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Generalife Gardens

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Alhambra and Generalife Gardens Half-Day Tour with Skip the Line Tickets

Granada, Spain

From $43.54

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Secure your spot while staying flexible
Free cancellation
Up to 6 days in advance.
Granada Tours
All Granada Tours
Audio Guides
Likely To Sell Out
Private and Luxury
Unique Experiences
  • 3 hours (approx.)
  • Offered in: English

Overview

Discover the imperial majesty of Granada’s Alhambra and its gorgeous Generalife Gardens on this walking tour. Sail past long lines at the entrance hall with an exclusive priority access pass, and then embark upon an enriching exploration of the palace complex. See the magnificent Moorish architecture of the Nasrid palaces and a gain a glimpse into the decadent sultans who once inhabited the opulent structure. Admire panoramic city vistas from a hilltop perch; stroll through the botanical beauty of the Generalife Gardens and enjoy convenient round-trip hotel transportation during this exciting excursion.
  • Alhambra and Generalife Gardens walking tour
  • Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site at a leisurely pace with your expert local guide
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off from your centrally located Granada hotel included
  • Secure your Alhambra ticket and jump the queues on this half-day trip

Why Travelers Choose This Tour

This Alhambra and Generalife tour not only includes priority entry, it includes Granada hotel transport, too.
Operated by:

What's Included

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (if it is option selected)
  • Nasrid Palaces, the Alcazaba fortress and the Generalife gardens Tickets
  • Professional guide
  • Single use headsets to hear the tour guide clearly
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks, unless specified

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

  • Alhambra Welcome Visitor Center Granada
    P.º de la Sabica, 13, 18009 Granada, Spain

    Junto el Hotel Guadalupe, a 100 metros de la entrada de la Alhambra.

End point

  • Alhambra
    C. Real de la Alhambra, s/n, 18009 Granada, Spain

    Salida de la Alhambra

What To Expect

After hotel pickup in Granada, relax in your comfortable, air-conditioned minivan during the scenic ascent to Alhambra’s high hilltop perch. Gaze in wonder at the dramatic monument as you approach the entrance then sail straight past the long lines with your priority access ticket. 

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 Palace, marveling at the Hall of Ambassadors (Salón de los Embajadores) and Myrtle Courtyard (Patio de los Arrayanes). Hear entertaining tales of the eccentric emperor Charles V as you admire the architecture of the eponymous palace.

Next, step inside the Hall of Abencerrajes and gaze at the star-shaped domed ceiling; listen to grisly tales of the 15th century massacre then visualize the soothing splendor of the Royal Baths. Delve into the complex’s 13th century origin and learn of the various rulers that customized the complex according to their own whims and wants.   

Awaken your senses to the green grandeur of the Generalife Gardens during a relaxed stroll of the grounds. Discover distinctive water features, exotic plants and decadent flowers as your guide provides captivating context. 

After your exploration, return to the minivan and relax during the smooth journey back to your hotel, where the tour concludes.

The Alhambra

Your friendly local guide will pick you up from your Granada hotel by air-conditioned minibus and then whisk you away to La Sabica Hill to visit its most dramatic monument – Alhambra. Perched high on the hill overlooking the city, the incredible palace complex was first built as a fortress at the start of the 13th century. Successions of Spanish rulers made Alhambra their home, and the fortress grew into a medina (little hilltop city) with numerous palaces and lavish gardens. Skip past the long entrance lines with your priority access ticket and walk around inside with your guide, hearing all the history of this fascinating site. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Alhambra is a treasure trove of Moorish architecture and you’ll see several of its wonders as you tour its highlights. Admire decadent rooms inside the Nasrid Palaces like the Hall of Ambassadors (Salón de los Embajadores) and Myrtle Courtyard (Patio of los Arrayanes), and marvel at the architecture of Pedro Machuca at the Palace of Charles V. Step inside the Hall of Abencerrajes to gaze up at its star-shaped domed ceiling, and hear the tale of the massacre that took place here during a 15th century banquet. You’ll also see Alhambra’s Royal Baths; plainly decorated, not ornate, in line with the belief that bathing was a religious requirement not a luxury. After exploring the palaces, head to the Generalife Gardens to discover where the sultans and Moorish kings of bygone days once relaxed. Featuring abundant flora and distinctive water features, the gardens also comprise two further courtyards, which you’ll see, the Patio de la Acequia and the Patio de la Sultana. At the end of your 2.5-hour Alhambra tour, your guide will drop you back at your Granada hotel by minibus.

