Alhambra timing

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You have an entry for the Nasrid at 1030 hours, you have therefore a morning entry from 0830 hours to the Alhambra grounds with the other unticketed and ticketed areas.

There is a lot to do at the Alhambra outside of the palace. Get a map of the Alhambra and note that you can do everything but the Nasrid palace anytime between 8:30 and 2. It's a large complex, lots of different areas to explore.

Some suggestions: don't miss the Generalife Gardens. These can be done before or after the Nasrid. The exit from Nasrid puts you closer to that section, so it makes sense as something to do AFTER your palace visit.

The Charles V palace is close to the Nasrid entrance. Could be done before. Palace itself isn't very big (the part you can visit that is...). Won't take much time. There are a couple museums inside it that charge a very small fee (a few euros). Worth it if you're interested. I will note that as far as I know they don't check your tickets for this part so you don't need to abide by the 8:30-2 limit. So if you're short on time could be done later in the day after 2.

The Alcazaba fort is also quite interesting. It's close to Nasrid as well

You have to be at the Nasrid palace entrance at 10:30. Once in you can spend as long as you want.

There are other things - a church, an Arab bathhouse - that are good if you have time. However I think I listed the biggest sites.

IF I were doing this:
I'd get there early - like 8:30 or 9 - and go to Alcazaba and Charles V. Then Nasrid at 10:30, exiting to gardens

Thanks for the feedback. Where is the best place to get a map of the complex that we can print off? I have downloaded an app that describes all the various places. Having a good map to refer to as we study and prepare for our 8:30 to 2 stay will help

If you like museums like I do, which is a lot, then you'll want to allow a good chunk of time for the Charles V palace -- the art collection there is a strong complement to the Prado and the Louvre.

Re: your question of where to find a map you can download and print:

There are a few options. The Alhambra's web site has an interactive map that you can play with on-line, but not everything is labeled, until you move your mouse over each area, section by section. So, probably not best for printing out, but decent for planning on-line. I don't have a smart phone, but maybe (someone else will have to advise), you can download their map to your device.

Other options are to Google (Alhambra Spain.....add spain, so you maps for the same name in California don't come up). With that on-line search, you will find all types of Alhambra maps, and you can choose which one you select to print. (That's what we did before we went last month.) Of course, once you get there, you'll be given the official brochure that is easy to follow.

It's a lovely place. One can truly spend all day there.

We had early entry, and saw everything but the baths before our palace entry time. It was not really crowded, but then, we were pretty much first in and it was a two months earlier than you are going....definitely shoulder season. Then afterward, we went thru the Generalife Gardens. We were there in mid-March, so most of the flowers were not yet blooming, but I could tell it would be oh so lovely 'in season.' Lots and lots of roses, etc.

I was surprised how very crowded the gardens were, despite it being early/mid March. At mid-day, there were lots of tour groups with 40-100 people in each. We just waited for them to pass so we could enjoy the gardens without the mobs, but at times, several other groups were arriving right behind them. So, at those times, we just joined right in and went with the crowd.

Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and a hat.

For a nice, quiet lunch, enjoy the patio behind the Parador (which is on the Alhambra grounds, so you can re-enter, as you are not really 'leaving.' The view is pretty from there, too.

We really enjoyed our visit, and hope you do, too. Oh, and allow 15 minutes or so to climb the hill from the ticket office. One can do it much more quickly, but good to allow extra time.

I am just back from a visit to the Alhambra. It's advisable to pick up your tickets the day before your visit - there is a book store across from Plaza Nueva where you can do this. They have maps there. Our Nasrid entry time was 11:30, and we caught the bus from the centre at about 9 am. We had plenty of time to visit the grounds prior to 11:30, and went to the Generalife after. Be sure to walk into the Parador grounds and look around. PM me if you would like more info.

Also back from a visit to the Alhambra. I second picking up your tickets from the bookstore on Plaza Nueva the day before. You can also pick them up from any Caixa ATM in Granada but you MUST know the PIN of the card you used to purchase the ticket, and even then, you still might have issues. The line at the bookstore moves a little slowly, but it's not anything that is a hinderance.

I was prepared for a monumentally challenging straight up vertical hike to the palace. That's not the case. It's a bit hilly, but if you've climbed the hills of Lisbon or San Francisco, it's downright easy. Or if you'd rather, a bus stops every few minutes in front of the cathedral or Plaza Isabel. The Generalife Gardens shouldn't be missed, as previously stated by a poster.

Don't forget sunblock and water. There are many fountains where you can refill your bottle.

Have fun!

With a 10:30 entry to the Palace you are limited for entry to the ticketed areas till 2 pm -- so I would probably start with the Alcazar and other areas near the Palace, do it and then immediately head to the Generalife Gardens which are a don't miss.

My understanding is that if your ticket is between 11 and 2 you can tour anywhere all day -- we had an 11:30 ticket and were able to visit the ticketed sights both before and after 2 -- but with a 10:30 ticket you can't enter those sites (and there are several ticket checks in the Generalife ) after 2.