The monument of Alhambra is of great interest in the country and is easily one of the most visited attractions in Spain. The influx of visitors is continuous, so you can spot a lot of people at any time of the day in the Alhambra. The place is worth a visit but wouldn't you prefer it without the long wait outside at the ticket kiosks? Yep, us too!
We are here to provide you with a guide on how you can enjoy this beautiful monument, the best time to visit, tips, and more.
Alhambra: Skip The Line Tickets
Buy your Alhambra tickets in advance!
Needless to say, you’d benefit greatly from booking your tickets in advance. Choose skip-the-line tickets and you’ll be at the front of the line, guaranteeing a quicker entry into the lovely Alhambra. The choice is yours:
Wait Time At The Alhambra
Alhambra is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Spain and there can be long waiting lines at the ticket offices near the entrance of the monument. We recommend you to be at the entrance about an hour before the opening time as the area is extremely big and it will take a minimum of half an hour for you to get to the Palaces.
You can stroll around the Alhambra any time of the day during your slot, but remember that getting your tickets could be a task. So, make sure you have your tickets booked well in advance at a suitable time of the year and admire this magnificent beauty of Spain. The access to the Nasrid Palace is restricted to the time slot you have chosen, so make sure you are on time.
5 Tried & Tested Ways To Skip The Lines at the Alhambra
1. Skip the lines by pre-booking your tickets
The number of people visiting the famous monument of Alhambra is limited to 6,600 in a day. Apart from that, the iconic structures within the Alhambra like the Nasrid Palace allow only 300 visitors every half-hour.
Although it is a bulky figure, don’t be laid back in booking your tickets in advance because they tend to sell out very, very early! Summers are usually the peak season to visit the monument, so don’t be surprised if you have to book your tickets 90 days in advance.
2. An insight to the entrances of The Alhambra
Depending on whether you have a ticket or not, the entrances are classified into two types at the Alhambra:
Pavilion Main Entrance
Located on the far east of the Alhambra, east to the Generalife Gardens, this entrance is for visitors who do not have a ticket or need to purchase their QR code-based tickets.
The Gate of Justice
This entrance is for those who have purchased their QR code-based tickets beforehand and can have quick access to the monument in comparison to the Pavilion Main Entrance.
Note: There is no ticket office situated at the Gate of Justice.
3. Choose the route that suits you
There are two routes through which the Alhambra monument can be accessed – the main entrance or the Gate of Justice. Walking through the main entrances is going to give you a beautiful view of the Generalife garden initially, post which you get to see the Nasrid Palaces and the Alcazaba.
On the other hand, if you have opted to visit the Nasrid Palace first you'll have to enter through the Gate of Justice. It's on the opposite side of the main entrance and you can ask your cab driver to directly drop you at this gate.
4. Opt for a guided tour
If you are visiting Alhambra for the very first time and wish to know all about its history, then opting for a guided tour is the ideal choice. You feel a sense of comfort because the tour guide knows the culture and will give you an insight into the important details of the monument which you may miss out on a visit otherwise. Also, you can discover all about the best Muslim Medieval City existing. Of course, an additional plus is that you won't have to deal with the hassle of waiting around at the entrance- meet your guide and you'll be led right in!
5. Choose the right time of the day to visit
In case you are confused about what would be the best time of the day to go and see this historic monument, the solution is quite simple: avoid rush hours (especially during weekends) which is typically from 11 AM to 5 PM. Expect jam-packed crowds during these hours. If you can make it between 9-11 or 5-7, that would be the most ideal time to visit.
6. Buy the Granada Card
Granada City Card gives you access to 10+ attraction along with public transportation. It consists of priority access to Alhambra and is a great way to see most attractions in and around Granada. You can choose between 24, 48 and 72-hour options and explore the attractions at your own pace.
Perfect Time To Visit The Alhambra
Alhambra is a very popular tourist attraction and is a busy spot to visit all year round. There are various times of the year when you can visit the famous monument, but from November to February, there is a drop in the number of visitors compared to other times of the year.
If you are up early, make sure you head to the Alhambra early in the morning at around 8:30 am as you get a splendid view of the sun inside the fortress and it is much less crowded. Another time would be later in the afternoon as the people gradually start leaving by then, leaving enough space for you to explore peacefully. Avoid visiting during a weekend because it is pretty crowded and you can be stuck in long lines for a while. Make sure that you always visit during a weekday as the crowd is manageable during the week.
To enjoy the best weather and admire the beauty of the Generalife gardens, spring is the ideal time to visit. But we can’t deny that it is also the busiest time of the year. If you are okay with the hot climate, July and August could also be an option, but we don’t recommend it.
Tips To Skip The Line At the Alhambra
- The entire tour of the Alhambra might take roughly 3-4 hours. So, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes.
- In case you tickets online are sold out, I suggest look for the Granada Card. Not many people are aware that Alhambra is included with this city card and really helps you get that last minute booking.
- If you are coming by cab you can ask your cab driver to drop you directly infornt of the Nasrid Palace, this way you can escape the long queue at the main entrance and enter from the other way.
- The whole complex has only two washrooms. One near the entrance to the Nasrid Palace and the other in the outdoor theater area of the Generalife Gardens.
- If you would like a detailed background of what you are seeing, a knowledgeable guide for your tour is worth a try.
- We recommend you book your tickets in advance due to the high demand for tickets and a limited number of visitors being allowed.
- Southern Spain can get quite hot during summers, so make sure you carry your sunscreen in that kitty.
- Avoid visiting on a Saturday because it is the busiest day of the week at Alhambra.
- During a low season, fewer people visit during the mornings than in the afternoon.
- You can visit four main places with a general ticket – Alcazaba, Nasrid Palaces, Partal, and Generalife.
- If you have a pre-booked ticket, we recommend you to enter through the Gate of Justice as it is quicker and much closer to the significant structures within the monument.
- Your commute to the Alhambra can either be a walk or you can take one of the mini buses from Plaza Nueva.
- To explore the whole of Alhambra without rushing, you will need to set aside at least 4 hours.
- Strollers are permitted on the Alhambra grounds but are not allowed inside Nasrid Palace and Generalife.
FAQs: Skip The Lines at the Alhambra
If you wish to skip the long lines, you should enter through the Gate of Justice. This allows visitors to enjoy fast access to the monument by displaying their pre-booked tickets at the point of entrance via a QR-code.
The Pavilion main entrance has a ticket office where people can purchase their tickets on the spot. This entrance tends to have a long queue because of the large flock of visitors waiting to purchase their tickets in comparison to the Gate of Justice.
You can skip the line by booking your tickets online well in advance or by opting for a guided tour, thus allowing a smooth entry into the Alhambra.
You can try the guided tours as it gives you quick access to the palace. The local tour guides have an insight into the culture and history of the landmark, thus adding value to your trip.
No, it is not free, except for the the16th of November (the International Day of World Heritage) for those with an invitation.
