Alhambra &Charles Palace Guided Tour with Optional Nasrid Palaces
Granada, Spain
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Discover Granada’s iconic Alhambra on a guided walking tour with two flexible options. Choose the complete 3-hour experience with skip-the-line access to the Alhambra, including the Nasrid Palaces and the stunning Generalife Gardens, while learning about Moorish architecture and royal life. Or, opt for a 2-hour tour exploring the scenic surroundings—such as the Alhambra Forest, Gate of Justice, Plaza of the Cisterns, and Palace of Charles V—perfect for those who prefer to stay outside the monument.
- Alhambra, Nasrid Palaces, and Generalife Gardens guided walking tour (if option selected)
- Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site in depth with a specialist guide
- Opt for a shorter tour that explores the area surrounding Alhambra (does not include admission to Alhambra)
- Upgrade to add 2-way transfers from your central Granada hotel
What's Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option selected)
- Nasrid Palaces, the Alcazaba fortress, Generalife gardens Tickets (if option selected)
- Professional guide
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Headphones
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Welcome Visitor Center - Alhambra Online - GranavisiónP.º de la Sabica, 28, Centro, 18009 Granada, Spain
Welcome Visitor Centre de Granavision, Junto el Hotel Guadalupe, a 100 metros de la entrada de la Alhambra. DEBEN ENTRAR DENTRO DE LA OFICINA / PLEASE CHECK IN INSIDE THE OFFICE
End point
- C. Real de la Alhambra, s/n, Centro, 18009 Granada, Spain
Salida de la Alhambra
Itinerary
If you’ve opted to include hotel transfers, relax in your comfortable, air-conditioned minivan during the scenic ascent to the Alhambra’s hilltop perch. If not, meet your guide outside the main entrance. Your tour includes a priority access ticket, so there’s no need to worry about being turned away because the daily number cap has been reached.
Once inside, immerse yourself in the magnificent Moorish architecture and fascinating history of the palace complex; admire the ostentatious opulence of rooms within the Nasrid Palaces, marveling at the star-shaped Hall of Abencerrajes.
Hear entertaining tales of the eccentric emperor Charles V as you admire the architecture of his eponymous palace.
Awaken your senses to the green grandeur of the Generalife Gardens during a relaxed stroll in the grounds. Discover water features, exotic plants, and decadent flowers as your guide provides context.
If you’ve opted for the tour without transfers, your tour concludes at the site. Otherwise, return to the minivan and journey back to your hotel, where the tour concludes.
Once inside, immerse yourself in the magnificent Moorish architecture and fascinating history of the palace complex; admire the ostentatious opulence of rooms within the Nasrid Palaces, marveling at the star-shaped Hall of Abencerrajes.
Hear entertaining tales of the eccentric emperor Charles V as you admire the architecture of his eponymous palace.
Awaken your senses to the green grandeur of the Generalife Gardens during a relaxed stroll in the grounds. Discover water features, exotic plants, and decadent flowers as your guide provides context.
If you’ve opted for the tour without transfers, your tour concludes at the site. Otherwise, return to the minivan and journey back to your hotel, where the tour concludes.
1
The Alhambra
2 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included
2
Palace of Carlos V
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Generalife
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
4
Alcazaba
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
5
Bosque de La Alhambra
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 1 hours of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- On occasion the Alhambra Trust may alter the order of the visit and restrict access to certain areas. In this case, the tour will be adapted accordingly without reducing the visiting time
- Please note that groups regularly change in size and nationality. In order to facilitate these changes, your visit may be given in two different languages.
- Please note: the Alhambra requires that all passengers provide the full name, date of birth and passport details for each participant when booking. If not provided, the Alhambra may deny access to their premises.
- Spanish and English language tours are confirmed but tours in French, German, and Italian require a minimum of 8 people to operate.
- The Alhambra Surroundings Option: (Alhambra Tickets not included only surroundings can be visited) Explore Alhambra surroundings: Guided tour to Alhambra Forest, Puerta de la Justicia, Plaza de los Aljibes, Palace of Charles V.
- It is mandatory to present the original Id card or passport to access the monumental complex
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.3
based on 2,166 reviews
Ebubekir_K, Apr 2026
We paid around £90 for tickets to visit the Alhambra, expecting access to the main attractions. However, this ticket only allowed entry to public areas, which are completely free for anyone to visit.
