Granada, a picturesque city in Southern Spain, is nestled between the Genil River and the Sierra Nevada mountains. With its vibrant mix of churches, tapas bars, street markets, historic Arab quarters, and expressive graffiti art, the city buzzes with life. However, the crown jewel of Granada is the Alhambra Palace, an exquisite example of Islamic architecture. Situated atop the al-Sabika hill, the Alhambra is a sprawling 26-acre complex enclosed by extensive walls. If you're planning to visit this impressive site, it's important to know about its two main entrances and what each offers.
Alhambra Entrances | Quick Guide
Depending on the experience you are looking for, there are two Alhambra entrances to choose from; Pavilion Main Entrance and The Gate of Justice. Read on to find out everything you need to know about the entrances.
Pavilion Main Entrance
This entrance, located on the far east of the Alhambra, is for visitors who don't have a ticket or need to collect their QR code-based tickets. It's best suited for people who are driving till the top since the entrance is just a stones throw away from the huge car parking.
Head to the ticket office located in the Access Pavilion, a short distance from the Pavilion Main entrance. This entrance is nearest to the Generalife Gardens. Once you enter through the Pavilion Main Entrance, you will have access to the Alcazaba, Nasrid Palaces and the Generalife.
Tickets sell out fast as there is a restriction on the number of visitors per day. During peak times like weekends and holidays, it is advisable to arrive earlier at the ticket office as there can be long ticketing queues.
The Gate of Justice (Puerta de la Justicia)
The Gate of Justice is the entry point for visitors with pre-purchased QR-coded tickets and is located on the Alhambra's eastern wall. This grandiose gate was erected by Yusuf I in 1348 and is recognized for its iconic silhouette, marking it as a symbol of the Alhambra. Please note, there is no ticket booth at the Gate of Justice. Additionally, queues here are typically shorter compared to the Pavilion Main Entrance. The Alcazaba, the Palace of Charles V, and the Nasrid Palaces are the nearest attractions to this gate.
Which Alhambra entrance should I choose?
If you have already purchased your Alhambra Palace entrance ticket online, make sure to check it has a QR barcode. If not, then collect your QR barcoded tickets from the ticket counter at the Access Pavilion. In that case, the Pavilion Main Entrance is the best way to access the monument.
That said, if you’ve not purchased your tickets beforehand, the ticketing queues at this entrance can be serpentine during peak seasons. It’s best recommended to buy your Alhambra tickets online in advance to save yourself time, money & energy.
All online Alhambra Palace entrance tickets give you skip-the-line access to the monument from the Gate of Justice Entrance. These lines are much shorter and move faster, helping you save so much more time.
Recommended tickets to Alhambra
Getting To Alhambra Entrance
You can get access to the Alhambra grounds by any one of the following ways.
By Car:
If you want to drive to the Alhambra Palace, you’ll have to get to the ring road of Granada towards Motril (south). Follow the signs in the direction of Alhambra (Ronda Sur). The car park is located near the Access Pavilion.
By Bus:
Bus numbers C30, C32, and C35 stop outside the Access Pavilion entrance in Alhambra.
By Foot:
To get to Alhambra Palace, depending on your nearest location, you can get there by taking Street Cuesta Gomérez, Street Cuesta del Realejo or Street Cuesta del Rey Chico.
Quick tips for your Alhambra visit
- Backpacks bigger than 40 x 40 cm aren’t allowed inside the monumental area.
- Prams aren't allowed inside the Nasrid Palaces, and the Generalife. There are special areas for them.
- Selfie sticks, flash photography and camera tripods aren't allowed inside Nasrid Palace and closed areas.
- Food and beverages are allowed only in certain areas.
- Wheelchairs can be rented from the Entrance Pavilion.
- You can access the Nasrid Palace only at the time indicated on your ticket.
- Lockers are available at the Access Pavilion and the Building next to the Puerta del Vino.
- Make sure to book your Alhambra tickets in advance, as the entry to Nasrid Palaces can sell out fast.
- If you want one of the best views of the Alhambra, head to the viewpoint at Albaicin, the oldest neighbourhood of Granada.
