Visit the Heart of Alhambra | The Nasrid Palaces

The Nasrid Palaces are often the highlight of ones visit to Alhambra. A mansion built for the Spanish Muslim rulers, the Nasrid Palace is a breathtaking lounge to tranquilize the conscience. With its perfectly proportioned rooms and courtyards, its finely designed stucco walls and wooden ceilings, bright blue and yellow tiling ; it is an exquisite example of Moorish architecture and craftsmanship. While wandering about the quaint rooms, you'll instantly be transported to the days of Spanish royalty.

Being the most sought after section of the Alhambra Palaces, tickets to the Nasrid Palaces are highly controlled (and obviously really hard to get). You will be given a specific slot to enter and a minute's delay could soil your visit. However, once you're inside, you can spend as much time as you'd like.

To know more about planning your visit to the Nasrid Palaces, read on.

Nasrid Palaces Opening Hours

The Alhambra Palace is open every day of the year, except 25th of December and January 1st.
It is advisable to arrive atleast 30 minutes before the slot printed on your tickets. Since it is a popular attraction, long lines for entry is common. Only 300 people can enter the Nasrid Palaces every half an hour, so don’t miss out on your slot. It is also important to note that they are strict about timings. Hence no exceptions entertained. The last visit to the Nasrid Palaces will be one hour before the closing time.

Read our complete guide to scoring last-minute Alhambra Granada Tickets >>

Your Nasrid Palaces Experience

The Nasrid Palaces of Alhambra comprise of a series of lavish rooms and heavenly built courtyards. Make your way to the main visitor entrance to the Alhambra and set foot into the grandiose of Nasrid Palaces. Based on your preference you can enter the luxurious palaces either during the pleasant chirpy mornings or the sultry afternoons or during the moonlit night sky.

These heavenly palaces constitute of three different parts. Firstly, the El Mexuar which is the oldest hall served as a courtroom for meetings between the Council of Ministers. Secondly, the Palace of Comares where the king resided. The Courtyard of the Myrtles, the Hall of the Boat and the Hall of Ambassadors are found to be enclosed within this area. Lastly, the Palace of the Lions which is the main courtyard area.

Although the course usually takes less than an hour to cover, you can wander around the Moorish Palaces as long as you wish. The visit is also accessible for the physically disabled.

Highlights of the Nasrid Palaces

El Mexuar

A hall known as the Mexuar was restored by Muhammad V. This courtroom served as a meeting room for the Sura or Council of Ministers where they held their reunions when the Sultanate imparted justice. You can find four columns at the centre of this room embellished with muqarnas. The beautifully carved ceiling origins from the Christian period, decorated with paintings and gold motifs. The second floor of this courtroom is smaller in size and at the north endpoint is a courtyard that leads into the oratory.
During 1632, these rooms were converted into a Christian chapel and a choir was built by Emperor Carlos V.

Palace of Comares

Nestled in the Alhambra is the Palace of Comares, comprising of a collection of rooms in the vicinity of the Arrayanes Courtyard. You can find porticoed galleries on both ends of the palace. On the northern end, you can find the Embajadores Hall and the Barca Hall. In order to leave its visitors astonished, the decoration and construction were ordered to be extremely exquisite. This palace is the most important palace of Alhambra and the official residence of the Sultan.

Golden Room Courtyard

The Golden Room derives its name from the grotesques of the ceiling, which the Catholic Kings repainted in pure gold. The room opens into the courtyard through an arched portico with three arches. In the midst of the courtyard, is a magnificent fountain carved out in marble. A gate leads this royal courtyard with the Reja courtyard at one side.

Lion’s Palace

This palace comprised of private rooms which belonged to the royal family. Lion’s Palace is built at an angle between the Arrayanes Courtyard and the Baths. A central courtyard is found to be enclosed by several beautiful galleries which give access to different rooms. At the north of this courtyard, you can find the Ajimeces, the Dos Hermanas and the Mirador de Daraxa. On the east is the Reyes Hall, on the west is the Mocarabes Hall and on the south is the Harem and the Abencerrajes Hall.

Mirador de Daraxa

The Mirador de Daraxa is the part of the Dos Hermanas Hall which offers majestic views of the garden. From this part of the Palace, the whole city of Granada can be seen. It is intricately decorated and adorned with Arabic verses, and get mesmerized by its gigantic dome. From the Ajimeces Hall, lurk the path that leads you to the Mirador. Over the windows, the arch is decorated with muqarnas, which is carved with inscriptions of praise to God as poems on its doors.

Read our A-Z Guide on Visiting Alhambra Palace to plan your visit better.

Top Nasrid Palaces Tickets

Wondering which tickets work best to explore the Nasrid Palaces during your visit to the Alhambra? Check out these popular Alhambra Ticket options that often sell out weeks in advance!

Read more about the Top Alhambra Tours & Tickets to choose one that suits you and your budget best.

Getting to Nasrid Palaces Alhambra

• By Walk: If you are already in Granada, you could take a walk down Cuesta de Gomérez from Plaza Nueva. The 15 minutes pleasant walk takes you to the Gate of Justice after passing through the woods.
• By Bus: You can hop on a minibus from the centre of the Royal Catedral. Bus number 30 or 32 will also take you there.

Tips For Visiting The Nasrid Palaces Alhambra

• Make sure you arrive atleast 10 minutes prior to your slot to avoid last minute hassles. They are very stringent about the timings and arriving late could cost you your visit.
• It is mandatory to carry backpacks in the front or by hand. Only small backpacks are allowed in the palace premises.
• Strollers are not permitted inside the Nasrid Palace.
• Coin lockers are located at both entrance points.
• Enjoy a picnic with scenic views at appropriate spots with lavish fountains and birds chirping in the background.
• Nasrid palaces during the night time are highly recommended and require a separate ticket from the day admission tickets.
• Know beforehand which Alhambra entrance you need to enter from. The Gate of Justice is closer for those with Nasrid Palace online tickets.

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