We were not able to enter the Nasrid Palaces or any of the main sites inside the Alhambra. This was extremely disappointing and not clearly explained when booking.
Be very careful when purchasing tickets — make sure it explicitly includes access to the Nasrid Palaces. Otherwise, you may end up paying a high price for something that is actually free.
Overall, this experience felt misleading and not worth the money.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear Guest,
Thank you for your feedback. We would like to clarify the nature of the service you booked to ensure there is no misunderstanding.
The tour you selected is specifically designed as a guided historical walk through the Alhambra Forest and the external areas of the complex. The price you paid (which corresponds to several people in your booking) does not cover "entrance fees," as these areas are indeed accessible to the public, but rather the service of a professional, licensed guide.
The value of this experience lies in the expert storytelling and historical context provided by the guide, who explains the evolution of the fortress, its surroundings, and the Palace of Charles V—details that are impossible to fully appreciate by walking through alone.
We offer different packages, including those with full access to the Nasrid Palaces and Gardens, which are clearly labeled at different price points. We regret if the distinction between a "guided walking tour of the grounds" and a "full monument ticket" was not clear to you at the time of purchase, but the service provided was exactly what was contracted: a professional guided tour of the history and architecture of the accessible areas.
Best regards,
The Granavision Team
Igor_V, Mar 2026
Great tour—even if you don’t have a ticket for the Alhambra, you’ll still see part of it and learn a lot with the excellent guide Antonio. Even if you missed Alhambra tickets, don’t miss this tour to make the most of the situation.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Make the most of the situation.
Viator review: Alhambra &Charles Palace Guided Tour with Optional Nasrid Palaces
Great tour—even if you don’t have a ticket for the Alhambra, you’ll still see part of it and
learn a lot with the excellent guide Antonio. Even if you missed Alhambra tickets, don’t miss
this tour to make the most of the situation.
Ben_X, Mar 2026
I hoped to enter your palace with a later ticket before of my work schedule but your service stuff denied and refused to prove whether you reached the limit of 8000 visitors that day. Just imagine you flew 3000 miles for such a visit and you never considered whether you could make some reasonable accommodation. You have left the impression on the visitors that your only concern is financial gains not the visitors’ satisfaction.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We are sorry to hear about your frustration, and we truly understand that traveling 3,000 miles is a significant journey. However, we must clarify the technical reasons why your request could not be accommodated.
According to your booking, you selected the Guided Tour of the Alhambra Exteriors and Charles V Palace. This specific type of ticket, as described in the tour details, does not include access to the Nasrid Palaces. In the Alhambra, tickets are non-upgradeable and non-transferable once issued. Therefore, it is physically and legally impossible for our staff or the monument's official controllers to allow entry to the Palaces with a ticket that does not specifically grant that access, regardless of the daily visitor limit.
These regulations are set by the Alhambra Board (Patronato), a government body, and no travel agency has the authority to bypass their security protocols or "accommodate" a change of entry type at the gate. We strive to provide clear descriptions of what each tour includes to avoid these unfortunate misunderstandings, and we regret that the strict rules of the monument affected your experience.
Katie_L, Mar 2026
It was a wonderful afternoon learning about the heritage in history of some wonderful buildings.
However, they did not tell you to bring along headphones as our tour guide spoken to my microphone.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for your review! We are delighted to hear that you had a wonderful afternoon learning about the rich history and heritage of the Alhambra and the Palace of Charles V.
Regarding your comment about the headphones, we sincerely apologize if this caught you by surprise. While we provide the radio receivers so everyone can follow the guide's explanations comfortably, we encourage visitors to bring their own standard 3.5mm jack earphones for hygiene and environmental reasons. However, we always have pairs available at our check-in desk for a small fee (1€) for anyone who needs them.
We truly appreciate your feedback as it helps us improve our communication with future guests. We hope to see you again in Granada!
Emina_M, Feb 2026
This tour is a SCAM for multiple reasons:
First, we bought a ticket for 10:30 AM, after payment they sent us a message that tour starts at 14:30
Second, tour states with optional Nasrid Place, however you don't have an option to visit Nasrid Palace, no tickets are available, DO NOT RELY ON THIS TOUR for tickets
Last, they even want to charge you 1e for a headphones during the tour - symbolic but still tells a lot
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hello.