2 hours 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Palace of Carlos V

Palace of Carlos V

Admission Ticket Included

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
  • 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
  • If hotel pickup is not required please make a note in the Special Requirements box at the time of booking
  • 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.
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Stroller accessible
  • Near public transportation
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 6 days in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 6 full days before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 5 full days before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 5 full days before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

about cancellations.

Traveler Photos

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Traveler Tips

Make sure you take water with you on hot days.
If you want to visit the Alhambra, do it with viator and more specific with Sergio.
Reviews
4.5
1,862 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 1,862 reviews
Do it!
Aimee_H, Feb 2023
Carlos was a fantastic and knowledgeable tour guide. Highly recommend this excursion! Don’t leave Granada without visiting the Alhambra
Response from Host, Feb 2023
Thank you very much for your positive review. It means a lot to us. We hope to have you back soon! Granavision
Phenomenal
Alejandro_C, Jan 2023
Our guide , Felipe, was phenomenal. Very knowledgable and patient. We brought our older children and they voted this tour as one of their favorite tour from various during our new year stay in southern Spain. Highly recommend it.
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Thank you so much for your review. Granavision is so lucky to have Felipe in our team. We will transmit your comment to him, he will be delighted. Also we are so lucky to have the Alhambra. Kind regards from Granada!
Trip to Alhambra
Naveed_Z, Jan 2023
This was our first visit to Alhambra. Our guide, Gustavo, made it informative, fun and entertaining. He shared interesting information throughout the tour without boring or overwhelming the group. I will highly recommend the tour and especially our guide Gustavo.
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Thank you so much for your review. Granavision is so lucky to have Gustavo in our team. We will transmit your review, he will be delighted. Kind regards from Granada!
Must see
Michelle_B, Jan 2023
The Alhambra and Generlife had amazing gardens and architecture and the guide brought it to life. Great tour.
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Thank you for your positive review. Kind regards and Happy New Year from Granavision team!
Amazing tour and life time experience
YIMIN_S, Jan 2023
Tour guide is very knowledgeable and patient. It is very organized your trip . We will absolutely recommend to our friends
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Thank you so much for your comment! Kind regards and Happy New Year from Granavision team!
This is a tour with a lot...
Vania_O, Dec 2022
This is a tour with a lot of positive reviews for good reasons…it is very good! The Alhambra is one of those places that just blows your away with its beauty but a tour guide that can take you back and explain why that beauty came about is everything. Claudia was that tour guide! Her friendliness and knowledge of the Alhambra truly made all the difference. Book this tour - you won’t regret it.
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Thank you so much for choosing us! Indeed, the Alhambra is a monument that impress because of its beauty and history. From Granavision team we are grateful that you could enjoy as much you wanted the visit. Happy New Year and Kind regards from Granada!
Exceptional Tour
Jessica_G, Dec 2022
I really enjoyed this tour, I booked it for my husband and myself. The tour guide, Alberto, was extraordinary. He enchanted us with the history of the Alhambra, as well as provide us with additional historical context surrounding the time period. He was funny and engaging. The Alhambra itself is just an incredible experience, and it was made all that much more exceptional with such a knowledgeable guide.
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Thank you very much for your comment. Alberto will be delighted to know your positive review. Happy New Year and Kind Regards from Granavision team!
Caminito del Rey med GetYourGuide
Maria_W, Nov 2022
Incredibly bad description of meeting place, map coordinators and parking lot. Never again GetYourGuide excursion, when we finally found our way to the start of the tour, the guide agreed that GetYourGuide had given completely wrong information.
Response from Host, Dec 2022
Dear customer, thank you for your review. We apologyze about that. We'll work to make your next experience in Granada better.
