Home > Granada > Private Tour: Alhambra and Generalife
USD $77.00
Private Tour: Alhambra and Generalife
Granada, Spain
Skip past the Alhambra’s long entrance lines with your private guide and explore this incredible palace complex! Including priority access, this private tour ensures you’ll see the best of Granada’s premier UNESCO World Heritage Site with ease. Tour all the must-visit Alhambra highlights like Alcazaba Fortress, the Nasrid Palaces and Generalife Gardens, while learning about its Moorish history.
Visit the Alhambra – Granada’s most famous monument – with your friendly private guide. Skip past the long entrance lines with your priority access ticket and head straight inside to start your tour.
The UNESCO-listed palace complex is thought to have originated as a fortress in the 9th century, and then expanded with opulent palaces, vast courtyards and lavish gardens added during the following centuries. Learn all the Alhambra’s intriguing history from your guide while exploring its delights, hearing tales and trivia about the Moorish Kings and sultans who once called the place their home.
Visit Alcazaba Fortress (the complex’s oldest part) and see Torre de la Vela – the tower that is most associated with Alhambra. Views from here are spectacular and on clear days you can easily pick out parts of Granada like Mirador de San Nicolas.
Walk through the Alhambra’s most important halls and courtyards including the Nasrid Palaces, Myrtle Courtyard (Patio de los Arrayanes), and the Ambassador’s Hall (Salon de Embajadores). Admire the contrasting Renaissance architecture of the Palace of Charles V with the rest of Alhambra’s rich Moorish architecture and décor, and take a peek at the Royal Baths.
Before your tour ends, your private guide will show you around Generalife Gardens, where the Spanish rulers of bygone days went to relax. Stroll through two of its beautiful courtyards – Patio de la Acequia and Patio de la Sultana – and admire the decadent flower beds and colorful plants that comprise these spectacular gardens. At the end of your tour, your private guide will drop you back at the original departure point.
Advance bookings are strongly recommended, as access to the Alhambra is strictly limited to a certain number of visitors each day.
We had a lovely tour guide called Conchi who made the tour interesting and fun. The Alhambra and Generlife is a must see and we are so glad we booked a private tour because as a party of 4 we were able to hear and see what was going on and it felt more personal. It is one of the few tours I would actually do again, the Alhambra itself is breath-taking.
Review by: Azmommadog, October 2017
Antonio provided insightful historic commentary for a delightful 4 hour tour. We learned so much while being mesmerized by one spectacular scene after another. He took photos of the four of us and we enjoyed seeing the shots he took himself. We appreciated visiting the Generalife in the cool morning and we enjoyed bypassing the lines as we moved from the gardens into the Alhambra. We all appreciated learning about the ingenuity of the design of the Alhambra and the significance of all of the water features. We all highly recommend taking the private tour as it gave us a very special memory of one of the most beautiful places in the world. We booked the tour over a month in advance we had heard that tickets sold out for any of the tours and it was true.
Review by: Susanne H, October 2017
To really appreciate the history and symbolism of this remarkable place, the extravagance of a private tour with your own guide is truly justified. Our guide, Beatriz Arenas, met us at the office just outside the Alhambra and whisked us through into the Generalife and thence to the Alhambra complex. Bea told us it had been her childhood dream to work there and now she is living that dream and, through her passion for and knowledge of Spain's Moorish past, brings history to life for her visitors. She was very patient with our non-stop questions and had an answer for everything. A delightful companion on our tour, which was over all too soon.
Review by: Gerald S, October 2017
We enjoyed an excellent guided tour of the Alhambra with Marie-Pax. She showed us every aspect of the Palace and explained every_br/_ detail of the decoration of each building. The tour took 5 hours and we covered 6 kms during that time. Our guide was very knowledgeable and willingly provided all the answers to our questions. We had booked a private tour for 4 people and with this there was no queue or waiting, we went straight in with our guide who was waiting for us at the visitor's entrance. Otherwise the queue waiting to buy entrance tickets was very long. The gardens which are part of the Alhambra grounds are kept well tended by 600 gardeners. There are many gardens to visit, some with fountains and long lengths of water reflecting the blooms on either side._br/_ We had a memorable visit and are so glad to have had the opportunity to experience the Alhambra for ourselves.
