When is the best time of day to visit the Alhambra?

A lot of people ask me what is the best time to visit the Alhambra because it is necesary to state the time when buying the ticket. This is because the amount of people allowed to go through the Nasrid Palaces is controlled in order to avoid overcrowding. See pictures of the Nasrid Palaces here. The Alhambra is always busy so buy your tickets Now! at the official site here DON'T buy tickets at rip off sites. The general ticket is NEVER more than 24 euros (time of updating this text September 2025). The only exception is buying a guided tour. The best place is here 

I go to the Alhambra about 2 or 3 times a year, because I go when I am visited by family or friends.
I never seem to get bored of it.

If I have a choice I book tickets to the Nasrid palaces at about 12.30 midday.
This means that I would actually arrive at the Alhambra at about 11.30am or 11am
Before going through the Nasrid palaces I visit the Alcazaba (the castle like bit) and wander around looking at the Albaicín.

I walk up from Plaza Nueva and enter via the main entrance. However you can enter via the Puerta de Justicia (see info) if you are short of time.  If you are not so fit you can get a  C30 or C32 see info here

The map on this page will help you understand the layout of the Alhambra

This means that by the time I have been to the Generalife I am developing a good appetite for a midday meal. After coming out of the Alhambra just before 2pm I either go to the Mimosa outdoor restaurant  or the Jardines de Alberto which are both near to the entrance to the Alhambra (neither of them are particularly cheap but they have very pleasant outside spaces)

If I am with friends on a tighter budget there are some cheaper "menu del dia"  places near to the Guadalupe hotel. You can also walk down to the centre of Granada or get on one of the frequent minibuses.  C30 or C32 see info here

The Parador inside the Alhambra has a menu del dia for less than 40 euros. By Granada standards this is expensive but it is cheap for an expensive restaurante if you see what I mean.
There is a pleasant courtyard where you can sit outside.click here

So my advice is to book the Alhambra tickets about 90 minutes before you want to eat.

(but you could take some sandwiches and there are pleasant places to eat them if you don't want to be controlled by your stomach) 

For links to places to eat near to the entrance to the Alhambra click here

However, in July in August it is best to book as early as possible to avoid the midday heat.

There is info about how to buy the tickets here

If it appears that all tickets to the Alhambra are sold out look at this page for advice.

Places to get guided tours and tickets for the Alhambra

Suppliers	Description
Misreservas	Buy tickets for the Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces
Civitatis	Civitatis Alhambra Tickets
Tiqets	Buy tickets for the Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces

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Last Modified on September 2nd, 2025
Created on December 5th, 2006
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