1 traveler found this review helpful
Alhambra Experience.
Jagannath_R, Oct 2022
I had both good and bad experience in this half-day tour... it really is NOT a half-day tour... I guess it depends on who defines a 'day'. Anyway, we (4 in our group) joined a whole bunch of other folks on the guided tour on Oct. 8, 2022. Our group # was 7. Our guide was decent ,polite young man but it seemed to me ( just my opinion) that he talked a bit too much on heavy handedness of a certain religious group. That is OK.. After taking us through many important and beautiful parts ( such as Nasrid palaces) of Alhambra, he took us near the Generalife and told us that we can explore it on our own. I thought ,incorrectly as it turns out, it probably was not a big deal so the guide left it to our own device. After I came back to the hotel I realized that we had not seen the iconic patio which appears in most Alhambra related photographs. I was heartbroken.... I have been wanting to see that beautiful patio ever since I came to know of Alhambra. I had spent all that money, came to Alhambra but I had failed to see the patio ! I was sad and I felt like an idiot. Anyway, we came back next day to Alhambra to see Generalife in its full glory only to find that all tickets have been sold out for the day ! Sad, but understandable. So, we went to the Viator local office and told them our story . They said that they did not believe that the guide did not take us to the Generalife gardens because it was an integral part of the tour. In any case, they said they can't help us because all the tickets for the day were gone. David, who worked at the office, took it upon himself to verify our story with the guide (who to his credit ) told that he indeed did not take the group to a tour of Generalife. At this point, David tried very hard to find two tickets for us. Thank you, David ! You saved my trip to Alhambra ! With tickets in our hand we explored various parts of the garden and with a camera in my hand entered the enchanted patio only to find that I am NOT allowed to take ' direct ' shot of the patio because I was there by myself not as a part a guided tour. The folks with guided tours could get a straight look but not me ! I begged the security guard to give me just one minute to take couple of pictures with a straight view of the patio to no avail. Hey, a rule is a rule.... no matter how dumb. Sorry for this rambling... Had to get it off my chest. David , thank you. Dear guide.. please do your job. Alhambra security... please review your policy.
Great experience!
Nicole_H, Oct 2022
This tour was one of my favorite experiences from my trip to Spain. The tour guide was kind, knowledgeable, and comical. He made great use of time and I felt we were able to see the entire Alcazar without the tour dragging all day long either.
Must see!
Giulia_L, Oct 2022
Great tour, Antonio was a great guide who explained all the details of the history of this incredibile monument! This is a must see -highly recommended!
1 traveler found this review helpful
Since I was 8 yrs my dream come true
Ytala_S, Sep 2022
Your guy very professional and friendly, speak different language, our group was least from4 countries…he was amazing very knowledgeable
Excellent Alhambra guide!
Loreta_M, Sep 2022
Borja was an expert guide, very knowledgable. Breathed life and colour to the 800 years pre-conquest Also gave lots of info on the restoration and reconstruction.
Amazing sites. Awful tour.
Eric_A, Sep 2022
#1 I used the Viator app. And I contacted your tour via the app to make sure I was in the right area. No one responded. #2. When I arrived for the 1:15p departure - they said we’ll be leaving at 2p (no problem with that). They said they’ll call my number at 2pm and I’ll go with the guide. When 2pm came and no number was called I said “where’s the guide for my group?” They said he’s downstairs. You can go there. Why didn’t they let me know? If I didn’t ask a second time - I would’ve missed the whole tour! #3. Everyone understands the time constraints of the Alhambra tour but that’s not the least bit of of a valid excuse to lose a single person on the tour. And that was me - a single person - who he lost. Everyone was constantly losing our guide. I asked to make sure not to lose me. And a tour guide with common sense would’ve made sure of that because HE WOULD HAVE EARNED A BIG TIP! The guide didn’t have a flag. He didn’t do a headcount. He didn’t look for me. I couldn’t have been more than a few steps behind or in front! But if the road split into 3, 4 or 5 directions - how am I the one that’s supposed to find him in a completely unfamiliar ya know.. palace?! I’m paying to be guided!! When I asked him (and with the input of others on the tour) if he could slow down - he responded: “So you’d like to see fewer places?” I said: “With all due respect we just want to keep up with you.” He said he’d make sure of that. #4. I received a What’s app message to return my audio device. When I