Your Complete Guide To Scoring Last Minute Alhambra Granada Tickets

Located in the Andalusian city of Granada, the Alhambra Palace dates back to AD 889 and is undoubtedly one of the most visited sites in Spain. With sandstone walls carved with elaborate arabesques and Islamic calligraphy, gushing fountains and ramparts with sweeping views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the rolling hills of the Andalusian countryside; a visit to the Alhambra Palace is simply magical!

However, getting tickets to the Alhambra Granada tickets can be quite tricky as they allow only 6,600 people into the complex per day. They also limit the number of visitors to the Nasrid Palaces within Alhambra to 300 people per 30 minutes. While this may sound like a lot, you must know that Alhambra tickets sell out months in advance , over 90 days in advance! So, you’ll need a good dose of planning and a dash of luck to witness this much sought after attraction.

But don’t sweat it yet, because this guide will take you through all the different ways you can score Alhambra Granada Tickets and a few quick hacks that could improve your chances! Read on to know more.

Types Of Alhambra Granada Tickets

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Before looking at different ways to get Alhambra Tickets, know the 5 different types of tickets you have the option to purchase. You can choose tickets for the morning session or the evening session ( also known as the night session) as per your convinience.

• Alhambra General (Generalife, Alcazaba, Nazrid Palaces & Gardens) - This is the all access ticket, the most popular choice which allows you entry to all parts of the Palace - Alhambra, the Nasrid Palaces, the Generalife (Gardens and Summer Palaces) and the Alcazaba (Military Residential Area and Towers)
• Alhambra, Generalife and Alcazaba - This ticket does not allow entry to the Nazrid Palace. I personally wouldn't recommend this ticket as the Nazrid Palace is the most important part of Alhambra and missing out on that is quite the bummer.
• Night visit to the Nasrid Palaces - If you're interested in witnessing Granada city at twilight, this ticket is a great option.
• Night visit to the Generalife - This is a night ticket for the Generalife (Gardens and Summer Palaces)
• Alhambra Experiencias - This ticket gives you the possibility of combining a night visit to Illuminated Nasrid Palace and a day visit to Alcazaba, Gardens and Generalife Palace over two consecutive days.

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Different Ways To Get Alhambra Granada Tickets

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Official Website

While this is definitely the best way to get your Alhambra Tickets, they sell out really fast and are can be purchased only up to 90 days before your visit. If your plans are concrete, try your best to get tickets from here. If you successfully purchase tickets from the official website, you can print them and use that as your ticket.

Third Party Vendors

The best part about third party vendors like Headout is that you get to score a few discounts on your purchase as compared to the official website prices. Note, if you're booking from third party sites, you will be assigned a slot and do not have the freedom to choose a slot for the date and session ( morning/evening) selected. Once you recieve your e-tickets, you can pick up your ticket on the day of your visit at the Granavision Welcome Visitor Center, Paseo de la Sabica 15, 18009 Granada. This is near the main entrance, about a 10 - to 15-minute walk from the Gate of Justice.

The Guided Tours

To get the best of your Alhambra experience, I would say go for a guided tour with no second thoughts! Having an expert guide by your side who takes you through the history, facts and lores of the palace enhances your experience and while they are slightly more costlier, it is well worth your money. Moreover, these guided tours allow skip the line access and they are an absolute boon during peak hours/season

On-Site Purchase

This should be your last resort as chances of getting a ticket on the same day is practically zilch. Like I said before, they allow only 6,600 people in per day and tickets are sold out months in advance online. A very small percentage is kept aside for same day on-ground purchase and unless you are super early, chances of scoring these tickets are nada. Also note, the ticket office at the Alhambra is only open for on-the-day tickets and you cannot pre-purchase for the next day.

Via Telephone

This option is your last resort's Plan B. If you can make international calls to Spain, you can purchase Alhambra tickets over the phone by calling (+34) 858 953 616. Note, this option allows for purchases from three months and up to two hours before your visit. You can choose your time of entry to the Nasrid Palaces and when you arrive at the Alhambra, simply print your tickets from one of the machines near the entrance by entering your reservation number.

