The Alhambra, perched above Granada, Spain, is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. It is the only preserved palatial city of medieval Islam and showcases mesmerizing Nasrid art and architecture. The complex spans time, dating back to the 9th century and undergoing additions and changes until it was abandoned in the 18th century. This palatial city consisted of three main sections. The oldest section is the Alcazaba, a military fortress that housed soldiers and their families. The palatial zone or Nasrid palaces, consisting of three palaces that housed the sultan and his entourage. And then there is the medina, once housing the sultan’s court. In 1492, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella conquered Granada, ending Islamic rule in the region. Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain, Charles V, built his 16th century palace into the Alhambra. These areas, along with the Generalife gardens (a nearby country estate with the oldest gardens in Europe) dating to the 13th and 14th centuries, make up the Alhambra complex today.
Marveling at the Alhambra perched above Granada
The Alhambra is as magnificent in person, as it is in photos, stories, and legends. It towers above the city and one can’t help but feel in awe. My cover photo taken at sunset and the night shot below, show its appeal no matter the time of day. It looks almost magical and mysteriously serene. Most visitors likely experience the Alhambra during the daylight, and that is when it reveals all of its secrets.
Photo Above: Taken looking up at the Alhambra at night, while walking in Granada below.
Getting to the Alhambra from Granada
Clearly, the way to the Alhambra is up. Sure, you could walk up there if you really wanted to. But there is so much to see and do at the Alhambra, that I would recommend you spend your time up there, exploring it, rather than walking to it. It is a vast complex, and your ticket is only good for one day. Not to mention that this is southern Spain and you can see the Sierra Nevada mountains. It could be really hot, or really cold. Luckily, Granada has a bus system designed to move tourists around all of its major sites, quickly, inexpensively, and efficiently. The buses are easy to identify. They are the red short buses you will see zipping around the historic areas and narrow lanes.
One thing that I learned was that if you are in the historic center of Granada, you want to catch the bus from the statue of the queen, or Plaza Isabel la Catolica. We saw the bus near our apartment on Plaza Nueva, and thought we could catch it there. However, a woman explained to me that if I got on from this stop the bus first went to every other stop before the Alhambra and would take 30+ minutes more time. She told me if I got on at Plaza Isabel la Catolica (a few minutes away), it would be much quicker. And she was right. We caught it at Plaza Isabel la Catolica and it got us there quickly. So definitely pay attention to the direction the bus is going and where you are getting on. I had read something about this beforehand, but still almost got on the wrong route. Yikes!
Where to get bus tickets to the Alhambra
One cool thing about the bus is that you don’t need to buy tickets in advance. Just get on, and pay there. You can purchase a single ticket for one way for 1.40 EUR per person, or you can buy a discounted multi-trip pass. If you have a family, the whole family can share one pass and use the trips you load on it. We purchased individual tickets until we figured this out. Once I bought a 2 EUR transit card and loaded 10 euros on it, we were traveling for about 43 cents a ticket (thanks to an on-going promotion).
Photo Above: The statue of the queen. Many locals used this reference when giving me directions or advice.
Photo Above: A red ALSA short bus that gave us a ride when we visited!
Navigating the different entrances of the Alhambra
The other thing I learned was that there are multiple bus stops at Alhambra. We had timed entry tickets for the Nasrid palaces (so we didn’t need to visit the ticket office) and were short on time due to the trouble we had finding the correct bus stop. This is the only reason I double-checked with the driver at the first Alhambra stop before exiting. I had seen somewhere the possibility of another stop, but was unsure. And every other person on the bus got off at the first stop. I asked the bus driver about “Nasrid palaces” and he said “no,” closed the bus door, and drove us to the correct stop. When we left Alhambra, we walked through the full complex and it was only then I realized how much time we saved by getting off at the later stop.
Photo Above: The first stop takes you closest to the Generalife gardens and Alhambra main ticket office.
Photo Above: The Pta. De La Justicia stop takes you closest to the Alcazaba, Palace of Charles V, and the Nasrid Palaces.
Visiting the Alcazaba
I suggest starting your visit at the Alcazaba (but there is also an official itinerary here), if you have time before your morning Nasrid palace entry time. This is because it offers no shade so it might be good to go early in the morning on hots days, and you don’t have to enter at a certain time. It is also the farthest point of the Alhambra, so after you see it, you can continue working your way to the other end of the complex. Which happens to be the Generalife gardens which offers some shade. I think you could see the Alcazaba in 30 minutes. There is no rush to be the first person in the line at the Nasrid Palaces, since everyone in line has the same entry time and gets in pretty quickly at their time.
