Do you want to book Alhambra tour from Malaga?
In that case, you are at the right place!
In this article, I will recommend the most popular tour option to Alhambra from Malaga, together with local expert tips & insights.
As I live next to Malaga myself, and visited Alhambra already twice, this article will give you first-hand the most accurate information for planning your tour!
No time to read the article?
Below is the most popular option for Alhambra tour from Malaga, with over 300 glowing reviews and pick up in central Malaga.
ALHAMBRA TOUR FROM MALAGA
Top Pick for Alhambra Tour from Malaga
The Alhambra is the most visited UNESCO World Heritage site in Southern Spain.
If you want to relive the tales of the Alhambra with a local guide, without joining long lines of people queuing up, booking this Granada day trip with a local company is the best idea.
There are a number of local companies offering Alhambra tours from Malaga. Most of these trips have roughly the same duration and benefits, but they vary a lot in the traveller reviews and prices.
I checked all the available options for you, so you don’t have to waste your own time doing the research.
The tour I recommend has the best reviews, is the most visited one, and has a flexible cancellation policy together with the best price.
You can check the details by clicking the button below, or read on to find out more about it.
Tour Advantages
Booking your tour online has a lot of advantages, including comparing prices, duration and trip specs.
Most importantly, you can review the experience of other travellers with the same company. I have added one of these verified reviews below.
Other benefits of using this tour operator:
- Flexible cancellation policy (up to 24 hours before for 60% refund)
- 10-hour trip duration – perfect for a day trip
- Skip the Line Tickets to Alhambra included in the price (Nasrid Palaces, Charles V Palace, Generalife Gardens & Alcazaba Fortress)
- English speaking official guide
- Travel in a comfortable air-conditioned bus
- Free time in Granada to explore on your own
- Pick up and drop off in central Malaga
Tour Reviews
Here is one of the latest verified reviews from the tour company providing this tour.
We had a brilliant day in Granada and Alhambra. The whole trip was well organised and we really enjoyed it. Alhambra is stunning, and I’d recommend it to anyone. To get to go to Granada was an added bonus. It really took the stress out of the day not to worry about how to get there or parking etc. Our guide was informative and gave us lots of information about the area and the history. The Alhambra guide was equally knowledgeable, and passionate about the place.
Your Itinerary
Pick up Location
There are two pick up locations for this trip in Malaga, depending on which trip you booked. You can get a tour with access to public parts of Alhambra, or a tour that includes entrance to the Palaces.
You need to select the ‘Pick up from Malaga City Center with Nasrid Palace Entry‘, which is the ticket that includes entrance to Alhambra palaces. This tour has a number of pick up locations on Costa del Sol, with Malaga being the last one.
The pick up location for this trip is at bus stop next to Caixa Bank at Av. Andalucia 10 in the direction of Malaga Airport. You will receive detailed pick up instructions in your email confirmation.
Transport
You will travel to Granada in an air-conditioned bus, where you will also receive a free bottle of water. The estimated travel time is between 1hr to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic.
Free Time in Granada
You will get 2 hours of free time in Granada city center, to explore on your own. Here are some suggestions on what you could explore in your free time:
- take a stroll in Paseo de los Tristes with Alhambra views
- admire the gardens at Carmen de los Martires (close to Alhambra)
- explore the maze of tiny streets in the old town – Albaicin
- venture out to Sacromonte to discover cave houses
- visit Granada Cathedral
- enjoy tapas or lunch in one of Granada’s restaurants
- visit Sacromonte Abbey with underground church
- visit Granada’s oldest and best preserved Arab baths El Banuelo
- visit the glorious Basilica San Juan de Dios
Alhambra Tour
The tour of Alhambra will take about 3 hours, and you will have an English-speaking guide available. You will see both the Nasrid Palace and also Generalife Gardens as part of your tour.
Is it Sold out?
The recommended tour linked above only runs twice a week, and there is a great demand of tickets available in general.
In case you are out of luck and it’s sold out, here are some alternative options available:
ALHAMBRA TOUR FROM MALAGA
Other Alhambra Tours from Malaga
In some cases, travellers are looking for very specific tour options from Malaga, which I list below.
Bus Tour from Malaga to Alhambra
All of the Alhambra tours from Malaga are bus tours. Unless you choose a private tour, which I linked below, all the tour operators available use modern air-conditioned buses or mini buses.
The journey with bus will take between 1hr to 1.5 hours depending on the traffic, and most of the buses also have a toilet available.
Best Private Alhambra Tour from Malaga
In case you’re looking for the best private tour of Alhambra and Granada, without the crowds, I have the perfect option for you too!
The private tour I recommend has a hotel pick up included, and English speaking guide not just for Alhambra, but also to show you the best parts of Granada.
The tour linked below has a free cancellation option, skip the line tickets included and also a reserve now and pay later option.
Check out the availability and prices by clicking the button below.
Alhambra Tours from Malaga Cruise Port
If you’re looking to book a tour from the cruise port, there are no options available, unless you book them with your cruise company as a shore excursion (presuming you’re arriving on a cruise ship).
