How we almost did not get the Alhambra Tickets

The plans for visiting Granada was made 3 months prior to actual date of visit. Hotel reservations too were made a month before the dates but we forgot to do one important thing. That is, check up the places we intended to visit. Alhambra always figured in the top of the list of must see places in Granada, but it never occurred to us that the entering it actually isn’t so easy. It is not like just buy the tickets from counter for Alhambra and walk in.

When I read up in detail about the place I panicked. Alhambra sells limited number of tickets both online and for day visitors. When I checked for availability of tickets, all online tickets were sold out for 19th May 2015. This meant I have to be on time at the ticket counter for that day’s ticket. The thought of not being able to get tickets for that day kept nagging me. However I kept the thought aside and we stuck to our original route plan.

Queue for Alhambra Tickets

Queue for Alhambra Tickets

Late in planning for Alhambra? Worry not here are some quick links for the Alhambra Tickets:

Queueing up for Alhambra Tickets

Barcelona to Granada was a long journey but not tiring. After a short tour of Granada streets and early dinner we retired to bed setting the alarm to wake up soon. Rick Steves had advised: Same day tickets are virtually never available unless you are willing to get up very early and wait in line.

Queue for tickets to Alhambra

Tickets for Alhambra

Ticket counters open at 8. We planned to be there by 6.30, but in spite of all rush we made it there at 6.45. We were disappointed seeing the long queue for tickets for Alhambra and gave up hopes of getting the same day ticket. But no sooner did we stand in the queue more tourists poured in and within 5 minutes the line length was almost double. They all must have read Rick Steves ‘ Tips to Visit Alhambra, I thought.

Some good sense had prevailed the previous night. I had made arrangements for light breakfast, packing up scones and muffins. We stood in queue munching on these for next two hours slightly hopeful slightly nervous whether we would make it to the ticket counter before the tickets get over. At sharp 8, the counters opened, the display board kept updating the status on tickets.

Alhambra Tickets Official

Alhambra general, this is the only ticket which allows you to see Palacios Nazaries during day. There were around 325 tickets for the day split between 8.30hrs to 14.00hrs and 14.00hrs to 20.00hrs. The bookings for 19th night were made at Seville. We had to leave Granada by evening whether we get to see Palacios Nazaries or not.

…nearing the Alhambra ticket counter 

As we neared the ticket counter there were 7 or 8 couples ahead of us when the board showed 22 tickets remaining. It was a nail biting wait for the next 10 to 15 minutes. Because even if 2 of the couples decide to buy more than 4 tickets there would be none left for us.

The queue inched forward. One couple couple came out with smiles, then another couple… I had the urge to ask them ‘how many did you buy?’

Finally, we reached the counter.

Yay!!! We had the tickets for Alhambra in hand; it took some time for the feeling of happiness to sink in. We got the last slot, visit time was 19.00hrs. That meant it would be at least 20.30 hours when we leave for Seville, a long 3 hours drive. We decided to worry about it later, the next agenda was to have a decent breakfast!

Alhambra Ticket status for the day

The moral of this travel story is:

Plan your visit well and book your tickets in advance. Else you will be like one of those million tourists who come all the way to Granada and go back without seeing Palacios Nazaries in Alhambra.

Here is a FAQ that will help you plan better to visit and get the tickets for Alhambra.

Can timings of tickets be changed?

Plan your trip and choose your slot that suits the itinerary. Once you have chosen the timings to visit Alhambra they will not change it.

Are tickets to Alhambra cancellable?

You can cancel tickets for Alhambra before 72 hours for refund. Except 8 Euros rest is refunded. Any cancellation less than 72 hours in advance is non-refundable.

If your tickets are through a trip organizer, then refund is possible only if the organizer cancels or reschedules the visit timings.

Are hard copies of Alhambra Tickets a must?

You can use QR code on your phone. Alternatively you can use the ticket machine next to ticket office.

What is the ideal Alhambra tour time?

Three hours should suffice to tour Alhambra.

When is the best time to visit Alhambra?

In my opinion take the first slot in the morning to visit Alhambra to Nasrid Palaces. For best photographs early morning visits are the best.

Is there a dress code for Alhambra?

No dress code specified. But it is advisable to wear good walking shoes, as you have to walk a lot within Alhambra complex.

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43 Responses to “How we almost did not get the Alhambra Tickets

  • DANG! I’m so glad that you made it – what a nail-biter! Also, thank you for sharing your experience so when I make the journey to Grenada I will know to book the tickets ahead of time.

  • Oh my gosh, what a nail-biting experience. I’m so glad you got tickets eventually though! It always pays to research and plan in advance, but I have made assumptions about tickets in the past and been burned. You did so well to get the tickets to Alhambra by queuing!

  • I’m so glad you got in to see the Alhambra. I went so long ago I don’t think we had any problem with getting tickets but it’s popularity has clearly grown. I had the same nail biting experience trying to see the Last Supper in Milan and didn’t get in. It was heart wrenching. Words of wisdom, plan ahead.

  • I don’t have the patience for long lines. I am so glad that your perseverance paid off. It would have been really upsetting to get so close and then not see it. Great shots as well.

