Best time slot to visit Alhambra (end of September)

I can't speak to the light, but I enjoyed visiting the Nasrid Palace early in the morning, before it started to fill up (since you can stay as long as you like once you're inside, the earlier you get there, the fewer people there are). This should also be cooler.

We visited in the afternoon following a morning exploring Albaicin and visiting the Cathedral. You may enter the grounds after 2pm. Firstly, we started with the Alcazaba (with spectacular views of Granada) and the Generalife (with stunning gardens and a smaller palace). Then, we then took drinks and a light meal in the central courtyard of the Parador which is right within the Alhambra complex. Lastly, to visit the Nasrid Palaces, where I think our allocated time was around 5pm (don't be late!!). We finished with enough time for the artisan (ok, tourist) shops before the final summer closing time of 8pm.

Solar noon in Granada on Sept. 20 is at 2.08 p.m. So presumably the sun is at the same angle (different direction) at 10 a.m. and at 6.00 p.m. Sunset's at 8.15 p.m. My guess is that it will is little cooler (less hot) early in the morning than late in the afternoon.

Your parents shouldn't have any problems unless they can't walk moderate distances, or have trouble with steps. I don't remember how many railings there are for two to four-step climbs at the Alhambra. Walking distances on level ground is very important at the Alhambra. Don't fail to order timed tickets well in advance.

I wouldn't obsess about the time of day in September. You can hope it will be a little less crowded than peak months. A lot of the interiors are a bit dark, at high noon. As long as it's a sunny day, any time is fine. OTOH, our best memory of the Alhambra was a dinner across town at a "Carmen" with a magnificent setting-sun view of the entire complex. The close-up views your OP discusses are nothing compared to the distant views. (Also from the Mirador San Nicolás ....) Our hotel room had a partial view, when you stood right at the window, but it hardly deserved paying extra for.

If you want to feel cooler, go early. Spain is a warm country. Spring for an air-conditioned hotel, just in case. Alas, most european hotels automatically turn it off when you exit the room. So the relief you want after sightseeing isn't immediate! There are lots of other things to see besides the Alhambra, and many of them aren't up on top of a hill, so enjoy the Alhambra.

Thanks all! I will opt for the morning then. We have an apartment in the Albayzin and it has unobstructed views of the Alhambra :-).

I heartily endorse your choice of an early morning visit to Alhambra. We visited last year on September 27th and our tickets were for the first entry of the day. I just went back and looked at some of my photos and the light on the city below was magical with some areas just starting to get the morning light and others still in shadow. And, as other posters have noted, there are way fewer people at that time of day. I needed a light sweater for the first hour but after that the temperature was wonderful. But best of all, we were able to take our time; lots of my photos have no one or only 1 or 2 people in them. We also stayed in the Albaicin and walked to the Alhambra. It is definitely uphill but if you give yourself at least 20- 30 minutes to get there it's not onerous. Or, take a taxi. The other thing we did was go to San Nicolas the night before for a glass of wine on one of the restaurant terraces looking over to the Alhambra. It was one of the most memorable glasses of wine during our month in Spain.