Skip the Line: Alhambra and Generalife Gardens Half-Day Tour
1640 reviews
Explore Alhambra and the Generalife Gardens on this 3-hour skip-the-line walking tour, led by a professional local guide. With hotel pickup and drop-off from your centrally located Granada hotel included, this tour guarantees you'll have an Alhambra ticket (limited ticket numbers are allocated per day) and allows you to visit UNESCO-listed Alhambra with minimum fuss. Admire stunning Moorish architecture in the Nasrid Palaces and gain a glimpse into the lavish lives of the sultans who once lived here.
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In Brief
Location:
Granada, Spain
Country:
Spain
Duration:
3 hours
Operates:
Morning Tour:
Daily
Afternoon Tour:
Wednesdays, Fridays
Daily
Afternoon Tour:
Wednesdays, Fridays
Highlights:
Free hotel pickup and drop-off included
Led by a local guide
All entrance fees included
Likely to Sell Out
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.
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.
Inclusions
- Transport by air-conditioned coach (maximum 30 people)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Tickets for the Nasrid Palaces, the Alcazaba fortress and the Generalife gardens
- Entry/Admission - The Alhambra
- Entry/Admission - Generalife
Exclusions
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks, unless specified
Departure Time
Morning Tour: Hotel pickup between 9:15am and 9:45am. The starting time might be changed. In that case you will be contacted by the tour operator and informed of the new starting time the day before the tour.
Afternoon Tour: Hotel pickup between 1:15pm and 1:45pm or between 3:45pm and 4:15pm. It can be either options. You should contact your local supplier few days before the tour to verify the exact pick up time.
Departure Point
Your centrally located Granada hotel or at Alhambra
Returns To
Returns to original departure point
Additional Information
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 1 day of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
- Infants must sit on laps
- 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.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
Booking Information
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation Terms
Once booked, this trip is fully non-refundable
Booking Terms and Conditions
When you book this trip, you need to read and accept the terms and conditions for booking our day trips in excursions.
Hotel Pickup
When you book, we will ask you to select a hotel to be picked up from. Once your booking is confirmed, we'll send you a confirmation voucher with full contact information (phone number, email address) for our local operator in case you need to update or change your hotel pick-up details.
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about hotel pickup:
What if my hotel is not listed?
That's okay. When you book you can select an hotel from our list and make your way there on the day of departure; or you can contact our local operator directly to make alternate pick-up arrangements.
What if I have not yet booked a hotel?
Once your hotel arrangements are finalised, you can contact our local operator directly with your hotel details.
What if I live locally, am staying with friends or relatives, and/or don't require pick-up?
Once your booking is confirmed, we'll send you complete details and directions to the tour/activity departure point.
Scoring an average traveller rating of 5 out of 5 based on the last 24 recent reviews
“
Visiting the Alhambra was perhaps our top tourist priority in 6 weeks in Spain - and it did not disappoint. This tour lasted 3.5 hours and was very thorough - we got to see everything we wanted to see. Emilio is an Amazing guide - so knowledgeable and easy going. His energy level and enthusiasm was strong even at the end. We learned a lot. His pacing was excellent. As some in our group began to tire a bit, Emilio moved us at a pace that was great for us - letting big groups pass so that we could linger and more properly enjoy the spaces. Very Strongly recommend”
David S • Submitted 08 Nov 2019
“
Jorge was a fabulous guide!! Not only was he dynamic and humorous, he had so much valuable information to share with us. As an English / French tour, Jorge did a great job quickly translating what he was saying!”
Carolyn P • Submitted 01 Nov 2019
“
Excellent tour which in a great part was due to our guide Victor. His depth of knowledge and approach turned the tour into something to remember. Would thoroughly recommend this tour especially after seeing the length of the queues.”
carol.jeffrey • Submitted 14 Oct 2019
“
A very beautiful Muslim style palaces and we learnt the history from our tour guide - Antonio. It's gorgeous and must go in Granada.”
Valerie Yuen • Submitted 14 Oct 2019
“
Informative and interesting. Office is 5 minute walk to entrance. Enjoyed the history. Not to crowded.”
Patty O • Submitted 23 Sep 2019
“
Amazing experience of Alhambra and Generalife. The guide Tarek was amazing. Without Alhambra the Spain trip wouldn't be complete. Planned and bought the tickets way in advance. Grana vision was amazing. They picked and dropped on the right time from the hotel. Overall the experience was excellent.”
