Alhambra

I didn't feel the need for a guide.

We used the hand held audio guides. Worked well for us.

You really don't need a guide. As Frank said, the audio guides are fine. When I was there, the group tours I saw weren't being "guided" in the Nasrid Palaces, they were just going in together. Their guide wasn't explaining anything.

We also thought the audio guide was very good, and it allowed us to go at our own pace. In addition to a "regular visit" to the palaces, Generalife, and fortress, we booked (on another day) a "visita entourno". These are themed walking tours which last about 5 hours. ours (in English) was the "Conquest of Water" tour and was a fascinating tour of th ewaterworks around the Alhambra, ending at the Arab baths in town (we were driven there in a minivan). We booked this on the same website as the regular visit, but you can read about these tours on the Alhambra patrons website: http://www.alhambra-patronato.es/index.php/Alhambra-Other-Look/900+M5d637b1e38d/0/ Note that this does not substitute for a regular visit to the palace, as most of these tours do not include the Nazrid palace. (The one on the role of women in Moorish society may include a visit to areas of te palace not otherwise open to visits, such as the harem. At least that is what our guide said).

I was just there in late May, and my advice is NO guide. I forgot to reserve/buy tickets and my ONLY choice was with a guide, and we literally ran through the place, and it's a place you will want to linger and enjoy. The most magnificent gardens I've ever seen in any country, and I've been to a few! Plan on spending 2 nights in Granada. Buy your tickets on line. You will need to choose a time for the Palace, and you need to enter the Palace at your appointed time!! Very important. The instructions for getting the tickets are in Rick's Spain book. The city of Granada is worth a full day as well. I'm jealous, wish I could go back and really enjoy this magnificent place with an audio guide, and at my leisure. It's worth a full half day, but remember, you MUST enter the palace at your reserved time!

Audio guide there, and most other places. Better as far as hearing and understanding and going at your own pace. Be SURE to have your Alhambra tickets purchased in advance.. About the ONLY way to get admission these days.

I don't think any tour is needed. You will probably want time to linger, and a tour moves you along at their pace (too fast for me). I don't even remember whether there was an audio guide on my last visit in 2005, but I suppose there probably was. My wife and I spent about five hours in the complex, with an hour or so for lunch. I had previously visited on a tour in 2001, was disappointed with how we rushed through the place. In 2005 we just bought a five sight city pass for multiple sights after arrival, but I would recommend purchasing your Alhambra ticket in advance. The guide book said you could walk into any bank in Spain and get Alhambra tickets, but we did not find that to be the case in Barcelona as they had no idea what we were talking about. We ended up o.k., and this was also in September, but that was eight years ago so I advise to be safe and purchase in advance.

I'm another person with the same experience as everyone above: I found the audio guide had all the information I needed, and I particularly appreciated the ability to go back and forth in the Nasrid Palace. You must enter the Palace within the half-hour window on your reservation, but once inside, you can stay as long as you like; and as long as you don't exit, you can backtrack to see rooms again. Do book your Alhambra tickets in advance. And, while a night visit to the Palace was interesting, it was not a substitute for the day visit (on my night visit in 2006, you could only saw parts of the Nasrid Palace, without an audioguide).

The handguide is plenty. While waiting for them to open talked with a man who said he and his wife shared one. I thought about it and decided why not share. Did it and it was fine. Saved 8 euros or whatever the rate was. Also it's easiest to ask you hotel when booking if they can get you tickets. We did and it made it much easier. Cost a euro or 2 extra but worth it.

Thanks to everyone who replyed! Consensus is definately not to bother with private tour. We will save the money for something else. Will also make sure to buy tickets online. Great advice!