Nasrid Palaces of the Alhambra
Written by official guides
The Nasrid Palaces are the heart of the Alhambra and the part of the complex with the tightest capacity restrictions: access is by 30-minute slots and their tickets are the first to sell out. They are made up of three complexes built at different times, the Mexuar, the Comares Palace and the Palace of the Lions, which together hold the best-preserved Nasrid decoration in all of Spain.
This article explains their history, which halls and courtyards you should not miss, and how the time-slot booking system run by the Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife works.
History of the Nasrid Palaces
The Nasrid Palaces are also known as the Cuarto Real Viejo. Construction began during the reign of Ismail I (1314 to 1325) and continued under Yusuf I (1333 to 1354), who died before finishing the works.
It was Muhammad V who completed the Comares Palace in 1370 and built the Palace of the Lions between 1377 and 1390, the last great palace built by the Nasrid dynasty in the Alhambra.
After the Christian conquest of 1492, the Catholic Monarchs chose these palaces as their residence during their stays in Granada, a decision that, unlike what happened with other Nasrid buildings, guaranteed their preservation to this day.
What to see in the Nasrid Palaces
The route follows the historical order of construction: first the Mexuar, then the Comares Palace and finally the Palace of the Lions.
1. The Mexuar
The oldest hall, used for administrative and judicial purposes, with a small adjoining oratory from which the city can be seen.
2. The Court of the Myrtles and the Hall of the Ambassadors
The centre of the Comares Palace, with a long pool reflecting the Comares Tower. Inside, the Hall of the Ambassadors rises 18 metres under a cedar ceiling representing the seven heavens of Islam.
3. The Court of the Lions
The most photographed space in the Alhambra, with 124 marble columns around the Fountain of the Lions, supported by twelve alabaster lions.
4. The Hall of the Abencerrajes and the Hall of the Two Sisters
Two halls of the royal harem covered by muqarnas vaults, on either side of the Court of the Lions.
5. The Mirador de Lindaraja
A lookout with views over the Darro valley, originally designed to contemplate the gardens from inside the palace.
Opening hours and tickets for the Nasrid Palaces
Access to the Nasrid Palaces is subject to capacity control: according to the Patronato itself, 300 people every half hour are admitted. The ticket shows a specific time slot and, once it has passed, you lose the right to enter this space.
The Nasrid Palaces are visited with the General ticket (€22.27), which also includes the Alcazaba and the Generalife, or with the Night Visit to the Nasrid Palaces (€12.73), which gives access to the Patio de Machuca, the Mexuar and the Golden Court and Room in the evening.
When bought in advance, tickets must be collected at least one hour before the slot assigned for the Nasrid Palaces. Individual online purchase is possible until 23:59 on the day before the visit, although in practice the morning slots sell out much earlier in high season.
How to get to the Nasrid Palaces
The Nasrid Palaces are inside the Alhambra enclosure, at Calle Real de la Alhambra, s/n. They are reached through the same entrance as the rest of the monumental complex, with bus lines 30 and 32 from Plaza Isabel la Católica as the most convenient option from the centre of Granada.
On foot, the most direct climb is the Cuesta de Gomérez from Plaza Nueva. It is worth allowing plenty of time for access, since arriving late for the assigned time slot means losing the visit to the palaces.
The Nasrid Palaces time slot is the strictest restriction in the whole Alhambra: you cannot enter before or after the assigned slot. That is why the most important advice is to buy the ticket as far in advance as possible at tickets.alhambra-patronato.es and arrive at the enclosure with plenty of time to spare, especially in high season.
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