Grab the Granada Card

Also, known as the Granada City Pass or Bono Turistico, this card includes entrance to the Alhambra and other main monuments and museums of Granada, 9 urban bus trips, and a trip on the tourist train. You can save up to 36% compared with purchasing the entrances to the main attracions separately. This card starts to prove economical only if you're in Granada for over 3 days, so if your visit is that long go ahead and buy this economical pass.

From Tienda de la Alhambra (Alhambra Shop)

If you're staying in Granada, pop by Tienda de la Alhambra (Alhambra Shop) on Calle Reyes Católicos nº 40 and grab tickets for your visit. This bookstore has a great collection of souvenirs, including books, post cards, paintings etc. The staff are extremely knowledgeable and very helpful as well, so go ahead and ask all the queries you have.

Best Alhambra Granada Tickets

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Skip The Line Tour to Alhambra, Generalife, Alcazaba + Nasrid Palaces

Take a 3-hour guided tour of the entire Alhambra complex, that includes the Carlos V Palace, Generalife Gardens, Medina, the Alcazaba Fortress and the famous Nasrid Palaces, accompanied by either an official bilingual, English, French or Spanish-speaking guide.

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Skip The Line: Alhambra, Generalife, Alcazaba, Nasrid Palaces with Audioguide

Enjoy an audio guided tour of the Alhambra Palace complex and admire the Generalife, the Alcazaba and the Nasrid Palace at your leisure pace. Walk through the passages and admire the different styles of architecture of the Palace, starting from the starting from Mexuar to the Court of Lions.

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Skip The Line Tour to Alhambra, Generalife and Alcazaba

Gain fast-track access to the Palace of the Alhambra and Alcazaba and admire the historic Generalife in the company of a professional guide. Admire the incredible architecture of the Palace and the Generalife and walk through the lush greenery of the gardens before making your way back to the city.

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Premium Tour: Alhambra, Generalife, Alcazaba + Nasrid Palaces

Enjoy a delightful tour with a group of 10 or less for an intimate and unforgettable experience. Benefit from seamless fast-track access to the Palace of the Alhambra, the Alcazaba and the historic Generalife in the company of a professional guide.

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Small Group Tour to Alhambra, Generalife and Alcazaba + Nasrid Palaces

Benefit from seamless fast-track access to the Alhambra, including access to the Nasrid Palaces, the Alcazaba and the Generalife Gardens in the company of a professional multi-lingual guide in a group of less than 20 guests. This tour runs in English, French, German and Spanish.

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Alhambra Opening Hours

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From April 1 to October 14

Day Visit : Monday through Sunday

• Hours - 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM
• Ticket Office Hours - 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Evening Visit : Tuesday to Saturday

• Hours - 10:00 PM to 11:30 PM
• Ticket Office Hours - 9:00 PM to 10:45 PM

From October 15 to March 31

Day Visit : Monday through Sunday

• Hours - 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM
• Ticket Office Hours - 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Evening Visit : Friday & Saturday

• Hours - 10:00 PM to 11:30 PM
• Ticket Office Hours - 9:00 PM to 10:45 PM

The Alhambra Palace is open every day of the year, except 25th of December and January 1st

The last visit to the Nasrid Palaces will be one hour before the closing time.

