Recommended itinerary of the visit to the Alhambra


Visit Organization

The order of visiting the different parts of the monument has to be carried out according to the time slot shown on the ticket to access the Nasrid Palaces.

The order recommended to follow would be one of these:

  • Alcazaba-Palazes-Generalife.
  • Palazes-Alcazaba-Generalife.
  • Generalife-Alcazaba-Palazes.
Any other route order is not as effective.

If you have time, you can also visit the Museums, of Fine Arts and of the Alhambra and the Presentation Room, which are all in the Charles V Palace. The Puerta de la Justicia [Gate of Justice], the woods of the Alhambra, as well as any other premises which, temporarily, are open to the public (every month the monument opens up areas that are usually closed. Ask in the Access Pavilion).


The organization of your visit. The itinerary.
GENERAL TICKETS: Alcazaba, Nasrid Palaces, Generalife, Mosque Baths.

Alcazaba: is the military area within the grounds of the Monument. The following areas may be visited: the terrace of the Bucket Tower (Torre del Cubo), the ramparts of the northern wall, the Arms Square (Plaza de Armas) with an urban military district (Barrio Castrense), the terrace of the Arms Gate (Terraza de la Puerta de las Armas), the Watchtower (Torre de la Vela) and the Ramparts´ garden (Jardín de los Adarves).

Palacios Nazaríes: This area includes:
  • Mexuar: Hall, Oratory, Gilded Room and Patio.
  • Comares Palace: Court of the Myrtles (Patio de los Arrayanes), Hall of the Boat (Sala de la Barca), the Ambassadors´ Hall (Salon de Embajadores).
  • Palace of the Lions: Sala de los Mocárabes, Patio, Sala de los Abencerrajes, Hall of the Kings (Sala de los Reyes), Hall of the Two Sisters (Sala de Dos Hermanas), The Emperor's Chambers, Belvedere, Court of the Wrought Iron Grille (Patio de la Reja), Garden of Lindarja.
  • El Partal: Gallery of the Palace (Portico del Palacio), Gardens and walkways, Rauda, Palace of Yusuf III and the Towers Walk.

Admission to the Nasrid Palaces is only allowed during the time slot shown on the ticket.

Generalife: This area includes: The New Gardens, Patio for Dismounting (Patio del Descabalgamiento), Court of Access (Patio de Acceso), Court of the Water Channel (Patio de la Acequia), Court of the Sultana, Upper Gardens and Oleander Walk.

Calle Real. Mosque Baths (Baño de la Mezquita)

There is a public bath that is part of the main Mosque lying within the area of the present day church, Saint Mary of the Alhambra. Dating from the era of Muhammad III (1302-1309), the baths were converted in the 19th century and were partly used as a private house, as suggested by the name "casa del Polinario". (Antonio Barrios was known by the name of Polinario, he was father of the musician and guitarist Ángel Barrios).

These baths have an unusual layout because the various rooms are not arranged in parallel as is commonly found in Nasrid baths:

  • The changing rooms or al-bayt al-maslaj, with a central lantern, have the same layout as that found in the Royal Comares Bath. The hall has resting beds separated by double horseshoe arches.
  • The cold room, or al-bayt al-barid, has a sail vaulted roof.
  • The hot room, or al-bayt al-sajun, is rectangular with side chambers. Presently only one immersion basin can be seen, although originally there was probably another one on the opposite side. Today, a small pillar for water can be seen there.
  • The space for the boiler, or al-burna, is located in an area parallel to the hot room.
TICKET FOR THE GARDENS

The entry ticket for the gardens allows access to the main garden areas within the Monument, with the intention that this type of ticket will expand the visitor's choice and be of value. Itinerary:

  • Cypress Walk, Secano Archaeological Walk, Gardens of Saint Francis.
  • Alcazaba: the Ramparts Garden (Jardín de los Adarves).
  • Rauda, Partal: Gallery of the Palace (Pórtico del Palacio), gardens and walkways, Palace of Yusuf III, and the Towers Walk.
  • Generalife: Lower Gardens, Upper Gardens, the Water Stairway.
  • Mosque Baths (Baño de la Mezquita).

Route recommended for night visit
Nasrid Palaces

The itinerary for the evening visit begins from the Entrance Pavilion, continues along the Cypress Walk, and crosses the bridge over the Aqueduct next to the Water Tower (Torre del Agua) to enter into the area called the Medina. Then it follows the Royal Street (Calle Real), the esplanade of the Charles V Palace and on into the Nasrid Palaces. To exit: follow Lower Royal Street (Calle Real Bajo) and the Muslim Cemetery (Rauda).

  • Mexuar, Court of the Myrtles (Patio de Arrayanes) and the Court of the Lions (Patio de los Leones).
  • Nasrid Palaces.
  • Admission to the Nasrid Palaces is only allowed during the time slot shown on the ticket.

* During the evening visit the use of a flash may dazzle and be of a nuisance to other visitors, therefore it is not allowed. It will also distract from the serenity of the scene found along the gently lit routes.



Route for the Physically Handicapped

Areas in the Nasrid Palaces and the Generalife that are adapted to meet the needs of the handicapped.

Information can be obtained from the Entrance Pavilion or directly from the Security personnel inside the Monument. Wheelchairs are available upon request.


Plane of the recommended itinerary
Plane of the recommended route for dicapacitados physical

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