You will never forget your visit to the Alhambra |
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Guide to Alhambra tickets and Alhambra tours - TIMES, TICKETS AND HANDY TIPS
by Chris Chaplow and Fiona Flores Watson
TICKETS FOR THE ALHAMBRA
You need a ticket to visit the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens, ideally pre-booked in advance; each ticket has an allocated entry time for the Nasrid Palaces. The number of admissions per day and hour is limited to protect the monument, and tickets usually sell out before the day. All tickets whether purchased in advance or on the day must bear the full name of the holder, rather like a plane ticket.
If you have not booked your ticket in advance, you will need to arrive at the ticket office early on the day (especially during high season, April to June), to buy tickets from the 'on the day' allocation; these tickets are limited, so queues start well before the ticket office opens at 08.00hrs. You can only buy tickets for that day, and if you have already bought tickets be aware that they are non-transferable: you can't change either the date or the time, or get a refund.
'Individual Tickets' cost 18.00€ (plus 1.40€ if paying by card) per adult from the Alhambra ticket office.
Consider purchasing a 'Tour Ticket'. We offer a selection of these below. The tours are fundamentally the same. Some include your hotel pick up, others include a city centre location pick up. All include entrance into the palaces by the 'tour group' or so called 'skip the line' entrance which is less congested than the individual ticket holder entrance. Most tours include for experienced professional guides, some just provide an audio-guide. Private tours are also available whose the price depends on the number of adults in your party. Alhambra Tours from Seville, Malaga, Costa del Sol, Marbella, Almeria are available.
In the peak summer most tours are sold out for at least a month in advance whilst the Granada card including the Alhambra has availability.
Tickets for the Alhambra palaces
Tickets for the Alhambra palaces
Self guided tours of Alhambra
Self guided tours of Alhambra
Book guided tour of Alhambra
Book guided tour of Alhambra
PLANNING YOUR VISIT
When you book your individual ticket you must choose a time to visit the Nasrid Palaces- there are slots every half hour, with for 300 people for each. Note that the palaces are located about half an hour's walk from the Alhambra ticket office, so you need to arrive earlier than the time on your ticket. Be aware that if you miss your time slot, you will be denied entry to this stunning complex of buildings (but not the outer areas or the Generalife Gardens), so it makes sense to enter the Alhambra well in advance, at least an hour before your assigned entry time. You can then visit other sections of the Alhambra beforehand. Keep hold of your ticket at all times, as you may need to show it several times during your visit. You will also need to show ID with the ticket at the entrance to the palaces.
Logically it is best to visit the Alcazaba (fortress) first, then the Palace of Carlos V (with museums) before the Nazrid Palaces. Then you can walk along the north wall towards the Generalife (gardens). To visit everything at a leisurely pace will require about 4 hours and is a 3km walk.
If your slot is late in the day - after 5pm in autumn-spring, or 7pm in spring-autumn, be aware that the last entry for the Nasrid Palaces is one hour before the closing time of the monument, and it takes at least 30 minutes, so you should visit the Generalife and Alcazaba first.
OPENING HOURS
The Alhambra Monument is open every day except 25th December and 1st January. The general visiting hours for the Alhambra are as follows:
1 April to 14 October
Day session: 8:30 to Day 20:00 hrs
Exclusive session: 20:00 to 22:00 hrs
Night session: (Fri and Sat) 22.00 to 23.30 hrs
15 October to 31 March
Day session: 8:30 to Day 18:00 hrs
Exclusive session: 18:00 to 20:00 hrs
Night session: (Fri and Sat) 20.00 to 21.30 hrs
The Alhambra Ticket office opening hours are as follows:
1 Aprilto14 October 08:00 to 20:00 and Fri and Sat also 21:00 to 21:45 hrs
15 October to31 March08:00 to 18:00 and Fri and Sat also 19:00 to 20:45 hrs
The Alhambra official website is alhambra-patronato.es
BUYING an INDIVIDUAL TICKET
There are different ways to buy an individual ticket, which can be for any date up to three months in advance (except the on-the-day tickets)
- In person: Alhambra Ticket Office in the Access Pavilion, at the entrance to the monument (Map) . A limited supply of on-the-day tickets are available from 08.00 hrs. Otherwise this is for collecting pre-ordered tickets.- if your ticket is discounted, be sure to take ID to prove your eligibility.