I'd like to clarify a few things regarding your comment:
You booked a "Visit to the Exterior of the Alhambra" with us. Therefore, as the title of your booking clearly states, your 2-hour visit was a tour of the area surrounding the monument (not inside).
Furthermore, to ensure you could travel in your language, we simply explained that the tour would begin in the afternoon instead of the morning. This is a possible change, as also indicated on your booking voucher.
Finally, as stated on the voucher, for sustainability reasons related to plastic consumption, we encourage you to bring headphones if you have them, as you will need to purchase them at the meeting point.
We hope this addresses all your questions.
Thank you.
Alvaro_S, Jan 2026
We visited the outside of the Alhambra; it was nice, and our guide was excellent. I know the rest of the Alhambra, so this visit was a great complement that I should never forget.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thanks for your review!
It is very nice for our team to read such positive comments about your experience.
Regards!
Frank, Nov 2025
Wonderful guide who was very professional and extremely knowledgeable on history of this famous world heritage site in Granada
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Dear Customer,
Thank you for your review. We are delighted to know that you had a wonderful experience at the Alhambra.
We take great pride in our guides' expertise. We are pleased that our guide's professionalism and deep knowledge of this famous World Heritage Site met your expectations.
Thank you for choosing Granavision.
Sincerely,
The Granavision Team
Judith_F, Nov 2025
Unfortunately the details of the tour left out one very important fact that it is a 1 1/2 hr drive from the Cruise ship port (Motril) to the meeting place in Alhambra. We anticipated a 30 min trip. So after spending $120 cab fair & a 1 1/2 trip, we missed the tour!!!
Akke_D, Oct 2025
I think we didn’t get what is described on the ticket. Only in the small print after we bought the ticket we saw that we only bought an tour in the free area of the Alhambra. Så we left the group and walked by our selves.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Dear customer,
It is a shame that, having already booked the tour, you decided to cancel it, as the official guide would undoubtedly have greatly enriched your visit to this area.
Kind Regards
Colleen_G, Oct 2025
The tour guide was very unprepared. Seemed like he was making things up as he went, but seemed passionate about the "history". I say "history" because he completely ignored the conquering of city by Isabella and Ferdinand. His version was that the last muslim key willing turned over the city. Other areas where he was unprepared, he jumped a rope he wasn't supposed to and got caught by a guard, who had words with him. He decided last minute that we go into the museum.
The photos of Alhambra that you see, nope. No gardens.
Also, no palace options. Maybe due to him being unprepared and running out of time.
Overall, I gather that he was an independent guide, and new to this tour. That is why he only knew half of the history, and why we spent the 3 hours talking about 3 areas (out of 60).
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you for your review.
We are sad to read that you did not enjoy your experience and that your perception of the guide is one of inexperience, considering that our team is made up of highly professional individuals with extensive knowledge of the monument. However, it is true that the tour you booked only covers the surrounding area and therefore the explanation is logically more limited than that of the full tour.
Kind regards
John_W, Oct 2025
Our guide was the best: friendly, knowledgeable, good English and a sincere interest in pleasing the customers.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hey Traveler, thank you so much for your review.
We hope see you again soon.
Meral_P, Oct 2025
It was amazing! Our tour guide was very informative, liked the fact that he explained in english and spanish. Interesting information which I had never known before and we saw places which we probably wouldn't have seen if we had gone there alone!
Amazing tour, amazing tour guide! Very enjoyable! 10/10
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Hello Traveler
We are so pleased to read that your Alhambra & Charles Palace Tour was "amazing!"
Our goal is to offer a comprehensive experience, so we're especially excited that you highlighted:
Our guide's ability to explain everything in both English and Spanish.
The interesting information you learned (that's the magic of touring with an expert!).
Seeing places you wouldn't have found on your own!
Knowing their work is valued with a 10/10 is the best reward for the Granavisión team.
We hope to welcome you back to Granada very soon!