returned it, the manager told me that it was my responsibility to follow the tour guide. She seemed to take offense to me being upset (yes I was angry and for good reason) and kept defending the company and saying the tour guide looked for me. If he really looked for me - he should’ve done it the second he lost me. He would’ve found me. I heard him in the headset. Then I stopped hearing him. And there were several possible directions to go. How am I the one that has to look for him? Unprofessional response. Don’t blame the customer for the tour’s lack of organization and for the tour guide losing people. No one cares that there’s a time limit. It takes ONE MINUTE TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS WITH YOU. THE #1 PURPOSE OF A TOUR IS FOR EVERYONE TO REMAIN TOGETHER. OTHERWISE, IT’s NOT A TOUR! You have enough time to make sure you have everyone on your tour no matter how big it is. And if you can’t manage the size of the group - you’re in the wrong business. STOP BLAMING THE CUSTOMER. IT’s COMPLETELY UNPROFESSIONAL. THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT. And I feel like The Manager wanted to be right more than help me. If that’s what your company teaches people - you’re in the wrong business. Everyone was complaining. He lost a whole family as well. They didn’t know where he was when I ran into them after being lost on my own. He seemed like a nice guy - being friendly is really really important but stop making YOUR COMPANY’s MISMANAGEMENT someone else’s fault. The manager had to be reminded of this and did not offer any apology, any assistance or help in feeling better about the money I spent to take a tour by myself. I do not take kindly to being told I did something wrong when I’ve been on bigger tours that moved faster - AND NO ONE WAS LEFT BEHIND. You obviously have this problem - based on the other reviews on your Viator profile. I’m here to relax and enjoy myself. You gave me a crappy experience. And made me feel like you don’t care about your customers. Again - that seems to be reflected in the reviews I’ve read. Work on being better instead of tearing down your most valuable asset - the customer. Get a flag, take a headcount regularly, otherwise get out of this business. I take tours all the time, big, small, fast, tighter schedules than this one and I’ve never experienced such poor treatment.
2 travelers found this review helpful
Great guide=great tour
Donna_H, Sep 2022
Our guide, Felipe, was very knowledgeable and accommodating. He was a pleasure to spent the day with, we had a great experience.
Terrible Tour
Saeed_S, Aug 2022
Marco, the guide, announced that take a break and many tourists sat on the bench but in fact, he kept continued tour with the half of the group. My two daughters got confused from his statement and stayed behind and I followed the guide but can’t go without daughters. Alhambra administration didn’t allow us to go back and look for our both .daughters. We were lost for and separated for three hours due to the guide irresponsible action. My family and couldn’t see Alhambra completely. It is sad because that was the main thing to come to Spain but I didn’t have time to go thee again. In addition, he was trying to walk fast and was careless regarding to your participants. My daughters some how managed to join Marco at the end but left the tour right away because we ( parents) were not there and we were looking for our daughters. My daughters told me that many people were left behind and couldn’t complete the tour.
1 traveler found this review helpful
The Amazing Alhambra
Dale_N, Aug 2022
The Alhambra was amazing. Antonio did a wonderful job at giving us the history and the culture and the construction of this magical place. The pictures I sent back to friends in Facebook are encouraging them to come to Granada to see the Alhambra and Granada and Spain.
A wonderfully memorable experience.
Dean_T, Aug 2022
What an amazing tour! Well worth booking this for the highly knowledgeable guide. We had Alba as our guide. She brought the architecture, art and palace to life. Thank you. There is so much history through the ages to learn about at every turn. A wonderfully memorable experience. One we would highly recommend to everyone.
1 traveler found this review helpful
Exceptional Granadan guide & tour
Maggie_M, Aug 2022
Guillermo was an exceptional guide — managing both those walking the tour and my dad/me with his wheelchair. That’s a lot to juggle especially with the different time slots/limitations. Beyond that, he is an expert with a heart, someone who grew up with the beauty and stories of Alhambra that is so clear from how he talks about the place. Outstanding!
WORST TOUR EXPERIENCE EVER
Debra_K, Aug 2022
We traveled thousands of miles to see the Nasrid palaces; we were duped by the local representative City Tour Alhambra Viajes, S.L (GRANAVISION)
1 traveler found this review helpful
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