My husband and I will be visiting in early October and wondering if anyone has recommendation on a tour they did for the Alhambra or should we just do self-guided. Any input appreciated. Thank you.

I can highly recommend Alhambra Tours by Margarita Ortiz de Landazuri, without question, who escorts Rick Steves around the city. She's probably the number one guide working at the Alhambra today. Therefore, she books up way in advance, as she garners terrific reviews. The protocol is that you first book your timed tickets to enter to Nasrid Palace here, and she works around this.
Alhambra tours - Guided visits to Alhambra

I went on my own, with an audioguide, and found that (along with my advance reading) sufficient -- but then, I generally prefer to visit places on my own.

I spent a full day at the Alhambra (with entry to the Nasrid Palace 1/2 hour after the gates opened); I was just barely finished when it was time to leave for the day. I then went back for an evening visit to the Nasrid Palace, which I found absolutely magical! Fewer people, almost all of whom spoke in hushed voices if at all.... Among the most memorable of my many memorable travel moments. If you can go both times, I heartily encourage it.

Enjoy!

I also encourage the evening visit to the Nasrid Palace (only), as a supplement to the day visit. In early October, or to October 14 specifically, these evening visits are given Tuesday-Saturday only from 10-11:30. But from October 15 to March 31, they are only given on Friday/Saturday from 8-9:30 pm.

Thank you so much. Very helpful!

We took Maribel's excellent advice and booked Margarita Ortiz de Landazuri for our visit to the Alhambra Palace in April 2024. She was very informative and we spent about 4 hours in her delightful company. We also did the nighttime tour of the Nasrid Palace on our own and it was magical. We had a bit of an issue as our taxi driver dropped us off at the entrance to the gardens not the Palace and we had a bit of scramble getting down to the Palace in the dark.

We booked our tickets as suggested but I’m not clear on how we then book the guide suggested?

Her web page
Alhambra tours - Guided visits to Alhambra

Her email
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We were late booking and most guides and tours were booked up so good you are doing it early.

Our private tour was a freaking fortune but was by far the highlight of two weeks in Spain. Booked it through Viator. If you are interested I'll find the specific reference.

We booked with Margarita, but our tour guide was someone else, a very nice gentleman archaeologist. Our tour was quite technical, and although an interesting 5 hours, I must say what I have enjoyed about the Alhambra and the gardens on previous visits was just taking time to imagine living in such a place.

The gardens were previously much more beautiful, but last year was so dry, and I believe that nothing was being irrigated, the water filled handrails were not turned on, and the place generally was not that haven of peace and beauty we had enjoyed before.

I have not been keeping up but I hope that the extended drought that caused last year's dry conditions has broken. Climate change

We found it all booked due to the the tour groups.
Got a nighttime entrance time, which was truly magical with lighting, candles and music.
Self-guide ifs fine.