Best regards,
The Granavisión Team
GEETA_P, May 2025
Nobody should take this your, it's meaningless. We could not get Alhambra Palace ticket, so took this tour. Please don't go to Granada if you don't get Alhambra ticket
Response from Host, May 2025
Dear customer,we assume you're referring to the fact that your experience on the Alhambra Surroundings Tour wasn't entirely satisfactory, although the description of the tour you booked clearly specifies the areas visited, what's included, and what's not. Kind Regards
Olga_S, May 2025
It’s an ok tour for its price. It doesn’t include inside tour in the most interesting places such as palace . You can visit with the guide free places - museum, coliseum , bathrooms. The guide speaks both English and Spanish , that was not comfortable. Cz some times you Get lost in translation. The provided info is too general. However The guide was nice and friendly . And he did his best.
Response from Host, May 2025
Dear Olga,
thank you for writing us this review. You had made a reservation for surroundings tour of the Alhambra which does not include the entry tickets.
If there are not enough reservations in a certain language the groups are formed as bilingual.
We hope you managed to enjoy the tour with us.
Kind regards from Granada
Erin_K, May 2025
We waited for an hour outside the designated area to meet with 5 other tourists. The guide never showed up, and we were never contacted at all. We reached out to the tour guides and got nothing. We’re calling our bank to dispute the charges. Don’t waste your time, this seems to be a common scam in the local area.
Just beware - tickets normally sell out a month or two in advance. Buy them direct from the location.
Response from Host, May 2025
Dear Erin!
First of all you had made a reservation for the surroundings tour of the Alhambra which does not include the tickets to the monument.
As you mentioned in your review, you had waited at the wrong spot, outside of the meeting point. Before the tour leaves one of our staff checks also outside of the building to collect the people waiting at the wrong place. In case you are not there or you are late unfortunately we can not do much about it.
We wish you all the best from Granada
dorothy_s, May 2025
Booked English only to find there were Italians and Spanish on same tour not guides fault it's the companies she had an impossible task no one could understand her ,six of us have the radios back and walked away . This cost for the two of us 39€ total waste of money. I did email the Viator but had no reply , that tell me they just don't care about customer service, just their money , shame on them would never use them again.
Response from Host, May 2025
Dear Dorothy,
you had made a reservation for surrounding tour of the Alhambra. We offer this tour just in English and Spanish. If there is not enough people of the cetain language the tour is bilingual.
We are sorry to hear about your experience.
Kind regards from Granada
Susan_F, May 2025
It was great! Informative and beautiful. Wear good walking shoes! Our female guide was very organized and well versed on the history of the Alhambra
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you for your review! It is a pleasure to read these beautiful words from you,and yes,the good walking shoes is a must have to live this experience! Regards
Helen_R, Feb 2025
The company changed the time to later and did not let me know although they have an office right opposites the Alhambra this was not on the booking information and I was not able to contact them. I was extremely upset and the officials at the Alhambra were extremely unhelpful. After going from place to place for approximately half an hour after the advertised start of our tour I decided to give up because my son was getting distressed and we took a bus into town. Shortly after arriving and about an hour after the official start of the tour, I got a phone call from the office, we came back in a taxi collected ouur tickets and joined the tour part way through. Even then the guide was not where they said he would be and I had to make a further call to the person in the office. I was not offered a refund ir even an apology, but was treated as if it was my fault I would never use this company again
Response from Host, Feb 2025
We understand your disappointment and we apologize.
However, we specify that the ones who confused them were not us, but rather the staff who attended to her, totally unrelated to this company. Furthermore, as you can read in your voucher, all the information about it is detailed. When she finally found us, we incorporated her into a group that had already started the visit, so you had to wait a little for your guide. In any case, we are sorry that the experience was not completely to your liking, and we understand your opinion, although the problem why you did not find us, in the first place, was not our responsibility.
Jay_U, Jan 2025
They say that the buildings at the Alhambra are among the most beautiful in the world, and it's true. Our guide Felipe did a great job. Very happy with the experience.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thank you for your words!
Felipe is a great guide. We will let you know your opinion, as well as the rest of the team.
Come back to the city soon, and when this happens, we hope you trust us again!