- Online: You will be sent you ticket by email. You must give full name and passport or id card of all ticket holders at time of purchase. The Alhambra official website is www.alhambra-patronato.es
- By phone: Tickets can be reserved by phoning 902 888 001 from Spain (if the 902 number does not work from outside Spain use +34 858 953 616). Tele-operators speak Spanish, English and French. You will be sent you ticket by email. You must give full name and passport or id card number of all ticket holders at time of purchase.
The Granada Card includes access to the Alhambra amongst other attractions (Cathedral, Royal Chapel, Monastery of la Cartuja, Monastery of San Jerónimo, Science Park Museum, Museum CajaGRANADA) plus five local bus journeys, often has availability when direct-sale Alhambra tickets are sold out. This is available to buy from the Caja Granada Bank (Plaza Isabel la Catolica branch), El Corte Inglés, and the main Tourist Information Office in the Town Hall, as well as online (see above), with more convenient collection from the main Granada city tourist office rather than the Alhambra ticket office.
If tickets, tours, nor Granada card are just not available for the dates you want, consider trying a night visit or an Alhambra Experience ticket (see below) or a ticket for Alhambra Gardens and Generalife (not including the Nasrid Palaces). If time is short, remember that the part of the Alhambra precinct as accessed via 'Puerto de los Carros' (Cart Gate), including the Palace of Carlos V and museums, Puerto del Vino and Plaza de los Aljibes, does not require tickets to visit.
Hotels
Click here to stay at a hotel located in the Alhambra gardens or within walking distance of this magnificent attraction, offering guided tours and much more!
collecting Tickets
Tickets reserved online or by telephone since 2018 are now sent by email, they contain a bar-code to grant entrance to the Nasarid palace. It is no longer obligatory to collect tickets from the Alhambra Ticket Office (map) at the main entrance to the monument.
You can still go to the ticket office to print pre-booked tickets if you have not already done so, or collect an audio guide. The Alhambra Ticket office is is a long uphill walk from the city centre so leave plenty of time, there can be long queues to collect tickets, make sure you don't miss your time slot for the Palace Nazaries; alternatively jump on the bus (see below) which runs regularly from the centre and will drop you right in front of the ticket office.
At the Alhambra Ticket Office from the self-service machines using the same credit card used to reserve the tickets. There is also a special desk at the ticket office for collecting these pre-ordered tickets. Children and reduced price tickets can only be collected from the ticket office desk and not the self service machines. You must have the credit card that was used to purchase the tickets, or -if the reservation is under the name of the same person- an identity card or passport together with the reservation number. If you are collecting a discounted ticket you will need your/their ID card to prove your / their eligibility.
TYPES OF TICKETS
Alhambra General (Nazrid Palaces, Alcazaba, Partal Gardens, Generalife Palace and Gardens)
Adult: 18€ (plus 1.09€ if paying by card)
EU Senior Citizens over 65 yrs: 12.73€
Young Europeans (with youth card) under 30 yrs: 12.73 €
Disabled: 12.73€
Children over 12 accompanied by parent, relative, legal tutor: 12.73 €
Children under 12 accompanied by parent, relative, legal tutor: Free (must obtain 'free' ticket)
Alhambra Gardens (Alcazaba, Partal Gardens, Generalife Palace and Gardens)
Adult: 10.61 €
Reduced groups as above 7.42 €
Alhambra at night - Palaces
Adult: 10.61 €
Reduced groups as above 7.42 €
Alhambra at night - Generalife and Gardens
Adult 7.42 €
Reduced groups as above 30 yrs 5.30 €
Alhambra Experiences
A combined night visit to the Nasrid Palaces at night and day visit the following morning to the Alcazaba, and Generalife Palace and Gardens.
Adult 19.09 €
Reduced groups as above 30 yrs 12.73 €
Free tickets
Children aged under 11 accompanied by parents, relatives or legal tutors
Members of ICOMOS and ICOM
Residents of Granada province every Sunday from 14.00- with a reservation made under 'La Alhambra mas cerca'.
