How to Get to Alhambra Palace
The Alhambra Palace is situated on a hill overlooking Granada City.
There are three ways to get to Alhambra: by bus, by car and by foot.
While the bus is the cheapest one, a drive to the Palace is the flexible option.
And if you admire nature and the artistic beauty of the surroundings, it’s recommended to walk up to reach uphill.
Even though you can walk to Alhambra from Plaza Nueva, some prefer public transport.
How to Get to Alhambra By Bus
If you are in Granada, using the public bus is the cheapest and easiest way to reach Alhambra.
From the center of Granada City, Alhambra Palace is 2.5 km (1.5 miles).
If you are in Granada, you can board any of these buses:
The stops of bus numbers 30 and 32 have the following stops in the Alhambra complex:
- Entrance Pavillion (the Ticket Offices)
- The Tower of the Heads (Torre de las Cabezas) is near Charles V Palace and the Nasrid Palaces
- Gate of Justice (Puerta de la Justicia), closest to Alcazaba.
Every hour, at least two buses are frequently on routes so visitors won’t have to wait long.
One another best option you can get in the city is to take Uber to reach Alhambra.
If you book your ride from the city center, you can reach the fortress for around €5.
How to Get to Alhambra By Foot
If you want to enjoy the natural, artistic surroundings while taking in a lot of history, getting to Alhambra by walking is the best option.
There are two routes for getting to Alhambra Palace: Plaza Nueva Square and Cuesta de Gomerez.
- If you’re starting your journey from Plaza Nueva
- Walking Distance: 1.4 Km (1 Mile)
- Elevation Gained: 97 meters (320 feet)
- Duration: 21 minutes
- If you’re starting from Cuesta de Gomérez street
- Walking Distance: 850 meters (half a mile).
- Elevation Gained: 52 meters (170 feet)
- Duration: 13 minutes
Some visitors would even consider this walk a little ‘hike to Alhambra,’ but we recommend it only if you’re healthy enough. You should go for it.
How to get to Alhambra from Barcelona
Alhambra is about 875 km (543 miles) from Barcelona.
A direct flight from Barcelona, which will take around one and a half hours, is the fastest way to reach Granada.
The second best option is a train, which will take around six to seven hours.
If you like long drives, driving yourself can work as it takes a bit longer – around eight hours than the train.
Barcelona to Granada By Plane
Time: Around One and a half hours.
Direct airlines are available from Barcelona’s El Prat Airport (BCN) to Granada’s Federico García Lorca Airport (GRX).
Remember that El Prat Airport is approximately 10 miles from Barcelona’s city center, and traffic congestion is expected.
Upon arrival at GRX, it typically takes about 20 minutes by taxi to reach downtown Granada.
Once you arrive at Granada-Jaen Airport, you can take a taxi or bus to the Alhambra.
Barcelona to Granada By Train
Time: 6.25 hours
The train is the swiftest way to reach Granada from Barcelona.
The AVE high-speed train runs daily from Barcelona Sants station to Granada.
Departing early morning, the journey will take around six hours and 25 minutes, arriving just in time for Spanish lunch at 2 p.m.
Once you arrive at Granada station, you can take a taxi or bus to the Alhambra.
Tickets begin at €36 if bought promptly after release, typically around 90 days before your travel date.
Early booking is advisable as prices can surge to €142 or higher for one-way tickets if you delay.
Barcelona to Granada By Bus
Time: 12 to 14 hours
Buses are more time-consuming and expensive than other means.
Several bus companies offer direct service from Barcelona to Granada.
The ALSA company operates four buses daily from Barcelona to Granada.
The buses depart from Nord Station, stopping at either the Sant Station or the airport.
Once you arrive at the Granada bus station, you can take a bus or taxi to Alhambra.
The ticket will cost between €25 and €81.
Barcelona to Granada By Car
Time: Eight to nine hours.
Granada is around 850 km (528 miles) from Barcelona.
The most direct route is to take the AP-7 highway.
Once you arrive in Granada, follow the signs to the Alhambra.
Parking is available at the Alhambra but can be limited, especially during peak season.
Barcelona to Alhambra Map
Tips for getting to the Alhambra from Barcelona
- If you take the train or bus, purchase your tickets in advance.
- If you are driving, be aware that the tolls on the AP-7 highway can be expensive.
- If you are flying, be sure to factor in time for check-in and security.
- Once you arrive in Granada, allow plenty of time to get to the Alhambra. The Alhambra is located on a hill, and the walk from the city center can take up to 30 minutes.
How to get to Alhambra From Madrid
Madrid and Granada are pretty close destinations at approximately 418km (260 miles).
If you are short in time and want a quick way to reach, a direct 1.5-hour flight is best for you.
If you crave a relaxed and scenic trip, a 3.5-hour train ride is perfect and convenient for them.
For those who prefer more flexibility, booking a private driver or renting a car would be the best option.
There also are direct buses, but that will be the most time-consuming way.
We’ll explore the best ways to make this journey to improve your travel experience.
Getting to the Alhambra By Plane
Distance: 367 km (228 miles)
Time: 1.10 hrs
Flying is the fastest way to travel, and by booking tickets in advance, you can get your tickets at a similar price to train tickets.
34 direct flights fly daily from Madrid to Granada in a week.
During the lean period from March to June, the round-trip ticket cost €60. Whereas all other times of the year, the cost is around €81.
Nonstop flights to Granada’s domestic airport take only one hour, followed by a quick 20-minute taxi ride to the city center.
Getting to Alhambra By Train
Distance: 420 km (261 miles)
Time: Around 4.30 hours.
