Hotels near Alhambra

Topping every list of places to visit in Granada, the Alhambra is one of the most-visited monuments in Spain and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hilltop complex covers 142,000 square metres and combines three connected sections: the Alcazaba military fortress (the oldest part, dating from at least the 9th century), the lavish Nasrid Palaces with their honeycomb muqarnas vaulting and finely carved stucco, and the Charles V Palace, a square Renaissance addition built after the Christian conquest of 1492.

The Nasrid Palaces are the unmissable centrepiece. Inside, the Court of the Lions and the Hall of the Two Sisters showcase 14th-century Islamic geometric and calligraphic decoration at its peak. Tickets for the palaces are time-slot specific and almost always sell out in summer - book through the official Alhambra website (alhambra-patronato.es) or use the Granada Card, which bundles entry with city monuments.

Pro Tip: Book a sunset Nasrid Palace slot if you can - the late-afternoon light turns the muqarnas honey-coloured and the Alcazaba views over the Albaicín are at their best around 19:00 in summer or 17:00 in winter.