Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting the Alhambra & Generalife in Granada

FAQs, Questions and Answers

Tickets and Bookings

Where can I buy tickets in advance? You can purchase tickets for your visit at Tickets-Alhambra-Granada.com as an Official Authorized Agent. Advance booking is highly recommended.
Can I get last-minute tickets? Buying last-minute resale or second-hand tickets for the Alhambra is almost impossible and strongly discouraged, as tickets are personal and non-transferable. The risk is that access will be denied if the name on the ticket does not match the visitor’s ID document. Warning: Do not buy tickets on the street or from unofficial websites; tickets are nominative and names cannot be changed.
What can you do if tickets are sold out? There are guided tours around the noble areas and surroundings of the Alhambra available in both daytime and night-time formats that do NOT require an entrance ticket.
Does the ticket include a guided tour? No. The ticket only grants access to the monument. Guided tours are optional and must be booked separately if you already have tickets; alternatively, you can reserve tours that include both guide and ticket.
Can I change the visitor’s name after purchasing the ticket? Yes, but changes can only be made up to the day before the visit, for a maximum of 1 out of every 10 visitors per booking reference, and only for bookings of at least 5 people.
Can I change the date and/or time of my ticket? NO. Once the purchase is confirmed, these details cannot be modified. Please remember to arrive on time for your selected Nazaries Palaces entry slot due to strict capacity control, limited to 300 people every half hour. Once the scheduled time has passed, the right to visit this area will be lost.
Is it possible to get a refund for my ticket? No. All ticket purchases are final and non-refundable.
Can I reserve my ticket online and pay later? It is not possible to reserve now and pay later due to the high demand for tickets. Ticket purchases require immediate payment upon confirmation of the booking. Purchases are final and binding.
Can I carry my ticket on my mobile phone? A maximum of 6 electronic tickets can be presented per booking reference, so it is recommended to bring a printed A4 paper ticket. The print quality must be good, and partially printed, stained, damaged, or illegible tickets will not be accepted.
Can I buy tickets at the ticket office on the same day of the visit? Yes, provided there is availability. Since there is a daily visitor limit, tickets at the ticket office may already be sold out by the time you arrive. Long queues also form to enter the monument, so buying tickets onsite can mean extra waiting time in addition to the 2.5–3 hour visit itself. For all these reasons, we always recommend purchasing tickets in advance to save time, effort, and concerns, and above all to secure your place.
Are there discounts or free tickets? Tickets are only free for children under 12 years old and EU schools with prior request. Discounts are available for EU senior citizens over 65 and pensioners.

Visit and Access

How long does the visit last? Between 2 and 4 hours, with at least 3 hours recommended for a complete experience.
Can I enter the same area more than once? No. Each area may only be accessed once, although once inside there is no time limit during opening hours.
What time does the Alhambra open? It opens at 8:30 a.m. Arriving early is recommended, especially for the Nasrid Palaces.
Are there special visits for groups? For organized group visits and associations, please visit the following link.

Recommendations and Regulations

Can I bring a backpack or suitcase? Backpacks smaller than 40x40 cm are allowed. Suitcases are not permitted. There is a free luggage storage service for large backpacks.
Are pets allowed? No, except for registered guide dogs.
Can I book a private guided tour? Yes, you can hire a private guide for a personalized experience along with your tickets.
Can the Alhambra be visited privately without other visitors? Yes, there is an exclusive private closed-door visit specially designed for groups and VIP clients.

Services and Facilities

Are there shops or restaurants available? Yes, there are souvenir shops, cafés inside the complex, and nearby restaurants.
Can I rent an audio guide? Yes, audio guides are available in several languages at the main ticket office or at the Palace of Charles V.
Are there restrooms inside the complex? Yes, restroom facilities are available at the Palace of Charles V and the Generalife.

How to Get to the Alhambra of Granada

On Foot:

Cuesta Gomérez (from Plaza Nueva).
Cuesta del Realejo (from Plaza del Realejo).
Cuesta del Rey Chico or “Cuesta de los Chinos” (from Paseo de los Tristes).

By Car:

Access to the Alhambra by car is via the southern ring road of the city, towards Sierra Nevada, since private vehicles are not allowed to access the Alhambra directly from the city center. You must take the Granada ring road surrounding the city, heading south (Motril direction), and follow the signs to the Alhambra (Ronda Sur), which will lead you to the monument parking area. You must pass through the Serrallo tunnel, turn left at the roundabout, and continue up Avenida de Santa María de la Alhambra and then Camino Viejo del Cementerio.

The Alhambra and Generalife Board provides a public parking area to facilitate vehicle access to the monumental complex. It extends from the roundabout at the cemetery entrance to the Access Pavilion, where the ticket offices are located. The parking is divided into several areas according to vehicle type: parking for buses and caravans (P-4), plus three additional areas for private cars and adapted vehicles (P-1). The parking area is open and monitored 24 hours a day.

By Urban Bus:

For connections from different points in the city, visit www.movilidadgranada.com.
Line C30: Alhambra – City Centre (Plaza Isabel La Católica)
Line C32: Alhambra – Albaicín
Line C35: Cemetery – Barranco del Abogado – City Centre (Plaza Isabel la Católica)

Maps and Plans of the Alhambra

In this section you can find maps and plans of the Alhambra and Generalife in Granada to help with your route and visit. Access points, city routes, entrances, locations of the different areas and sections, buildings, halls, towers, and surrounding areas are all indicated.

(Click on the images to enlarge them)