The Alhambra palace in Granada is completely unique – and quite fantastic. Nothing else in the world compares!
Therefore, despite the many visitors, it is unequivocally worth a visit. You shouldn´t miss this very special sight.
Michael Madsen shares how to get Alhambra Tickets with Nasrid Palace
But it is necessary to order tickets well in advance – otherwise they sell out.
Hereby 3 tips to secure the right tickets for your desires and needs:
Tip 1) Make sure to be ahead of demand
In order not to damage the delicate Nadrid Palace, which is the central part of La Alhambra, the conservation authorities have set a maximum of 600 visitors per hour.
The 6,600 daily tickets are always sold out – there is much higher demand than tickets available.
This means that it is important to book your tickets well in advance.
And that it is usually not possible to buy tickets at the entrance to La Alhambra.
Tip 2) Choose the right ticket for you – with or without a guide
Do you prefer to walk around La Alhambra yourselves?
Or do you prefer to get all the exciting information about La Alhambra that a guide can tell you?
It is important to choose the right type of ticket right away – it cannot be changed later.
If you would rather walk around La Alhrambra yourself – at your own pace – but still get all the exciting information, there is a solution that offers the advantages of both types of tickets:
The Audio guide
The audio guide is like a mobile phone – that is, having the guide in your hand and deciding the pace yourself. This way you can walk around the Alhambra yourselves – at your own pace – and avoid the large groups listening to a live guide.
Tip 3) Buy tickets at a real agency
There are lots of unauthorized sales channels on the Internet.
And unfortunately some sell tickets that either don’t exist, don’t include the Nasrid Palace, don’t have an audio guide or are simply too expensive.
Therefore make sure to choose a recognized agency, e.g. GetYourGuide.
Alhambra tickets with Nasrid Palace are sold out more than a month in advance
It is not possible to get tickets without a guide at short notice.
Within the next month there are only these 2 options:
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Within the next month, the only option to get Alhambra tickets including the Nasrid Palace is with a guided tour.
Availability for tickets with audio guide & tickets without a guide:
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Would you like to go sooner? Book here without the Nasrid palace.
Combine your Alhambra tickets with an amazing Flamenco experience:
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Frequently asked questions about Alhambra & Granada:
What to see at the Alhambra?
1) The Nasrid Palace with the Lions’ Court
2) The Alcazaba Castle
3) Charles V Palace
4) Generalife Gardens
5) The view of the city of Granada
What not to miss in the Alhambra?
The Nasrid Palace. It would be a shame to miss it.
It is the most complete and well-preserved Moorish architecture in the world – with endless fine details.
Even if you are not particularly interested in architecture or history, the Nadrid Palace is a very impressive building that will take your breath away.
When is the best time to visit the Alhambra?
Summer and autumn: Early in the morning – before it gets too hot.
Winter and spring: Late morning or afternoon.
There are roughly the same number of visitors all year around – and they are evenly distributed throughout the day – so visiting time has no importance for the number of tourists.
An exciting alternative in summer: Evening visit to the Alhambra. It is less hot and there is a great view over the city when the lights are turned on in the streets.
How much time do you need for visiting the Alhambra?
Expect between 3 and 5 hours. Those who are in a hurry may be able to do so in 2-2½ hours.
The ticket is valid for either the morning or the afternoon – a total of 6 hours. Of this, 1 hour is allocated for the Nasrid Palace.
Is there a dress code at the Alhambra?
No. Just like on the street, you should, however, not walk around bare-chested or in a bikini.
Can you take pictures at the Alhambra?
Yes, but not with a flash.
Selfie sticks and tripods are not allowed.
Can you bring food and drinks?
Yes, but only in a small bag (40cm x 40cm). However, food and drinks may only be consumed in the designated areas.
You can also buy food and drinks – both from vending machines and in restaurants at the entrance.
How to get tickets for the Alhambra?
The official website; Does unfortunately not contribute significantly to the local economy.
At the entrance: Possible if there are still Alhambra tickets available, but not a risk you should take.
At local agencies, e.g. through the platform Tiqets: Recommended because it helps young people get jobs such as guides, administrative staff, drivers, accountants, etc. at local agencies.
With “Andalusia Pass”: Get tickets to Seville, Granada and Cordoba in one single card. See it here.
What is the ticket price?
The entrance fee costs between 25 and 60 EUR, depending on which Alhambra ticket you choose. Make sure to choose Fast-Track to avoid the queues.
If you buy a ticket without the Nasrid Palace, it is somewhat cheaper.
Where can you park?
Right next to La Alhambra. There is a huge parking lot with plenty of space for everyone.
IMPORTANT: Do not drive into the city center of Granada under any circumstances! It is a terrible city to get around in car.
Instead, follow the signs for “Alhambra” directly from the highway – you will be directed around the city center.
How do you get to Granada and the Alhambra?
