Hi!
I am planning to visit Alhambra early Feb next year. What would be the best time to go? I am interested in joining a group tour but read it can be rush. If anyone has done it, would you please share your perspective?
Thank you.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
8031 posts
It’s a personal preference which time to go. The last time I was there we got tickets for the first time slot in the afternoon. Organized tour groups tend to visit in the morning, so in February it may be a little less congested in the afternoon.
Of the four times I’ve been there, I never joined a group. Again, it’s a personal preference.
Posted by
Chicago
1890 posts
I used the provided audio. I found it perfectly adequate. I had also viewed a few videos on the history, significance, etc before leaving on my trip. I confess to not generally liking guided tours - I like my own pace. Others feel differently.
I went in the AM. Not the first slot for the Nasrid Palace, but a bit after opening. I viewed the Alcazaba and museums first. I had the Alcazaba to myself in mid-March last year at opening. There were and probably still are some suggested "itineraries" on the Alhambra website that explain timing options.
Posted by
North Italy
582 posts
Dress warmly! It's surprisingly cold up there. Book your tickets well in advance. We chose to visit the Nasrid palaces (the only timed slot) first because otherwise I would have spent a lot of time checking the time for fear of being late. Also, the Alhambra is permanently sold out so I'm not sure there's ever a quieter time to visit the Nasrid part. The rest is so large you don't notice the other people much
https://slowtravelitalyspain.blogspot.com/2019/03/granada-in-march-day-3-alhambra-visit.html?m=1
Posted by
Washington DC
29544 posts
The Alhambra is a large complex. A few of the areas (including the prime Nasrid Palaces) can only be entered one time. If you take a tour and the tour doesn't visit the Nasrid Palaces last, you will not be able to return to them if you want more time there. I think commercial tours of the Alhambra generally last about 3 hours. I spent more than half a day there.
Photographers who want to try for photos not full of random people will need extra time in the Nasrid Palaces.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
7587 posts
We were at the Alhambra the full day. For the Nasrid Palace, we scheduled about 10:30. Something suggested to us that worked well, was to actually be the last of our time group to enter. We then had some time before the next time slot was let in. You could watch the group in front of you, if there is gap between groups, hang back.