Alhambra Tickets: Everything You Need to Know + Our Tips

What does the Alhambra visit include?

The Alhambra is a large Moorish fortress complex on the Sabikah Hill in Granada and one of the most famous landmarks in the world.

But it’s not simply a sight in Granada — it’s much more of a massive complex made up of several attractions: palaces, towers, viewing platforms, gardens, and museums. A mighty fortress wall surrounds the entire complex.

The Alhambra is essentially a small city within a city.

The classic route through the Alhambra, which takes you past all the highlights, is about 2.2 miles long. So you’ll need comfortable shoes and plenty of time to see everything.

Our Ticket Recommendation for Those in a Hurry

Already familiar with the Alhambra and just want to know which ticket to buy?

We recommend the skip-the-line ticket with Nasrid Palaces access. With this, you skip the queue at the entrance and also have reserved entry to the Alhambra’s main attraction, the Nasrid Palaces.

Alhambra Map

To give you an overview of where the most important sights and landmarks of the Alhambra are located, we’ve put together an Alhambra map for you.

The Most Beautiful Alhambra Highlights

The Alhambra consists of four main areas. All four are large architectural complexes with their own plazas, viewing platforms, walkways, and gardens. The four main areas of the Alhambra are:

Alcazaba

The word Alcazaba comes from Arabic and roughly means “fortress.” The Alcazaba is the oldest part of the Alhambra and, with its watchtowers and defensive walls, forms the stronghold of the complex.

Two of the Alcazaba’s watchtowers can also be climbed: the Torre del Homenaje, just to the right of the entrance to the Alcazaba, and the Torre de la Vela.

The latter is also the tallest tower of the Alhambra and, at nearly 89 feet high, offers a seriously impressive panorama over Granada and the Sierra Nevada.

The Alcazaba also includes the Plaza de Armas, the Puerta de las Armas, the Plaza de los Aljibes, and the gardens along the fortress wall.

Palacio de Carlos V

The Palacio de Carlos V was built around 600 years after the Alcazaba, long after the Arab sultans had left Andalusia.

And you can tell at a glance: the Renaissance palace looks more like the typical palaces you’d find in the city centers of Florence or Rome.

The palace was intended to be the summer residence of King Charles V of Spain, but construction was never completed during his lifetime.

Today it houses two museums: the Museum of Fine Arts, featuring predominantly religious artworks, and the Alhambra Museum, with artifacts found at the site. You can visit both museums free of charge.

But even if you’re not in the mood for a museum visit, you should still step inside: the real centerpiece is the 98-foot-wide, circular courtyard, which is absolutely worth seeing.

Nasrid Palaces

The Nasrid Palaces are the main attraction of the Alhambra. They form a large palace complex within the Alhambra, made up of several sections — including magnificent gardens, sculptures, elaborately decorated halls, courtyards, and water features.

They served as the seat of the Moorish kingdom’s administration in Andalusia, and the architects clearly spared no effort: the ceilings, arches, and walls of mosaics and colorful tiles give just a hint of the incredible craftsmanship that went into their construction.

Unfortunately, you can’t simply walk into the Nasrid Palaces: entry is time-specific, and you must reserve a time slot when purchasing your Alhambra tickets.

This means you need to decide whether you want to visit the Nasrid Palaces at the time of purchase. Deciding on a whim once you’re there isn’t an option, since visitor capacity is limited and tickets typically sell out very quickly.

So if you’re planning to visit the Nasrid Palaces, you need to book your Alhambra tickets as far in advance as possible. In summer, that means even several weeks ahead.

Generalife

The Generalife Palace stands on the eastern side of the Alhambra.

The palace was once the summer residence of the sultans: while the Nasrid Palaces served as the seat of administration and government, the Generalife and its gardens were a retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the Alhambra.

That’s why the Generalife is actually located outside the walls. Even so, a visit is absolutely part of any Alhambra tour — and it’s included in every Alhambra ticket.

The palace itself is relatively simple in design. What makes the Generalife really worth visiting are its beautifully landscaped gardens and water features. These include a stunning cypress-lined avenue leading up to the palace, as well as rose and fruit gardens, gravel walkways, fountains, and irrigation channels that run throughout the entire garden complex.

The Most Important Alhambra Tickets

The most popular option is the skip-the-line ticket with access to the Nasrid Palaces — and it’s our clear recommendation.

With it, you can explore the entire fortress complex at your own pace. The ticket is valid for a full day.

For the visit to the Nasrid Palaces, however, you’ll need to reserve a time slot. Note: you absolutely must be on time at the entrance to the palaces at your booked time — otherwise you may be denied entry. You’re allowed to stay for a maximum of 30 minutes.

Our tip: For entry to the Nasrid Palaces, it’s best to choose a time slot in the late afternoon, from 4 PM onward. By then, fewer visitors are in the Alhambra and you can admire the Nasrid Palaces in the beautiful light of the late afternoon sun.

