Secure your spot to appreciate the Alhambra's intricate design, and its pivotal role in Spain’s history and culture
18 options • from $18.77
+ 2 other top things to do
Combine Alhambra with other Granada favorites. Some things are better together.
This is the most popular ticket type for most guests. A general entry ticket grants access to most main areas of the monument complex: the Alcazaba fortress, Generalife gardens, Palace of Charles V, Partal, and Alhambra Museum.
Not all entry tickets include the Nasrid Palaces, which costs a little more and has a strictly enforced entry time.
Best for: the organized, independent traveler who has planned their trip to Granada several months ahead of time.
Dive deeper into the Alhambra’s fascinating cultural significance with an expert guide. Your guide has the ability to bring the intricate history, art, and symbolism of the palaces to life.
Since most guided tours include entry tickets to the venue, this is a great option if general entry tickets are sold out.
Best for: first-time visitors, history lovers, and anyone who may need last-minute tickets.
The Granada City Pass is a city pass that includes full access to the entire complex – including the Nasrid Palaces – along with entry to other key city monuments in the area.
City passes often include access to public transport, discounts, and other benefits during your stay.
Best for: travelers spending 2-3 days in Granada who want a convenient and budget-friendly way to explore the city's main highlights.
Day trips offer a complete, all-inclusive package for tourists staying elsewhere in Andalusia.
A day trip typically includes comfortable roundtrip coach transportation (sometimes with hotel pickup), a guaranteed Alhambra entry ticket, and often a guided tour of the monument.
Best for: travelers staying in Seville or Málaga who have the Alhambra on their must-see list.
Wander through the Alhambra to the Mexuar, where delicate, lace-like stucco adorns the walls.
In the Palace of Comares, the Hall of the Ambassadors showcases gleaming tilework alongside ceilings that resemble honeycombs.
The Palace of the Lions stands as the Alhambra's symbol, with the legendary Fountain of the Lions at its center.
This is the pinnacle of Moorish art and architecture in Europe and its beauty is world-renowned for its craftsmanship and detail.
Access is only included in Alhambra tickets that specify entry to the Nasrid Palaces, which is strictly controlled by the 30-minute time slot on your ticket. If you miss this time, you will be denied entry.
The Generalife was the tranquil summer palace and country estate of the Nasrid sultans.
Listen to the cooling sound of water from the Patio de la Acequia (Court of the Water Channel), the fragrant smells of roses and jasmine in the gardens, and the spectacular views looking back across the ravine to the main palaces.
The Generalife offers a peaceful contrast to the intricate palaces and showcases the Moorish mastery of garden and water design. It’s a glimpse into the leisurely life of the sultans.
Access to the Generalife is included in every Alhambra entry ticket, and can be visited at any time during opening hours.
This is the oldest and most formidable part of the complex – the original military fortress – a series of rugged, imposing defensive walls and towers.
Climb up the Torre de la Vela (Watchtower) for the best panoramic views over the city of Granada, including the historic Albaicín and Sacromonte quarters.
It provides the historical context for the entire site and offers the best photo opportunities of Granada.
The Alcazaba is included with a general Alhambra ticket and can be explored at your leisure.
Visit a Renaissance palace, built by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V after the Christian reconquest.
Its massive scale and unique circular courtyard are perfect examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture dropped into a delicate Islamic palace.
Currently, it houses the Museum of the Alhambra and the Fine Arts Museum.
It’s a powerful architectural symbol of the clash and fusion of cultures that defines the history of Granada and the Alhambra itself.
Included with the general Alhambra ticket, you can walk through the stunning circular courtyard freely.
The Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces are closed on December 25 and January 1.
Address: C. Real de la Alhambra, s/n, Centro, 18009 Granada, Spain
A beautiful, but steep, uphill walk from Plaza Nueva, Plaza del Realejo, or Cuesta del Rey Chico. Walking is not recommended during the summer months due to excessive heat.
Lines C30 (Alhambra-Center (Isabel La Católica Square), C32 (Alhambra-Albaicín), or C35 (Cemetery – Barranco del Abogado – City Center (Isabel la Católica Square)
Available, but very limited and can be expensive. Consider getting to the complex very early in the morning, or taking a taxi instead.
Nasrid Palaces entry: You must arrive at the Nasrid Palaces entrance at the specified time on your ticket. If you are late, you will not be allowed to enter, with no exceptions or refunds.
Bags and personal items: Large backpacks and baby strollers are often not permitted inside the Nasrid Palaces and must be left in designated lockers.
You can buy tickets for the Alhambra online through the venue’s official website, or from 3rd party sellers.
The Alhambra ticket office also sells tickets onsite, but same-day tickets are subject to availability.
Book last-minute Alhambra tickets through 3rd party sites, or book a guided tour, which often includes tickets to the venue in addition to an expert guide.
Alhambra tickets sell out quickly, but if you are in need of last-minute tickets, you may be able to find them through 3rd party sites, or by booking a guided tour with entry tickets included.
Depending on the experience you want, there are lots of different ticket options available:
Alhambra tickets are in high demand, so it’s important to book in advance.
Consider booking up to 2-3 months in advance of your visit date to select your preferred date and time, especially during high season (April through October).
The best days to visit the Alhambra are early in the week – Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Weekends usually bring larger crowds and longer lines, so a weekday visit will be a more relaxed experience.
Book your Alhambra tickets early in the morning or later in the evening during the summer months to avoid the heat.
Because Alhambra tickets sell out quickly and can be booked up to 2-3 months in advance, it’s recommended that you book your Alhambra visit well before your visit date.
Yes, you can buy Alhambra tickets at the ticket office of the venue.
However, due to high demand, tickets may not always be available for your preferred date or time, and you can expect long waiting lines at the ticket office.
No, all visitors to the Alhambra must have a valid ticket. Additionally, visitors are required to present a valid photo ID (like a passport) that matches the name of the ticket holder in order to enter the complex.
There are multiple ticket checkpoints located within the complex where you’ll need to present both your ticket and your ID to enter different parts of the venue, like the Nasrid Palaces.
There’s no dress code in order to enter the Alhambra.
Due to excessive heat in the summer and cooler nights, do dress for current weather conditions on the day of your visit.
The Alhambra complex isn’t Spain’s top attraction for no reason – it attracts upwards of 2.5 million guests every year! Although the complex itself is sprawling, visitor numbers are strictly limited to ensure crowd control and a pleasant guest experience.
Not all Alhambra tickets will get you the same amount of access to different components of the complex. All ticket types get you entry to the monumental complex: Alcazaba, Generalife, Palace of Charles V, Partal, Mosque Baths and Alhambra Museum.
While the Nasrid Palaces are located inside the Alhambra complex, you’ll need extra access included in your ticket. If you opt to see the Nasrid Palaces, colorful and intricate structures from Spain’s Moorish past, you’ll need an Alhambra ticket that has a mandatory timed entry.
