Alhambra and Generalife

The Alhambra began as a hilltop fort and became the royal residence of the Nasrid dynasty, the last Muslim rulers in Spain, mostly in the 13th and 14th centuries. After 1492 the Christian crown added a Renaissance palace inside the walls. A visit has four parts: the Alcazaba fort with its towers, the Nasrid Palaces with their carved stucco and tiled halls, the Palace of Charles V, and the Generalife with its gardens and water channels. The official site gives about three hours as an average visit.

What to look for

• Court of the Lions in the Nasrid Palaces
• Carved ceilings and tiled walls in the Comares Palace
• View over the Albaicín from the Alcazaba towers
• Water channels and flower beds in the Generalife

Opening hours

Daytime hours are 08:30 to 20:00 until 14 October, then 08:30 to 18:00 from 15 October to 31 March. Night visits run on fewer days: Tuesday to Saturday until 14 October, then Friday and Saturday only. Closed on 25 December and 1 January. The Palace of Charles V and the Alhambra Museum are free to enter.

Source: Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife, checked October 5, 2026

Tickets and booking

Adult ticket €22.27. The general daytime ticket covers the Alcazaba, the Nasrid Palaces and the Generalife. Children under 12 enter free when they come with a paying adult.

Book the general daytime ticket online as early as you can. Choose the Nasrid Palaces time first, because arriving late means losing that entry. Tickets must be collected at least one hour before the Nasrid Palaces time.

Getting there

Bus C30 or C32 runs up the hill to the Alhambra stops, or walk about 25 minutes uphill from Plaza Nueva along Cuesta de Gomérez.

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Tip

In summer take the first slot, before the heat settles on the Alcazaba and the gardens. In winter an afternoon slot avoids the coldest hours. Wear shoes with grip, since the stone paths are worn smooth.