below my 3 best tips to secure the right tickets for your desires and needs.

Further below you will find a list of all the frequently asked questions about the Alhambra – and their answers.

Tip 1) Make sure to be ahead of demand

In order not to damage the delicate Nadrid Palace, which is the central part of La Alhambra, the conservation authorities have set a maximum of 600 visitors per hour.

The 6,600 daily tickets are always sold out – there is much higher demand than tickets available.

This means that it is important to book your tickets well in advance.

And that it is usually not possible to buy tickets at the entrance to La Alhambra.

Tip 2) Choose the right ticket for you – with or without a guide

Do you prefer to walk around La Alhambra yourselves?

Or do you prefer to get all the exciting information about La Alhambra that a guide can tell you?

It is important to choose the right type of ticket right away – it cannot be changed later.

A further reason for choosing a guided tour is that it contributes to reducing youth unemployment. Many young people get jobs as guides, so when you buy a ticket with a guided tour, you help give a job to a young person who wants to work as a guide.

If you would rather walk around La Alhrambra yourself – at your own pace – but still get all the exciting information, there is a solution that offers the advantages of both types of tickets:

The Audio guide

The audio guide is like a mobile phone – that is, having the guide in your hand and deciding the pace yourself. This way you can walk around the Alhambra yourselves – at your own pace – and avoid the large groups listening to a live guide.

Tip 3) Buy tickets at a local agency

There are lots of unauthorized sales channels on the Internet.

And unfortunately some sell tickets that either don’t exist, don’t include the Nasrid Palace, don’t have an audio guide or are simply too expensive.

Therefore make sure to choose a local, recognized agency. The local agencies offer their tickets and tours through the platform GetYourGuide.

Here you can see when there are available entrance tickets – with or without audio guide:

Buy an entrance ticket with a guided tour instead:

Give a job to a guide! Youth unemployment in Andalusia is an incredible 40.6% The job as a guide can be the way out of unemployment for many young people. Contribute to reducing youth unemployment by buying a guided tour. You get value for your money. And your money continues to work through the local economy. It’s win-win! Or in Spanish: “Ganamos todos”

Here are the most frequently asked questions about La Alhambra and Granada:

What to see in La Alhambra?

1) The Nasrid Palace with i.a. the lion patio
2) The Alcazaba Castle
3) The Charles V Palace
4) The Generalife gardens
5) The view of Granada city

What should not be missed in the Alhambra?

The Nasrid Palace. It would be a terrible shame to miss that.

It is the most complete and well-preserved Moorish architecture in the world, with endless fine details.

Even if you are not particularly interested in architecture or history, the Nadrid Palace is a very impressive building that takes most people’s breath away.

When is the best time to visit the Alhambra?

Summer and autumn: Early in the morning – before it gets too hot.
Winter and spring: Late in the morning or in the afternoon.

There are basically the same number of visitors all year round – and they are evenly distributed during the day – so it has no significance in relation to the number of tourists.

An exciting alternative in the summer: Evening visit to the Alhambra. It is less hot and there is a nice view over the city when the lights are switched on in the streets.

How much time is needed at the Alhambra?

Expect between 3 and 5 hours. The fast visitors may do it in 2-2½ hours.

The ticket is valid for either morning or afternoon – a total of 6 hours. Of this, 1 hour is allocated to the Nasrid Palace.

Is there a dress code at the Alhambra?

No. Just like on the street, however, you should not walk around without at least a T-shirt.

Is it allowed to take pictures at the Alhambra?

Yes, just not with a flash.

Selfie poles and tripods are not allowed.

Is it allowed to bring food and drinks?

Yes, but only in a small bag (40cm x 40cm). However, food and drinks may only be consumed in areas suitable for this purpose.

You can also buy food and drinks – both in vending machines and in restaurants by the entrance.

How to get tickets to the Alhambra?

Patronato de Alhambra: The official website, where however one does not contribute significantly to the local economy.

At the entrance: Possible if there are still tickets, but not a risk you should run.

At local agencies, e.g. through the platform GetYourGuide: Recommended because here you contribute to young people being able to get jobs such as guide, administrative employee, driver, bookkeeper and the like at the local agencies.

What is the ticket price?