Group Tour Tickets
'Group Tickets' are sold by travel agents and accredited companies who organize an 'Alhambra tour' which includes hotel pick-up and drop-off and an official Alhambra tour guide. These cost about 55 € per adult and are best if you prefer this complete service with all ticket collection, transport and guided tour provided. Advance individual tickets often sell out several days in advance, in which case you may still be in time join a tour. Some of the tours are self guided and hence more economic.
You can purchase a discount tour ticket on this page.
If tickets are not available for the dates needed consider trying a night visit or an Alhambra Experience ticket. If time is short; remember that a part of the Alhambra accessed via 'Puerta de la Justicia' (Justice Gate) or 'Puerto de los Carros' (Cart Gate) including the Palace of Carlos V and museums, Puerto del Vino and Plaza de los Aljibes does not require tickets and is free to visit.
Getting to the Alhambra
Taxis from city centre costs about 10 €. Tell the driver if you need to go to the ticket office rather than enter the palace opposite the church of Santa Maria of the Alhambra. Taxi stands are found opposite the church of Santa Maria of the Alhambra, at the Hotel Alhambra Palace, and the Gate of the Generalife.
Bus Jump on the C30 bus which runs regularly from the centre (Plaza Isabel Catholica) and stops at the ticket office. Fare is 1.40€, which you pay to the driver. City Bus Route Map in PDF
Bus number C30: (Frequent) Plaza Isabel la Católica - Callle Pavaneras - Barrio del Realejo - Alhambra. Route diagram. Timetable
Driving The Alhambra is well signposted from the Motril - Jaen Motorway A-44 and E-902 that passes to the west of Granada city. Exit at junction km 132 onto the A-395 and head through the tunnel. After the river turn left up Avenida Santa Maria de la Alhambra. The entrance to the car park is here. use P2, P3, or P4 Don't try P1 as it reserved; you will waste you time trying to turn around amongst the coaches, P2 being nearest to the entrance fills up first in the morning.
From the car park it's a five-minute walk to the ticket office and main entrance. The car park is open 24 hrs and costs about 2.50€ per hour for cars, maximum daily 18€. Remember: when you purchase your Alhambra ticket you're assigned a time to enter the Nasrid Palaces, located about half an hour's walk from the Alhambra ticket office and car park.
Walking up the hill
- Cuesta Gómerez (from Plaza Nueva). On this route, if you already have your tickets, take the short cut via 'Puerta de la Justicia' (Justice Gate) or 'Puerto de los Carros' (Cart Gate).
- Cuesta del Realejo (from Plaza del Realejo).
- Cuesta de los Chinos (from Paseo de los Tristes).
PLANS to download
Here is a link to a CC plan of the Alhambra
Audio Guides
Audio guides are available in Spanish, English, German, Italian, and French from at the desk in Entrance Pavilion, close to the ticket offices for rent for 6,50€ There is the Basic Guide, Complete Guide, and Gardens guide.
Sign Language Guides are available in Spanish and English, to guide visitors with hearing disabilities around the site. The service is offered free of charge at the same desk.
MOBILE GUIDE
You can download a free mobile guide to the Alhambra by Bluetooth from the point by the main entrance near the ticket office.
LEFT LUGGAGE
There are left luggage lockers located at the Alhambra Ticket office entrance pavilion, and at the station next to the 'Puerto del Vino' near the entrance to the Nazrid Palaces.
VENDING MACHINES AND TOILETS
There are drink and snack vending machines located at the Alhambra Access Pavilion, where the ticket office is, and at the station next to the 'Puerto del Vino' near the entrance to the Nazrid Palaces. There is a shady terrace café just below the Alhambra ticket office.
HOTELS near ALHAMBRA
Click here to stay at a hotel located in the Alhambra gardens or within walking distance of this magnificent attraction, offering guided tours and much more!
All this information is correct as of August 2020. Have a good visit!
Due to the complexity of ticket collection, consider purchasing a 'Tour Ticket'. We offer a selection of these below. The tours are fundamentally the same. Some include your hotel pick up, others include a city centre location pick up. These save you having to make your own way up the hill to the entrance. All include entrance into the palaces by the 'tour group' entrance which is less congested than the individual ticket holder entrance. Most tours include for experienced professional guides, some just provide an audio-guide. Private tours are also available, the price depends on the number of adults in your party. Tours from Seville, Malaga, Costa del Sol, Marbella, Almeria can be found on their respective excursion pages.
