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The Alhambra

The Alhambra

The Alhambra
4.5
Historic SitesArchitectural BuildingsCastles
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM, 10:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Monday
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
10:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Tuesday
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
10:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Wednesday
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
10:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Thursday
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
10:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Friday
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
10:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Saturday
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
10:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Sunday
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
10:00 PM - 11:30 PM
About
The second most visited site in Europe: this breathtaking palace-city is a sophisticated blend of medieval Islamic, Renaissance Christian and modern architectural styles..
Duration: More than 3 hours
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AU$65.47
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Address
Neighbourhood: Realejo - San Matias
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See what travellers are saying
  • April K
    Columbus, Ohio150 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Alhambra is a must see
    Absolutely stunning and a must see site in Granada. Pictures will never do justice of actually seeing it for yourself. But there are some bad reviews on here and let me help you out. Book your tickets from the official website way in advance or you will not get in. Secondary sites seem to be a scam. Whatever Identity documents you use to book your ticket with, passport or ID card, take it with you because it must be scanned to enter the property or you will not get in. No exception. And your ticket is timed entry. Be on time and at the proper gate. Booking from the official website will send you detailed instructions on what to do.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 20 October 2023
  • Ian K
    29 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This is a world-famous site and we can see why
    This is a world-famous site and we can see why - the Alhambra is huge and very impressive, and we spent more than half a day exploring the various buildings and the extensive gardens. Worth paying for the ticket that gives you access to all areas. You can pay for a guided tour or just explore on your own (which is what we did). Watch out for members of staff telling you off for not obeying rules (e.g. don't eat while sitting on the stone benches attached to one of the buildings) that were not sign-posted anywhere as far as we could see.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 21 October 2023
  • Gergana S
    13 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing, beautiful place
    The Alhambra and the Generalife are absolutely amazing and worth the visit! The fortress complex and the gardens are really beautiful and although it takes some time to see all of it (spare at least half a day to be able to fully explore and enjoy it), it was a relaxing and calming experience. There are places to grab coffee, water, and a sandwich to eat.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 25 October 2023
  • Bluebellplasnewydd
    Cardiff, United Kingdom2,040 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    5 star attraction
    We had a guided walking tour so avoided any problems with tickets and entrance. Basically the area contains a number of palaces with beautiful gardens, intricate stone carvings and tiles as well as fountains. It is impossible to describe all this adequately in writing. What is important to realise is that there are loads of steps, slippery surfaces and crowds of visitors. The guide described everything but really only a small proportion of the continual talking can be remembered. Just enjoy the walk through and the atmosphere. There are cafes but you need to allow 3 hours to see and walk through everything.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 26 October 2023
  • ZGrand_Voyager
    London, United Kingdom70 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Superb, Exceptional... to see at least once in your life
    No need to describe it, you absolutely have to see it. So all I have to do is give you a few tips to make the most of it. 1. Book well in advance to have an entry, and on the official website to avoid paying more unnecessarily. 2. Minimum 4 hours visit. 3. Don't exhaust yourself climbing the hill before the visit. Take the bus (1.5 euros per ticket or a taxi around 6 euros). I encourage you to take a taxi if you are more than three. 4. If you're not too tired at the end of the visit, walk down the pedestrian street: Calle Real de la Alhambra. 5. The prices of drinks and snacks are reasonable inside. Up to you. Finally, I have seen too much inappropriate behavior, please respect the place: do not smoke, do not eat, do not touch everything, respect other visitors
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 31 October 2023
  • The Explorer
    The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield, United Kingdom434 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing palace
    An amazing glimpse in to the past. We stayed in town and walked up but if you aren’t fit and able suggest a taxi/bus ride. The palace is huge so expect to spend a whole day wandering around the buildings and gardens. You need ID and don’t miss your slot if you have booked additional tours or they won’t let you in.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 6 November 2023
