More about: Granada Alhambra Guided Tours
When we think of Granada, the first thing that comes to mind for many travellers is its legendary Alhambra. Declared a World Heritage Site, Granada welcomed more than five million tourists in 2019, breaking its historical record.
As it is the most popular monument in Spain, I recommend booking a guided tour of the Alhambra in Granada in advance. If you plan to include it in your trip, there are different guided tour options to discover all the secrets of this ancient Andalusian palatine city. Here are some of them:
Granada Alhambra and Generalife Guided Tour
The complete guided tour of the Alhambra with tickets included
Discovering the Alhambra and its historical and artistic significance is much more interesting when accompanied by an expert guide. This guided tour also includes all entrance fees in the price.
The best thing about this activity is the good value for money, as you can visit the Alhambra, the Nasrid Palaces and the Generalife with a specialised local guide. This guided tour lasts almost 4 hours and is very enjoyable thanks to the incredible places you will discover and the experience of the guide, who makes the tour a very entertaining visit.
In addition, with these skip-the-line tickets , you will be guaranteed direct access to the monument without waiting (which is very important considering the large number of visitors to the Alhambra). You will see the Nasrid Palaces, the Alcazaba, the Generalife, the Palace of Charles V, the El Partal Palace and the gardens of the Alhambra.
You'll take a real journey back in time to discover what the Islamic kingdom of Granada was like in the Middle Ages, who ordered the Alhambra to be built, why it was erected and how it became the residence of the Christian royalty in 1492.
Why I like this option: this is the most comprehensive option for discovering the Alhambra, the Nasrid Palaces and the Generalife with an expert guide at a very reasonable price.
Recommended if... you want to complete your visit to Granada by discovering the best-kept secrets of the Alhambra.
Granada Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces Night Guided Tour
For a little extra, enjoy the same guided tour of the Alhambra by moonlight.
If you want to discover the Alhambra with an expert guide but don't fancy joining a large group of tourists, consider the small group night tour. Like the previous option, it also includes admission to the monument.
If taking a stroll through the Alhambra and its gardens with an expert guide is a 100% recommended experience, doing so in small groups and at night adds even more charm to the visit. In a small group (maximum 10 people), you will connect better with the guide, be able to ask more questions, request suggestions, and more.
In general, night-time guided tours of the Alhambra tend to be more enjoyable and easier to hear, and the difference in price is well worth it. What's more, as you visit after dark, the complex will be less crowded and you will be able to enjoy the tour in a very special way.
Why I like this option: it's the complete tour of the Alhambra to discover its majesty with a guide but in a small group, which improves the quality of the experience.
Recommended if... you want to add a more premium touch to the experience.
In summary, we compare the options
Discover the Alhambra in Granada with an expert guide
Strolling through the gardens, courtyards and interior of the Alhambra is much more interesting when accompanied by an expert guide who can help you understand everything you see. Join a guided tour at the best price. Includes the Nasrid Palaces and the Generalife.
A more intimate experience to discover the Alhambra with a guide
This option is perfect if you want to discover a unique monument with the magic of special lighting. The tour is also for small groups of no more than 10 people.
How much does a guided tour of the Alhambra in Granada cost?
The price of admission to the Alhambra depends on the type of tour you book and what it includes. At Hellotickets, you can compare prices and types of tickets (day or night tours, with or without a guided tour, in small or standard groups, etc.) to choose the one that best suits your tastes and budget.
For example, you can find a guided tour of the Alhambra from £37 (including the Nasrid Palaces, the Generalife, the Alcazaba and the Palace of Charles V) in a standard group, but if you are looking for a more personalised experience, you will also find options from £50 for a more exclusive version of this tour in a small group.
In the post Alhambra ticket prices, I tell you everything you need to know about this topic and other issues such as how far in advance you need to book tickets or what you can see for free in the Nasrid fortress. Don't miss it!
Why take a guided tour instead of visiting the Alhambra on your own?
Buying tickets and visiting the Alhambra without an expert guide is not the option I recommend. There is no doubt that if you explore the Alhambra on your own, you will see a beautiful monument, but the experience may leave you feeling unsatisfied.
It is a very large monumental complex divided into several parts, and if you are not familiar with its history or architecture, you could miss many details and interesting facts about the different spaces that make it up if it is your first visit. In short, you won't get the overall view of the Nasrid fortress that a professional guide can provide.
What's more, if you take a guided tour of the Alhambra, you can be sure that you'll have a great time because the guides don't just recite boring facts, they interact with the group and know how to turn a cultural visit into a very enjoyable experience.
How long does it take to visit the Alhambra?
The average time for a visit is 3 hours with a 30-minute wait in the queue to enter. However, it is difficult to determine how long it takes to see the Alhambra in Granada, as a visit to a monument of this size, historical importance and artistic beauty will depend on how much it fascinates you.
If you just want to see the Alhambra from above in order to add it to your list of travel milestones, this time may be enough to give you an idea of what the palace complex is like, or even less. However, if you are passionate about history and art, you will not want to spend less than 4 to 6 hours inside the Alhambra in order to explore it thoroughly.
If you're planning a trip to Granada, my article How long does it take to visit the Alhambra? tells you in detail how much time you'll need to see the entire monument and how long it takes to visit the Nasrid Palaces and the Generalife, among other things.
How far in advance should I book the visit?