Book skip-the-line tickets + Nasrid Palaces

More Alhambra Ticket Recommendations

Depending on your plans, there’s a ticket that’s right for you:

You want to visit both the Alhambra and Granada’s old town

If you’d like to explore both the Alhambra and Granada’s historic center, we recommend the Granada Pass. It includes skip-the-line access to the Alhambra including the Nasrid Palaces, an Alhambra audio guide, the Hop-On/Hop-Off train through Granada, and a Granada travel guide app.

Get the Granada Pass

You want to visit the Alhambra without the Nasrid Palaces

Short on time and happy to see the Nasrid Palaces only from the outside? Then you can book a cheaper ticket without the Nasrid Palaces. These are usually available on fairly short notice too.

Book Alhambra tickets without Nasrid Palaces

You want a guided tour of the Alhambra

If you really want to dive into the history of the Alhambra, a guided tour is the way to go. A knowledgeable guide will take you to all the major highlights of the complex in about three hours, including the Nasrid Palaces.

A guided tour also makes sense if you’re short on time but still want to get as much out of the Alhambra as possible. Plus, your guide gets you straight in everywhere — no waiting in line.

Book a guided tour of the Alhambra & Nasrid Palaces

You’re looking for a special Alhambra experience

There’s also the option to visit the entire Alhambra and the Nasrid Palaces at night. It’s a truly special experience — the buildings, and especially the Nasrid Palaces, are beautifully lit up and wonderfully uncrowded.

Your night ticket is valid from 10 PM for about 1.5 hours.

Book the Alhambra night ticket

All Alhambra tickets are sold out?

If you weren’t able to get Alhambra tickets for your desired day, you have three options:

You can also buy Alhambra tickets on-site. However, these are only valid for the same day, and you should get there as early in the morning as possible to have a chance of getting them.

Book a guided tour. These usually have last-minute spots available.

Buy Alhambra tickets without access to the Nasrid Palaces. Since there’s no cap on visitor numbers in the rest of the Alhambra, these are available on short notice.

All Alhambra Tickets at a Glance

Buying Alhambra Tickets: What You Need to Know

Book Alhambra Tickets Online and in Advance

You should buy your Alhambra tickets online and as far in advance as possible.

Because the Alhambra is one of the most popular attractions in Granada, tickets sell out weeks in advance during peak season. The earlier you plan your visit, the better.

If you’re visiting during the winter months, you’ll have better chances of getting last-minute tickets, including for the Nasrid Palaces. With a bit of luck, you may even be able to get tickets for the next day.

Buying Alhambra tickets on-site is only possible for the same day. To do this, arrive at the ticket counter at the main entrance as early in the morning as possible.

Bring Your ID or Passport

Alhambra tickets are name-specific and non-transferable. At the ticket checkpoints at the Alhambra entrances, you’ll need to show your passport or ID — it must be the same document you used when booking.

Note: Photocopies or IDs saved on your smartphone are not accepted — it must be the original.

Entry to the Nasrid Palaces Is Time-Specific

Only a certain number of people are allowed inside the Nasrid Palaces per hour. That’s why you must reserve a time slot for your visit when purchasing your Alhambra tickets.

Make sure to plan your visit so that you arrive at the entrance to the Nasrid Palaces a bit earlier than your reserved time, as lines can form. If you arrive too late, you may be denied entry.

Children Under 12 Also Need a Ticket

Children under 12 get free admission to the Alhambra, but they still need their own ticket. So if you have children between 3 and 12, you’ll need to include them when booking.

Children under 3 don’t need to be added — they’ll automatically receive a ticket at the main entrance.

General Tips for Your Alhambra Visit

Here are a few practical things to know before you go.

Which Alhambra Entrance Should You Use?

The Alhambra has two entrances: the Puerta de la Justicia at the western end and the main entrance with the ticket counter at the eastern end.

Use the Puerta de la Justicia if:

you already have your ticket and don’t need to pick one up,

you’re walking to the Alhambra,

you don’t have much time and only want to visit the most important monuments.

There’s no ticket counter at the Puerta de la Justicia — only a ticket checkpoint. If you don’t have a ticket yet or are coming with children under 3, you’ll need to go to the main entrance.

This entrance is also the closest to Granada’s city center: if you want to reach the Alhambra on foot, it’s the most convenient option.

Use the main entrance if:

you’re arriving at the Alhambra by car,

you still need to pick up your ticket,

you’ve booked a guided tour,

you have plenty of time and want to visit the Generalife and its gardens first.

The ticket counter is considered the main entrance to the Alhambra. It’s located outside the walls, near the Generalife. If you enter from here, you’ll need to walk through the grounds for about 15 minutes to reach the palaces.

There’s also a large parking lot here for private cars, as well as the bus stop for buses from Granada’s city center.

