Alhambra, guided tour or general admission?

Karin,
We debated the exact same issue for our visit in March. We decided to go without a guide, pre-reading the section in Rick Steves' guidebook re: the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens, then also taking those pages with us.

We had contacted the private guide Rick recommends in her book, and I was worried that the timeframe she gave for the tour (I'd have to dig it up, but I think it was 1 1/2 hours...maybe 2) was not enough time to really enjoy all we wanted to enjoy. And, yes, I was right....we spent much longer there.

Now, granted, having a guide is always nice, because you will hear things you might not otherwise read, and you can ask questions. But, we arrived early (right when it opened), we were staying in the Parador on the grounds, so we were literally 'right there.' In the very slow season, when crowds were generally way down throughout Spain compared to more popular vacation times, we would not have wanted one more person in the Alhambra when we went thru.....it was plenty crowded enough. Then later, the gardens were packed in waves, as various tour groups of 50-100 people clogged paths.

If you can spread your visit over two days....be in first thing for the Alhambra, then go back the next day to be first-in for the Generalife Gardens, that would be ideal......at least for the time of year we were there.

If you have not already made reservations for Granada hotels, consider the Parador. It was lovely...our room balcony overlooked the gardens, the breakfast (was included with our special) was wonderful, and both lunch/dinner were great. The nice thing about being within the wall of the Alhambra, we were able to easily go back to our room to freshen up, drop jacket, pick up hats, etc. and still be on the same admission to the Alhambra.

You will enjoy your visit....it's a lovely place. Try to pick up your pre-reserved tickets the afternoon before you visit (as we did) to avoid the morning line, if possible.

I have never done a guided tour of the Alhambra - 3 visits, all regular admission. There is an audio guide and plenty of books for historical information, so self-teaching is not difficult. Rick Steves Guidebook has a good, basic self-guided tour, and I used a kindle book called Granada Revealed: The Alhambra for more in depth info.

It's really a judgement call. I find the big tour groups I see in places like The Alhambra limiting - you can't wander as you want, stop as much for pictures, and it makes the rooms much more crowded. The Nasrid palace in the Alhambra is strictly time limited (you can only enter at your assigned time), but when there is a tour group in the room, it feels packed. A couple times, I waited for that group to move on to the next room, and then enjoyed the room I'm in with fewer crowds. So I'd go general, but I'm sure the tour would provide good information. If you are considering a small group or even private tour, that may be another matter, but as for the big groups...not my thing.

Either way, be sure you are familiar with the ticketing rules and get your ticket and entry time as soon as it's available! This is key, you can't just walk up and buy tickets day-of. If the only way to get tickets is a tour, by all means take the tour. But if you have a choice, strongly consider going yourself.