The Alhambra is open year-round. Your comfort on the hill is not. Spring and autumn are the default. Winter adds ski-near-palace novelty; summer adds heat on cobbles.
March–May and September–November
Best walking, best light on the Sierra Nevada behind the walls, and peak ticket competition. Book the Nasrid slot first, then the room.
June–August
Hot. Early palace slots are essential. The Albaicín at noon is a mistake. Evenings are the city’s saving grace.
December–February
Clear, cold, and sometimes snow on the range. Fewer crowds. A good Alhambra window if you dress for it. Sierra Nevada skiing is a separate day, not a palace morning.