Alhambra guided tour: Nasrid Palaces and Generalife Gardens

Walk through the Nasrid Palaces and climb to views of Granada and the Albaicín

A guided tour of Granada's Alhambra takes you through the Nasrid Palaces: the Comares Palace with its Throne Room, the Palace of the Lions with its famous fountain, and the Generalife Gardens on the Cerro del Sol hill. An official guide in your chosen language leads the route. Tickets and an audio system are included. The tour runs three hours and starts at a meeting point near the ticket office.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Nasrid Palaces1h · entry included
2. Palace of Charles V15m · entry included
3. Generalife Gardens45m · entry included

Guided tour of Alhambra and Generalife

• Visit Comares Palace and Mexuar
• Explore Patio de los Arrayanes and Comares Tower
• Tour Palace of the Lions and annexed rooms
• Conclude at Partal area and Torre de las Damas
• Visit military area and Torre de la Vela
• See Jardín de los Adarves and Puerta de las Armas
• Visit Palace of Charles V and main courtyard
• Explore public Alhambra area and Christian modifications
• Visit ruins of Palacio de los Abencerrajes and Medina
• Tour Cerro del Sol hill and Nasrid orchards
• Visit Generalife Palace and gardens
• Exit through Paseo de las Adelfas

The experience

The Nasrid Palaces open the tour with the administrative heart of the sultanate. You'll walk through the Comares Palace, where the stucco and wood ceiling techniques that survive from the original construction get explained, then move into the Patio de los Arrayanes with its portico and pool. The Throne Room sits in the Comares Tower. From there the route continues to the Palace of the Lions, built by Sultan Mohammed V, where the central patio with its famous fountain and the adjoining rooms like the Room of Two Sisters and Room of the Kings show the scale of Nasrid decoration. The Partal area and Torre de las Damas close out the palace section.

After the palaces, the tour covers the military structure of the Alhambra itself. You climb the Torre de la Vela for views across Granada, the Albaicín, and the Vega de Granada, with explanation of the tower's original function and what changed when Christian forces took the site. The Jardín de los Adarves and Puerta de las Armas follow. The Palace of Charles V, a 16th-century addition, gets its own stop: the facades, main courtyard, and the museums it houses are pointed out. You'll also see the public areas of the Alhambra, including the church of Santa María and the convent of San Francisco, plus the ruins of the Palacio de los Abencerrajes in the dry land section and the workshops and ovens of the Medina where decorative elements were made.

The Generalife Gardens sit on the Cerro del Sol hill and close the tour. Your guide explains the Nasrid orchards and the later Christian labyrinth gardens, the plants and fruits that grew there, and how the Generalife Palace connected physically to the city below. You'll walk through the Patio de Polo, Patio de la Guardia, Patio de la Acequia (where the Sultan's summer house stands), and the Patio de la Sultana with its cypress and tall gardens. The exit comes through the Paseo de las Adelfas. An audio system runs alongside the guide so you catch detail even in larger groups.

What’s included

• Alhambra entry tickets.
• audio system.
• official guide in English, Spanish, or French.
• meeting point reception near the ticket office.

Options for this experience

3 options

Tour in Spanish11 departure times: the first at 08:15, the last at 15:00Guided tour

Tour in EnglishAvailable from 23 Nov · 12:00 and 14:00Tour in English

Tour in FranceGuide in French · Available from 23 Nov · 12:00Tour in France

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day12 departure times: the first at 08:15, the last at 15:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Granada Turismo y Ocio

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want the Nasrid Palaces and Generalife explained by someone who knows the site. The guide handles entry and timing, so you walk straight in without arranging tickets or navigating the route yourself.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

In Spanish, with 11 departure times. In English, at 12:00 and 14:00. In French, at 12:00.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What's inside the Nasrid Palaces on this tour?

The Nasrid Palaces include the Comares Palace with its administrative area and the Throne Room in the Comares Tower, where original stucco and wood ceiling techniques are still visible; the Palace of the Lions built by Sultan Mohammed V, featuring the central fountain and rooms like the Room of Two Sisters; and the Partal area with the Torre de las Damas. Your guide explains the construction methods and the function of each space.

Do I climb to see views of Granada?

Yes. The Torre de la Vela offers views across Granada, the Albaicín neighborhood, and the Vega de Granada. Your guide explains what the tower originally defended and what happened when Christian forces conquered the site.

What are the Generalife Gardens like?

The Generalife Gardens sit on the Cerro del Sol hill and include both Nasrid orchards and later Christian labyrinth gardens. You walk through the Patio de Polo, Patio de la Guardia, Patio de la Acequia with the Sultan's summer house, and the Patio de la Sultana with cypress and tall gardens. Your guide explains the plants, fruits, and how the palace connected to the Alhambra city below.

How long does the tour take?

The tour runs three hours. You choose your start time when you book, though the operator notes that in rare cases the time may shift.

What's included in the price?

Alhambra entry tickets and an audio system are included. You meet your guide at the Alhambra Meeting Point, located a few meters from the ticket office building.