Palace of Charles V (Palacio de Carlos V) Tours
During a visit to Granada in 1526, King Charles V (Carlos V) chose the Alhambra as the site of his future royal residence. The Palace of Charles V (Palacio de Caros V) stands in stark contrast to the style of the surrounding Moorish Alhambra. It is notable for its 2-level columned circular courtyard and surrounding square structure.
The Basics
The Palace of Carlos V is home to two notable Granada museums: the Museum of the Alhambra (Museo de la Alhambra) and the Fine Arts Museum (Museo Bellas Artes). Both charge an entrance fee for non-European visitors, but the palace itself is free to enter from the Puerta de la Justicia to the south of the Alhambra. Many guided tours of the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens, including those with skip-the-line access, include a visit to the Charles V Palace, where you can learn more about the eccentric monarch.
Things to Know Before You Go
How to Get There
The Palace of Carlos V is located in the historic city center of Granada within easy walking distance of many nearby attractions. Many guided tours of the Alhambra that also include the palace offer round-trip transportation from Granada hotels.
When to Get There
The Palace of Charles V is open daily throughout the year; its hours are similar to those at the Alhambra. If you visit in summer, come first thing in the morning to avoid the biggest crowds.
The Symbolism of the Palace
When King Carlos decided to build a residence in Granada, he had no intention of establishing a capital in the city. The move was more symbolic; building a palace for Catholic monarchs on the grounds of a Muslim citadel was a symbol of the triumph of Christianity over Islam in this region.
The Basics
The Palace of Carlos V is home to two notable Granada museums: the Museum of the Alhambra (Museo de la Alhambra) and the Fine Arts Museum (Museo Bellas Artes). Both charge an entrance fee for non-European visitors, but the palace itself is free to enter from the Puerta de la Justicia to the south of the Alhambra. Many guided tours of the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens, including those with skip-the-line access, include a visit to the Charles V Palace, where you can learn more about the eccentric monarch.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Palace of Charles V is worth a visit for history and architecture buffs, as well as first-time visitors in Granada.
- Maximize your time at the palace and surrounding Alhambra with a skip-the-line tour.
- The palace isn’t wheelchair accessible; there are steps and steel slopes.
- Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking over uneven surfaces.
How to Get There
The Palace of Carlos V is located in the historic city center of Granada within easy walking distance of many nearby attractions. Many guided tours of the Alhambra that also include the palace offer round-trip transportation from Granada hotels.
When to Get There
The Palace of Charles V is open daily throughout the year; its hours are similar to those at the Alhambra. If you visit in summer, come first thing in the morning to avoid the biggest crowds.
The Symbolism of the Palace
When King Carlos decided to build a residence in Granada, he had no intention of establishing a capital in the city. The move was more symbolic; building a palace for Catholic monarchs on the grounds of a Muslim citadel was a symbol of the triumph of Christianity over Islam in this region.
Address: Calle Real de la Alhambra, Granada 18009, Spain
Admission: Varies
Admission Tickets (1)
Enjoy Granada: Alhambra, Flamenco Show and Walking tour Albaycin & Sacromonte
Experience the best of Granada with a combination package that includes skip-the-line admission to the Alhambra with audio-guide, a guided walking tour of the Albaycin and Sacromonte districts, and a flamenco show. Benefit from guaranteed tickets to the Alhambra’s main sections: the Alcazaba Fortress, Nasrid Palaces, and Generalife Gardens. Then take the guided walking tour in the early evening, which ends with entrance to the flamenco performance.
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From
$122.65
From
$122.65
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
61 Tours and Activities to Experience Palace of Charles V (Palacio de Carlos V)
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Enjoy Granada: Alhambra, Flamenco Show and Walking tour Albaycin & Sacromonte
Experience the best of Granada with a combination package that includes skip-the-line admission to the Alhambra with audio-guide, a guided walking tour of the Albaycin and Sacromonte districts, and a flamenco show. Benefit from guaranteed tickets to the Alhambra’s main sections: the Alcazaba Fortress, Nasrid Palaces, and Generalife Gardens. Then take the guided walking tour in the early evening, which ends with entrance to the flamenco performance.
