The Alhambra of Granada

To visit the Alhambra, a must see in Granada, is to visit one of the most significant historical places in Spain. This Unesco World Heritage Site is, without doubt, of paramount importance in southern Spain. Our recommendations to most travelers is to book in advance. The Alhambra has many visitors and considering the restricted numbers allowed per day due to conservation regulations, early booking is the safest choice for anyone.

1. Buy your Alhambra tickets and plan your visit in advance. During the busiest periods you should book at least 3 months in advance. Buy the tickets on line and print them out to avoid queuing at the ticket office. When doing so you will have to select the time to enter the Nasrid Palaces. The tickets are nominative and sold for a specific date and time restriction. Please be on time!!

2. Carry your photo ID with you during your visit, which must correspond with the name on the ticket, as you will have to show it several times through the visit with your ticket when entering the different areas of the tour.

3. To cover everything, you need a whole morning or afternoon. As there is much to see and visit, it is better to do it at a slow pace to make the most of it. Therefore, if your travel schedule permits, consider devoting a whole day to it. But if your time is short, make sure at least to visit the Nasrid Palaces, the most popular of the whole complex as they evoke the heritage and Muslim history of Granada.

4. We suggested taking a guided tour or if not, take your guide book with you, as there is not much informative signage throughout the complex and a lot to learn about the history, art and the beauty of the Alhambra.

5. Children under 12 years of age can enter for free, but you have to select a ticket for them when buying your own tickets. Having a ticket is a guarantee for any incident that may occur at the monument. For children under 3, you can ask for the ticket in the ticket office. No booking required.

6. The Alhambra is about 20 to 30-minute walk from the city center. It is fairly steep climb so pace yourself. It is just 900 meters from Art Chapiz short term Apartments through La Cuesta de los Chinos, a beautiful walk up the hill through the Alhambra and Generalife forest. You can also take the Alhambra bus (routes C30 or C32) up to the main entrance (Alhambra-Generalife) from the city center, Isabel La Catolica Square, living every 8-12 minutes. C32 route also connects the Alhambra with the Albaicin and Art Chapiz holiday rental apartments, right off Peso de la Harina bus stop. You can take the C32 bus right by the apartments and be at the Alhambra-Generalife entrance in 10-15 minutes. Check the bus schedule at Cuesta del Chapiz-Peso de la Harina bus stop.

7. Space of the month is a special program run by the Council of the Alhambra that allows visitors to see new areas of the Alhambra, usually closed to the general public. Each month they select one space and it can be accessed with the general ticket.

8. The Alhambra can be visited all year round. It can get very hot in the peak summer months of July and August, for which, early morning visits are recommended.

9. The night visit is an extraordinary experience. The light inside the palaces at night better reflects the beauty of the stucco and wood work. Keep in mind though, that not all the areas that are accessible during the day are open for the night visit. Also, the use of camera tripods are not allowed in the premises.

10. Make sure you take water with you and even a snack, there are many spectacular places to rest (you will need to), relax and eat, admiring the views of the surrounding Albaicin district, Sacromonte quarter or the far but majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains.