Granada Palace and Castle Tours

Granada is one of the provinces of the autonomous community of Andalusia in Spain. This city is home to a number of historical monuments and has witnessed the passage of many cultures that have left their mark in great architectural examples, such as castles and palaces. That is why one of the best things to see and do in Granada is to visit these interesting sites.

To begin your tour, the first thing to do is to enter the enormous complex of buildings of the Alhambra, where you will be able to see the Nasrid Palaces, the Generalife and the Alcazaba. You can also visit the Palace of the Forgotten, where you will learn about the Spanish Inquisition. You can also go to the Calahorra Castle, explore the Cuarto Real de Santo Domingo and the Cordoba Palace. I'll tell you more about each of these fascinating sites below.

The Alhambra is one of the most important tourist sites in the city. It is a walled city where architecture, history and nature blend together . This complex dates back to the Nasrid dynasty and is divided into a few main sections: the Alcazaba, the Nasrid Palaces and the Generalife.

There are many ways to visit, but in general I recommend three options: a guided tour, a private tour or a night visit. In any case, the important thing is that you don't run out of tickets for the Alhambra.

Guided tour

The guided tour of the Alhambra is perhaps the most popular among tourists. You will visit the main sites of this complex and its gardens in the company of a group of approximately 30 people and an expert guide, who will explain everything you need to understand the history and importance of this complex.

During the visit, you will pass through the Palace of Charles V, the Palace of the Lions and the Generalife with its impressive gardens. Of course, you will also see the Nasrid Palaces. Also, this type of entrance is usually skip-the-line, so it gives you quicker access to explore the facilities.

• Price: The visit costs approximately €66 per person.
• Duration: Generally, the stipulated time for this tour is two and a half hours.

Private tour

In the private guided tour of the Alhambra and the Generalife the situation changes, because you will be alone with your group and the guide. In addition, you will be able to personalise your tour and extend it a little more than in the guided tour.

You will enter the Arab citadel while you listen to the guide's comments and clarify your doubts. In addition to visiting the Nasrid Palaces, the Palace of the Lions and the other destinations included in the guided tour, you could also choose to visit the Palace of Comares and the church of Santa Maria de la Alhambra.

• Price: the cost varies according to the number of people in the group. If there are 10 people, the total value is around €999, while three visitors will have to pay €349 and two people will have to pay approximately €299.
• Duration: the average duration of a visit to the Alhambra with a private group is estimated at 3 hours.

Night visit

Booking a guided night visit to the Alhambra is an experience that combines elements of the two previous modalities: the groups are small, with a maximum of 10 people, while the places to visit are practically the same, also with a professional guide.

The characteristic that distinguishes this type of night visit to the Alhambra is that, by visiting the place at night, you can appreciate every corner of the Alhambra in a different way. Each space is strategically illuminated to create a special atmosphere that highlights its beauty even more.

• Price: the cost of this tour is approximately €69 per person.
• Duration: the stipulated time for this tour is about 2 hours.

Another of the must-see palaces in Granada is the Palacio de los Olvidados, where history, culture and art come together. Dating back to the 16th century, this palace will allow you to learn about the history of the Sephardic Jews of Granada.

It is undoubtedly one of the must-see places when visiting the Albaicín in Granada, as it is located in the same neighbourhood. Inside you will find the Museum of the Inquisition, which houses a collection of Jewish artefacts, such as historical documents, religious and everyday items from that time.

However, what is most striking on a tour of the palace is the collection of more than 70 instruments of torture and capital punishment. You will see some of the old torture machines used during the Spanish Inquisition, such as the garrucha, the iron maiden, the rack and the toque, which will give you a clear idea of the cruelty of the time.

Given the location of the palace, you will have the opportunity to see exceptional panoramic views of the city and even the Alhambra. You should know that this place has re-signified its history and nowadays it is the stage for some flamenco shows in Granada, which you could appreciate during your visit if you go during the night.

Interesting details

• Price: the tour has an approximate cost of 7€ per person.
• Duration: you will need about an hour to do the tour.

A slightly more discreet palace also located in the Albaicín neighbourhood is the Dar al-Horra Palace, another Nasrid palace dating from the 15th century. Although this one is not as extensive as the palaces of the Alhambra, this makes it more interesting for some people, as it offers a more intimate and serene experience. For many, it should definitely be included in the list of the best excursions and guided tours in Granada.

This site stands out for the elements of Nasrid architecture present inside and its historical importance, as it was the residence of Aixa, the mother of the last sultan of Granada, Boabdil.

The tour of this space is much quieter, as it is less crowded than other palaces. You will notice the interior courtyard, which has a central pool and horseshoe arches. Also, take a look at the plasterwork and tiles around it. Climb the lookout tower and see the beautiful view of the Albaicín, with its red roofs and the great silhouette of the Alhambra in the background. Take the opportunity to take some souvenir photographs.

