The Alhambra is a walled palace-city on the Sabika hill above Granada, in Andalusia, Spain. Its name comes from the Arabic al-Hamra, the red, after the colour of its walls. A fortress stood here earlier, but the palace complex began in 1238 when Muhammad I ibn al-Ahmar, founder of the Nasrid dynasty, moved his court from the Albaicín. The main palaces date from the reigns of Yusuf I (1333–1354) and Muhammad V (1354–1391): the Comares Palace with its Hall of the Ambassadors and the Palace of the Lions with its famous court of twelve stone lions. After the surrender of Granada on 2 January 1492, the Catholic Monarchs took over the palaces, and Charles V began a Renaissance palace inside the complex in 1527. The Alhambra suffered neglect and damage under French occupation in 1812, and it was revived in the 19th century by writers such as Washington Irving, whose Tales of the Alhambra appeared in 1832. UNESCO inscribed it in 1984 and extended the listing to the Albaicín in 1994. Today the Patronato de la Alhambra manages the site and limits daily visitors.
| Admission | General ticket about €21 (~$24.15); tickets at alhambra-patronato.es |
|---|---|
| Hours | Apr–Oct 08:30–20:00; Oct–Mar 08:30–18:00 |
| Address | Calle Real de la Alhambra, s/n, 18009 Granada, Spain |
Why it matters
The Alhambra was the court and fortress of the Nasrid dynasty, the last Muslim rulers in Iberia, and is the best-preserved palace of medieval Islam in Europe. It passed to the Catholic Monarchs in 1492.
Location
Calle Real de la Alhambra, s/n, 18009 Granada, Spain
37.1761, -3.5881 View on map
Highlights
- Court of the Lions and the Hall of the Abencerrajes
- Hall of the Ambassadors in the Comares Palace
- Alcazaba, the oldest part of the fortress
- Renaissance Palace of Charles V inside a Nasrid complex
Tips for visiting
- Book at alhambra-patronato.es only; names are checked at the gate
- Allow 3–4 hours
- The Alhambra Museum in Charles V's palace is included
- Read the Tales of the Alhambra before visiting
- Arrive 30 minutes before the palace slot
When to visit
Early morning or evening slots in spring and autumn.
Accessibility
Cobbled paths and steps; adapted routes and free access for wheelchair users are available.
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Frequently asked questions
When was the Alhambra built?
The palaces were built mainly in the 13th and 14th centuries under the Nasrid dynasty, starting in 1238.
Who lived there?
The Nasrid emirs and their courts, until 1492.
Why is it so well known?
It is the finest surviving example of Islamic palace architecture in Western Europe and a UNESCO site.