The Alcazaba is also the oldest part of the Alhambra and offers panoramic views of Granada and the surrounding area. It dates back to the 9th century and was a military fortress. Read my post on the Alcazaba to learn more about this section of the Alhambra.
Photo Above: The entrance to the Alcazaba.
Photo Above: The view of the inside of the Alcazaba from the Torre de la Vela (big tower).
Visiting the Nasrid Palaces
You will need to visit the Nasrid Palaces at the time you selected on your ticket. The entry times are strictly enforced from what I could tell, and also be sure you have your physical passport or ID card you gave when purchasing your tickets. In our case, our passport was scanned at the entrance and was our ticket for these palaces. We were asked to show our paper tickets at the other sites, so bring both. The line was long when we got there, but I was told by the line attendant that everyone in the line had the same entry time. And when that time came, the whole line quickly moved inside.
The Nasrid Palaces are absolutely amazing! This is a key attraction of the Alhambra and you do not want to miss this. The Nasrid Palaces consist of three palaces of interconnected courtyards, halls and rooms that are filled with colorful tilework, stucco designs, and Moorish architecture. Check out my post on the Nasrid Palaces to learn more.
Photo Above: Looking at one end of the Court of Myrtles, a long rectangular courtyard.
Photo Above: The view from the other end of the Court of Myrtles.
Photo Above: Looking into the courtyard of the Palace of Lions from the gallery and rooms where the sultan and his family would have lived.
Photo Above: Daraxa’s Mirador with view of Daraxa’s garden.
Exploring the beautiful courtyards
Not only is the architecture and decor utterly amazing, but the Moors bent nature into beautiful spaces that you will want to see. Every detail is accounted for. The plants, the shrubs, the trees, and even the water. Everything is symmetric and manicured, ebbing and flowing as it was created to do to maximize the beauty of the space. And all my photos are from winter, so I can only imagine how much more beautiful it is at other times of the year.
Photo Above: View of Daraxa’s garden.
Photo Above: View of the fountain in the Patio of the Wrought Iron Grille.
Exploring the Alhambra grounds
The grounds of the Nasrid Palaces are almost as detailed and beautiful as the palaces themselves. I was surprised by how beautiful the grounds were as we exited the palaces. We didn’t want to leave! So be ready to pause here for a bit, take in the tranquility of the natural beauty around you, and snap some breathtaking photos.
Photo Above: The view from the palace grounds as you exit.
Photo Above: The view as we were leaving the Nasrid Palaces.
Visiting the Palace of Charles V and Alhambra Museums
The Palace of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain, is next to the Nasrid Palaces. Technically, it is partially connected to them. This large square palace has a surprising interior; a circular courtyard with a double story colonnade. It is an excellent example of Renaissance-architecture, and just happens to house the Fine Arts Museum of Granada and the Alhambra Museums. My post on the Palace of Charles V shows more about what you will see in the two museums.
Photo Above: The circular courtyard inside the Palace of Charles V.
Photo Above: A double-decker colonnade flanks the courtyard.
Visiting the Generalife Gardens
We visited in winter (late December), so things were a bit bare than what is typically seen in the photos of the gardens. If there was one reason to brave Alhambra during the warmer months, this garden would be it! You can easily spend an hour exploring and admiring this area and garden (even in the winter when the cooler weather and fewer fellow tourists is a bonus).
Photo Above: Walking from the palatial area to the Generalife gardens.
Photo Above: I saw this drinking fountain and imagine it is much appreciated in the summer months!
Photo Above: Sign showing the path to the Generalife gardens at Alhambra.
Photo Above: Stock photo of what you can expect to see at the Generalife gardens in the warmer months.
Planning your visit to the Alhambra
Alhambra official website:
Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife (alhambra-patronato.es)
Opening hours and prices:
Opening hours and prices – Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife (alhambra-patronato.es)
Online Official Tickets:
Home – Tickets Alhambra Patronato (alhambra-patronato.es)
Important information about your ticket:
- You must present your official ID card or passport at the entrance to enter the monumental complex.
- Punctuality is very important for accessing the Nasrid Palaces!
- Carry the QR code for your ticket in physical or digital format.
Interactive Alhambra Map:
Helpful tips to know in advance of your visit:
Helpful tips – Tickets Alhambra Patronato (alhambra-patronato.es)
Information on official App and Audioguides:
Audioguides – Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife (alhambra-patronato.es)
Getting around Granada and Alhambra:
Our family purchased the 10 EUR Travel Card on board a bus, and shared the card during our visit. Rides were discounted at the time to .42 to .44 cents using this card, compared with 1.40 EUR for a single ride ticket. We paid 2 EUR for the initial card, plus the value. Then you can top it off as needed. More information on the Granada tourist buses which provide transportation to all the tourist sites is available from here.
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