Alhambra Granada vs Alcazar of Seville – Which is better?

Seville Alcazar and Alhambra Granada are the most famous attractions and notable additions to Spanish Renaissance architecture. 

Built during the Moorish period, these palaces are masterpieces of Islamic architecture. 

With stunningly beautiful interiors, rich history and culture, they offer visitors a peek into the lives of Spanish royals.

There is no doubt that these historically significant monuments offer visitors the experience of a lifetime. 

Alhambra Granan vs Alcazar of Seville is one of the most common debates in the minds of visitors.

If you have your heart set on visiting the palaces of Spain, find out if Alcazar of Seville of Alhambra Palace is the right choice. 

Let us give you an insider insight to get the best out of your visit. 

Our Recommendation – Alcazar vs Alhambra

Alcazar and Alhambra portray different eras of Spanish history and are very unique attractions.

We recommend visiting Alhambra and Alcazar of Seville if time and budget permits.

However, if you can not visit both, the choice depends on your preference.

While Alhambra is a hike from the outskirts of Granada, Alcazar is located in the heart of Seville and is easily accessible.

You can visit Alcazar within three hours and pay a visit to Seville Cathedral, Giralda Tower, Seville Aquarium and more, located next to the palace.

If you have more time, then visit Alhambra.

The Alhambra Palace is an elaborate fortress that will take an entire day to tour.

Alhambra offers you the famous orange grooves, fragrant blossoms and lush gardens of Spain.

If you want to enjoy intricate details and architectural details, Alcazar is the place to be.

However, if you prefer night visits, visiting the Alhambra complex after nightfall is a unique experience you can try.

Ticket Prices

The regular entry ticket for Royal Alcazar of Seville costs €19 for adults between 14 to 56 years.

Senior Citizens over 66 years pay only €11, while children below 13 get discounted entry of only €1.

This ticket also offers

Alhambra Granada tickets are comparatively pricier than Alcazar of Seville.

Regular admission to the Alhambra Granada is €39 for adults.

Alcazar of Seville or Alhambra Grana: Which palace is more beautiful

The Royal Alcázar of Seville and the Alhambra Granada are awe-inspiring examples of Moorish architecture in Spain. 

Both buildings are renowned for their intricate details, grandiose scale and exquisite beauty. 

The Royal Alcázar of Seville is an expansive palace that the Moors built in the early 11th century. 

It has a wealth of stunningly decorated rooms and courtyards full of colorful tiles, Arabian arches, marble columns, and carved ceilings. 

The palace also boasts an extensive collection of sculptures, paintings and artifacts, making it a popular tourist attraction. 

The Alhambra of Granada is a sprawling complex of palaces and gardens built by the Nasrid dynasty during the 13th and 14th centuries. 

This majestic palace is an excellent example of Islamic architecture, with its ornate arabesques, intricate tilework and beautifully sculpted courtyards. 

The Alhambra is also famous for its splendid gardens, which feature lush vegetation and spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. 

Features of Alcazar of Seville 

The Royal Alcazar of Seville comprises stunning complexes, gardens and apartments. 

The Alcazar perfectly combines Islamic, Spanish, Christian, Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance elements in the architecture. 

The Alcazar of Seville is the oldest functional palace with huge gardens, courtyards and residential complexes.

Some of the must-visit highlights of Alcazar include

• The Lion’s Gate
• Alcazar Gardens
• The Contractor’s Room
• The Ambassador’s Room
• The Baths of Lady María

Features of Alhambra Palace

Alhambra Palace displays unique frescoes, intricately designed columns and arches and storytelling walls. 

Some of the must-visit spots of the palace are

• Court of the Lions
• Court of the Myrtles
• El Partal
• Generalife
• Gothic Cathedral

The ancient palace of Alhambra offers a variety of stately structures and gardens, with breathtaking views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. 

Time taken to explore

The Alhambra and the Alcazar of Seville are massive palaces and can take several hours to explore. 

The sheer size of the Alhambra makes it a bit more challenging to fit into a day trip and can take anywhere from 3 to 6 hours, depending on how detailed you wish your visit to be.

The Alcazar of Seville is smaller, but you should still spend 1.5-2 hours there. 

Whether you explore on your own or take a guided tour, take your time and enjoy the beauty of these unique attractions.

Location

Seville Alcazar and Alhambra Granada are located in two different cities in Spain, and both offer unique and beautiful experiences for visitors.

The Royal Alcázar of Seville is located at Patio de Banderas, s/n, 41004 Sevilla, Spain, and is one of the oldest palaces in Europe. 

The Alhambra Granada is located at C. Real de la Alhambra, s/n, 18009 Granada, Spain, and is considered by many to be the most stunning castle in the world. 

Located on the outskirts of Granada, Alhambra is surrounded by a vast network of palaces and gardens, while Alcazar is nestled in the compact historic city of Seville. 

However, these attractions are located 250 km from each other, which takes 2.5 hours to reach on a drive.

Opening hours

The Alhambra Granada and Alcazar of Seville are open for tourists throughout the week. 

The Alcazar of Seville is open from 9.30 am to 5 pm from September 15 to March 31 and 9.30 am to 7 pm from April 1 to September 14.

The Alhambra Granada is open from 8.30 am to 8 pm from April 1 to October 14 and remains open until 6 pm from October 15 to March 31st. 

Best time to visit

The best time to visit both the Alhambra Granada and the Alcazar of Seville is during the cooler months of the year, between October and April. 

During this time, temperatures are mild, and the sites are less crowded than in the summer. 

Furthermore, visitors can enjoy the beauty of both monuments without the scorching heat of the Spanish summer. 

Additionally, visitors may find that the prices for accommodation and other activities are significantly lower during the cooler months.

Expected Crowd

The expected crowd at Alhambra is 3 million visitors annually. 

The Alhambra is one of the most heavily visited monuments in Spain. 

To protect the site from overcrowding, the number of people allowed to enter the Alhambra and the Generalife daily is limited to 6,600. 

Additionally, the iconic structures within Alhambra, such as the Nasrid Palaces, can only accommodate 300 visitors every half-hour. 

Meanwhile, the Alcázar of Sevilla also draws 1.8 million people yearly, making it less crowded than Alhambra.

Hence, if you want to a more private experience, visit the Alcazar of Seville.

Featured Image: Alhambra-patronato.es, Alcazarsevilla.org