Joseph_N, Jan 2025
Very easy booking and helpful finding the agency at the top of the hill. Informative guide and quality headphones.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thank you for your review. We work hard every day to meet your expectations. Kind Regards
JoseJ_C, Jan 2025
I made a day trip out of it taking 7:25 am bullet train out of Madrid, arriving in Granada just after 11, walked through beautiful downtown, took the 2-5 pm tour and taxi to train station for 6:15 train. Fortunately, the tour was run in a timely manner for me to execute my plan. Carlos was a great tour guide, particularly in giving props to the Muslim Arab Moors for how advanced they were in their design of the castle and gardens at that time. The Alhambra plus the views of the city from the Alhambra are amazing. Wonderful architecture and landscaping. Fair warning = be ready to walk. The place is expansive and one of the elderly tourists was struggling during the last part.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thank you for your review! We are glad to read that your trip was on time for everything,and that you have enjoyed the tour. Certainly Carlos is an amazing guide with wide knoledge,we will transmit your congratulations to him. Kind Regards
Jill_M, Jul 2024
Excellent tour, highly recommend. Our guide was very well informed, frienldy snd inclusive. We learnt so much about the gardens , palace and Granada. The tour was well paced and included a short break for everyone to recharge.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Hello good!
We appreciate your comment. The Alhambra, visited in the company of a guide, is greatly enjoyed. In this sense, we are glad that you had a good time.
We hope you return to the city soon!
isalove04, Jul 2024
Great tour. Was 2.5hours and we enjoyed every moment. The tour guide, Ruth did an amazing job of showing us the site and informing us. Only comment is bring your headphones to avoid having to buy some, and creating unnecessary waste. Overall, I would highly recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Thank you very much for your comment.
We will pass on your words to Ruth, as well as the rest of the team.
We share your opinion: the Alhambra is much more enjoyable through a guided tour.
Thank you!
Karl_S, May 2024
Excellent guide, very good English, had great extra facts of history.
Amazing architecture, a must see.
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you so much!
Our guides are highly qualified to offer our clients the best service.
Kind regards from Granada.
Elizabeth_N, May 2024
The tour company went out of their way to assist me. It’s a gorgeous place and you can spend extra time there after the tour is over, making it an excellent value.
Response from Host, May 2024
Thank you so much!!
Granavision team is a pleasure to attend customers.
Kind regards from Granada!
William_A, Apr 2024
The Al Hambra was amazing and our guide (Eduardo) was just as amazing. He was so knowledgeable about the history of Granada and when and why the various buildings were built. He was able to explain the artistic tiles and the method of construction, as well as the very interesting history for each area.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you for your review!!! Certainly Eduardo is an amazing guide,we are glad to read that you have enjoyed with his explanations,we will transmit your congratulations to him. Kind Regards
melissa_S, Apr 2024
We showed up an hour early. No one showed. We waited 30 min past our tour time of 4 pm. Come to find out they moved the tour to 2 pm never notified us and then we asked for a refund they are challenging us. We never got the tour and without the history it was a waste of an afternoon and we came to Grenada just to do this experience. I have used viator over 50 times with no problem. Very disappointed in this experience and then denying refund. Outrageous
Response from Host, Apr 2024
We apologize for the inconvenience caused.
As agency we tried to reached out ro you the new slot time of the tour 24 hours before, whatsapp message and call. When you arrived to our offices the tour had been started, so thats why you got the tickets and could enter by your own at least.
As agency we orginice the visit with the inconvinient that the Alhambra has, like the limit of people per day for the conservation in areas as Nazaries Palaces, so thats why before to book with us we inform you that the time of your reservation can be change.
Kind regards from Granada.
susan_S, Apr 2024
The Alhambra is spectacular. Our guide. Carlos was very knowledgeable and explained everything very well.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Thank you so much of your positive review!
Granavision team are grateful that you could enjoy the visit to the Alhambra.
Kind regards from Granada!
Jacob_H, Mar 2024
The Alhambra is a must see, and Gustavo “Gus” was a world class tour guide.
We could’ve skipped Generalife - it’s beautiful to be sure, but perhaps in March it’s a bit early as much of the gardens aren’t in bloom so it wasn’t too exciting.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Good afternoon Jacob!
Thank you very much for your review. Gustavo sure is an excellent guide and we are glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour of magnificent Alhambra with him.
Kind regards, Granavision team
JohnE_R, Feb 2024
The Alhambra is of course wonderful and green outside and glorious inside. Our guide Gustavo was extremely witty, intelligent, attentive and charming!!
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Thank you very much for your review!
Granavision is lucky to have Gustavo in the team, he is so professional guide.
Kind regards from Granad!
From $23.86
per person-You will not receive a refund if you cancel.
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