Alhambra Ticket & Visiting Information

The Alhambra, together with Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia, is Spain’s top attraction. Every year millions of tourists flock to Granada with the sole purpose of visiting this incredible Unesco World Heritage sight.
Due to its popularity, and the fact that the number of daily visitors is limited, tickets tend to sell out weeks if not months in advance. As a general rule, the earlier you buy your Alhambra tickets the better.

Where to buy tickets for the Alhambra?

You can buy tickets on location at the Alhambra Ticket Office, but since tickets sell out fast, your chances of finding one are much better if you buy it online in advance. Most visitors buy their tickets online months in advance, even in low season. The magnificent Nasrid Palace, in particular, tends to sell out sooner, as the number of visitors is more restricted than the rest of the attraction. Overall, the most convenient way to get your Alhambra tickets is to buy them online in advance.

Alhambra Ticket Options & Prices

The Alhambra is not just one building but a series of palaces, gardens and cloisters. Different ticket options provide access to one or more of these and access either during the day or at night. Below you will find a comprehensive list of the options offered.

Alhambra General Ticket: gives you access to all visitable places of the Alhambra: Alcazaba, Nasrid Palaces, Generalife, Palace of Charles V and the Alhambra museum. Note that, the visit to the Alhambra museum and the Palace of Charles V is free.
The General Alhambra ticket costs:

• Adults: €14.85
• EU Youth Card holders: €9.54
• People with disabilities over 32%: €8.48
• EU citizens over 65: €9.54
• Children between 12-15: €8.48
• Children under 12: €0.00

Alhambra Experiences Ticket: gives you day time access to the Alcazaba, Generalife Gardens, Palace of the Generalife, Palace of Charles V and the Alhambra Museum and gives you night entry to the Nasrid Palace.
This ticket costs:

• Adults: €14.85
• Children under 12: €0.00

Gardens, Generalife and Alcazaba Ticket: this ticket grants access to all monuments in the Alhambra complex (Alcazaba, Generalife Gardens, Palace of the Generalife, Palace of Charles V and the Alhambra Museum) except for the Nasrid Palace.
This ticket costs:

• Adults: €7.42
• EU Youth Card holders: €6.36
• Children under 12: €0.00

Nasrid Palace Night Ticket: gives you access into the Nasrid Palace at night. It also includes access to the Pavillon, Carlos V Palace, and the Gate of Justice.
This ticket costs:

• Adults: €8.48
• EU Youth Card holders: €6.36
• Children under 12: €0.00

Alhambra Gardens and Generalife Night Ticket: gives you access to the Pavillon, Paseo de los Nogales of Generalife, New Gardens or Lower Gardens of the Generalife and Generalife Palace.
The ticket costs:

• Adults: €5.30
• EU Youth Card holders: €4.24
• Children under 12: €0.00

Dobla de Oro General Ticket: this combo ticket combines the Alhambra General Ticket with tickets for the Bañuelo, Dar al-Horra Palace, Casa Morisca (Horno de Oro St.), Chapíz House and Zafra House. This ticket is valid for 3 days and costs:


• Adults: €20.84
• Children under 12: €0.00

Dobla de Oro at Night Ticket: this combo ticket gives you access to the Nasrid Palace at night and daytime access to the Bañuelo, Dar al-Horra Palace, Casa Morisca (Horno de Oro St.), Chapíz House and Zafra House. The ticket is valid for 3 days and costs:


• Adults: €15.55
• Children under 12: €0.00

Alhambra Ticket with Audioguide: there are two types of tickets with audioguide available.

1. Alhambra & Generalife Ticket with Audio Guide - this ticket gives you access to all monuments of the Alhambra except for the Nasrid Palace.
2. Alhambra and Nasrid Palace Ticket with Audio Guide - this ticket gives you access to the entire complex of the Alhambra (Alcazaba, Nasrid Palace, Generalife, Palace of Charles V and the Alhambra Museum) as well as an audioguide available in multiple languages. The audioguide is a great addition to the ticket, it allows you to explore the Alhambra on your own while listening to an informative guide.

