I'm going to Granada in mid April so I'm not expecting it to be too hot. Does anyone know the peak time for the guided tours. Good news, I also checked their website, a press release mentions that you can print your ticket out before leaving home. The RS guidebook recommended purchasing two separate tickets. A day ticket to everything but the Palacios Nazaries, which will have its own night ticket. Has anyone tried this? I was a bit hesitant about this since I didn't want to have to line up twice in a day.
Posted by
429 posts
I don't recall buying two tickets (been 4 times) I just bought one ticket that inclued the Palacios. Usually you pick your entrance time to the palacios and either a morning entrance or a afternoon entrance for the Alhambra (whole place). However last time I went the entrance ticket for the Alhambra was an all day affair rather than morning/afternoon. The tours are allways full, so I would not worry about your "time for the palacios". I have never lined up to get into the Alhambra as I alway got my ticket the day before or on-line, just walked in with my ticket, but you do need to line-up for the Palacios. J
Posted by
526 posts
Heads' up... the night ticket is only available certain days of the week.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4656 posts
I was in Granada a few years ago in late October/November. I bought their Dobla d-Oro 3 day ticket as I was in Granada for 5 days (also dealing with jet lag). It allows a night visit and day visit to the Palace, and then garden visit - as well as the numerous other affiliated sites in the city. The other sites are 'superb' but a great way to visit the old town. Those hills are great exercise. I loved my first visit to the Palace to be the night tour. The museum just beside it is also open at night, so could cross that off the list for the next day. If you do what Rick says, then you only line up once - for the Palacio. The rest of the ticket is informal viewing of the grounds and a museum.
I will say, not assume mid April won't be hot - it likely will be. Andalucia has had a lot of global warming impact and some Aprils have been close to 100F.
Posted by
Washington DC
28082 posts
I'd want to see the Palacios in the daytime as well as at night unless I was in a severe time crunch. Both times are worthwhile, but I found things more crowded at night in early May 2019 than for my morning Palace entry. At that time, all the nightime entries were for exactly the same time, whereas there were narrow daytime entry bands. All the Palace entries were sold out for the days I visited.
I was told to keep my receipt for the rented audio guide in order to get a discount for the second rental.
I wouldn't worry too much about high heat in April. I checked the actual, historical, day-by-day temperature graphs on the website timeanddate.com. The hottest April day over the last five years was back in 2018, when it hit 84F one time. There were scattered days at 81F or 82F, but at that time of year the temperature would go that high only briefly. It's more likely you'll have cool weather for your nighttime visit.