Written by Gareth Danaher

I took my second trip to the Alhambra Palace last week. I was here once before in 2014 but now I appreciated it a lot more as an adult.

We arrived for the first tour of the day at 09:30am which we thought wouldn’t be too busy but it quickly filled up. We opted for a self guided tour and the cost for this tour was €19. You can also get guided tours which are more expensive.

History of the Alhambra

The history of the Alhambra is linked to the geographical location where it is located, Granada; On a rocky hill of difficult access, on the banks of the river Darro, protected by the mountains and surrounded by forest, among the oldest districts of the city, the Alhambra rises like an imposing castle of reddish tones in its walls that hide to the Exterior the delicate beauty of its interior.

Designed as a military zone at the beginning, the Alhambra became the royal residence and court of Granada in the mid-13th century after the establishment of the Nasrid Kingdom and the construction of the first palace by the founding king Mohammed ibn Yusuf Ben Nasr, better known as Alhamar.

Throughout the s. XIII, XIV and XV, the fortress becomes a citadel of high walls and defensive towers, which houses two main areas: the military zone or Alcazaba, barracks of the royal guard, and the medina or palatine city, where the famous Nasrid Palaces and the remains of the houses of nobles and plebeians who lived there. The Palace of Carlos V , (built after the city was seized in 1492 by the Catholic Monarchs) , Is also in the medina.

The monumental complex also has an independent palace in front of the Alhambra, surrounded by orchards and gardens, which was the solace of the Granadine kings, The Generalife .

The name Alhambra has its origins in an Arabic word meaning "red castle or vermilion", perhaps due to the color tone of the towers and walls that completely surround the hill of La Sabica, which under the light of the stars is Of silver color, but in the light of the sun acquires a golden tone. Although there is a more poetic explanation, narrated by the Muslim chroniclers who talk about the construction of the Alhambra "under the light of the torches." Created originally for military purposes, the Alhambra was a fortress, a palace and a small medina, all at the same time. This triple character helps us understand the many characteristics of this monument.

Getting tickets

When buying your Alhambra tickets, remember that tickets allow for a 4-hour window of visiting time. During this time, you can wander among the different areas as you wish. The only exception is for the Nasrid Palaces, for which you have a specific 1-hour slot (you choose this slot when making your reservation online).

Ticket prices

Tickets cost €19 (20 USD) for a self-guided tour and must be pre-booked online before arrival. As Alhambra is the most visited site in Spain, it’s best to book well in advance to avoid disappointment (Alhambra tickets are available up to 90 days before). An audio guide is included in the price, so you can learn about Alhambra as you go.

Opening times

April 01-October 14 | Opening times through the spring/summer are 8.30 AM – 8 PM. Alhambra closes at 8 PM, so make sure to enter at least a few hours before. During these months, it’s also possible to do a night tour from Tuesday to Saturday.

October 15-March 31 |Opening times in the winter months are 8.30 AM – 6 PM. During this period, evening visits are limited to Friday and Saturday only.

Tips for Visiting Alhambra

Visiting Alhambra is a must on any Andalusia road trip and the top thing to do in Granada! Here are some top tips for your visit:

- Bring ID (you’ll need to show this on entry to Alhambra castle).

- Visit in the afternoon. Most people choose the morning to avoid the heat, but this means you’ll also be sharing the complex with large tour groups. The late afternoons are much quieter.

- Choose early evening for better light. The harsh light of midday can make taking photos of Alhambra a little harder.

- Visit outside of the high season (summer) for fewer crowds. However, be aware that the gardens are at their most luscious during the spring/summer.

- Allow for 3-4 hours to see everything in Alhambra Palace.

- Bring plenty of water and sunscreen, especially in the high temperatures of the summer. Water is drinkable in Granada, so we recommend bringing a reusable water bottle to travel plastic free!

- Wear good shoes. The Alhambra Royal Palace is massive, so wear suitable footwear for walking around.

- Drones are prohibited in Alhambra. Additionally, in some areas, so are tripods and selfie sticks. See the best cameras for travel.

- Don’t bring big backpacks or suitcases, you’ll be asked to leave them in a locker by the entrance.

Getting to the Alhambra:

Getting to Alhambra is really easy. You can take bus C30/32 from the city for €1.40 (1.42 USD). It’s a 10-minute ride from the center. You can take a taxi too which is about €8-9.

Alternatively, you can walk to the palace if you prefer. However, be aware that it’s a 30-minute uphill walk, so bring plenty of water.