The entrance ticket is between 25 and 50 EUR, depending on which ticket you choose.

If you buy a ticket without the Nasrid Palace, it is somewhat cheaper.

Where to park the car?

Right next to La Alhambra. There is a huge parking lot with plenty of space for everyone.

IMPORTANT: Do not under any circumstances drive into the center of Granada! It is a terrible city to get around in car.

Instead, follow the road signs for “Alhambra” directly from the highway – then you will be led around the centre.

How to get to Granada and the Alhambra?

By car: Follow the signs for “Alhambra” directly from the highway.
By train: There are trains from Malaga, Seville, Madrid and Cordoba directly to Granada.
Excursion: Local agencies organize guided tours, e.g. from the entire Costa del Sol to the Alhambra, through the GetYourGuide platform.

How to get to the Alhambra from other places:

How to get down to Granada city?

By bus: There are city buses from the city center up to the Alhambra and back again. It’s easy and doesn’t cost much.
By foot: You can easily walk down to the city center from the Alhambra (1 km). You can also walk up, although it it uphill.

What is so special about the Alhambra?

1) The architecture: Unique Moorish architecture and craftsmanship with endless impressive details.
2) The buildings and gardens: Incredibly well-preserved buildings with fantastic gardens. The Moorish thought of it all!
3) The history: The Alhambra reveals a 1,000-year history of Moorish emirs and Catholic kings.
4) The views: Unforgettable views over the city of Granada.

Why is the Alhambra such a great attraction?

La Alhambra is on the list of the world’s greatest sights because of its magnificent and impressive architecture – and because it is incredibly well preserved.

How to avoid the tourists at the Alhambra?

You cannot avoid the tourists at the Alhambra. All year round, there are 6,600 visitors every day – evenly distributed throughout the day.

However, you will only have to queue at the entrance to the Nasrid Palace. Otherwise, the tourists spread out evenly and you can walk around at your own pace.

If you want to avoid following a group, having to crowd around a guide, an audio guide is a good solution – then you can walk around carrying your own guide in your hand.

How to avoid the heat during your visit to the Alhambra?

Book an entrance ticket in the morning – with a ticket to the Nadrid Palace as early as possible.

In summer and autumn, the afternoon tickets should be avoided.

Alternatively, book summer tickets for the evening tour.

Can you buy tickets at the entrance to the Alhambra?

Yes, but only if there are still tickets available. There are ticket vending machines by the entrance.

You should, however, not bet on buying tickets at the entrance as they often sell out far in advance.

Is it best to buy tickets with a guide to the Alhambra?

There are 2 aspects to this:

1) Information: It would be a pity not at all to know what you see along the way.

2) Contribution: Youth unemployment is 40.6% in Andalusia and young people badly need the opportunity for jobs, e.g. as a guide. Make a contribution to the fight against youth unemployment by buying a guided tour!

Can you get to the Alhambra without a car?

Yes, there are trains from Malaga, Seville, Madrid and Cordoba to Granada and city buses up to the Alhambra.

And local agencies organize excursions from most of the Costa del Sol and several other places. They offer their excursions through the platform GetYourGuide and create local jobs to handle their execution – thus you also contribute to the local economy.

Do you have to queue a lot in the Alhambra?

No, the tourists distribute themselves quite evenly.

There is pretty much only a queue at the entrance to the Nadrid Palace, where you have to show up at the time stated on the ticket.

Is the city of Granada worth a visit

Yes definitely. Granada is probably the finest of the Andalusian cities with lots of nice places to visit, for example:
1) Albaycin: The cozy district with steep, narrow streets.
2) Mirador de San Nicolas Square, which is full of tourists though.
2) Sacromonte: The picturesque gypsy quarter.
4) City centre with cozy pedestrian streets and lots of restaurants.

These are the 3 nicest places to stay in Granada:

	Apartamentos Muralla Zirí Remember you found it on Autentical.com. You can book it on Booking.com: See it on Booking.com
	Palacete 1620, Premium Suites Remember you found it on Autentical.com. You can book it on Booking.com: See it on Booking.com
	Smart Suites Albaicin Remember you found it on Autentical.com. You can book it on Booking.com: See it on Booking.com

 

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