The Alhambra vs. Real Alcazar: Which one should you visit?

Planning a trip around Andalusia, and debating between visiting La Alhambra in Granada, Real Alcázar in Sevilla, or both? You’re in the right place! As someone who lives in Granada and has visited La Alhambra four times, and also visited the Real Alcazar in Sevilla, I’ve had the chance to admire both wonders, appreciate their differences, and understand what makes each one special.✨

Both La Alhambra and El Real Alcazar are home to spectacular Moorish architecture, rich history, and UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Despite these similarities, they offer completely different experiences and wonders.👀

So… which one should you visit? The quick answer is La Alhambra.😍 Often called the 8th “unofficial” wonder of the World and rivaling with La Sagrada Familia as Spain’s most visited monument, La Alhambra is the ultimate gem of Andalusia. Dating back as early as the 9th century, this palace-fortress complex offers an unparalleled journey into the Moorish years and Nasrid Dynasty.

That being said, the Real Alcazar is also a must-visit – especially if you’re visiting Sevilla. Within this palace you will get to enjoy Mudéjar architecture, luscious gardens, beautiful paintings, and a radiant atmosphere.🤩

Without further ado, here is the breakdown to help you decide which one is right for you – or if you should simply visit both!👇

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The Alhambra vs. Real Alcazar, Which is Better?

Overview & Architecture: The Key Differences

La Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex that dates back as early as the 9th century, but received its wondrous Nasrid Palaces in the 13th Century, when the Nasrid Dynasty ruled.

As you explore La Alhambra, expect your visit to last around 3 hours. Walking through its grounds will make you feel like you’re in a small Medina—because, in fact, La Alhambra was once its own Medina.

Some of the highlights of La Alhambra are the awe-inspiring Nasrid Palaces, the serene Generalife Gardens, the historic fortress Alcazaba, Palacio de Carlos V, and beyond. This palace is a true masterpiece of Islamic Architecture and Nasrid Art, and it will easily captivate you for hours.

The Real Alcazar of Seville is a palace that was originally built as a fortress and dates back to the 9th century. With Seville being reconquered in the 13th century, the Real Alcazar has gone through several renovations and additions throughout the centuries – up until the 19th century. Due to this, the Alcazar mixes four styles of architecture – Mudejár, Gothic, Renaissance, and Romanesque Architecture.

Some of the highlights of the Real Alcazar are the Patio de Doncellas, Alcoba Real, Salon de los Embajadores, Baños de Doña María de Padilla, and the many gardens.

The Real Alcazar continues to be an operating Palace, and is where the Royal Family of Spain resides when they visit the city, While in La Alhambra you are completely transported to the past, in the Real Alcazar you experience the past and present simultaneously.

Tickets

When it comes to tickets, La Alhambra is the one you need to book the most in advance – preferably a month in advance. This is Spain’s most visited monument, alongside Sagrada Familia, and trust me when I say – you do NOT want to miss out on the Nasrid Palaces.

La Alhambra offers several tickets, so if the Nasrid Palace tickets sell out, you can still try to book smaller tickets, like the Generalife, to visit the other parts of La Alhambra. While that’s better than nothing, The Nasrid Palaces are the main wonder.

If you want to visit Alhambra at your own pace, the entry ticket is the perfect option. If you want to dive deeper into the history and truly understand the wonders surrounding you, this best-rated guided tour is for you! With almost 3 millions of visitors each year, book these tickets today (or a month in advance) to secure your entry.👇

El Real Alcazar, on the other hand, also needs to be booked in advance, but is not as urgent as La Alhambra. I would definitely recommend booking your tickets at least two weeks in advance so you have more freedom when picking the visit time.

Through El Real Alcazar there are QR codes for audio guides and small signs in Spanish and English sharing facts about what you are seeing, and the rooms you are stepping in. Due to this, a guided tour is not a necessity – but a great option if you want all the details and history. However, there are two best-rated tours that bring you through both Real Alcazar, Sevilla Cathedral, and La Giralda – Sevilla’s main attractions. You can book the regular tour, or pay a little extra for priority access (skip the line).

If you want to go at your own pace, then book your entry ticket today before it sells out!👇

Overall Experience & Atmosphere

With an average visit of 3 hours, La Alhambra is the main activity of your day – and one that includes a lot of walking. When visiting, you will feel as if you’ve transported to the past and to a different world.

You will be surrounded by the most breathtaking architecture, and immense gardens, where you will see everything from Persimmon and Pomegranate trees to colorful flowers and roses. Most of the architecture here is beige and white, so the nature and water bodies are what bring the colors.

The Real Alcazar is much smaller than La Alhambra, and has an average visit of 1.5 hours – making it a very easy visit. When compared to La Alhambra, the Real Alcazar is less complex but much more vibrant and as it has more colors all throughout – including vibrant yellows.

As a functioning palace to this day, in the Real Alcazar you’ll find incredible paintings and a more lively / present atmosphere. Here you will also find peacocks and ducks roaming around or swimming – what a blessed life they live!😂😍

Another difference between La Alhambra and Real Alcázar is that while La Alhambra has kiosks and vending machines for food, its vastness encourages visitors to focus more on exploring. On the other hand, the smaller Real Alcázar offers a designated spot to relax and grab food and drinks, making it feel more like a park where you can unwind.

Final Decision | Alhambra vs Real Alcázar

To recap everything, here is a quick comparison table!👇

At the end of the day, both the Alhambra and Real Alcazar are worth visiting – and I strongly recommend visiting both if you can, especially since Real Alcazar is a smaller site. However, if you can only choose one – I cannot recommend La Alhambra enough, as that’s the true wonder.

Feature	La Alhambra	Real Alcázar
Best For	Those seeking a true wonder	Easier, shorter visit
Visit Duration	3 hours	1.5 hours
Main Attraction	Nasrid Palaces (Islamic Architecture)	Mudejar Architecture
Best Time to Book	1 month in advance	2 weeks in advance
Guided Tour?	Recommended	Not Necessary
Visit Tips	16 Essential Tips	N/A

Visiting Both Granada and Sevilla?

Whether you’re spending 7 days in Andalucia, more, or less, Granada and Sevilla are two cities you cannot miss out! They are about 3 hours away from each other, and you can easily reach either destination via train, bus, or by car. I personally love Omio as it shows you all the options you have! Book your bus or train here.👇

Want more help with your travels? Check out my Posts!

Here additional posts that will help you out with your upcoming Andalusian travels!👇

• 2 Days in Sevilla, Spain Itinerary
• 16 Best Things to do in Seville
• 8 Best Gluten Free Restaurants in Seville
• 2 Days in Granada, Spain Itinerary
• The Ultimate 7 Day Andalucia Itinerary
• 16 ESSENTIAL Tips for Visiting the Alhambra
• 15 Best Day Trips from Granada
• The Best of Andalusian Food
• 20 Best Places to Visit in Spain in 2025

Grab my e-Checklist to make sure you’re properly prepared for Andalusia!👇

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I have to ask…

Which of these two will you be visiting – or will you visit both? Did this guide make you feel more at ease? Let me know in the comments!😊

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