Dress in comfortable clothingWith the warm weather and the hours of walking ahead of you, I would definitely say to wear comfortable shoes and light clothing. If you're planning on walking to the Alhambra, you'll find a pretty large hill waiting for you, so make sure you don't wear sandals.
Do not drink, eat or smoke (except in in designated areas). No photography with tripods or flash (not even for night time visits), without authorized permission. Respect and follow the instructions. No touching the decorations on the walls.
Lots of people ask if there is a dress code at The Cathedral. The dress code isn't as strict as other places, such as La Mezquita in Cordoba or The Cathedral in Barcelona. You are allowed shoulders and knee showing, however, caps must be taken off and tops must be worn.
Alhambra tickets are nominative, so you MUST show your national ID (UE nationals) or passport to be granted access to the monument. Here we explain how to buy official tickets for the Alhambra, the different ticket types, areas included, prices and discounts, how to make changes, return policy and many other tips.
Yes you can take your own food and drink into the Alhambra. You aren't allowed to take large bags into the Nasrid Palaces, Alcazaba or Generalife though so you may need to use the storage lockers while you are exploring those.
Time of day: If you're visiting during the winter, you'll have more time to visit Alhambra if you come in the morning. Visit during the afternoon in you're making the trip in the spring, summer or fall months to get the most out of your visit.
Normally, it takes between 3 and 5 hours to see the entire Alhambra complex. Many people spend all day; it depends on how fast you want to see things. Take into account that you will have to walk about 2 miles (3-4 km) and the itinerary includes many steps.
In our opinion, the night visit to the Palacios Nazaríes is not worth it. You should only choose this option if you have already visited the Alhambra during the day several times, and you are curious to know what the night visit is like.
For women, this means that items such as a classic two-piece suit or corporate dresses can be avoided. To nail the smart casual look, choose items such as: Tops: Neutral or colourful and/or print blouses and shirts, smart cardigans in dressy fabrics such as crepe knit, silk button up shirts or collared shirts.
How long does it take to visit the Alhambra? Normally, it takes between 3 and 5 hours to see the entire Alhambra complex. Many people spend all day; it depends on how fast you want to see things.
You can also buy them on the same day of your visit (if any tickets left), up to two hours before the allocated time for the entrance to the Nasrid Palaces. Alhambra tickets are nominative, so you MUST show your national ID (UE nationals) or passport to be granted access to the monument.
Best time of the year: The months of spring and summer make for the best times to visit the Alhambra. The flowers are in full bloom during these seasons and you can also take a few hours of respite from the Mediterranean sun inside the fortress.