  • Oh wow I had no idea that such a long queue for tickets for Alhambra started from as early as 6am! Good tip to be prepared in buying online tickets. Glad to hear you got your tickets in the end – I can’t imagine how nailbiting those last 10 – 15 minutes would have been!!! Good travel lesson to take away.

  • I have been to several countries in Europe but somehow Spain has always eluded me. Of late I have been reading up a lot on Spain. Hope to make it some day. Alhambra looks so beautiful and Nisha has spoken about it a few times. Of course standing in Q is going to be a challenge. 🙁
    Very nice photos!

  • I am so happy that I read this post about booking tickets in advance to Al Hambra instead of waiting in crazy massive queues forever. I did not know that it could get so bad! I do plan to visit Spain this summer and since it will be the peak season then, I will be sensible enough and book my tickets in advance when I am in Grenada!

  • I would go ballistic to stand in line and not get a ticket.. Ok maybe not ballistic, but there would be drama (and probably crocodile tears). 😀 Thanks for the heads up on that possibility, but super glad you got in.

  • Very helpful to know that Alhambra is not an attraction for which you can expect to buy tickets on the day. I visited once as a teenager but it was an organised tour so the tour operator handled that side. It’s somewhere I want to return to, so the advice about tickets is super helpful.

  • Wow Indrani! I was biting my nails too reading your story 🙂

    Leaving without exploring Palacios Nazaries would’ve been a shame and I am so glad you made it 🙂

  • I love, love, love Spain! Good to know about how hard it is to get tickets. I had no idea that this was a thing. I’m glad you were able to get in and I’m glad you didn’t have to wait all day just to be told no. I bet you had an incredible time!

  • Any post about Spain makes me more excited. I just wish the visa processing get approved soon! Bookmarking this for future reference. Thanks for sharing

  • Wow I wouldn’t have expected this to be such a pain. Thanks for giving us a heads up!

  • Phew! It is great that you got the tickets. This has happened to me several times. The most recent was not being able to go to Alcatraz! I should really learn my lesson.

  • What a fantastic story. I could imagine us standing in line, not knowing, and Jenn being a worried mess. I am glad everything worked out for you guys and we super appreciate the heads up. The more we travel, the more we appreciate the first hand experiences of our fellow travelers.

  • Goodness how nerve-wrecking! 22 tickets left with 8 couples ahead of you?? I would have passed out from anxiety haha.. glad you got to go!

  • Ive not been to Granada yet I was hoping to go this year but other places got in the way so fingers crossed I get to visit next year. Good tip about getting tickets for the Alhambra though as it looks a lovely palace and it would be a shame to miss it on a visit.

  • So lucky you made the last slot- close call!

  • well done for making it! I hope it was worth the early start – sure we’ll find out more soon!

  • It’s always such a disappointment when you can’t get tickets for something you really wanted to see. I learned my lesson the hard way recently when I didn’t book tickets in advance for Neuschwanstein castle. It was a 2 days and 2 hours ahead of ticket online ticket cutoff that I didn’t know about. It pays to check through your whole itinerary for things you might be missing.

  • I really hate waiting in any line no matter what but sometimes it is necessary. Good thing you had a light snack with you and that you had read Rick Steeves tip in advance.

  • I'm not a fan of standing in lines although it is fun to watch people and take photos of those in the line. 😉

  • Wonderful pictures Indrani 🙂

  • I could feel the tension waiting to see if you got those tickets. Glad you did. Thank you so much for visiting my blog while I was away. Have a great week.

  • Ha! So much rush for the tickets can still ve imagined but the concept of selling limited no of tickets is kind of unimaginable. Interesting!

  • interesting post and pictures… 🙂

  • very beautiful pictures of a nice place to visit . your write up is very informative for those who wish to be there .

  • Oh the anticipation! Glad you made it to the ticket counter in time. Looking forward to read about Palacios Nazaries! 🙂

  • Wow, I am glad you were able to get your tickets. Good advice to plan well ahead! Have a happy week!

  • Glad you got the tickets…the wait in queues is the most trying time. Looking forward to the virtual tour of Palacios Nazaries with you 🙂

  • Phew – so glad you made it! The Alhambra is just beautiful!

  • Can sense the anticipation and tension in your blog…Glad you could make it. 🙂

  • We have unplanned tours most of the time and we have faced similar problems in many places. Glad you could get in finally…. 🙂

  • Understood the moral. Btw, good happens to good people 🙂

  • Wow you made the reading so exciting!! 🙂

  • One can find such long and disciplined queues in many places in Kerala state also….

    In front of Kerala Beverages Corporation (IMF Liquor) outlets…!

  • Nothing is as irritating like going close to what we love and return back without experiencing it. Prior planning is must as you said Indrani. Good interesting post.

  • Great post, amazing pictures Indrani 🙂

  • Glad you got in 🙂
    Now waiting to hear the next instalment of the story.

  • Wow, that was close. I can imagine the tension!

  • Waiting to see more beautiful pictures.

  • Ah, long lines are never fun!! That was one of the best things about living in Spain as long as we did!! Hope you have a great new week, Indrani!!

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