The Alhambra is the most visited monument in Spain and the eighth wonder of the world, so there is great demand to visit it both nationally and internationally.
For security and conservation reasons, capacity is limited, so I advise you to book your guided tour of the Alhambra in Granada as far in advance as possible.
If your trip coincides with long weekends, weekends or public holidays, do so at least one or two months before your visit.
Do children have to pay to enter the Alhambra?
Yes, there is an admission fee for the Alhambra and children must have their own ticket to enter this monumental complex. However, children can get tickets at a reduced price compared to adults, which allows families to save a little on their holidays, which is always welcome.
If you've always dreamed of visiting the Alhambra and would like to take your family there for less or even for free, check out my post How to get free or discounted tickets for the Alhambra to find out how.
This is one of the tips I give you when visiting the Nasrid fortress, but if you are travelling to Granada with children, I recommend you read the post Visit the Alhambra in Granada with children to see some more that will surely be useful.
Alhambra opening hours
The Alhambra monument complex is open every day except 25 December and 1 January. The Alhambra opening hours are as follows:
- Low season (from 15 October to 31 March) open from 8:30 AM to 6 PM.
- High season (1 April to 14 October) open from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
If you would like to know more about the opening hours of the Alhambra and especially about such emblematic places within the monument as the Nasrid Palaces or the Generalife, then I recommend reading the article Opening hours of the Alhambra in Granada, where I explain everything in detail.
What is the best time to visit the Alhambra in Granada?
Normally, the best time is when it opens. Early in the morning there are usually fewer crowds at the monument and after your visit you will have the rest of the day to go on other excursions around the city.
In the afternoon, around 3 or 4 PM, the number of visitors decreases somewhat, so this is also a good time to visit. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy the sunset as you stroll within the walls, watching the Alhambra turn reddish in the evening light.
However, if you want to focus on seeing the Nasrid Palaces or the Generalife and its gardens, the night-time visits to the Alhambra (at 10 pm in summer and 8 pm in winter) are very charming and highly recommended if you want to enjoy the monument in an original and intimate way. Contemplating it in the stillness of the night and in the moonlight is a magical and enigmatic experience that you will love.
When is the best time of year to visit the Alhambra in Granada?
To admire the beauty of the Generalife gardens in all their splendour and enjoy good weather, spring (April, May, June) and autumn (September and October) are the best times to visit.
During the summer, temperatures are very high and the heat is stifling. However, if you decide to visit the Alhambra in Granada in summer, remember to wear cool, comfortable clothing, bring a fan and a hat, and stay well hydrated.
In winter, the trees in the Alhambra begin to change colour and the flowers start to disappear. The change of season during the low season can also be a good time to visit this monument if your priority is to admire its architecture and take photographs.
How to get to the Alhambra?
The fortress is located in the centre of the city, on a hill that can be reached by climbing several slopes. There are several options for getting to the Alhambra and, depending on your preferences, you can go on foot, by bus or by car.
On foot
If you leave from Plaza Nueva, just take Cuesta de Gomérez. When you reach Puerta de las Granadas, turn left and continue until you reach Puerta de la Justicia, which serves as the entrance to the Alhambra in Granada.
Bus
Several city bus lines run to the Alhambra. Some of them are the C30, C32 and C35. A single ticket costs £1.40.
Car
Cars can access the site via the Ronda Sur (A-395). Take the Granada ring road (N-323/A-44) south towards Motril. Once you have bypassed the city, follow the signs for Alhambra (Ronda Sur) until you reach the monument's car park, where you can park your car. The price is £2.35/hour.
If you are planning to visit the Alhambra, I will tell you all the ways to get to the monument in the post How to get to the Alhambra.
Why is the Alhambra in Granada worth a visit?
There are many reasons why visiting the Alhambra in Granada is a must. This monumental complex, perfectly integrated into its natural surroundings, transports you to another era from the moment you arrive.
- It is the most beautiful monument in Spain: a world icon and a benchmark of Islamic architecture. If you want to understand its history, I recommend taking a guided tour to discover all its details.
- Walking through the Alhambra is like contemplating the splendour of the Nasrid dynasty: its excellent state of preservation allows you to feel the essence of Al-Andalus. The Nasrid Palaces, the jewel of the complex, are particularly noteworthy.
- It is a source of artistic inspiration: its legends have inspired writers such as Washington Irving, who captured its magic in Tales of the Alhambra.
- The incomparable beauty of its setting: its privileged location makes it one of the most photogenic spots in Spain.
- The beautiful and delicate gardens of the Alhambra: strolling through the gardens of the Generalife is to enjoy water, light and vegetation as symbols of paradise.
What else is there to see in Granada?
Granada is the dream destination for many travellers looking for an unforgettable getaway.
It is a charming city that captivates visitors with its lively atmosphere in the streets and bars, the warmth of its people and, of course, its beautiful historical and cultural heritage, the result of the passage of different peoples who have left their mark here over the centuries.
The Alhambra is the most popular monument in the city, but it is not the only one.Granada is full of dreamlike corners waiting to be discovered!
If you don't know where to start, I recommend you take a look at the article The best excursions and guided tours in Granada to get some ideas. The best thing is that these are organised activities where all you have to do is let yourself go and have a great time.
If you fancy a more relaxing but equally authentic experience, don't hesitate to enjoy a hammam ritual in the Arab baths of Granada.