Review by: Jerzy R, October 2017
Wow! Private tour was the way to see Alhambra. We booked through Viator in Canada and we didnt have any issues. Our knowledgeable and handsome guide, Asier, was an excellent story teller providing us with a wealth of information on history, architecture, and life in Alhambra. The tour was surprisingly very relaxing, not rushed, and super enjoyable. Thank you for making it an unforgettable experience!_br/_ Eskerrik asko_br/_ Jerry and Dorota from Canada and Iwona from Poland
Review by: William S M, October 2017
This was my second trip to the Alhambra and Generalife did the skip the line tour last summer. Have to say that the private tour was even better than I expected! My family and I thought it was amazing with the more in-depth knowledge and information that our guide provided. Antonio was the perfect host who - he made us feel like close friends and treated us like royalty! I will be back in the future and it will always be via the private tour.
Review by: Judith F D, October 2017
Outstanding!!! The Alhambra is such a sublime place - how could you not love it? Our guide was the best - so knowledgeable and communicative. He clearly loves the place and wants to share his feeling with visitors.
Review by: Bruce J, September 2017
Our tour with Gustavo was fantastic. His knowledge and passion about the Alhambra made the tour very enjoyable. Highly recommended.
Review by: Marilou R, September 2017
Our guide , Blanca, was incredibly good! Her English and her knowledge of Alhambra and its history was outstanding. She was also very personable and attractive. Well worth the money for a private tour!!!
Review by: Barry C, September 2017
An o.k. tour only. The guide appeared knowledgeable but I was expecting the Alhambra to be more spectacular than it was. Maybe our group has seen too many other places that are more interesting although the Moorish designs are quite different to anything seen elsewhere. Tour very expensive for a small group of 4.
Review by: Kelvin B, September 2017
This tour was fantastic and worth every dollar. We took a private tour and Sergio was our guide. He conducted this tour with enthusiasm and a fantastic knowledge. The tour was undertaken at our pace, that is, we could look, linger, ask questions and take photographs at a comfortable pace. Sergio was extremely accommodating and happy to answer all of our questions. Even the more technical and obscure questions my husband can often pose. An astonishingly beautiful place, made all the better by our guide. I can't praise him enough. Hint: go early in the morning to avoid the intense heat.
Review by: Farid A, August 2017
Jeny is a perfect guide. My wife was pregnant, Jeny adapted to our speed, explained everything and answered to our questions.
Review by: Absar A, August 2017
We cannot say more about the wonderful experience we had during our private guided tour of the Alhambra and Generalife. We had travelled a long way to see the Alhambra we reside in the US but had come to Andalusia from South Asia, and the private guided tour was perfect for us. Our guide, Beatriz Arenas, is incredibly knowledgeable of the Alhambra and its history, and is continually trying to expand upon her knowledge base, be it from spending time with the archaeologists, or learning from some of the gardeners who have taken care of the Generalife for generations. The dedication is admirable and it shows. She was also very patient, answered all of our questions, and knew the best places to take pictures. This tour and the Alhambra was the highlight of our trip to Andalusia and was well worth the money. If you can, request Beatriz Arenas for your guide, you will not be disappointed!
Review by: Jean P, August 2017
The Alhambra was a fantastic experience and we were very pleased we had booked a personal tour. Our children are 13, 11 and 8 and we were enormously impressed with our guide Beatrice who was able to keep their interest alive throughout the 3 hour tour! We were able to move more or less at our own pace, covered a lot of ground and at the end were happy to have seen the most interesting parts of the palaces and grounds. I would certainly recommend spending a bit extra on the personal tour in a place like Alhambra because there is so much to see and so many other people in the way!! :-
Review by: Michael I, July 2017
Our guide, Eduardo, was fantastic. His knowledge of the history and culture really enhanced our tour. Without his knowledge, we would just be looking at incredible buildings with no context or historical meaning. Eduardo pointed out the room inside the Palace of Nasarid where Columbus first requested financing from Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand for his voyage west. The Alhambra itself is an amazing place and a must see. The artwork, ceramics and carvings were stunning and very much a lost art today. We highly recommend this tour and it's worth the price. Go early the height of summer, as Granada was very hot, 113 degrees by late afternoon.
Review by: Jody M, July 2017
Though I initially hesitated to indulge in a private tour, it was absolutely worth it. Our guide, Gustavo, was tremendously knowledgeable and amazingly entertaining. The history and beauty of the Alhambra left both my daughter and I speechless. As we wandered through the buildings and grounds, Gustavo was able to relate the various areas to the history and to each other. This was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences I dream of repeating one day.
