Alhambra y Generalife
Monumental complex on the Sabika hill with the Alcazaba, the Palacios Nazaríes (Nasrid Palaces), the Palace of Charles V, and the gardens and palace of the Generalife.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Alhambra occupies the Sabika hill, where there is evidence of buildings as early as the 9th century. In the 11th century the minister Samuel ibn Nagrella set up his palace there, and in 1238 Al-Ahmar, founder of the Nasrid dynasty, decided to rebuild the ruins and establish the seat of his court there. It was a palace, citadel and fortress, and the residence of the Nasrid sultans and senior officials.
After the Christian conquest it became a royal residence and later the Captaincy General of the Kingdom of Granada, and it served as a military fortress until it was declared a monument in 1870. Today it is a complex made up of the Alcazaba, the Palacios Nazaríes, the Palace of Charles V, the Partal and the Generalife with its gardens.
The Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife is the body responsible for its protection, administration and conservation. It also manages other Andalusian Islamic monuments in the city, such as the Corral del Carbón and the Bañuelo. Within the complex, in the Palace of Charles V, are the Museo de la Alhambra and the Museo de Bellas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts).
Highlights
- Palacios Nazaríes, visited in an assigned time slot
- Alcazaba, the fortress of the complex
- Palace and gardens of the Generalife
- Palace of Charles V
- Night visits to the palaces and to the gardens
Permanent exhibitions
- Palacios Nazaríes – Palace complex of the Nasrid court with spaces such as the Patio de Machuca, the Mexuar and the Cuarto Dorado; visited in a fixed time slot.
- Alcazaba – Fortress of the complex; it has reopened to the public with a route adapted to safety and conservation requirements.
- Generalife y sus jardines – Palace and gardens of the Generalife, with walks such as the Paseo de los Cipreses, as well as the gardens of the Partal and of San Francisco.
- Operated by
- Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €22.27 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | –Holders of the Carné Joven Europeo (European youth card), citizens of the European Union over 65, people with a disability of 33% or more, members of large families and minors aged 12 to 15; proof must be shown at the ticket office. |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 11 · Children under 12 do not pay but need a ticket and must book it when the adults’ tickets are bought (children under 3 collect it at the ticket office). From 12 to 15 years the reduced admission applies. |
| Seniors | –Reduced admission for citizens of the EU over 65. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –Reduced admission with a disability of 33% or more. |
| Students & apprentices | –Reduced admission with the Carné Joven Europeo. |
| Groups | –Groups are limited to 30 people; tourist groups must be accompanied by an accredited official guide. |
| Families | –Reduced admission for large families. |
| Daytime visit to the gardens, Generalife, Partal and Alcazaba | €12.73 |
| Night visit to the Palacios Nazaríes | €12.73 |
| Night visit to the Generalife gardens | €8.48 |
| Alhambra Experiencias (night visit to the palaces and daytime visit to the gardens on two consecutive days) | €22.27 |
| Visit to the Andalusian Islamic monuments | €8.48 |
| Dobla de Oro General (general daytime visit and Andalusian Islamic monuments) | €30.48 |
| Dobla de Oro Nocturna (palaces by night and Andalusian Islamic monuments) | €23.06 |
| Alhambra and Fundación Rodríguez-Acosta (general daytime visit) | €25.45 |
Free admission: The Museo de la Alhambra and the Corral del Carbón have free admission. On 18 April and 16 November special access conditions apply.
A service charge is added to the prices for online purchases. Tickets are nominative and the original identity document must be carried. Advance sales online and by phone until 23:59 on the day before; the ticket office sells only tickets still available for the same day and up to two hours before the visit to the Palacios Nazaríes. Tickets are not refunded except for reasons attributable to the Patronato.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The site has steps, changes of level and narrow rooms, but it offers a set route for wheelchair users (plan on the website), ramps and a lift in the Palace of Charles V. Wheelchairs can be lent at the entrance pavilion, subject to availability. There are accessible toilets in the entrance pavilion and next to the Puerta del Vino, and tactile points along the route for people with visual impairments.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 3 hrs |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 11 |
- Family tours & workshops
- Stroller-friendly: not available
The “La Alhambra más cerca” programme includes family visits. Strollers are not allowed inside the Palacios Nazaríes, the Generalife, the Alcazaba, the Partal or the Museo de la Alhambra; a free service for storing strollers and lending baby carriers is available at the cloakroom by the Puerta del Vino.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
City minibuses C30 (Alhambra – Centro, Plaza Isabel la Católica), C32 (Alhambra – Albaicín) and C35 (Cementerio – Barranco del Abogado – Centro).
By car
Parking available
Public car park, supervised 24 hours, with 360 spaces, spaces reserved for people with disabilities (P-1) and an area for coaches and caravans (P-4).
- Accessible parking
On foot, uphill via the Cuesta de Gomérez (from Plaza Nueva), the Cuesta del Realejo or the Cuesta del Rey Chico. By car, the site cannot be reached from the centre: take the ring road via the Ronda Sur, pass through the Serrallo tunnel and follow the Avenida de Santa María de la Alhambra to the car park.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Wi-Fi
Three official shop-bookstores (entrance pavilion, Palace of Charles V and Calle Reyes Católicos, 40). Free cloakroom with the day’s ticket at the entrance pavilion and next to the Puerta del Vino. WiFi on the ANDALUCIA VUELA network: registration with a mobile phone number is required. Rest areas with vending machines in the Partal gardens and the new gardens; food can be eaten in the Plaza de los Aljibes, in the gardens opposite the cannons and in the Plaza de la Alhambra.
Events & venue rental
Wedding photo shoots and filming require prior authorisation from the Patronato.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | no |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | The general visit lasts about three hours. Each space (Alcazaba, Palacios Nazaríes, Partal and Generalife) can only be visited once. In the Palacios Nazaríes capacity is 300 people every half hour, and once the time slot has passed the right to enter is lost. Backpacks and bags larger than 40 × 40 cm are not allowed. There are currently no audioguides. School groups can book the “La Alhambra Educa” programme, and the “La Alhambra más cerca” programme offers guided tours led by specialists. |