Alhambra Card - more commonly known as the Granada Card, gives you skip the line entrance into the entire complex of the Alhambra (Nasrid Palace, Generalife and Alcazaba) as well as priority entry into other top attractions in Granada (Granada Cathedral, Monastery of San Jerónimo, Royal Chapel, Museum CajaGRANADA, Monastery of la Cartuja, Science Park Museum). It also includes an audioguide and free public transportation.

Alhambra Tickets - Good to know

• All Alhambra tickets are named tickets. At the time of purchase you will need to provide your full name and on the day of your visit you will need to show a valid identification when presenting your ticket.

• Tickets are non-transferable and cannot be resold.

• To visit the Nasrid Palace you will need to book a time slot. When you buy your ticket you need to specify the half hour time slot in which you would like to visit the Nasrid Palace. Don’t be late or you will not be granted entry. It’s generally advisable to be at least 15 min early to your ticket entrance time.

• Alhambra tickets are valid for the entire day, but seperate tickets are required for night time.

• Keep your tickets handy and undamaged. At every monument and at various checkpoints within the Alhambra complex you will be required to rescan it.

• While admission is free for children under the age of 12, a free ticket must still be issued together with that of the accompanying adult.

What to do when Alhambra tickets are sold out?

As Alhambra tickets are in high demand and availability is limited, tickets sell out fast. If you try to buy a ticket close to the date of your visit you will most likely not find availability on the official website. Luckily, there are a number of alternative ways to find a last minute ticket. Here are our tips:

Buy a Ticket with an Audio Guide - although audioguide tickets are very popular they usually don’t sell out as quickly as the general Alhambra ticket. The main thing to look out for is whether or not the Nasrid Palace is included in the audio guide ticket.

Visit with the Alhambra Card - The Alhambra Card (aka the Granada Card) is a great option. It includes skip the line access to the entire Alhambra complex (Generalife, Alcazaba and the Nasrid Palace) as well as access to other top sights in Granada (such as the Granada Cathedral and the Monastery of San Jerónimo) and five trips on the local bus network. Like every Alhambra ticket option they sell out too but they tend to have relative good last minute availability. If you don’t find availability for the Alhambra Card you might want to check the Alhambra Card - Morning Visit. It is identical to the Alhambra Card with the only difference that you need to visit the Alhambra early in the morning at 8:30am.

Book a Tour - Another option would be to book a guided tour of the Alhambra. Tours almost always have last minute availability. Taking a tour is a great way to fully immerse yourself in a cultural experience you will never forget. Your expert guide will tell you all about its unique history, help you understand the cultural significance and give you insights about the Moorish architecture of this incredible Unesco Heritage sight.

Ask your Hotel - You could try calling your hotel a few days before your stay to ask if they have some available tickets. Do not rely on this option though as it will be hit or miss.

Check the official website at midnight - Try the official website at 12am, the day of your visit, to see if any last minute tickets have become available due to cancellations. This can occur when a tour guide buys tickets in advance based on the number of expected participants, but then does not manage to fill all the spots. The unsold tickets may be returned to the ticket office and can become available for last minute purchase on the official website.

Nasrid Palace Tickets

Located within the Alhambra complex, the Nasrid Palace is one of the world’s most beautiful attractions and you simply cannot miss visiting this jaw dropping example of Moorish architecture. If you want to visit the Nasrid Palace you will need to buy a ticket which provides access to it. Not all tickets include access to the Nasrid Palace. When buying your Nasrid Palace ticket you will need to book the time slot at which you want to visit. You will have a half hour time window for entrance which must be strictly observed. Once inside, however, you can spend as long as you want. Nasrid Palace bookings, in particular, should be made as far in advance as possible due to the high demand.
It is important to underline that the entry time is your designated time to enter the Nasrid Palace (not the main Alhambra entrance). Given that the Alhambra complex is quite large, make sure to leave ample time to locate the Nasrid Palace within the complex. Don’t be late - if you miss your timed entry slot you will be turned away. Our suggestion is to arrive at the Alhambra well before your Nasrid Palace reservation time (at least an hour) and to proceed to visit this first. After this, you can visit the rest of the complex at your leisure.

