- Want to stand in the actual throne room where Christopher Columbus pitched his historic voyage to the Catholic Monarchs.
- Are chasing the ultimate, mirror-perfect photo of the Comares Tower reflecting across the Court of the Myrtles.
- Wish to marvel at the pinnacle of Islamic geometric art, tilework, and stalactite (muqarnas) stucco carving.
- Are on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Granada and want the complete, uncompromised Moorish palace experience.
Quick overview
- Access: Included in select Nasrid Palaces tickets only. Separate timed slot required.
- Price difference: Approx. €5–10 more than the general Alhambra grounds-only entry.
- Visit duration: 30–45 minutes, in addition to your overall Nasrid Palaces tour.
- Best time: First morning slot (8:30am) to avoid massive crowds and capture still reflections.
- Physical requirements: Flat, paved surfaces; fully wheelchair accessible.
Comares Palace access is not included in all general Alhambra tickets. Only specific ticket types that explicitly grant entry to the Nasrid Palaces allow you to enter this official royal residence. Entry is tightly restricted via a strict, pre-booked timed slot printed on your ticket. Missing this precise window means forfeiting access entirely. To secure your entry, ensure you book a comprehensive Nasrid Palaces ticket well in advance.
Things to know before booking
- Partial inclusion: Access to the Comares Palace is strictly limited. A standard Alhambra Gardens and Generalife ticket does not include the Nasrid Palaces, meaning you will be turned away at the palace gate.
- Strict timed slots: The time printed on your ticket is your explicit entry slot for the Nasrid Palaces complex (which includes Comares). If you miss this window by even five minutes, the staff will deny you entry.
- High sell-out risk: Because this is the crown jewel of the Alhambra, these specific tickets sell out several weeks, and sometimes months, in advance. Same-day walk-up tickets are practically non-existent.
- Layout and flow: The palace is experienced as part of a one-way visitor route through the Nasrid Palaces. You cannot backtrack into the rooms once you exit into the next courtyard.
- Pricing structure: Tickets including the Comares Palace and the rest of the Nasrid complex cost roughly €5–10 more than grounds-only tickets, representing an essential upgrade for first-time visitors.
Is it worth it?
Go for it if you
Skip it if you
- Only managed to book a last-minute general grounds ticket and cannot find any remaining Nasrid Palace slots.
- Are primarily interested in the fortress architecture (Alcazaba) and the open-air Generalife gardens.
- Have severe time constraints and can only spare an hour for a quick walk around the free public areas of the complex.
What you lose if you skip it: From the outside, the Comares Palace is hidden behind austere fortress walls. If you skip it, you miss the Hall of the Ambassadors—the physical and spiritual heart of Nasrid power. You will entirely miss out on seeing the breathtaking, 8,017-piece wooden ceiling that maps the seven heavens of Islamic cosmology. That specific architectural masterpiece cannot be replicated or viewed anywhere else in Europe.
Your ticket options explained
| Ticket type | No | General Grounds Access | Additional Features | Why Go For It |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Alhambra Gardens Only | No | Yes | Gardens, Generalife, Alcazaba | Budget/Last-minute option |
Nasrid Palaces & Comares | Yes | Yes | Self-guided access to all areas | Standard complete experience |
Alhambra Night Tour | Yes | No (Palaces only) | Dramatic evening lighting | Fewer crowds, romantic ambiance |
Guided Tour with Palaces | Yes | Yes | Expert local historian guide | Rich historical context |
How to best experience Comares Palace
Best time to visit
Book the earliest morning slot (8:30am) or the final afternoon slot. Early morning provides perfectly still water in the central pool for crisp reflection photos. Midday sun washes out the fine details of the stucco and brings heavy tour groups.
How long to spend
Dedicate at least 30 to 45 minutes to the Comares complex inside your broader Nasrid Palaces route. Do not rush the central courtyard; take time to view the carvings from different angles.
The Courtyard perspective
Stand at the southern end of the Court of the Myrtles, looking north toward the grand Comares Tower. This specific alignment was designed by Nasrid architects to maximize the visual scale of the tower via its reflection.
Crowd patterns
The palace operates on a strict one-way flow, meaning crowds move sequentially. If a large tour group enters the Hall of the Ambassadors, step back into the courtyard for a few minutes until they pass to regain the quiet ambiance.
What to prioritize if time is short
Look straight up when entering the Hall of the Ambassadors. The ceiling is a masterpiece of complex carpentry that most visitors glance at briefly; allocate several minutes to track its geometric patterns.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do not lose track of time in the preceding Mexuar hall. If you miss your main palace entry window, you lose access to Comares entirely. Keep an eye on your watch.