Of course, you can also reach the main entrance on foot: from the Plaza Nueva, the walk uphill takes about 20 minutes.

Visit the Alhambra First Thing in the Morning

Most visitors don’t arrive until between 9 and 10 AM. But if you get there at 8:30 AM when the Alhambra opens its gates, the grounds will still be wonderfully uncrowded.

You can also enter the Nasrid Palaces as early as 8:30 AM. This is the best time slot to visit the palaces without the usual crowds.

If you reserve this time slot, however, make sure to enter the Alhambra through the Puerta de la Justicia, as it opens at 8:15 AM.

The main entrance doesn’t open until 8:30 AM, and from there you’ll never make it to the palaces in time — they’re another 15–20 minutes away.

Our Alhambra Tips for the Tour

We recommend visiting the Nasrid Palaces first of all. Since you can only enter them at your booked time, you won’t be under any time pressure while visiting the other monuments beforehand.

The best way to do this is to enter the Alhambra through the Puerta de la Justicia, since the palaces are only a few minutes away from there.

Note: Keep in mind that there can be lines at the Puerta de la Justicia too. Try to arrive at the entrance at least half an hour early so you can make it to the Nasrid Palaces in time for your booked slot.

Save the Generalife and its gardens for last. There you can relax on a bench before leaving the Alhambra through the main entrance.

If you’re visiting the Nasrid Palaces in the late afternoon, it’s worth entering through the main entrance in the morning and visiting the Generalife first. In that case, save the Nasrid Palaces for very last. Plan on at least 3 hours for the other Alhambra sights beforehand.

How Much Time Should You Allow for the Alhambra?

As a general rule, you’ll need at least three hours for the entire Alhambra — and even then, you’d have to move through the sights at a fairly brisk pace.

The Generalife gardens alone deserve an hour of your attention, as do the two museums in the Palacio de Carlos V and the entire Alcazaba complex.

So if you want to take breaks and really soak in the views, plan on 4–5 hours for your visit.

The Best Time to Visit the Alhambra

The Alhambra is at its most beautiful during the blooming season, between May and June. The gardens are buzzing with life, and the fruit trees and flower beds of the Generalife are in full bloom.

Unfortunately, this is also the busiest time, so expect crowds and lines.

For a nearly crowd-free experience, visit during the winter months. Winters in Granada are very mild anyway, with plenty of sunny days. And since the Alhambra generally offers little shade, the pleasant, not-too-hot Andalusian winter sun is perfect for a visit.

Staying Overnight at the Alhambra

If you’re looking for something special for your stay in Granada, we have just the right recommendation: you can actually spend the night inside the Alhambra, either at the Hotel América or the Parador de Granada.

The Hotel América is a small family-run hotel with loads of charm and wonderfully friendly owners.

The Parador de Granada is housed in a former monastery and is truly beautiful: wooden beam ceilings, canopy beds, a gorgeous view of the Generalife gardens, and a typical Andalusian patio.

With a hotel inside the Alhambra, you’ll have the chance to stroll around the grounds after closing time, once the tourist crowds have headed back down to Granada.

What to Bring to the Alhambra?

Since you’ll be spending several hours at the Alhambra, there are a few things to keep in mind.

It’s best to bring a small day pack where you can stash snacks, sandwiches, and a thermos.

Note: Your bag really should be small — otherwise you’ll have to leave it at the entrance. Large bags and suitcases are not allowed inside the Alhambra.

There are no restaurants inside the Alhambra, only a kiosk and a few scattered snack vending machines.

You can refill your water bottle at the various drinking water stations throughout the complex. A thermos will keep the water nice and cool, which is especially handy during Granada’s hot summer months.

Comfortable shoes are a must too — you’ll be doing a lot of walking and climbing plenty of stairs.

Alhambra with Kids

Children up to and including age 11 get free admission. From age 3, however, a free ticket still needs to be reserved for them. Children between 12 and 15 pay only half price.

Strollers and buggies are allowed in the Alhambra, but aren’t particularly practical. There are steps throughout, and they’re not permitted inside some areas at all, including the Nasrid Palaces.

You can, however, leave your stroller in a designated storage room located next to the Palacio de Carlos V.

If you’re visiting the Alhambra with a baby, it’s also worth bringing a baby carrier, so you don’t have to carry your child in your arms the whole time when navigating the many steps of the Nasrid Palaces or the Alcazaba.

If you don’t have your own baby carrier, you can also rent one on-site.

Day Trips to the Alhambra from Other Parts of Andalusia

If you’re in another part of Andalusia and don’t have a car, you can still visit the Alhambra. Numerous day trips are offered from Málaga, Seville, and other cities in the region.

From Málaga: guided day trip to the Alhambra with free time in Granada’s city center

From Seville: guided day trip to the Alhambra and guided tour through the Albaicín neighborhood in Granada

From Torremolinos: guided day trip to the Alhambra with free time in Granada’s city center