Review by: Jeffrey B, July 2017
Sergio was an outstanding tour guide. During our private tour he gave a wide range of historical, natural and social information, and has a great sense of humor. The pace was perfect for a long tour.
Review by: fong928, June 2017
Very good guide who spent more than allocated time with us.
Review by: Margot J B, June 2017
My husband and I visited the Alhambra and Generalife with our two young adult children and their significant others on May 1, 2017. While the tour seemed expensive at the time I booked it well in advance of our visit, it was worth every last penny! We met our tour guide Gus pronounced goose in English at the Viator office close to the entrance. We were a bit early after driving to Granada from Nerja and were pleased to find a little restaurant right by the Viator check in desk where we were able to grab a quick bite before the tour started. Gus was right on time and very personable and easy to understand. We breezed right by the long lines to get in and continued to feel like we had the place to ourselves. Gus knew where to go and when to avoid the crowds and get the best photos, etc. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the history of the site, offering interesting related stories as we went along. He had a great sense of humor and fielded our many questions like the pro he is. Although we kept a brisk pace, we never felt rushed. When the tour concluded, he even tried to help us get a table at the restaurant on site. In the end, we ate on the outside patio which we liked better by far anyway. After the tour, we walked down into the Albaicin to explore and shop a while and then headed up the hill for dinner close to the Mirador de San Nicolas with a spectacular view of the Alhambra. After dinner, we took a taxi back up to our car still parked in the Alhambra parking lot for a minimal fee. It was a fantastic day! I highly recommend the private tour and Gus in particular!
Review by: worldromancers, June 2017
The private tour was great and Andy was an incredibly knowledgeable guide.
Review by: Miguel B, June 2017
This tour was amazing!
Review by: Rahim K, June 2017
Expensive, but SO worth it. Sergio is a fantastic guide- very knowledgeable, kept a good pace throughout the tour and just a lovely fellow. Good idea to book early!
Review by: Cherry C, June 2017
The tour was well organized and very interesting. Our tour guide Blanca was very well informed and educative. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Would recommend it anyone interested in history. We saw other castles and cathedrals on our known but the Alhambra experience was the best secondary to the guidance and information provided by Blanca. Definitely worth the money.
Review by: Helmut S, June 2017
This was the absolut highlight of our Spain trip. Reservation and bookings with Viator were convenient and efficient. Our private tour guide was Mr. Kastill-Lopez, a most pleasant, knowledgable, charming man who transported us into the times of the moorish civilization. He gave us more than the contracted time, responding generously to all our questions, showing a wide and deep interest in this aera. He knew how to get us away from the crowds and give us an opportunity to have privacy and time for contemplation.On his recommendation we had lunch after the tour at the Parador at the Alhambra and savoured their 'Nasrid' sample menu - what a beautiful complement to the visual and historic impressions. I can highly recommend a tour with Viator and Kastill-Lopez.
Review by: Tolly G, May 2017
Admittedly we splashed to on a private tour because we were disorganised and had missed out on tickets the day we were in Granada but my goodness what a treat it was! Our guide Sergio was impeccable polite, funny, engaging and with a background in history, art history and studying Arabic he took us a journey we did not expect to experience. Sergio brought the Alhambra to life. Easily the best tour we have had anywhere.
Review by: Carla F, April 2017
Excellent tour and a must-see if you are visiting near Granada. Im so glad we chose to tour Alhambra with a private guide as it can get very busy and a guide is the best way to navigate the crowds while learning about the rich history. We met our guide Natalia at the welcome center which was a short walk across the street at a cafe where we could grab a bite before the tour. Natalia was incredibly knowledgeable and very friendly. She was very patient and answered all of our questions, and filled our time with interesting stories about the palace and its occupants, and history of the time period. She also provided tips on how to get the best photos as we maneuvered through the palace and gardens. At the conclusion of the tour, Natalia was gracious enough to give us directions to town where we could find great restaurants and shops. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes as youll be doing a lot of walking.
Review by: Travis F, April 2017
What a fantastic tour! Our guide, Gus was excellent. His knowledge and passion for the Alhambra and it's history was second to none. This is the way to go to see the Alhambra while being able to enjoy hearing about the various palaces and history. Having a small private group we were able to quickly navigate around the large groups.
Review by: Bridget D, April 2017
This was a wonderful experience. Our guide, Tarek, was knowledgeable and warm. He brought the Alhambra to life with his stories and wisdom. Without his guidance, our visit would not have been so meaningful. He expertly moved us through large groups of tourists and took his time answering our questions and explaining the site. Thank you, Tarek. Our day at the Alhambra is a treasured memory.