Interesting details

• Price: generally, to visit this palace you must purchase a combined ticket for the Muslim monuments, starting at 10€ per person.
• Duration: as you can do the tour on your own, there is no time limit. However, it can take between 45 minutes and an hour to visit the site.

La Calahorra Castle is one of the most important castles you will find in the province of Andalusia and is a must-see destination when visiting Granada. To reach it, you'll have to travel by car for just over an hour for around 90 km. The structure is built on a hill 1,250 metres above sea level, which makes it all the more imposing.

This castle is an example of Renaissance architecture with Italian influences and dates back to the 16th century. As you walk around it you will see defensive and decorative elements in its structure, made up of marble columns and arches. In its interior rooms, you will see some frescoes and sculptures.

This building also offers impressive views of the surrounding area, such as the Marquisate of Cenete and panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada You will also learn about the history, construction and strategic and military importance of the castle.

On the other hand, although this place is a national monument of Spain, you should know that it is privately managed and visits to the public take place one day a week (generally on Wednesdays). So, if you want to visit it, this factor must be taken into account.

Useful details

• Price: it is estimated that the guided tour costs around €3 per person.
• Disadvantages of this option: there is only one day available for the visit and the timetable may vary, so you should check before you go.

When preparing your itinerary to explore Granada in 4 days or more, you might consider including a visit to the Cuarto Real de Santo Domingo. This is an ancient Almohad-style palace that is remarkable for its architecture and history. The building dates back to the 13th century and is considered an antecedent of the Alhambra.

Located in the Jewish quarter of Realejo, this Nasrid palace was ceded to the Order of Santo Domingo in 1493, when it was given its current name. Inside, the main qubba, a hall of protocol made up of twin windows, plasterwork arches, blue and green glazed tiles, a wooden ceiling and other elements of great visual and architectural appeal, stands out.

If you want to breathe fresh air during your visit, you can go to the gardens surrounding the building, where you can relax and walk along the small paths, while admiring the vegetation and fountains. This space, which is not very popular with tourists, will undoubtedly offer you a peaceful experience.

Details of interest

• Price: the visit is free on Sundays, while the site is closed on Mondays. On other days of the week, admission costs around €2 for adults and €1 for children.
• Duration: You can visit the palace at your own pace, so there is no time limit.

A tour of the Palacio de los Córdova will take you on a little journey through Granada's history. The original structure was built in the 16th century, while the current structure was built in the 20th century. However, the palace preserves Renaissance elements combined with some Mudejar elements, which make it an attractive place for tourists and locals.

This destination fits perfectly into your visit to Granada in 3 days or more, as it is located on the Cuesta del Chapiz, in the Albaicín neighbourhood and is currently the headquarters of the Municipal Archives of Granada.

The place originally belonged to the military and diplomat Luis Fernández de Córdova, and inside you can learn about this noble family who lived in Granada. You can also explore the surrounding gardens, and from the building you can enjoy beautiful views of the Albaicín and the Alhambra.

Useful information

• Price: entrance to this site is free of charge.
• Duration: There is no limit to the length of the visit, except that visits are only permitted during the morning shift, which is usually from 10:00 to 14:00.

The duration of the palace and castle tours in Granada is relative according to two main factors: the time you have available and the type of experience you intend to book. Keep in mind that if you book a tour or excursion, you will have to adapt to the timetable of the tour, as the organisers depend not only on you but also on the rest of the group.

On the other hand, personalised tours or self-paced tours give you a higher level of flexibility, if you want a quicker tour or, on the contrary, you are looking to go deeper into each destination beyond the traditional visits.

To give you a clearer idea of times: for example, depending on the Alhambra's timetable, a minimum of 2 hours is required to visit the complex. A castle or palace (such as the Dar al-Horra Palace) could be visited for 45 minutes to 1 hour. In some cases, at the end of the tour, you could stay in the gardens of some places to relax.

Doing palace and castle tours is one of the best things to do in Granada in summer (because of the good weather), or at other times of the year. This is because it is one of the easiest ways to learn about the history of this city and the autonomous region of Andalusia.

You will learn about the different eras and cultures that have lived in the region, knowing that these buildings bear the traces of history and display them both inside and outside. It is not for nothing that many of the city's palaces and castles have been recognised as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

From a more general point of view, getting to know these palaces and castles will give you a better understanding of the historical context and the importance of each space for the development of the mixture of cultures that the city of Granada represents and which has influenced the history of Spain up to the present day.

On these types of excursions and tours of the palaces of Granada, you will mainly see samples of the architecture of each culture, especially the Islamic, which is evident in the horseshoe arches, plasterwork, intricate tiles and wooden ceilings.

On the other hand, in the case of the castles, which mostly functioned initially as fortresses, you will see the imposing walls and watchtowers. In the palaces, you will visit the extensive halls, royal chambers, etc. In addition, many of them are in contact with nature, as they have large gardens; due to their location in areas of high relief, almost all of them offer views of the city and its surroundings.