Alhambra entry time confusion

You can enter the Alhambra grounds and see other areas before your Nasrid Palaces entry time, but one hour will be insufficient to do so; unless you aren't much interested in anything other than the palaces, you'll need some additional time after you finish at the palaces to see other parts of the complex if you only arrive an hour early. Also allow time to pick up an audio guide if you want one. In addition, I'd suggest stopping by the information counter at the visitor center to get the day's schedule for the various building in the complex. Not all are open every day, and the hours vary. It's possible that something you want to see will close at 1 or 2 PM, for example.

When I visited to the Alhambra in 2019, there was a queueing area for those with the next entry time. There didn't seem to be any real advantage to being at the front of the line for the entry time, because all the other folks with the same entry time would be right on your heels. Perhaps if you really needed to rush through the Nasrid Palaces and weren't going to take any pictures, you might benefit from being at the front of the line.

At most of Europe's popular sites, the early entry times are very busy. I'm not sure why, but I think a lot of tour groups like to get the biggies out of the way early. But in the case of the Alhambra, there's a good chance it will be sold out for all entry periods anyway.

Keep in mind that there are a few spots--including the Nasrid Palaces--that can be entered only one time. One of the other such places is the Charles V Palace, which now includes a museum. I'd recommend not entering that building shortly before you're due at the Nasrid Palaces, because you won't be able to return later to finish seeing it.

I think you'll find the early entry times at the Alhambra sell out first, so if you want to see the Nasrid Palaces early, you're probably smart to buy those tickets early.

Clarification: Currently (as of last week) there were no limitations on the number of entries to any parts of the Alhambra other than the Nasrid Palaces.

I think that one reason people aim for the early times for the Nasrid Palaces is that while entry is capacity controlled to 300 per entry period, there is no limit on how long you spend there and the crowds can increase as the day goes on.

You can go to the other parts of the Alhambra as you desire.

We used a guide who planned out our morning around our tickets which were for 9:30 am. It was an extremely positive experience. Margarita at info.alhambratours.com

We purchased tickets for the Nasrid Palaces for 9:30am, and we were also told to be there an hour before. We took a taxi to the Alhambra and asked the driver to drop us off at the Justice Gate. We spent about 15 - 20 minutes at the Charles V Palace. We might have just walked around the courtyard, I think. We purchased audioguides from the vendor who was in front of the Charles V Palace. Because a line was forming, we decided to wait in line at the Nasrid Palace. The reason we didn't visit any other site BEFORE our timed 9:30am entry is because it is a longish walk to the Alcazaba and Generalife Gardens, and it wouldn't give us enough time to see them properly. It would also be stressful constantly checking the time to make sure we got back to the Nasrid Palace on time. So, to me, it makes the most sense to visit the Nasrid Palace first since it is the only site that requires a timed ticket entry. You can stay as long as you want at the Nasrid Palaces. Don't rush through it. Savor the beauty. Take your time. Take photos.

According to my notes, after we visited the Nasrid Palaces, we had a picnic lunch in the terraced Partal Gardens sitting on the benches. We had bought easy to eat items the night before. Then it was about a 15-minute walk to the Generalife Gardens. These gardens are beautiful with running water and a very long pool lined with water jets. Another place to savor and take your time. After visiting the gardens, we stopped for drinks and tapas at the Hotel America. Then we continued on to the Alcazaba.

My experience was very similar to kmkwoo's. (Though I wished I'd thought of packing a picnic!) After Nasarid and Generalife we had a late/Spanish lunch on the terrace at the Parador. (which was a delight in July—the terrace might not even be open in February...?)

You could maybe squeeze the Alcazaba in before a 9:30 ticket to the Palaces, but that might be rushed—the gates and courtyards prior to entry are to be enjoyed, themselves.

Thanks everyone. This is really helpful information.

I will book Nasrid Palace for 9:30am but be at the Alhambra by 8:30am to allow time for walking and general viewing and to make sure I won't be rushed getting to the entry for Nasrid Palaces.