The Alhambra

Where it is & how to get there

• Tickets: Book on the official website weeks or months ahead; tickets often sell out.
• Getting there: Alhambra buses (C30, C32) from Plaza Isabel la Católica, or walk up the Cuesta de Gomérez.
• Passport: Bring the ID used for booking; it is checked at entry.

The story of the Alhambra

The Alhambra, "the red one" in Arabic, was built mainly by the Nasrid dynasty from 1238, when Muhammad I ibn al-Ahmar founded the Emirate of Granada. It was the last Muslim kingdom in Al-Andalus until its surrender in 1492.

The complex includes the Alcazaba fortress, the Nasrid Palaces, the Generalife gardens and later Christian buildings such as the Palace of Charles V. Its walls carry the Nasrid motto "wa lā ghālib illā Allāh" — there is no victor but God. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Best time to visit

Tips before you go

• Tickets sell out weeks ahead. Book on the official site only.
• Book the earliest Nasrid Palaces slot available.
• Allow at least 3–4 hours for the whole complex.

What's around the Alhambra

• Nasrid PalacesHeart of the Alhambra.
• GeneralifeSummer palace and gardens.
• AlcazabaFortress with the Torre de la Vela.
• AlbaicínFacing hill with sunset views.

Questions travellers ask