Good To Know Before You Go

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• This is the MOST important thing one must know while/after buying their Alhambra tickets. The entry time printed on your ticket is for entering the Nasrid Palace, not the Alhambra complex. Many people have missed the chance to visit the Nasrid Palace because of this misconception, so make sure you enter the Alhambra complex well in time to reach the Nasrid palace for your 30 minute entry slot. They allow only 300 people into the Nasrid Palace every 30 minutes, so once your slot has passed, they will not let you enter come what may. I'd recommend arriving at the Nasrid Palaces first, and then seeing the other parts of the Alhambra (the Generalife gardens and the Alcazaba fortress) at your leisure.
• If you have a pre-purchased an Alhambra Granada Ticket online, it is recommended you access the complex through the Gate of Justice (Puerta de la Justicia). It is closer to Alcazaba, Nasrid Palaces and Partal, and queues are much shorter than the main entrance.
• The Alhambra has two sessions — the morning session and the afternoon session. Your palace entry time tells which session you must enter. Once you enter, you can stay for as long as you'd like. Also, some buildings in the complex have a single entry so make sure you have ample time in hand before entering these buildings.
• While card payments are accepted in the ticket line, cash payments are faster and not all cards are accepted, especially foreigh debit cards.
• While many people trust official websites for purchasing attraction tickets, you must know that the Alhambra official website is a little risky and glitchy. There have been many instances where payment does not go through, and even if the payment does the tickets are not booked. To avoid such hassles, it's best that you purchase from trusted third party vendors like Headout, Viator etc.
• It is imperative that you carry your passports with you. No other form of identification is accepted - national identity cards, driver's licence, none.
• Skip the Line tickets are an absolute boon, especially during peak season ( April to June). Orelse, you'll spend a good part of your day standing in queue and trust me, the Spanish sun is harsh, very harsh.
• Selfie sticks, camera flashes, and tripods are prohibited in sections of the Alhambra.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What Do I Do If The Tickets Are Sold Out?

If the tickets you want are sold out, your best bet is buying a guided tour ticket or maybe a partial ticket that allows you entry to the Generalife and Alcazaba or maybe a Night Ticket to Nazrid Palaces and Generalife. While this may not suffice for an ideal experience, these are your best plausible options. Amongst the options, a guided tour is best recommended.

What Is The Cancellation Policy Of Alhambra Tickets?

Depending on the ticket, the cancellation policy varies. If you're looking for a flexible cancellation policy ticket, you can buy the Small Group Tours or the Premium Tours that allow you to cancel upto 7 days in advance for a full refund. This is a great option for those whose plans are not concrete.

Do I Have To Bring Any Identification Proof Along With Me?

Yes. You must have your passport on you for entry to the Alhambra palace complex. No other form of ID is accepted, not even government approved IDs from other nations.

How Many Months/Weeks In Advance Can I Buy Tickets For My Alhambra Visit?

You can buy tickets to the Alhambra between two hours and four months in advance of the visit.

Can I Change The Date & Time Of Visit After Booking?

No, you cannot change the day and time of entry once your booking is complete. However, you can return the ticket and buy a new one if there are tickets available. Also, tickets can be returned with a minimum 5-day notice period by writing to entradasalhambra@iacpos.com

When Is The Best Time To Visit Alhambra?

Early fall and the late spring is an ideal time to visit. With pleasantly warm weather, limited rainfall, and smaller crowds, these months are best as compared to the harsh summer months. Winter sees less daylight, hence plan your visit well and the cold months make for a great time to visit as well. All in all, Alhambra is a great year-round destination and there's no particular month that one should completely avoid visiting.

How Much Time Should I Keep Aside For A Sedate Visit?

I'd recommend keeping aside 4 hours for a leisure visit of Alhambra. Start early in the morning and hit up Nasrid Palace( depending on your slot) followed by the Alcazaba and the Generalife.

Is An Alhambra Guided Tour Recommended?

Definitely! Nothing beats an expert guide taking you through the rooms and passages of Alhambra, narrating the stories and lores that the walls of the palace have sealed for centuries. No audio-guide or book can do justice to this experience, and who would you ask questions if you want to know something more about the Moorish clan? A guided tour is recommended all the way!

I Can't Make It For My Visit. Can I Transfer The Booking To Someone Else?

Unfortunately, you cannot transfer your Alhambra Granada Tickets to another person's name. Since the booking is in your name, the ID shown at the entrance must match the name of the booking. Hence, no. Transferring to another person is not allowed.

Is Alhambra A Child-Friendly Attraction & Are There Reduced Prices For Kids?

Yes, of course. Kids will definitely enjoy the gardens of Generalife and though they may not appreciate the architecture, they will have a good time. That said, you can’t bring a stroller/buggy into the Nasrid Palace or Generalife.You can deposit the strollers while you’re visiting this part of the complex and take it back from the rest. However, baby carriers are allowed in all parts of the complex.

Children from 3 to 11 years have reduced ticket prices and kids below the age of 3 have free entry.

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