If you could only see one thing at the Alhambra, it would be the Nasrid Palaces. They’re the jewel, the reason half the world comes to Granada, and also the trickiest part: they have an exact entry time and, if you miss it, you’re locked out. So it’s worth knowing what you’ll see and how to organise yourself before you go.
Here’s what the Nasrid Palaces are, what to see room by room, and how to get the tickets that include them without any nasty surprises. Let’s get to it.
What the Nasrid Palaces are
The Nasrid Palaces are the group of palaces where the Nasrid kings, the last Muslim rulers of the peninsula, lived and governed. Within the Alhambra they’re the most spectacular area: incredibly fine plasterwork, muqarnas ceilings that look like lace, courtyards with water and that light that pours in and changes everything. It’s one of those places words can’t really do justice to, you have to see it.
Mind you, the Alhambra is much more than this (you’ve also got the Generalife, the Alcazaba and the Palace of Charles V), but if you ask me what’s unmissable, it’s the Nasrid Palaces, no question. I cover the whole complex in the what to see at the Alhambra guide.
What to see in the Nasrid Palaces
The route links three palaces, building from the simplest to the most jaw-dropping:
The Mexuar
The first hall, the oldest and plainest. It was the working area, where justice was administered and the council met. A nice warm-up for what comes next.
The Comares Palace and the Court of the Myrtles
This is where it gets serious. The Court of the Myrtles, with its long pool and myrtle hedges, is one of the most famous images of the Alhambra: the tower reflected in the water, pure calm. At the far end is the Hall of Comares (or Hall of the Ambassadors), the throne room, with a stunning cedar-wood ceiling that represents the heavens of Islam.
The Palace of the Lions
The most famous and most photographed. Its Court of the Lions, with the fountain of twelve lions in the middle, is a marvel of slender columns. Around it open up rooms that leave you open-mouthed: the Hall of the Abencerrajes, with that muqarnas dome that looks impossible, and the Hall of the Two Sisters, with another vault that has you staring upwards for a good while.
The entry time: the detail you must NOT get wrong
Note this carefully, because it’s what trips people up the most: the Nasrid Palaces have an exact entry time printed on your ticket. You have a half-hour window to go in and, if you miss it, they won’t let you pass and there’s no second chance.
My advice: plan your day around that time. Get to the Alhambra with plenty to spare (the grounds are big and it’s a fair walk from the entrance to the Palaces), and don’t risk cutting it fine. Once you’re inside the Palaces, you can go at your own pace.
How to get tickets to the Nasrid Palaces
Not all Alhambra tickets include the Nasrid Palaces, and those are precisely the ones that sell out first. So:
- Book weeks in advance, especially in spring, summer and on long weekends.
- Check that your ticket includes the Nasrid Palaces before you pay. Some tickets (like the Gardens one) don’t get you in.
- If you get tangled up with the official website, a guided tour sorts out the ticket and explains it all on top.
I run through all the Alhambra tickets options and the step-by-step of how to buy them in their guides.
Tips for visiting the Nasrid Palaces
- First thing or late afternoon, if you get to choose, to dodge the crowds and catch the best light.
- Bring your ID or passport. They ask for it on entry and it has to match the booking.
- An audio guide or a guide helps you understand what you’re seeing; otherwise you’re left with just “it’s pretty”. There’s the audio guide option.
- Careful with the photos: you’ll want to stop at every corner, but don’t block the way, there are more people behind you with their own time slot.
The Nasrid Palaces at night
There’s a night visit focused on the Nasrid Palaces, and it’s a completely different experience: fewer people, lit up, and a silence that gives you goosebumps. If you’ve already seen them by day and want to go back, or you’re after something special, it’s well worth it. I tell you about it in the Alhambra at night guide.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Nasrid Palaces of the Alhambra?
They’re the group of palaces where the Nasrid kings lived, the most spectacular and most visited part of the Alhambra, with its courtyards, plasterwork and muqarnas ceilings.
What is there to see in the Nasrid Palaces?
The Mexuar, the Comares Palace with the Court of the Myrtles and the Hall of the Ambassadors, and the Palace of the Lions with its court, the Hall of the Abencerrajes and the Hall of the Two Sisters.
Do all Alhambra tickets include the Nasrid Palaces?
No. Some tickets don’t include them, and the ones that do are the first to sell out. Always check they’re included before you buy.
Why do the Nasrid Palaces have an entry time?
To control capacity and protect the monument. Your ticket carries an exact time slot and, if you miss it, you can’t get in.
How long does it take to see the Nasrid Palaces?
Between 45 minutes and an hour, depending on how much you linger. Bear in mind, though, that a full visit to the Alhambra takes a whole morning or more.
Can you visit the Nasrid Palaces at night?
Yes, there’s a night visit focused on them. It’s quieter and has a special atmosphere. I tell you about it in the Alhambra at night guide.
Planning your visit? You’ve got the main Alhambra guide, how to buy tickets and, if you want it all explained, the guided tour.