Go up
A full tour of the Alhambra takes between 3 and 4 hours, and the route is about 3.5 kilometres. But it is not the total time that determines your working day: what determines it is the opening hours of the Nasrid Palaces, and there’s one thing that means a lot of people miss out on seeing them.
We’ll explain it to you by section, with the actual journey times for each one and the time you’ll need to allow to arrive on time for your appointment.
This is what causes the most confusion, so it comes first.
Your ticket has the following printed on it one hour to enter the Nasrid Palaces, and you have a 30-minute window in which to arrive at their doorstep. Those 30 minutes are the entrance, not the time you can spend inside: once you’ve gone in, there’s no set time to leave.
The important thing is what happens if you’re late: you lose your right of access to the Nazaríes and there is no refund, although your ticket is still valid for the rest of the venue.
And here is the most common mistake: It takes about 20 minutes to walk from the main entrance to the gate of the Nasrid Palaces, plus access control. That is why the recommendation is arrive at the venue between 30 and 60 minutes before your time slot, not at the time shown on the ticket.
One more tip for those booking at the last minute: The last admission to the Nasrid Palaces is one hour before closing time.
The overall route is 3.5 kilometres and is covered in 3 or 4 hours at a brisk pace. If you want to stop at every courtyard and wander through the gardens without keeping an eye on the clock, set aside the whole day.
The Alhambra is not a building; it is four sets within the same venue, and only one has a fixed time. These are the approximate times for each area:
These are approximate times, not official times: everyone walks and stops at their own pace.
Yes, if you prioritise. With mid-morning it’s enough for the Nasrid Palacesthe Alcazaba and a visit to the Palace of Charles V, which is the quickest set to watch.
What is left out in that case is the Generalife, because it’s separate from the rest and involves a long walk. If you have to choose, save the Generalife for a second visit rather than rushing through it.
The Generalife, with its terraced gardens and the Patio de la Acequia, can be explored at a leisurely pace in about 45 minutes. It was the sultans’ holiday estate, and it is the area most exposed to the sun: in summer, it is best to visit it first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon.
The Alcazaba It is the military section and the oldest part of the complex, and you can walk through it in 30 to 45 minutes. The part that takes the longest is uploading to the Torre de la Vela to look out over Granada, especially if there’s a queue on the stairs.
A word of advice: if your ‘franja de los Nazaríes’ is late, Visit the Alcazaba and the Generalife first and leave the palaces until last. If you’re visiting first thing in the morning, do it the other way round.
The venue opens at 8:30 every day, and the closing time varies depending on the season:
Just close it 25 December and 1 January. Clear-out begins at closing time, so make sure you allow enough time to leave.
The two best time slots are first thing in the morning, when there are fewer people, and in the afternoon from 3.00 pm, when there are fewer visitors and the light is best in the courtyards. In summer, it is best to avoid midday due to the heat at the Generalife and the Alcazaba, which are open-air areas.
Please note that Early morning slots are the most popular and they sell out sooner. And if you choose the 9.00 slot, make sure you’re at the door at 8.30, when they open.
There is also the evening visit, which lasts around an hour and a half and it’s a different experience, with far fewer people. Bear in mind: Evening visits to the Nasrid Palaces and the Generalife Gardens require separate tickets and they do not cover the entire site, so they are no substitute for a daytime visit. The garden tours, moreover, are only available at certain times of the year.
Tickets are selling out weeks in advance, especially during the high season and long weekends, and they are registered: You must bring the ID card or passport used to purchase the tickets. If, when checking your dates, you see the dreaded «sold out» message, there are still several options available to you.
The organised excursion, including admission. This is the simplest option, as places on these tours are booked in advance and guarantee you a spot in the ‘Nazaríes’ section without you having to make any arrangements. You can find the details at the Day trip to Granada including tickets to the Alhambra, departing from Málaga.
Admission without the Nasrid Palaces. When the only part that’s closed is the palace complex, you can visit the rest of the site — the Alcazaba, the Generalife, the gardens and the Carlos V Palace — and spend more time there. It’s not quite the same, but it makes the visit worthwhile.
To see it from the outside. If you don’t find anything, go up to the San Nicolás viewpoint, in the Albaicín: the whole of the Alhambra with the Sierra Nevada in the background, and it’s free.
Planning your time properly is the difference between leaving the Alhambra feeling as though you’ve really seen it, or feeling as though you’ve been racing against the clock. In short: if you have a morning, prioritising the Nasrid Palaces and the Alcazaba; if you’ve got the day, adds the Generalife, unhurriedly.
Yes You’ve already got your tickets and if you need to get there from the coast, the option is A day trip to Granada from Málaga and the Costa del Sol, which sorts out your transport and lets you organise things at your own pace.
And make the most of the day to explore the rest of the city: the Albaicín, the Cathedral and the Royal Chapel are all within walking distance. You’ll find them in the guide to What to see in Granada, and in the Granada hub We’ve listed all the ways to get there. If you’ve got time to spare for a sweet treat, take a look at the typical sweets from Granada, and for the tapas tour, where to eat in Granada.
To help you understand what you’re seeing as you walk through it, here are three reads that make the visit worthwhile: the Interesting facts about the Patio de los Leonesthe Inscriptions and phrases from the Alhambra and, if you’re travelling with children, the story of the Alhambra, told just for them.
Between 3 and 4 hours at a brisk pace, or a full day if you want to stop at each site. The general route is about 3.5 kilometres long and takes in four sites: the Nasrid Palaces, the Generalife, the Alcazaba and the Palace of Charles V. If you only have half a morning, prioritise the Nasrid Palaces and the Alcazaba, and leave out the Generalife.
The tour inside takes between 30 and 45 minutes, and there is no set time to leave. What is strictly enforced, however, is the entry time: your ticket has a specific time printed on it and you have a 30-minute window to arrive at the entrance. If you arrive late, you’ll lose access to the palaces with no refund, although you can still visit the rest of the site.
Between 30 and 60 minutes before your booked time slot for the Nasrid Palaces. This is because it takes about 20 minutes to walk from the main entrance to the entrance to the palaces, plus the time spent going through security. This is the most common mistake and the usual reason for missing your entry to the Nasrid Palaces.
Yes, focusing on the essentials: the Nasrid Palaces, the Alcazaba and a quick visit to the Palace of Charles V. The Generalife is the one left out, as it is separate from the rest of the complex and involves a long walk. With a full day, you can take your time visiting all four sites.
First thing in the morning, when there are fewer people, or in the afternoon from 3.00 pm onwards. In summer, it’s best to avoid midday due to the heat at the Generalife and the Alcazaba, which are open-air areas. Bear in mind that the early morning slots are the most popular and sell out before the others.
It opens at 8.30 am every day. It closes at 8.00 pm from 1 April to 14 October and at 6.00 pm from 15 October to 31 March. It is closed only on 25 December and 1 January. The last admission to the Nasrid Palaces is one hour before closing time.
You have three options. Book an organised tour that includes admission, as these usually have their own quota and guarantee entry to the Nasrid Palaces. Buy a ticket that excludes the Nasrid Palaces and spend more time at the Alcazaba, the Generalife and the gardens. Or view it from the outside by going up to the San Nicolás viewpoint in the Albaicín, which is free and offers a complete panoramic view.
If you liked... Share!
Make the most of it! only during the month of November and book our excursions.
UP TO 30% DISCOUNTS
Book now and enjoy the tour whenever you want!
BLACK MONTH offer valid from 1 November at 00:00h until 30 November at 23:59h.
Download the ebook "What to see in Malaga in 3 days - the perfect route" for free! and plan your perfect trip to discover Andalusia from Malaga.