Exploring inside Comares Palace
From the simple administrative spaces of the outer court, entering the Comares Palace reveals the ultimate synthesis of text, geometry, and architecture. The design exposes how Nasrid sultans used physical spaces to humble foreign diplomats long before they ever reached the throne.
The Gilded Facade
The formal entry portal features an incredibly intricate, symmetrical stucco facade built by Yusuf I. This served as a grand backdrop where the Sultan held outdoor audiences. Look closely at the carved Arabic script repeating the Nasrid motto: "There is no conqueror but God."
Court of the Myrtles (Patio de los Arrayanes)
The central courtyard is organized around a massive, mirror-still rectangular pool. The water is flanked by deep green, aromatic myrtle hedges that cool the air. The pool's surface perfectly reflects the 45-meter-tall Comares Tower, blending solid architecture with shifting liquid elements.
Hall of the Boat (Sala de la Barca)
A rectangular antechamber serves as a transition zone before the throne room. It features a spectacular semi-cylindrical wooden ceiling that resembles the inverted hull of a ship. Pay attention to the remnants of original gold leaf and red pigments in the wall corners.
Hall of the Ambassadors (Salón de los Embajadores)
The grand throne room is situated deep inside the massive Comares Tower. The walls are wrapped in a tapestry of colorful tile mosaics (alicatados) and delicate plasterwork. Sunlight filters through deeply recessed double windows, casting a dramatic, intentional glow exactly where the Sultan's throne once rested.
The Cosmic Wooden Ceiling
The crowning achievement of the throne room is its spectacular dome, crafted from thousands of individual cedar wood pieces. It forms a geometric masterwork representing the seven heavens of Islamic paradise. The intricate center represents the throne of God, designed to awe foreign emissaries.
Historical & cultural significance
The Comares Palace was built in the 14th century by Yusuf I and expanded by Muhammad V as the primary official residence and administrative heart of the Nasrid Dynasty. Most visitors don't know that the palace's dimensions are calculated entirely using harmonic geometric proportions based on the square root of two. It served as the dramatic stage where the last Muslim ruler, Boabdil, surrendered the keys of Granada to Ferdinand and Isabella in 1492. Today, it stands as the most pristine remaining medieval Islamic palace complex in the world.
Know before you go
- Open daily: 8:30am–8pm (April 1 to October 14); 8:30am–6pm (October 15 to March 31).
- Evening tours: 10pm–11:30pm (Summer); 8pm–9:30pm (Winter).
- Your palace entry is restricted to the exact 30-minute time slot printed on your ticket.
- Closed on December 25 and January 1.
Address: Calle Real de la Alhambra, s/n, 18009 Granada, Spain
- Bus: Take the C30 or C32 Alhambra minibus from Plaza Isabel la Católica directly to the main pavilion.
- The Comares Palace is located deep inside the secure Nasrid Palaces zone; follow signs for Palacios Nazaríes from the main entrance.
- You must present your physical or digital ticket and official passport/ID at the Nasrid Palaces checkpoint.
- The tour route through the Comares Palace is flat and fully accessible for wheelchair users.
- Strollers and prams are strictly prohibited inside the Nasrid Palaces; they must be checked at the left-luggage office near the Wine Gate.
- Baby carriers are available for loan free of charge at the entry checkpoints.
- Flash photography and tripods are completely prohibited inside the palace rooms to preserve the ancient pigments.
- Touching the delicate stucco work, plaster carvings, or tile mosaics is strictly illegal.
- Large backpacks, luggage, and oversized bags must be deposited in the complimentary lockers before entering.
- Food and drinks (except bottled water) are banned within the palace interior.
Frequently asked questions about the Comares Palace
No. Standard grounds-only tickets exclude the Nasrid Palaces. You must purchase a ticket option that explicitly includes Nasrid Palaces to see Comares.
No. The Comares Palace is visited as part of a fixed, sequential loop inside the broader Nasrid Palaces complex. It cannot be booked as a standalone attraction.
If you arrive late for your designated Nasrid Palaces time slot, staff will deny you entry. Re-scheduling or refunds are not permitted for missed times.
Absolutely. The Comares Palace is the architectural pinnacle of the entire Alhambra. Skipping it reduces your visit to looking at empty fortress walls and gardens.
The Comares section takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes to tour, which adds to the overall 1.5-hour duration required to walk through the complete Nasrid Palaces.
Yes, photography for personal use is allowed. However, you must turn off your camera flash to protect the ancient wall colors and leave your tripod behind.
