It’s the one thing you absolutely have to do in Granada: The Alhambra. It’s such an important site for the country of Spain, as it is the place where Spain was finally fully united as one country. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, due to the well-preserved palatine city within, and it represents the height of Nasrid Islamic art, architecture, and culture. It’s impressive for so many reasons, and you want to do it right the first time, right? To help you out, here are the best tips before your visit to the Alhambra in Granada, Spain!
Book Your Tickets in Advance
This is the most important thing to do: Book your tickets 2-3 months in advance! This is one of the top two most-visited sites in all of Spain, and you don’t want to miss out once you get all the way to Granada (not the easiest city to get to). It trades the top spot with the Sagrada Família in Barcelona every few years. In January, we were able to secure tickets with just a couple of days’ notice, although time slots were limited. In the high seasons, though, from spring to summer and fall, you definitely want to get your tickets early!
Also this: How to Spend a Month Abroad with a Toddler (even as a single parent!)
Take the Guided Tour
I visited both guided and self guided, and I liked parts of both. The guided tour was good because there is very little information inside the complex, so it was nice to have someone there to explain what we were seeing and the significance of it all. But, we didn’t get to spend enough time at the sites we wanted to see (especially in the gardens), and we spent a lot of time at some of the sites I didn’t care about so much (Alcazaba Fortress–worth seeing, but did not need half an hour there). The self guided experience was at our own pace, but I really wish we’d had a guide at the Nasrid Palace, since I missed that the first time.
My recommendation? Book a guided tour, and plan to spend another hour or so going back to the sites you want to see more of. Start as early as you’re comfortable with, so you have plenty of time after the tour. This would have been too challenging with a toddler, so I’m glad I ended up going twice instead of trying to do it all in one day, but of course that’s not the most efficient use of time or money!
Keep reading: The Best Things to Do in Granada with a Toddler
Make Sure You Get the Nasrid Palace Ticket
I made this mistake our first time here! I thought I’d purchased the correct ticket, the one that included everything. Unfortunately for us, I was wrong. Make sure your ticket includes the Nasrid Palace, because this is truly the jewel of the Alhambra. When you see photos of the tile work and beautiful sites at the Alhambra, you’re likely seeing photos of the Nasrid Palace. I made sure to get the correct ticket the second time, and I’m so glad I did. You definitely don’t want to miss it!
Read next: What to Know Before You Visit Granada
What is the Generalife?
Everyone who visits sort of knows what the Alhambra is, but then there’s this Generalife. Is it an insurance company? Is it a military outpost? What is this thing? The name comes from the Arabic word for “Garden of the Architect,” with the architect being God, or Allah. It’s a 14th century summer palace within the Alhambra complex, and it served as a retreat of sorts for the Nasrid rulers, who were the last Muslim rulers of the Iberian Peninsula. Be sure to walk through the gardens and marvel at the water features. There are no pumps involved, only gravity, and they have functioned naturally since they were installed in the 1300s!
Read on: What It’s Like to Experience a Luxury Hammam in Granada
Parts of the Alhambra are FREE to Visit
The Alhambra complex is truly massive. There is a lot of ground to cover here! And much of it is FREE to visit. You will need a ticket for the Nasrid Palace, Generalife Gardens and Palace, and Alcazaba Fortress. There is plenty of open space that is free to visit, however, as well as the Charles V Palace, and the Alhambra Museum. It’s a nice place to bring a picnic, let your kids run around, or just walk through and see what you can see. The ticket price worthwhile, absolutely, especially the Nasrid Palace, but it’s nice to know that you can experience parts the complex for free.
More here: The Best FREE Things to Do in Granada
There Isn’t a Lot of Great Food Here
This is unfortunate. A complete visit to the Alhambra should take 2-3 hours, maybe more if you’re really into it all. That means you’ll probably get hungry, but you won’t find great food within the massive complex. We visited in winter, so perhaps there are more options in spring, summer, and fall, but be prepared with snacks, just in case. There are several restaurants across the street from the main entrance, and of course there are plenty of restaurants in the city below, so you’re not in the wilderness without nourishment. It would be really nice to have something more substantial than a sandwich with one slice of ham and one slice of cheese from one of the gift shops inside the complex, though. Eat before you come, bring a snack and water, and then plan to eat after you leave!
Essential info: The Best Coffee Shops in Granada
Dress for the Weather
I’ve saved the most essential tip for last: Dress for the weather! This is a fully outdoor site. Even the indoor portions (Nasrid Palace) are semi-outdoors. If it’s going to be raining, wear wellies and bring an umbrella and/or raincoat. If it’s hot, wear a hat and sunscreen. If it’s winter, consider bringing your long underwear and your warmest coat–it’s windy up there! You’ve likely had to book months in advance, so you won’t have any control of the weather on the day of your visit. But, you can be prepared!
Also helpful: The Best Winter Gear for Traveling Babies
Want more? Check out my dedicated Spain Page!
Love this post? Pin it for later!