The train is the quickest and most convenient means of transport to reach Alhambra from Madrid.
The journey by train from Madrid to Granada is relatively short.
The two are connected by Spain’s high-speed AVE service at a distance of three and a half hours with a speed of 310 km per hour (193 miles per hour).
The train departs from Atocha station several times daily between 7:30 am and 7:30 pm, with limited stops before reaching Granada.
The train tickets range from €62 to €119.
Getting to Alhambra By Bus
Distance: 420 km (261 miles)
Time: Around 4.30 hours
For budget-conscious travelers, the bus is the better option, though it takes long.
The bus takes about an hour longer than the AVE trains, taking about four and a half hours to reach Granada.
ALSA offers services daily, allowing you to board a bus that works out for you.
Tickets usually cost €33 to €49 and are often sold online.
Getting to Alhambra By Car
Distance: 420 km (261 miles)
Time: 4.5 hours
A 420 km (261 miles) stretch from Madrid to Granada will take approximately four and a half hours of driving.
The route is relatively easy, mainly through the main R-4 and A-44 roads.
Though the driving time is almost the same as when taking a bus, it is more enjoyable and flexible.
You can also make stops at Toledo, the hilltop city famous for Arab, Jewish and Christian monuments and the Jaen for olive oil tasting with a visit to its eleventh-century bath house.
A road trip through this region will show a lot of medieval landmarks, cathedrals, castles, Renaissance architecture, picturesque plains, and much more, but only those willing to handle Madrid’s traffic.
How to Get to Alhambra From Malaga
Granada is only 135 kilometers (83 miles) from Malaga.
You can take a train or drive yourself and reach there in less than two hours or board a bus which will take only two hours.
Public transport is the most convenient and affordable way to get to Alhambra.
Many buses operate daily to Alhambra from Malaga, including the Avanza and Alsa buses.
Malaga to Alhambra By Bus
Traveling by bus is the most convenient way to get to Granada.
Several buses run from Malaga to Granada, with fast bus frequency, including Alsa and Avanza bus services.
One can also get a bus every hour or even more frequently, and the journey takes around two and a half hours.
The buses typically begin from Malaga’s main bus station, 10 minutes from the city center. And the ticket will cost between €15 to €20,
The bus is a good option if you are on a budget and do not mind spending some time on the road. However, it is important to note that the buses can be crowded, especially during peak tourist season.
Malaga to Alhambra By Train
If you are running short on time, then a train is the best option for you.
Take a high-speed AVE train with a stop at Loja, which will take about one hour and 10 minutes.
You can buy tickets online or at Malaga train station, which will cost approximately €36 for a single round trip.
After reaching the train station, follow the signs for the AVE platform. The trains are usually parked at the end of the station.
Up on reaching Granada station you can take a take a taxi, bus or can walk to the destination.
Ensure you carry your passport and ticket to produce them when the security guard asks for them.
Directions By Car
Granada is on the northeast of Malaga, and the route mostly follows the coastal route.
The ride will take no more than two hours.
- Take A7 west for 143 km (89 miles) until you pass by the town of Motril.
- Then, exit onto A44 and stay for another 55 km (34 miles).
- After that, take exit 128 into Granada following the signs towards the city center.
How to Get to Alhambra From Seville
Seville and Granada are approximately 249 km (155 miles) apart.
There are three ways to travel there- bus, train or car.
The train is the fastest way to get to Alhambra, following the bus is the cheapest, and the car is the flexible one.
Granada From Seville By Bus
A bus from Seville is the cheapest but slowest way to reach Alhambra.
The Alsa bus departs about ten buses daily from Seville’s central bus station (Plaza de Armas).
The ticket price ranges from around €12 for a one-way trip.
The buses start departing around 9 am till 8 pm and will take either two hours and 45 minutes or three hours and 15 minutes per the mode of connection selected.
If you are on a day trip, consider taking the first bus to Granada and the last bus back to Seville to ensure you have enough time to see the city.
Seville From Granada By Train
Taking a train is the most convenient option from Seville to Granada.
You can catch a regular train leaving Seville Santa Justa and arriving at Granada’s central train station.
The cost of the ticket starts from €20 and can rise based on factors like the day of the week, how early you book and the travel time.
It will take around two and a half hours or a bit longer, depending on which connection you take
Train Station in Seville
The train station of Seville is well-equipped with restaurants, cafes and shops.
The departure of the train from Seville station is from the lower floor, while the facilities are located on the upper floor.
Your tickets will be checked at the entrance of the train platform.
Seville to Granada Driving Directions
There are two driving routes for Granda from Seville.
Route A92: The route passes through Osuna town at A92 and proceeds through Norteh through Estepa town.
The drive will take two and a half hours, covering around 140 km (87 miles).
Find the more detailed directions below:
- Start in Seville and head south on the A-92.
- Take exit 53 for Osuna.
- Follow the signs for Osuna and enter the town.
- Continue through Osuna and follow the signs for A-92.
- Take exit 41 for Estepa.
- Follow the signs for Estepa and enter the town.
- Continue through Estepa and follow the signs for Granada.
- Take exit 139 for the Alhambra.
- Follow the signs for the Alhambra, and you will arrive at the main entrance.
Route E-92, E-5: This is similar to A- 92 route, but after Osuna, it goes through south.
This route is 20 minutes longer than A-92, covering 349 km (217 miles).
Book the Alhambra tour from Seville with transportation and explore all the attractions of the Palace along with Albaicin.
Explore Alhambra From Seville
Featured Image: Alhambra-Patronato.es