Alhambra Tickets

One thing to remember is that the Alhambra is pretty big! There are many areas to see, some of which require different Alhambra tickets. The Nasrid Palaces are not included in the basic/cheapest ticket.

If you want to see both, opt for the skip-the-line tickets to the Alhambra & Nasrid Palaces. These include entrance to the Nasrid Palaces, the Alcazaba, Generalife, Palace of Charles V, Partal, and Alhambra Museum.

For a little extra information as you go, opt for Alhambra tickets that include all of the above, plus a guided tour. Choose from a regular tour (20 people) or a regular tour (10 people). All tours include headphones, so you can always hear your guide in your chosen language.

The Alhambra, Nasrid Palaces, Albaicín & Sacromonte guided tour includes all of the above, plus more. Explore the old Muslim quarter and the gypsy quarter, both located on hills with dazzling views of each other.

It's a staggering slice of history to digest, whenever you decide to go, but the best time of day to use your Alhambra tickets is in the early morning, or later in the afternoon. If you go early, not only will you have fewer tourists around, but the light will be a lot better for photos. Aim for before 10:00 and you'll have near-perfect lighting.

If you want to visit the Alhambra when its gorgeous gardens are in full bloom, spring is the best time to head over. April and May are especially good, before the intense heat of summer arrives. Remember that in summer, temperatures can easily climb to a sweltering 40ºC.

There's lots to see with your Alhambra tickets in hand, but don't miss the Palace of Charles V, which was added by the Holy Roman Emperor in 1527.

Breathe in the floral scents throughout the Generalife Gardens, which were first built in the 1200s and sit on a hill just above the main Alhambra palace complex. These gardens have been changed so many times by different rulers over the centuries that no one really knows what they looked like originally. It's fun to imagine!

The opulent Nasrid Palaces are nothing short of jaw-dropping. They're the oldest palaces still standing, and were erected by the early Moorish rulers.

A great photo spot is outside the Palace of the Lions, once home to the royal family. Look for the showpiece – a stunning courtyard fountain surrounded by a pride of marble lions.

While your Alhambra tickets don't include an audio tour, you can pick up an interactive audioguide of the Alhambra on the premises. This rental will cost between 4-7 euros, depending on which areas you want to hear about. Alternatively, the Alhambra and the Generalife app is free to download on iOS and Android devices.

This tour includes an interactive map of the complex, audio content, historical images, videos and 360º panoramic views. You're free to choose between several routes adapted to different itineraries, tastes and available times.

The convenient Granada Pass also features an audio-guided tour of the Alhambra.

After soaking up stunning Islamic medieval art and architecture, palatial halls, courtyards and gorgeous gardens, it's time to refuel yourself.

The Parador is a calm oasis in the hot, beating heart of the Alhambra. There's formal dining in the restaurant, or just opt for an informal drink or some tapas in the garden café.

Fried fish is the specialty at La Mimbre, a kiosk/restaurant that's been run by a family for over a hundred years. Look for the shaded terrace as you line up to enter the Alhambra, between the high walls and the Alhambra Forest.

Locally sourced fresh ingredients and family recipes handed down through generations are brought to life by young, aspiring chefs at Carmen San Miguel. Look for it on the hilltop of the fortress complex, overlooking the Jewish quarter.

The Granada Pass lets you experience the best of Granada with an all-access culture pass. Explore the Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces with skip-the-line access, treat your ears to an audio guide for the Alhambra, and enjoy an audio tour of Granada featuring over 20 points of interest in the city. This pass also includes a dazzling Andalusian Flamenco Show.

The Best of Andalusia Card is another great way to save money while you see more. Enjoy audio tours of Granada and Seville, bypass the lines to the Alcázar of Seville, Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces, and join a fully-guided tour of the most important monument in the Western Islamic world, with skip-the-line entrance to the Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba.

• It's one of the most famous monuments showcasing Islamic architecture in the world

• The best time to visit the Alhambra is spring and summer – the surrounding hills are covered in flowers

• The Alcazaba is a fortified military enclosure, and is the oldest part of the complex

• Visit the sultan's residence within the Nasrid Palaces

• Lush gardens and water features can be found at the Generalife summer palace

• There's a lot to see – you can expect to walk 5 km (3 mi) during your visit

The Alhambra showcases a beautiful mixture of cultures surrounded by the snow-capped mountains of Granada – it's no wonder why tickets to the Alhambra are difficult to come by.

Usually sold out for months in advance, it's worth booking your tickets prior to your visit. Pick and choose the sites you want to see, with or without a guided tour.

Selection of Alhambra tickets:

• Skip the ticket line and spend more time inside this sprawling Moorish complex

• Enrich your visit to the Alhambra with a guided tour led by a historian

• Explore this Islamic site at your own pace with entrance tickets and an audio guide available in 11 different languages

• Opt for a city pass, like the Granada City Pass or the Best of Andalusia Card, to save money on combined admission fees to several attractions – including the Alhambra

• Bring a photo ID or passport with you; the name on the ticket must match the name on your ID

• Although this building is a Muslim heritage site, no dress code is required

• Plan on spending at least three hours at the venue for a thorough experience

• The Alhambra closed on December 25 and January 1

• The opening hours vary by season; check the current hours before your visit

• Selfie sticks, tripods, and flash photography are prohibted in most places within the complex

• Registered service dogs are allowed (with applicable documentation)

• Audio guides are available to rent at the venue