…More
From
$122.65
From
$122.65
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Skip the Line: Alhambra and Generalife Gardens Half-Day Tour
Discover the imperial majesty of Granada’s Alhambra and its gorgeous Generalife Gardens on this walking tour. Sail past long lines at the entrance hall with an exclusive priority access pass, and then embark upon an enriching exploration of the palace complex. See the magnificent Moorish architecture of the Nasrid palaces and a gain a glimpse into the decadent sultans who once inhabited the opulent structure. Admire panoramic city vistas from a hilltop perch; stroll through the botanical beauty of the Generalife Gardens and enjoy convenient round-trip hotel transportation during this exciting excursion.
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From
$45.53
From
$45.53
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Skip The Line Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces Guided Tour
This tour is a great choice for travelers interested in historic sites. Save time waiting in long visitor lines with a skip-the-line entrance ticket to the stunning complex of Alhambra included. Explore the palace complex and Generalife with a guide, so you don’t get lost. Your guide enhances your day with stories about the history, art, culture, and mysteries of the palace and surrounding area.
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From
$60.71
Price varies by group size
From
$60.71
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Alhambra and Generalife Small-Group Guided Tour in Granada. Skip the line
Explore the crown jewel of medieval Granada on a tour of the Alhambra, and gain skip-the-line entry to the Moorish palace and fortress complex. Together with the Generalife gardens, they form a UNESCO World Heritage site. Learn about the Nasrid dynasty as well as Muslim, Jewish and Christian history during a walking tour with your informative guide.
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From
$48.57
$12.14 savings
From
$48.57
$12.14 savings
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Private Tour: Alhambra and Generalife Gardens, Nasrid Palaces, Skip the line.
Sail past long lines and crowded entrance halls on a private tour of Granada’s Alhambra Palace. Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, explore the majestic UNESCO World Heritage Site while enjoying priority access and insightful commentary. See historical highlights like the Alcazaba Fortress and the Nasrid Palaces, then stroll amid the botanical beauty of the Generalife Gardens. Select the option of hotel pickup and drop-off to enjoy convenient round-trip transportation.
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From
$80.53
Price varies by group size
From
$80.53
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Private 3-hour Tour to Alhambra & Nasrid Palace Tickets included
Visit Granada's top attraction, the Alhambra, while enjoying personalized attention and the ability to travel at your own pace. This private tour for up to 10 people gets you a dedicated guide that will lead you through the UNESCO World Heritage Site on foot, providing in-depth commentary and answering any questions you may have. Tickets to all the parts of the palace and the ability to skip the often-long ticket queues are included in this tour, saving you lots of time and giving you access to the entire place.
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From
$363.00
Price varies by group size
From
$363.00
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Alhambra: Nasrid Palaces & Generalife Ticket with Audioguide
Explore Nasrid Palaces, the Alhambra, and Generalife Gardens at your own pace on this audio-guided tour. Learn about Moorish history and the Nasrid Kingdom, the last Muslim dynasty on the Iberian Peninsula. Visit the Alhambra fortress, tour the royal palaces, and stroll the lush grounds of Generalife Gardens, a place of leisure for Granda’s rulers.
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From
$39.65
From
$39.65
Skip the Line: Alhambra Palace Tour with Generalife Gardens
Delve into the UNESCO-listed Alhambra and explore its chambers and gardens on this 2.5-hour guided tour. Skip the long entrance lines to Spain’s most visited monument, and stroll through the Nasrid Palaces and Charles V Palace as your guide shares tales of the buildings and the Moorish sultans who originally lived here. Plus, enjoy a walk around the Generalife Gardens, with their ponds, courtyards, and orchards.
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From
$68.14
From
$68.14
Alhambra and Generalife Private Guided Tour in Granada
Discover the legacy of Spain’s powerful Nasrid dynasty on a private tour of the UNESCO-listed Alhambra citadel and Generalife gardens in Granada. From Moorish sultans to Catholic kings, hear stories from the centuries of rulers who occupied this stunning royal complex and adjacent gardens while an official guide reveals the secrets behind their multicultural history and design.
