A Visit to the Alhambra: Top Mistakes to Avoid and What to Expect on a Night Visit

Of all the places I visited in Spain this summer, when my mind starts to wander, it often drifts back to the Alhambra. Perched on a hill overlooking Granada, the Sierra Nevada peaks rising behind it, this historic palace and fortress is a masterpiece of Moorish architecture — and I cannot overstate how awe-inspiring it is to visit.

With building beginning in 1238 by the first emir, the Alhambra flourished as the seat of of political and cultural power for the Nasrid kingdom, growing in size and grandeur through the fall of the dynasty in the 15th century to the Spanish Reconquista. It wasn’t until 1828 that a restoration project began to shape the site into what it is today, and ever since, writers, artists, and tourists have fallen under the spell of this historic and magical place.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Spain’s top tourist attractions, the Alhambra welcomes more than 2.6 million visitors annually. Its sweeping scale, intricate craftsmanship, and enchanting atmosphere leave a lasting impression, making it a must-see for anyone visiting Granada.

If you are planning a trip to the Alhambra, here are some mistakes to avoid

Because the Alhambra is such a popular destination, following these tips will help you make the best use of your time there and prepare you for what to expect.

Waiting too long to book

Tickets on the official site often sell out weeks in advance, so secure yours as soon as you know you’ll be in Granada.

If you need to book more last minute, one workaround is joining a guided tour from a reputable company, but they are often pricey. Also, because of the nature of the ticketing, you will need to stay with your group the entire time to be able to access all the parts of the grounds.

Arriving late in the day

Grab a ticket for the earliest entry possible (8:30am). All tickets to the Alhambra have timed entry and summertime in Granada can get especially hot, so you will benefit from cooler temperatures in the morning and the grounds are less crowded.

Forgetting your ID/passport

You must bring the same ID used to reserve your ticket. Yes, they do actually check each and every visitor’s ID. This part of an effort to prevent resellers snatching up all the tickets and charging sky high prices to desperate tourists.

Not starting with the Nasrid Palaces

A general ticket allows you access to the mini-city that is made up of four main buildings/sections: Nasrid Palaces (Palais Nasrides), Partal, Alcazaba, and Generalife.

Entry to any of the areas is by timed ticket. While you can explore any part of the complex based on your ticket time, start your visit at the Nasrid Palaces. They’re the most spectacular part of the Alhambra (and the areas that are the most heavily photographed) and they only get more crowded as the day goes on.

The other areas have far fewer crowds or in the case of the Generalife, are so expansive there is plenty of room to move around despite the crowds.

If you have followed these tips so far, and you have an entry time of 8:30am, don’t dilly dally walking around the grounds. You’d be wise to get in the queue that starts in advance of the opening time. It begins at the check-in booth right by the garden in front of the Palacio de Carlos V.

Not bringing a snack

Even though I researched a ton before my visit, I was unsure if I could bring food into the Alhambra. You are allowed to bring snacks and water, however you are only allowed to eat and drink in designated areas, like near the vending machines or by the cafe. There is only one cafe to get food in the Alhambra and it is quite pricey and the waits can be long.

I probably spent the good part of 3 hours touring the grounds (and I could have stayed longer). If you get hungry easily, you will definitely want to bring some food to keep you going through your visit.

What is a night visit to the Alhambra?

When you are on the ticketing page, you will see a number of different options, including separate tickets for a night visit to Nasrid Palaces or a night visit to gardens and Generalife.

These tickets are available certain times of the year and allow you to visit areas of the Alhambra in the evening, after normal hours. The night visits for the Nasrid Palaces are available more days of the year than the Generalife night visits, which are limited to only 2 months during the year.

Just like the regular daytime tickets, these are also timed entry. If you get in right when the nighttime hours begin, you will only have 1 hour and 30 minutes maximum before guests are asked to leave, so keep that in mind as you explore.

Again, these tickets are ONLY for a night time visit with the limited hours. You are not free to roam the entirety of the Alhambra grounds, only the designated areas. If you want to visit the Alhambra during the day and loads of time to explore, purchase a regular general ticket.

Is a Alhambra night visit worth doing?

When I was visiting the Alhambra, only the Nasrid Palace night visit tickets were available, so I can only speak to that experience.

The night visit is an opportunity to tour the palace with fewer crowds, cooler temperatures, and a more peaceful, contemplative atmosphere. I don’t think it’s a must-do for everyone, especially if you are not big on architecture or the history of the Alhambra.

I feel like the night entry is a visit for super-fans, or those who would enjoy seeing what the palace looks like at nighttime. There are no special exhibits or additional access to new areas that are granted with the night tickets. In fact, you are not permitted to view all of the palace during the night visit, but the most famous areas like the Court of the Lions and Court of Myrtles are open.

I really enjoyed my night visit because it was much calmer than during the day and I could take my time looking at all the intricate carvings and tile work without the sun beating down on me, or hordes of people coming up behind me. You can really take your time in the space during the night visit.

I did the daytime visit and the night visit all in the same day because I was only there one full day. However, if you are spending more time in Granada, I would probably recommend doing the night visit on another day, and I would recommend doing it after you have done the day visit because you’ll have a greater appreciation for the special feeling of the evening experience.

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