What to see at the Alhambra

The original Alhambra complex was built in the 9th Century then rebuilt by the Moors between the 11th Century and 13th Century. It consists of a main fortress, and a sprawling set of palaces and gardens. The beauty of this Unesco World Heritage Site is unique and magnificent. Below we provide an overview of the main sights you should see when visiting the Alhambra.

The Alcazaba: This is the main fortress in the Alhambra and the oldest part of the complex. It was built in the 9th Century by Mohammed I, who was the founder of the Nasrid Dynasty and the first ruler of the Emirate of Granada (the last Muslim state on the Iberia). It was the main residence within the Alhambra until the palaces were completed. It was built on a hilltop, a perfect defensive position for a 13th Century fortress, which for visitors today provides spectacular views of the surrounding area, including the city of Granada and the rolling hills and valleys framed against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Within the Alcazaba the main things to see are the Armas Square (Plaza de Armas), the Adarves Garden, the Vela Tower (Torre de la Vela).

Nasrid Palaces: The Nasrid palaces are a complex of majestic buildings where the sultans resided. This is the most famous part of the Alhambra and a must see if you are visiting the Alhambra. The interweaving palaces and courtyards were built at different times by the sultans who resided there over hundreds of years. The decorations are extremely well preserved and unique compared to other European palaces. The three main attractions within the Nasrid Palace are:

The Palace of the Mexuar (El Mexuar) is the oldest part of the Nasrid Palaces. This vast hall served as a courtroom and as a meeting room for the king and his ministers. Also, it served as a public reception hall, where the general populace would be able to present a request to the Sultan and his advisors.

The Palace of Comares This palace of unique beauty was the main residence of the sultan and the location of his throne room (known as the Ambassadors’ Room). At the centre of the palace is an enchanting courtyard (the Myrtle Patio) complete with a bright green pond. Visiting this palace will give you a first hand view on the life of a sultan in the 14th century.

Court of the Lions This is the main courtyard of the Nasrid palaces and famous for the Fountain of Lions at its center. The courtyard is surrounded by suggestive galleries adorned with marble columns in the arabesque style.

The Generalife Palace: This was the summer residence of the royal family where they would relax and spend down time away from official affairs. The main attraction, an oasis filled with the shade of exotic trees and plants, the Generalife gardens, its majestic beauty can still be enjoyed today. Unfortunately, not much is left of the original Generalife building.

Charles V Palace: the building is different to others in the Alhambra complex as it is built in the Renaissance style. It is widely agreed upon that it is one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture in Spain. Construction was commissioned by Charles V, the catholic king whose grandparents had conquered the Alhambra, and began in 1527. Once inside don’t miss the two small but fascinating museums. The first contains Moorish artifacts, the second is a fine arts museum with works from the 15th to 20th century.

How to get to Alhambra from the City Center of Granada?

Getting to the Alhambra is very easy! Granada is a small city and there are a number of options using public or private transportation.

Walk to the Alhambra - It’s a short walk from the city center along a beautiful street lined with trees (great for shade in the summer). It should take you less than a half hour. From Plaza Nueva, walk up Cuesta de Gomérez. It’s a steep hill lined with trees which is great for shade in the summer. If you have already purchased tickets in advance you can take a shortcut on Puerta de la Justicia (Gate of Justice) or Puerto de los Carros (Cart Gate).

By Bus - Hop on the mini bus from Plaza Isabel Catholica in the centre of town. You can catch the C30, C32 or the C35, all of which take you to the Alhambra.

By Car - Getting to the Alhambra by car is also an option. Convenient parking is available about 5 minutes walk from the main ticket office and entrance. The car park is open 24 hours a day and prices are reasonable.

By Taxi - Granada is a small city. You can catch a taxi from pretty much anywhere in the centre and get to the Alhambra in less than 10 minutes.

Alhambra Opening Hours

The Alhambra is open year round except for December 25th and January 1st.

From April 1 to October 14:

• Day Visit: Monday through Sunday: 8:30am - 6pm
• Evening Visit: Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00pm to 11:30pm - 6pm

October 15th to March 31st:

• Day Visit: Monday through Sunday: 8:30am - 6pm
• Evening Visit: Friday and Saturday: 8:00pm to 9:30pm - 6pm

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