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From
$173.45
Price varies by group size
From
$173.45
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Alhambra and Generalife tour in a small premium group
Take a guided tour through the beautiful Alhambra Palace and discover its rich history. Stroll through the corridors of this UNESCO-listed site and learn about the palace’s famous past residents before heading to the Nasrid Palace for a short, guided tour of the “Sultans Residence.” Skip the notoriously long lines of these landmarks with this tour and get some insider tips from your guide to round out your experience.
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From
$86.72
From
$86.72
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Private Official Guide to Visit Alhambra in Granada
Explore the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alhambra on private tour. Avoid the long lines and head straight into the complex with your tour guide. See the Alcazaba, La Qasba, the Nazaries Palaces, La Dar al-Mamlaka, and Generalife and learn about the rich history behind this Moorish structure. Customize the itinerary to your preferences and upgrade to include pickup from your hotel.
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From
$251.48
Price varies by group size
From
$251.48
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Alhambra and Generalife Skip-the-Line Ticket with Official Guide
Spend more time exploring the Alhambra instead of waiting to enter with this skip-the-line ticket and a guided tour. Hear live commentary from your guide during the 2.5-hour tour of the fortress and Generalife Gardens at Granada’s popular UNESCO World Heritage Site. Entry to Nasrid Palaces is not included.
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From
$43.36
From
$43.36
Gold Doubloon: Half-day private Alhambra Palace and Albaicin tour in Granada
The Alhambra Palace is Granada’s most visited attraction and it often has the queues to match. This private tour ensures skip-the-line access so you can spend more time exploring the UNESCO-listed monument, including a guided tour of the Alhambra and Nasrid Palace, followed by a walking tour of the historic Albaicin neighborhood.
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From
$297.34
Price varies by group size
From
$297.34
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Skip-the-Line: Alhambra Tour and Granada Hammam
Enjoy sightseeing and sublimity on a full-day tour of Granada’s alluring Alhambra palaces and the Arab baths. Sail straight past the long lines of the entrance hall with an Alhambra priority access pass, and then explore the vast courtyards and opulent chambers of the complex with a knowledgeable guide. Stroll amid the exotic flowers of the gorgeous Gerneralife Gardens then enjoy an afternoon of blissful indulgence in the Hammam Al Andalus, soothing your mind and body in the warming pools of the spa. Upgrade to include a relaxing massage during your time at the baths.
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From
$105.31
From
$105.31
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Skip-The-Line Alhambra and Generalife Expert Guided Tour
Skip the line for entrance tickets and spend more of your time exploring Spain's famed Alhambra Palace and Generalife gardens on this guided tour. Enjoy the privilege of priority entrance and be one of the first to enter the grounds and step back into Granada’s Muslim past whilst exploring the palace and fortress. Get insight into the gardens' features and a deeper look at the region’s history from your guide, before exploring farther independently.
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From
$61.95
From
$61.95
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Alhambra with Nasrid Palace guided tour
Welcome to the Alhambra! Join us to discover the most visited monument of Spain and one of the most beautiful ones in the world, an authentic palatial city where the emirs of the Nasrid Kingdom lived.
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From
$48.32
From
$48.32
Guided tour of the Alhambra: Generalife and its gardens
Enjoy skip-the-line access to the popular Alhambra fortress, Generalife Gardens, Charles V Palace and Alcazaba. Learn about the history of this UNESCO heritage site from your official guide.
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From
$33.45
From
$33.45
Alhambra and Generalife Premium-group Guided Tour
Learn about the history of Granada and its Islamic past on this exclusive guided walking tour. In groups no larger than 10 people, tour the grounds of Alhambra, a palatial fortress complex and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the architecture as you stroll through lush gardens and along elaborate stone pathways. Your guide is available to answer any questions you may have.
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From
$58.48
$14.62 savings
From
$58.48
$14.62 savings
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Gold Doubloons: The Alhambra and Palaces of the Albaicin. Half day tours
Follow in the footsteps of sultans and Romantic poets on a guided tour of the Alhambra citadel and the palaces of Granada’s ancient Albaicín quarter, both declared UNESCO World Heritage sites. Hear the legends of Moorish Spain as you explore the ornate gardens and royal quarters of the hilltop Alhambra, and feel history come alive while wandering through the winding streets and Nasrid dynasty palaces of the city’s oldest neighborhood.