Nadir S • Submitted 16 Sep 2019
“
Our guide Antonio was knowledgeable, interesting, informative, and friendly. We learned so much! Our granddaughters really enjoyed the tour as did our family.”
Jane Barbara M • Submitted 16 Sep 2019
“
This tour was excellent. Minor problem at the start as the operator was late picking us and some other clients up. However once there they delivered an excellent experience. Guide was immense, his knowledge of the history of the the palace was fantastic. Be aware the tour is 3 hrs and 5.5 kilometres long so a lot of walking. Make sure you take water with you on hot days. My view, if in Granada, not to be missed.”
Ian W • Submitted 12 Sep 2019
“
This half day is definite highlight of your visit to Granada. Perched on a hill overlooking the town, Alhambra is a piece of art itself. you explore the military barracks as well as the few palaces that are still standing. These Muslim built palaces are scattered with bits of Christian additions throughout.”
VERONICA B • Submitted 03 Sep 2019
“
Very intlligent, thoughtful presentation involving a site of three religious traditions. I can't imagine how it could have been better.”
Stephen P • Submitted 03 Sep 2019
“
So the trip was Nicky facilitated knowing it's nice a piece of cake, however Jenny our tour guide was just phenomenal, I have a strong passion of history and archeology and being a socialized I can say she did a marvouls job as not only as a guide but as a story teller, she showed passion and positivity that was inspiring to me.. Buss rides and tickets were aslo done correctly..”
ALAA A • Submitted 12 Aug 2019
“
Worth every penny. If you want to visit the Alhambra... do it with viator and more specific with Sergio. He was so passionate and enthusiastic, just what a group of tourists need to battle fatigue due to the sun.”
Siegfried S • Submitted 12 Aug 2019
“
Our guide, Gustavo, was excellent. Informative and warm, he covered his material well and engaged in many adhoc conversations that added real value to the tour. Recommended!”
Ken K • Submitted 08 Jul 2019
“
We enjoyed a fantastic three hours with Tarek, whose passion, genuine communication of his deep knowledge of life through the centuries of Alhambra history and willingness to answer all questions with a thoughtful response made our time fly by. He has a great voice and the sound system worked very well. Despite the crowds around us throughout it was still an intimate and unique experience there.”
Jeffrey M • Submitted 03 Apr 2019
“
Consuela was an amazing guide, providing a comprehensive tour of the Alhambra. She was leading a group of both English and French speakers, effortlessly communicating in both languages and keeping us all together. It was a large group of 27 people, but the wireless audio system worked great to be able to hear our guide as we looked around. It was an excellent tour.”
jebianchi924 • Submitted 18 Sep 2018
“
This tour was great! Our guide Antonio was funny, helpful and gave us great information. Highly recommend this tour!”
Lauren • Submitted 02 Aug 2018
“
Amazing place to visit! Loved the tour and history behind this magnificent place.”
Noamanali M • Submitted 20 Jul 2018
“
If you visit Granada, the Alhambra is a must see! Our tour guide was not only knowledgeable, butwan entertaining guide, as well. The grounds are magical and I can’t recommend it enough.”
Kendra G • Submitted 11 Jul 2018
“
This was an amazing experience and we are still talking about it. Loved our guide and the sites. Thank you!”
gkirmalcsw • Submitted 15 Apr 2018
“
A very knowledgeable and articulate guide. Pickup at hotel is a must.”
Ico • Submitted 11 Apr 2018
“
Booked a week before and really well organised tour, picked up from hotel and a really smooth move through the queues.
Victor our guide was full of information and facts all relayed well in English with a touch of humour in between, the 3 hour tour just flew by.
I cannot recommend this tour and Victor enough.”
Robert J • Submitted 29 Mar 2018
“
This tour was amazing!”
thomas • Submitted 18 Mar 2018
“
Our guide was , knowledgeable, and patient with the group. I highly recommend this tour !”
John S • Submitted 15 Mar 2018
“
The Skip the Line: Alhanbra and Generalife Gardens Half-Day Tour offered by Granavision was excellent from beginning to end. Granavision picked us up at our hotel and brought us up to their office where the half-day tour began. Our tour guide, Sergio, was knowledgeable, witty and charming.”
Karen B • Submitted 13 Mar 2018
In Brief
Location:
Granada, Spain
Country:
Spain
Duration:
3 hours
Operates:
Morning Tour:
Daily
Afternoon Tour:
Wednesdays, Fridays
Daily
Afternoon Tour:
Wednesdays, Fridays
Highlights:
Free hotel pickup and drop-off included
Led by a local guide
All entrance fees included
Likely to Sell Out
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