By car: Follow the signs for “Alhambra” directly from the highway.
By train: There are trains from Malaga, Seville, Madrid and Cordoba directly to Granada.
Excursion: Local agencies organize guided tours from all over the Costa del Sol to the Alhambra, for example through the Tiqets platform.
Alhambra tickets with transport included:
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How to get down to Granada city center?
By bus: There are city buses from the city center up to the Alhambra and back again. It’s easy and doesn’t cost much.
By foot: You can easily walk down to the city center from Alhambra (1 km). You can also walk back up, although it’s uphill.
What is so special about the Alhambra?
1) The architecture: Unique Moorish architecture and craftsmanship with endless impressive details.
2) The buildings and gardens: Incredibly well-preserved buildings with fantastic gardens. The Moors have thought of everything!
3) The history: The Alhambra reveils a 1000-year history with Moorish emirs and Catholic kings.
4) The views: Unforgettable views over Granada city.
Why is the Alhambra such a big attraction?
La Alhambra is on the list of the world’s greatest attractions because it has such a magnificent and impressive architecture – and because it is incredibly well preserved.
How do you avoid the tourists in the Alhambra?
You can’t avoid the tourists in the Alhambra. All year round, there are 6600 visitors every day – evenly distributed throughout the day.
However, it is only at the entrance to the Nasrid Palace that you will have to queue. Otherwise, the tourists are spread out nicely and you can walk around at your own pace.
If you want to avoid following a group and having to crowd around a guide, an audio guide is a good solution – then you can walk around with your own guide in your hand.
How to avoid the heat during your visit to the Alhambra?
Book your entrance ticket in the morning – with a ticket to the Nadrid Palace as early as possible.
In summer and autumn, afternoon tickets should be avoided.
Alternatively, book summer tickets for the evening.
Can you buy Alhambra tickets at the entrance?
Yes, but only if there are still tickets available. There are ticket machines at the entrance.
You should not rely on buying tickets at the entrance as they are often sold out far in advance.
Is it best to buy Alhambra tickets with a guide?
There are 2 aspects to this:
1) Information: It would be a shame not to know what you are seeing along the way.
2) Contribution: Youth unemployment is 40.6% in Andalusia and young people are in dire need of job opportunities, e.g. as a guide. Make a contribution to the fight against youth unemployment!
Can you get to the Alhambra without a car?
Yes, there are trains from Malaga, Seville, Madrid and Cordoba to Granada and city buses up to the Alhambra.
And then local agencies organize excursions from most of the Costa del Sol, Seville and several other places. They offer the excursions through the Tiqets platform and are responsible for creating local jobs – so you also contribute to the local economy.
Do you have to queue a lot at the Alhambra?
No, the tourists spread out quite well.
There is basically only a queue at the entrance to the Nadrid Palace, where you have to show up at the time stated on the ticket.
Is the city of Granada worth a visit?
Yes, definitely. Granada is probably the finest of the Andalusian cities with lots of nice places to visit, for example:
1) Albaycin: The picturesque district with steep, narrow streets
2) Mirador de San Nicolas Square, which is however full of tourists.
2) Sacromonte: The old gypsy quarter
4) City center with cozy pedestrian streets and lots of restaurants
Is the Nasrid Palace a must?
Yes, the Nasrid Palace is the most amazing experience.
But the rest of the Alhambra is also quite amazing, not least the Generalife Palace with its gardens is quite special.
So if you can’t get tickets for the Nadrid Palace, you’ll still have a really good experience.
Can the Alhambra be compared to anything else in the world?
No, at least not in terms of greatness.
Architecturally and stylistically, it resembles the Real Alcazar in Seville, but the Alhambra is even more impressive.
Is the Alhambra worth a visit at all?
Yes, definitely.
Even though there are many tourists here, you won’t want to miss out on the experience of these amazing buildings.
With the Alhambra experience fresh in your mind, you can get away from tourism and go off the beaten track.
But it would be a shame not to have experienced the Alhambra.
Where is the Alhambra on the list of the world’s greatest attractions?
There is no official list, but on the most recognized unofficial list it is number 33.
The Alhambra is the highest-ranking attraction in Spain.
Is it necessary to book tickets in advance?
Yes. Otherwise it will be sold out.
There is actually no queue at the entrance. And there are ticket machines here.
But the tickets with the Nasrid Palace included are always sold out.
Do Alhambra tickets often sell out?
Yes, almost always.
At least tickets with the Nasrid Palace included.
You can usually get tickets without the Nasrid Palace last-minute, as there are no access restrictions in the rest of the Alhambra.
Can you get tickets without a guide at short notice?
No. Tickets without a guide are sold out at least a month in advance.
Within the coming month the only option is to buy tickets with a guide.
Why should you book a guided tour?