  • Gene P
    San Fernando, Philippines627 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very iconic historical palace
    The place is very popular hence very crowded. You have to spend 3 to 4 hours to explore the whole place. The gardens were very beautiful, well kept and stunning. The city view on all sides of the palace is astounding. Lines are quite long at the entrances of the different sections.. a very nice place to explore, people watch and appreciate the history of the palace..a must see in this region.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 7 November 2023
  • MandMDen
    Arlington, Tennessee306 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very unique palace complex
    Most unique palace I have seen in over 10 countries. Unbelievable decorations on walls, ceilings, etc. Huge complex of 3 palaces and beautiful grounds. It is a long tour with many steps…we were with excellent guide and it took 3 hours although he did give us 2 bathroom breaks and a 15 minute sit down. Antonio was our excellent guide provided by Tauck Tours.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 7 November 2023
  • 845onia
    Cardiff, United Kingdom84 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A MAGICAL PLACE/ UN LUGAR MÁGICO
    ENGLISH/ESPAÑOL This place is absolutely magical! Its architecture and history are completely out of this world. The views to the city are stunning too! It is really a long walk to be able to see it all (or most of it), but it's all worth it! You will not regret it. You can have a guided visit, with someone walking privately with you or your group, it's great, but my husband and I (going on saving mode!) decided to just walk on our own and it was great! We did it at our own pace and stopped for coffee and cake when we needed to. This place is a must! 100%! Este lugar es absolutamente mágico! Su arquitectura y su historia son completamente espectaculares. La vista hacia a la ciudad es hermosísima! Si quieres ver todo (o la mayoría) debes caminar bastante, pero vale la pena! No te arrepentirás. Puedes tener un guía privado para ti o tu grupo, es muy bueno, pero mi esposo y yo (que ibamos en modo de ahorro!) decidimos caminar solos y fue genial! Caminamos a nuestro propio ritmo y paramos por café y torta cuando necesitábamos. Este lugar es recomendado 100%!
    Visited December 2022
    Written 26 November 2023
  • mrsbsouthend
    Rayleigh, United Kingdom789 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Book in advance - and go early
    For about thirty years I've wanted to see the Alhambra and experience Granada, I was fortunate to go in October when the weather was cool mornings, warming up as the day went on. I booked the earliest ticket to go in at 8.30am to the Nasrid Palace. Do not forgo a trip to this part of the Alhambra, it was probably one of the most stunning places I've ever seen in my life. Take a very long, slow walk around, don't just take pictures (or the dreaded selfies) then rush on to the next thing. I was very surprised at how empty the gardens were behind the palace, again people were rushing off to the next place. They were really delightful, lots of benches to sit and just enjoy the view. By the time I'd moved up to General life it again was very busy, full of tour groups. I realised in the gardens everyone was walking down the centre two 'rows' in the garden, leaving the outer edges almost empty of people. Again I really enjoyed wandering up and down these areas with nobody else around. You can take some food/snacks in and a drink, there isn't a huge amount to eat or drink here although there are some restaurants outside the main complex. I walked up from the city, yes, it's hilly but as long as you are steady and take a break on the many benches up the hill you'll be fine! It definitely gives you a sense of achievement when you walk through the magnificient gates! If you have booked an early ticket for Nasrid Palace the best entrance is the Gates of Justice (Puerta de la Justica) and join the queue to get in. You can arrive 15-20 mins early before your entry time and you'll be fine, even at the earliest part of the day. I'd give 3-4 hrs maximum to look around. Feasibly you could do Granada in a day if you stayed two nights in the city, with an early start at Alhambra. But it would be rushed. But personally I'd give the minimum of two full days because Granada is a very special place to visit and deserves to be savoured.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 17 December 2023
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4.5
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John J
Kolding, Denmark145 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
I had seen many fantastic pictures of the Alhambra, I know the history behind it and I looked forward to seeing it. Big disappointment, and the pictures must have been from somewhere else, made at night with artificial professional lighting or Photoshopped.
Don't got there if you have problems walking, there are no handicap p-places and you may have to walk half a mile just to get at the entrance. Wheelchair ? Forget it altogether.Even booking and buying in advance wont't get you a ticket, it gives you a voucher which has to be changed for at ticket at arrival. At the ticket office you ar met with a rope, which is opened by two guards when you show your voucher and passport. The queuing system is ridiculous, they create queus and congestion, and I'd recommend they hire someone who at least once browsed through a leaflet from a logistics education to improve it. There are oceans of room for improvement.