Your best option is to book this tour with an independent tour operator, and get a local taxi or uber to the pick up location in central Malaga. This would only take about 10 minutes and cost a few euros.
I linked the most popular tour option below.
ALHAMBRA TOUR FROM MALAGA
Tips for Alhambra Visit from Local Expert
Here are some practical tips that will ensure you will have a fabulous day on your tour of Alhambra!
Alhambra Tickets
It is absolutely essential to book this day tour as soon as possible, ideally same time as you confirm your stay in Malaga. This is the most popular tour from Malaga (together with Caminito del Rey) and it sells out weeks in advance.
The day trip option I linked above runs ONLY twice a week, so check your dates early enough to ensure you can get a spot as tickets sell out pretty fast, especially in the summer months.
For the booking, you will need to provide details for the travellers including their date of birth and passport number – the tickets are issued as personal ones and checked against the ID at the entrance, don’t forget to bring your ID with you for this trip.
What to wear in Alhambra
Wear comfortable shoes for exploring Alhambra and the gardens, the complex is pretty big.
Take water with you to keep hydrated, especially in the summer months. There are some vending machines between the Nasrid palace entrance and the Alcazaba courtyard, that’s where the toilets also are.
Alhambra Restrictions
No food is allowed inside the complex, you can have a snack in the courtyard between the Charles V palace and Alcazaba, there is also a small kiosk to buy coffee, drinks and snacks.
No backpacks are allowed inside the Alhambra complex (bigger than 40×40 cm), there are lockers near the vending machines but the number of available ones is pretty limited – please keep this in mind.
Baby prams are also not allowed inside the complex, you will have to leave them in the luggage storage room. Take a baby carrier with you if you’re coming with a baby.
ALHAMBRA TOUR FROM MALAGA
Frequent Questions About This Tour
Is a guided tour of Alhambra worth it?
A guided tour of Alhambra is certainly a good idea, and the best way to absorb the beauty of the Alhambra while learning about its history.
You can get a tour guide provided by the monument, but its best to book a dedicated tour online.
Can I just turn up to Alhambra?
You cannot just turn up to the Alhambra. The famous Alhambra is the most visited monument in Andalusia. Entrance tickets usually sell out weeks in advance.
If you want to visit the Alhambra monument, you need to book your tickets in advance, usually a few weeks. There is also a restriction of the number of visitors that can enter the Nasrid palace for a particular hour, which makes it even more important to get your tickets early enough, so you don’t miss out.
You can visit the complex as part of guided tour of the Alhambra, or purchase individual tickets and visit without an organised tour and tour guide.
Certain parts of the complex are free to visit during the opening hours, for example the Palace of Charles V (Palace of Carlos V), and the courtyard with spectacular views of Granada located between the Nasrid Palace and the Alcazaba fortress.
Is there a dress code for Alhambra?
There is no dress code for Alhambra. The monumental complex of the Alhambra is not a religious site, so no dress code rules apply for the visit. You should keep in mind that it takes a few hours to explore and you might spend a lot of time in the sun, so dress accordingly.
What is the best time to enter the Alhambra?
The best time to enter the Alhambra is in the morning hours when there are not that many visitors. If you can, get the first available tickets for the day. The entrance to the Nasrid Palace has a dedicated time slot, the rest of the monument can be explored at your own leisure and without a set time.
Do I need to book Alhambra in advance?
Yes, you need to book Alhambra in advance. It’s the most visited monument in Southern Spain, and tickets sell out weeks in advance. Advance booking is highly recommended, especially if you’re visiting in the summer months. You can get your tickets to the monument here.
How long does it take to walk through Alhambra?
To walk through Alhambra, you should reserve at least 3 hours in total. This will allow you to explore both the historic Palaces, and also the beautiful exotic gardens in Generalife at a leisure pace.
Can I bring a water bottle into the Alhambra?
Yes, you can bring a water bottle into the Alhambra. But consuming food and drinks inside the palace is not allowed.
Can I wear shorts in Alhambra?
Yes, you can wear shorts in Alhambra.
Can I leave Alhambra and come back?
No, you cannot leave Alhambra and come back. The tickets are one-off entry and once you leave, you cannot reenter. The Nasrid Palace has a dedicated time slot for entry, and they will only allow you in during your dedicated time slot.
Can you take pictures at Alhambra?
Yes, you can take pictures at Alhambra, but flash photography or use of tripods is not allowed.
Final Thoughts
I hope this article answered all the questions you might have about booking Alhambra tour from Malaga. In case there is something that was not covered above, feel free to leave a comment below the article and I will be happy to answer it!
Before you go, I also recommend checking other popular day tours from Malaga that you might like – check below.
Day Tours from Malaga You May Like
Day Trip To Gibraltar From Malaga: Book Online (With Local Tips)
Malaga To Ronda Day Trip: Book Online With Local Tips (2023)
Caminito Del Rey Day Trip From Malaga: Book Online (2023 Insider Tips)
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – if you decide to book using one of the links, I will earn a small commission that helps me run this site. This is at no extra cost to you.
