Destination guide Spain

Granada

Palaces, gardens and towers on the hill above the city.

See Alhambra tickets

The Alhambra from the Albaicín

In the city

The Alhambra, day or night.

Choose the full daytime visit with the Nasrid Palaces, the gardens alone, or one of the night visits. Night visits run on set days and seasons.

Explore Alhambra

timed palace entry

Visitor guide

Know before you go.

Practical information for a visit to Granada and the Alhambra, from getting around to staying safe and finding somewhere to eat.

Checked 7 November 2026. Prices, apps and advice change; check the sources before you travel.

Quick facts

Currency: Euro (€).
Language: Spanish.
Time: UTC+1 in winter, UTC+2 in summer.
Plugs: Type C and F (European two-pin), 230 V.
Best time to visit: Spain’s tourism site recommends the cooler months for walking the Alhambra, the Albaicín and Sacromonte.

About Granada

The Alhambra and the Generalife became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, and the Albaicín quarter was added in 1994.
UNESCO describes the Alhambra as a unique surviving palace-city of the Islamic period.
In 1492 Granada was the last city taken by the Catholic Monarchs.
Sierra Nevada National Park is about 40 km from the city.

Getting around

Taxis

Granada has 557 licensed taxis and official ranks. City fares are regulated: by day, €1.60 to start plus €0.99 a kilometre, with a €4.25 minimum; nights, Saturdays and holidays cost a little more. There is no fixed airport fare; the city gives about €30 as a guide.

Ride apps

Uber works in Granada, mostly booking licensed local taxis.

From the airport

ALSA bus 245 runs from Federico García Lorca Airport to the centre in about 40 to 45 minutes, stopping at the bus station, Gran Vía by the cathedral and Puerta Real. Times follow the flights; a single costs about €3 on board.

Public transport

A city bus ride costs €1.60, with a free change within 60 minutes. Minibus C30 climbs from Plaza Isabel la Católica to the Alhambra, and C32 loops between the Alhambra and the Albaicín via Plaza Nueva. The single metro line costs €1.35 a trip.

Staying safe

The UK government does not advise against travel to Spain. Trains between Madrid and Andalucía were suspended after a collision on 28 October 2026, so check rail services before travelling to Granada by train.

Watch for distraction thefts in busy places, and don’t leave bags on café chairs.
Real police may ask for ID but never for your wallet.
Use official taxis only, and carry photo ID.

Emergency numbers

All emergencies: 112
National Police: 091
Local Police: 092
Ambulance: 061

Places to eat nearby

Well-known restaurants near the sights, listed for convenience. Apollonaut has no connection with them and takes no bookings. Price levels (€ to €€€) are a rough guide; check opening times before you go.

Faralá Cuesta de Gomérez, on the way up to the Alhambra · Contemporary Granada cooking (one MICHELIN star) €€€
Albidaya Horno de Haza, centre · Andalusian and Arab (MICHELIN Bib Gourmand) €€
YAMA Calle Elvira, below the Albaicín · Japanese €€€
Le Bistró by El Conjuro Martínez Campos, centre · Contemporary bistro €€
Arri Taska Vaska Pedro Antonio de Alarcón, centre · Basque €€

Sources for this guide

Photography credits

Alhambra Granada Mirador san Nicolas by Jebulon, Public domain.
Granada - Alhambra - Palacios nazaríes - Patio de los Leones - 1 by Benjamin Smith, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Alhambra from Generalife 2012 by Jebulon, CC0.
Alhambra at dusk Granada Spain by Jebulon, CC0.
Alhambra El Partal by Tesla Delacroix, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Patio de los Arrayanes Alhambra Granada Spain by Jebulon, CC0.
Alcazaba, Alhambra, Granada, Spain by Jebulon, CC0.

Images have been resized and cropped for this guide.

Granada

The Alhambra, day or night.

Alhambra General

Gardens & Alcazaba

Nasrid Palaces at night

Generalife at night

Night + next day

Dobla de Oro