Historical information is very limited once inside, our garden looks better, and as mentioned they create crowds. It also beats me why they consequently use the word "Moorish", when the correct is "Islamic".
The coffee shop outside to the right of the entrance? Forget it, expensive is not the correct word, the correct word has seven letters and begins with R.
Written 29 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ELIZABETH C
Scarborough, UK13 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Friends
Drove two hours to visit, particularly wanted to see the gardens. Our group of six was denied entry to the ticket counter because two of us did not have photo ID. We were not told the reason for this rule but that we should have checked the website first. We didn’t visit the website because three of us had visited before and recommended it to the rest of us. We argued that there should be notices of this new rule at the entrance so that we could have avoided the car parking charges. So we left and we weren’t the only ones disappointed. They must have lost some money that day and probably do every day.
Checked with our holiday rep the next day and was told that you have to book the tickets online because of people selling them on at a profit and to collect them you need photo ID because the ticket has your name on it.
What a crazy system! We were treated like terrorists when all we wanted to do was walk around the gardens. These people don’t deserve our money and I certainly wouldn’t go back and I definitely would not recommend this tourist attraction to other tourists!!
Written 16 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Davidgoodkarma
McAllen, TX390 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Solo
Truly mesmerizing beauty! This is a must see for anyone traveling to southern Spain. The remarkably well maintained and restored Fortress and Palaces are just stunning to see. The impressive moorish architecture can really be appreciated while touring the grounds. Keep in mind limited entrances are given to tourists to advance online ticket purchase is a must even during winter and they sell out days prior even in winter since the weather is spectacular in the low 70s at day and mid 50s at night. Steep climb up from city center, shuttle available but walking is very pleasant in winter. Summer is probably very crowded and hot! Once inside you can roam freely for as long as you wish but you must be on time for your selected entrance ticketed time or you forfeit your entrance.
Written 6 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bruno1207
Prestatyn, UK249 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022 • Couples
A must see must do visit when in Granada booked tickets online before visiting Granada printed tickets and took passport as proof of ID ( tried showing photocopy but they insist on original photo I’d used when booking tickets. Took taxi from city centre upto main entrance for €5, there is a couple buses that go upto the Alhambra, the C30 goes from town centre and is €1.40. It is possible to rent an audio guide at the entrance €6 but definitely worth it use the posted numbers around the director listed to specific audio. We had a 10am ticket for Nastid palaces, arrive in good time you will be queuing whilst your groups get ahead which sadly means you follow a crowd of few hundred people through the one way system preventing clear access and view of what is a stunning site spoiler by poor crowd control/ management by management. To be honest it appears the guided tours turn up to see the Nasrid Palaces crowd everyone out then disappear afterwards as the rest of the Alhambra is relatively deserted. We took a sandwich and fruit with us as previous reviews suggest little or no opportunity to buy food/drink etc there are in fact shops and kiosks situated prior to the entrance to Nasrid palace which are reasonably priced and accessible before or afterwards as apart from Nasrid, the rest of the site is not one way. Book ahead of visit via official website, we paid €14 for full site access plus Nasrid Palaces with another €6 for audio guide , much much cheaper than the group tours, and unless your planning on having Alhambra as your mastermind specialist subject, much better value. Afterwards we walked down to The old town (Albacin) and got the bus up to the top, st Nicholas square, where there was a hippy/artisan flea market, a splendid smell of herbal contraband and some over priced restaurants that won’t serve you a drink unless you order food!! To be honest a day time visit isn’t worth it come back in the evening to catch the sunset and Alhambra being lit up… but get the bus/taxi it’s a hike that Edmund Hillary would have struggled with, again the bus is€1.40 and I think it’s the C31/32
Written 16 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JoJ
London, UK1,175 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Couples
Granada’s Alhambra is a vast piece of history and an absolute must see. We visited during the coronavirus pandemic and it was quiet, no need to book tickets in advance. We walked up and got them straight away, you can buy from a ticket office or machine but only one person from the group is able to do this and they must have all ID documents as you have to enter your passport numbers and expiry dates. You have to book a time to enter the Nasrid palace, I suggest an hour after arrival so you can explore the north part, there are breathtaking views of the buildings and Granada from the gardens. We didn’t have a guide as we prefer to explore on our own. Audio guides were not available when we visited. I suggested taking a guide or at least your guide book, as there isn’t much signage of the history. This isn’t a religious site so there isn’t a dress code. In August there were lots of people in short shorts as it was very hot.