Review by: Adrienne M, March 2017
We had a super knowledgeable guide, Eduardo. It was just a little difficult to understand his English, but we got most of it. There is so much to see and so much history, a good guide is key. Plan 5 hours here._br/_ We had our lunch outside on the terrace of the Parador. Amazing views and nice menu
Review by: Denise M S, February 2017
Excellent!
Review by: Shaun E, January 2017
We highly recommend this tour! We learned so much and enjoyed how quiet the palaces were in the morning. The communication about where to meet and how the tour would proceed was very clear.
Review by: CHARISSE D, October 2016
Our tour was great! Enrique did not disappoint!
Review by: Cynthia M. K, October 2016
Excellent private guided tour. Alberto was knowledgeable, friendly and ez to be with. Highly recommend doing the Alhambra this way...we learned so much!
Review by: Mary C M, October 2016
Given the crowds at the Alhambra, having a tour guide is a practical necessity to get you through lines and to the best locations. And it definitely improves the experience to understand the history and art on the site, especially for those who are unfamiliar with Spanish history.
Review by: Cindy H, October 2016
Great tour guide. Not to miss experience!
Review by: Rita P, October 2016
From pick up to drop off, everything about the tour was first rate. Our guide, Sergio, was very knowledgeable as well as entertaining.
Review by: Karen J, October 2016
Our tour guide Marina was fabulous- very knowledgable, relaxed, and truly seemed to enjoy sharing the history of this amazing place. We were a small group of six which made it very special. Highly recommend this rather than a large tour group.
Review by: Sarah R, October 2016
We had a great tour and a wonderful guide. He was knowledgable and made sure we kept to our schedule so that we didn't miss our entrance time.
Review by: fritzibear, September 2016
Our guide was Gustavo and he was witty, funny, personable and knowledgeable. We were a group of 4 and we can't say enough good things about this tour and our guide. We learned about spanish history, the history of Granada, and of course saw the beautiful palaces and the Generalife. I highly recommend this tour!
Review by: Aysha A, September 2016
The guide was excellent and knowledgable. He shared very interesting information about alhambra. The tour was just a success.
Review by: Steven J, September 2016
When I booked this trip I was a frustrated as I was unable to obtain individual tickets for touring the Alhambra and purchasing the private tour was quite a bit more expensive. However, afterwords I feel that I lucked into the a good thing. The guide assisted in getting a wheel chair for my 80year old mother in law and was extremely patient with our subsequent slow speed of the tour. Also we learned so much more from the private tour guide, who provided answers to all our questions. Fantastic time!!!
Review by: Monica K, September 2016
Excellent tour. Bea clearly knows and loves the Alhambra and Generalife. What beautiful, magical place to visit would highly recommend it.
Review by: Waqar T, August 2016
The tour was a little expensive. However, the tour guide was very knowledgeable and very good.
Review by: Ghanem A, August 2016
The private tour excelled on being informational and helpful. Many small but important details would have been glossed over if not for the guide pointing them out for us. It is obvious that the guide is very well informed, and very educated in this field, and we had a blast learning about the history of Alhambra and how it came to be.
Review by: Carol Ann, August 2016
You can't go to Granada without seeing the Alhambra. The tour company's meeting point is up the hill and a set of steps from the main entrance and the guards there can point you in the right direction. Our guide was pleasant and had many tales as you would expect. He was pleasant and considerate. My last visit was 44 years ago and the gardens are vastly improved.
Review by: Ian V, July 2016
The best tour I have ever been on ! The Alhambra is enchanting but with the Guide we had - Gustavo , it came alive ! Our guide had extensive knowledge which he shared in an easy and enjoyable way , his demeanor was really professional yet warm and easy , he invited questions and frankly made what could have been a stodgy walk into an exhilarating , enjoyable experience. This trip was absolutely worth every penny and we could not recommend more highly. Our guide met us early , helped us find coffee it was before 8 ! and then took us on our tour. Thank you we hope to visit Granada again.
Review by: William B T, July 2016
Blanca was great - her knowledge of history and the structure really made the visit worth every penny!
Review by: jan k, July 2016
This was an amazing tour and we had a great guide.
Review by: David A G, July 2016
Beautiful, historical place. Cannot be missed.
Review by: Linda R, July 2016
Well worth a private tour to find out about this stunning palace and gardens. No waiting in line to get tickets etc and would not have learned about the history
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