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From
$92.92
From
$92.92
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Alhambra Nasrid Palaces. Night tour
At night, The Alhambra in Granada illuminates majestically. See the Moorish fortress at its most magical during an evening tour that includes a skip-the-line admission ticket. Opting for priority entry means you’ll save hours of waiting in line and get to exploring the complex, home to highlights such as the Nasrin Palace and the Generalise Gardens, without wasting time. Plus, headphones are included to ensure you hear guide commentary clearly.
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From
$42.12
From
$42.12
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
The Alhambra and Generalife - private tour
The Alhambra has some of the secrets of the unique Spanish-Muslim culture that lasted for over 700 years hidden away inside. You will not be able to explore these charms anywhere else in the world.
A stunningly well-preserved complex of Medieval palaces where it is still possible to feel the presence of its previous oweners. The paradise-like gardens are only a few of the gems that await you in the unique setting.
Find out more about the plots and intirgues that provoked the failure of the Moorish Kingdom of Granada when faced with a Christian assault. Submerge yourself in the history of the last Moorish kingdom in Western Europe and live your own experience!
…More
From
$167.25
Price varies by group size
From
$167.25
Price varies by group size
Alhambra Small Group Tour with Skip-the-line-tickets
Submerge yourself in the history of the last Moorish kingdom in Western Europe. The Alhambra has some of the secrets of the unique Spanish-Muslim culture that lasted for over 700 years hidden away inside. You will not be able to explore these charms anywhere else in the world.
A stunningly well-preserved complex of Medieval palaces where it is still possible to feel the presence of its previous oweners. The paradise-like gardens are only a few of the gems that await you in the unique setting.
Find out more about the plots and intirgues that provoked the failure of the Moorish Kingdom of Granada when faced with a Christian assault.
This is a small group tour for up to 15 participants.
…More
From
$111.50
From
$111.50
Alhambra Private Tour from Sierra Nevada: transport and skip-the-line-tickets
Submerge yourself in the history of the last Moorish kingdom in Western Europe. The Alhambra has some of the secrets of the unique Spanish-Muslim culture that lasted for over 700 years hidden away inside. You will not be able to explore these charms anywhere else in the world.
A stunningly well-preserved complex of Medieval palaces where it is still possible to feel the presence of its previous oweners. The paradise-like gardens are only a few of the gems that await you in the unique setting.
Find out more about the plots and intirgues that provoked the failure of the Moorish Kingdom of Granada when faced with a Christian assault.
Enjoy your private vehicle with your personal driver that will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to the Alhambra where you will meet your guide. After your private visit in Alhambra the driver will take you back to your place.
…More
From
$272.56
Price varies by group size
From
$272.56
Price varies by group size
Alhambra Semi-Private Tour with Skip-the-line-tickets
Submerge yourself in the history of the last Moorish kingdom in Western Europe. The Alhambra has some of the secrets of the unique Spanish-Muslim culture that lasted for over 700 years hidden away inside. You will not be able to explore these charms anywhere else in the world.
A stunningly well-preserved complex of Medieval palaces where it is still possible to feel the presence of its previous oweners. The paradise-like gardens are only a few of the gems that await you in the unique setting.
Find out more about the plots and intirgues that provoked the failure of the Moorish Kingdom of Granada when faced with a Christian assault.
This is a semi-private tour for up to 10 participants.
…More
From
$111.50
From
$111.50
Alhambra Private Tour with Pick Up Service and Tickets
Submerge yourself in the history of the last Moorish kingdom in Western Europe. The Alhambra has some of the secrets of the unique Spanish-Muslim culture that lasted for over 700 years hidden away inside. You will not be able to explore these charms anywhere else in the world.
A stunningly well-preserved complex of Medieval palaces where it is still possible to feel the presence of its previous oweners. The paradise-like gardens are only a few of the gems that await you in the unique setting.
Find out more about the plots and intirgues that provoked the failure of the Moorish Kingdom of Granada when faced with a Christian assault.
This is a private guided tour which means that there will be no other participants than just your family or friends. The guide will pick you up with your personal driver and car to drive you to Alhambra.
…More
From
$185.84
Price varies by group size
From
$185.84
Price varies by group size
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