There are 2 good reasons to choose a guided tour:
1. It would be a shame not to know what you are seeing on your way around the Alhambra.
2. You contribute to combating the high youth unemployment rate of 40.6% in Andalusia. Many young people get their first job – and thus access to the job market – as a guide at, for example, the Alhambra.
How many tickets are for sale for the Alhambra?
Tickets with access to the Nadrid Palace: 600 per hour. A total of 6600 per day.
Tickets without access to the Nadrid Palace: There are no official figures – it depends on demand.
Is there a high demand for Alhambra tickets?
There is a huge demand for Alhambra tickets with the Nasrid Palaces included, yes.
These usually sell out a whole month in advance.
Is it possible to buy tickets at the entrance?
Yes, there are ticket machines at the entrance.
However, tickets with the Nasrid Palace included are sold out far in advance.
Only buy tickets at the entrance if you want to settle on seeing only the rest of the Alhambra Palace, but not the Nasrid Palace.
Can you walk around the Alhambra yourself – at your own pace?
Yes. In general, there is plenty of space and freedom of movement in the different parts of the Alhambra Palace.
Ticket without a guide: You can walk around freely and just have to be at the Nasrid Palace at a certain time.
Ticket with an audio guide: Here you can also move around freely and just have to be at the Nasrid Palace at a certain time.
Ticket with a guide: Here the guide calls the group together when you come to a new information point. Afterwards, there is usually time to take a closer look at the place yourself.
The Alhambra is large and – unlike other attractions – there is plenty of space to move around freely without standing in line or being crowded.
Can you change your ticket afterwards?
Many tickets can be cancelled again with a full refund.
The disadvantage is that you can’t necessarily get a new ticket…
It may have sold out in the meantime.
Does buying tickets contribute to the local economy?
Yes, depending on the type of ticket.
Tickets without a guide do not contribute significantly to the local economy or to combating youth unemployment.
Tickets with an audio guide do not either.
Tickets with a guide contribute to getting young people into the labour market – and therefore have a positive impact on the local economy. And for you it will only costs you a modest amount.
Is there a ticket that provides both information and freedom?
Yes, a ticket with an audio guide gives you the freedom to move around at your own pace.
Tickets with a live guide also give you a lot of freedom, as the Alhambra is large and you are not hustled around like you would at some other attractions.
How does the audio guide for the Alhambra work?
You simply choose the language and then put it to your ear.
The audio guide receives a signal about where you are, so it always has up-to-date information about where you are.
Is there a risk when buying tickets, e.g. of not having the Nasrid Palace included?
Yes, you should be careful!
Sales materials usually do not state what is not included, but rather what is included.
So if the Nasrid Palace is included, it is definitely stated in the title. Otherwise, assume that it is not.
Which agencies are recognized sales channels?
The two most recognized ticket agencies are GetYourGuide and Tiqets.
If you stick to them, you won’t go wrong.
But here too, you have to check if the Nasrid Palace is included – they have both types of tickets.
Is there a ticket for both Seville, Cordoba and Granada?
Yes, the “Andalusia Pass” is the ticket that gives access to attractions in both Seville, Cordoba and Granada.
See more about the Andalusia Pass here:
Can you get tickets without a guide at short notice?
No. Tickets without a guide sell out more than a month in advance.
Can you get tickets with an audio guide in the near future?
No. Tickets with an audio guide also sell out far in advance.
What do you do when the tickets are sold out?
Within the next month, there are only 2 options:
1. Buy tickets with a guided tour, e.g. at GetYourGuide
2. Buy tickets without the Nadrid Palace included, e.g. here
Which flamenco show is the best in Granada?
“Jardines de Zoraya” is the most beautiful and highly recognized flamenco show in Granada.
Here you can get a ticket without meals/drinks or a ticket with drinks and dinner included.
What is a very special experience in Granada?
In addition to the Alhambra, there is a very unique experience in Granada:
Try the old Andalusian hammam “Al-Andalus” with an exclusive massage.
Tickets for the Al-Andalus hammam
Is the Cathedral of Granada worth a visit?
Yes, definitely. It is really beautiful and quite impressive.
Book tickets here: Granada cathedral
Can you experience the Sierra Nevada from Granada?
Yes, you can drive up there by car, but you need to know where to go to find the beautiful places.
The ski resort at the end of the tarmac road is not worth a visit, so find some beautiful hiking trails instead.
Be taken directly to the most beautiful places with an organized tour.
Can you go rafting from Granada?
Yes, there are canyoning tours from Granada.
What is the best way to see the Albaicin and Sacromonte neighborhoods?
You can walk around yourself, although it is quite far to the end of Sacromonte.
You can also take the local city bus. It is easy and cheap.
In both cases, however, you do not get the history of the two exciting neighborhoods and easily end up in tourist traps.
Finally, you can get a guided tour where you get everything.
Guided tour to Albaicin and Sacromonte
These are the 3 nicest places to stay in Granada:
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