You do need a good few hours to see this properly. Make sure you take water and wear comfortable footwear. You need to be relatively fit if you wanna plan on walking the whole site and climbing the stairs. We spent around 4 hours inside. and your passport as they get checked at every point of the tour.

There are toilets and there are places to buy snacks though the gift shops close during siesta. We enjoyed a beer overlooking the Granada scenery.

Getting to/from Alhambra - there is a big car park and a bus from central Granada if you are based there. We stayed at Eurostar’s Washington Irving which was a great hotel and right next to the Alhambra. Highly recommended.
Written 5 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sue M
Frome, UK11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Definitely a palace to visit, good value for money and worth the hassle of the cumbersome ticket purchase process.
In the UK I looked at the official website to buy tickets and found that tickets for the 4 weeks of late Feb/March were sold out. Once in Spain, I looked again and found that tickets get released for the next couple of days at a time.
The website insists that if bought online, you must print the ticket yourself on paper and take it with you. No, this is not correct. I bought tickets online through the official website, chose a specific entry time, entered the passport details of each visitor (mandatory input) and paid online.
At the Alhambra, there is very little signage, so ask to be directed to a queue, and then be allowed to move on to the ticket office where you show your passport again and ticket purchase email, at which point they give you paper tickets. You cannot get into the Alhambra Palace by showing your email ticket, they insist upon a paper ticket.
Once inside, the palace interior and outside gardens are amazing. So, understand the ticket process, give yourself at least an hour before your chosen entry time to go through the ticket process and have a wonderful experience.
Written 29 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,690 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
This was an absolute highlight of our trip to Spain. We spent most of the day here and left with sensory overload. It’s the most beautiful complex – a collection of Moorish palaces, hidden alcoves, gardens, fountains, waterways and the Alcazaba fortress. Just stunning.

TICKETS:
At the time we were planning our trip, I was unsure what to expect and the Alhambra tickets were a little confusing. In hindsight, the following things would have been helpful to know:

* Book online in advance because tickets and time slots sell out.
* Go through the official site so you don't pay middle-man fees.
* There are a number of different types of tickets but most people want the General Entrance ticket which gives you access to all the areas. This ticket should cost €14.85 pp (includes tax and booking fee)
* Entry to the Nasrid Palaces is done by time slot, which you choose when you book your ticket. However, this is the only area with timed entry. The Alcazabar, Generalife, Charles V Palace and museums are not timed. We did the Nasrid Palaces first. This worked really well. Booking an early time slot allows you to take as much time as you like inside the palaces. Everything else, you can see afterwards at your leisure, without the pressure of having to watch the clock.
* Do not miss your time slot. I can’t emphasise this enough. We met people on the day who had been late and they simply missed out. Be in the line at least 15 min before your entry time. From the main entry gate, you still have to make your way to the palace entrance where the line starts, next to Charles V Palace.
* No backpacks allowed into the Nasrid palaces so if you are bringing one, you’ll have to allow time to get to the locker rooms before lining up.
* You are told to bring a printed out copy of your online ticket (one copy for each person) and to bring ID (make sure it's the one you used to book your tickets). No-one checked our ID on the day but we did have to keep our tickets handy because we needed to show it more than once
* Some areas are free so if you miss out on a ticket, it is still worth going. However most of what you want to see (the Nasrid Palaces), will require a ticket.
* The museums are closed on Mondays

GETTING THERE: We walked from Plaza Nueva through the Alhambra forests. It was a lovely uphill walk that took about 15-20 min. The climb is steep but steady and brings you up to the Justice Gate, where you can enter the Alhambra complex. If you don’t already have a ticket, then you are better off going to the main gate instead.
Written 12 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Keithiow
Isle of Wight, UK68 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Couples
My wife booked the trip and I have to say I was not sure about going. How wrong was I! This place is amazing. Each palace has its own charm and character and are beautifully preserved and kept. We booked a guided tour and chose a small group which consisted of 12 people so was very nice and personal. Manuel was fantastic and very knowledgeable. The tour last approximately three and a half hours with a break half way round. This is an amazing place to visit. Best time to go is between November and February as the crowds are not too large. If you are in this part of Spain then this is a MUST visit. You will not be disappointed. Best place to stay is the Alhambra Palace Hotel which is a few minuets walk to the entrance to the palace.
Written 8 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ross B
9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
This is a must see for anyone visiting Granada. They limit ticket sales each day so you must buy in advance. We booked a guided tour that included the tickets. The tour provided great information and history. We were able to walk around after the tour and visit to onsite museum.
Written 16 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JulieK58
Newark-on-Trent, UK156 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Couples
Beautiful place with great views over Granada. Keep checking the official website for tickets - none were available initially, but we managed to get some a couple of weeks before our trip, much cheaper than a guided tour and you can move around at your own pace. Note that the timed entry is for the Nazrid palaces, not the main entry point - allow at least 30 mins to walk from entry pavilion to palaces. It wasn’t too crowded although tickets were sold out on the day of our visit. I downloaded an audio guide from the official website to my phone, but this didn’t work at all well - it would not play in the background, if I wanted to take a photo or lock my phone it stopped playing!! Disappointing, so if visiting again I would hire an audio guide, although this means having to carry around another item. Not many places to buy food and drinks so best to take some with you.
Written 12 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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The Alhambra, Granada

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