What the Nasrid Palaces are

The Nasrid Palaces are three connected royal palaces built by the Nasrid sultans in the 13th and 14th centuries: the Mexuar for administration, the Comares Palace for official receptions, and the Palace of the Lions for private life. They are the only surviving medieval Islamic royal residence of this scale in the world, which is why entry is so carefully limited.

How the timed entry works

Your ticket shows a 30-minute window. You can enter at any point during it, but not before, and the door shuts 30 minutes after the slot begins. Note that the Nasrid entrance sits inside the complex, a 15 to 20 minute walk from the main ticket office, so leave buffer time. The wider Alhambra, Generalife and Alcazaba, does not have this strict gate.

Best time to visit

  • 8:30 to 9:30 AM: First light through the arches, cool air, smallest crowds. The best slot overall.
  • Last afternoon slot in summer: Warm golden light on the carved plaster. Beautiful for photos.
  • Avoid 11:00 to 13:00: Peak tour-group window and harsh overhead light in the Court of the Lions.

What to see, room by room

  • Mexuar: The first hall, where the sultan heard petitions. Look up at the coffered ceiling.
  • Court of the Myrtles: A long reflecting pool framed by myrtle hedges, the Comares tower mirrored in the water.
  • Hall of the Ambassadors: The throne room, with a cedar dome of more than 8,000 pieces symbolizing the seven heavens.
  • Court of the Lions: Twelve marble lions hold up a central fountain, ringed by fine muqarnas arches.
  • Hall of the Two Sisters: The most intricate honeycomb dome in the Alhambra, a highlight for most visitors.

Tips for the Nasrid Palaces

  • Carry the exact ID you booked with, staff check it at the Nasrid gate.
  • If you are running late, hurry, the 30-minute cutoff is enforced to the minute.
  • Pair the visit with the sell-out and skip-the-line guide if your dates are tight.
  • A guided tour turns the rooms into a story. See our Alhambra guided tours with reserved Nasrid entry.

Book a guided Nasrid Palaces tour

Skip the line and get context for every hall with a licensed guide.

See Nasrid Palaces Tours

Frequently asked questions

The Nasrid Palaces follow the Alhambra daytime schedule, roughly 8:30 to 20:00 from April to mid-October and 8:30 to 18:00 in winter. Your personal entry is the 30-minute slot on your ticket, not the whole day. Night visits run separately on select evenings.

The first morning slot between 8:30 and 9:30 has the softest light and the fewest people. The last afternoon slot in summer catches golden hour on the stucco. Avoid 11:00 to 13:00, when tour groups peak and the Court of the Lions is busiest.

Most visitors spend 60 to 90 minutes. Your slot is the entry time only. Once inside you can stay as long as you like, so do not schedule anything tight right after.

The Court of the Lions and the Hall of the Two Sisters are the highlights. The Two Sisters has the most elaborate muqarnas dome in the complex. The Court of the Myrtles, with its reflecting pool, is the most photographed.

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