The Alhambra was a palace, a citadel, a fortress and home of the Nasrid Sultans, high government officials, servants of the court and elite soldiers of the Nasrid Dynasty (1238-1492), the last Islamic sultanate in the lberian Peninsula. Together with the Mezquita (Great Mosque) of Cordoba, the Alhambra is one of the most widely known of all Islamic works of art.

The terrace or plateau where the Alhambra sits measures about 740 m (2430 ft) in length by 205 m (674 ft) at its greatest width. It extends from WNW to ESE and covers an area of about 142,000 m².

Its most westerly feature is the alcazaba (citadel); a strongly fortified position. The rest of the plateau comprises a number of palaces, enclosed by a relatively weak fortified wall, with thirteen towers, some defensive and some providing vistas for the inhabitants.

The river Darro passes through a ra vine on the north and divides the plateau from the Albaicín district of Granada. Similarly, the Assabica valley, containing the Alhambra Park on the west and south, and, beyond this valley, the almost parallel ridge of Monte Mauror, separate it from the Antequeruela district.

November to February	March to October
DayTime	DayTime
• Mon to Sun: from 8.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.	• Mon to Sun: from 8.30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Ticket office: from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.	• Ticket office: from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Evening	Evening
• Fri and Sat: from 8 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.	• Tue to Sat: from 10 p.m. to 11.30 p.m.
• Ticket office: 7.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.	• Ticket office: from 9.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.

• Daytime visit: 12.00 €
• Evening or Night time visit: 12.00 €
• Garden visit: 6.00 €
• Senior citizens (aged 65 years and over) and pensioners from the European   Union: 7.00 €. A justification of retirement must be presented.
• Children under 8 and disabled visitors: Free entry.