GRANADA · ALHAMBRA · TICKETS
Alhambra tickets 2026: which ticket includes the Nasrid Palaces, and what to do when it's sold out
The official General Day Tour (€22.27) is the ticket most visitors want: it includes the Nasrid Palaces, the Alcazaba and the Generalife. The palaces have their own fixed entry time (300 people every half hour); miss it and you can't go in. Tickets are nominative (bring the passport you booked with), can't be changed or refunded, and online sales close at 23:59 the day before. When the day ticket is gone, the official Night Tour to the Nasrid Palaces (€12.73) or Alhambra Experiences (€22.27) often still works, and guided tours draw on a separate 39% allocation.
Ad / affiliate disclosure: I may earn a commission if you book a tour through the GetYourGuide links or buy a Spain eSIM through the Airalo link on this page, at no extra cost to you. Links to alhambra-patronato.es and tickets.alhambra-patronato.es are not affiliate links, and the official site is the cheapest way in. PracticalPivot is not affiliated with the Alhambra or any tour company. Prepared with AI assistance; prices, hours and rules below were read on alhambra-patronato.es on October 30, 2026.
The 30-second answer
You want the palaces (most people): buy the official General Day Tour, €22.27. Pick your Nasrid Palaces time carefully; it is the one part of the visit you can't do late.
Day ticket sold out: try Alhambra Experiences (€22.27: Nasrid Palaces at night + Alcazaba, gardens and Generalife by day) or the Night Tour to the Nasrid Palaces (€12.73). From October 15 to March 31 night visits run only on Friday and Saturday.
Everything official is gone: a guided tour with entry, since 39% of yearly capacity goes to authorized-agent groups.
Watch out: the Gardens Day Tour (€12.73) does not include the Nasrid Palaces.
Book on the official Alhambra ticket site (not an affiliate link)
Official Alhambra ticket types and prices (checked October 30, 2026)
| Ticket | Price | Nasrid Palaces? | What else |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Day Tour | €22.27 | Yes, at a fixed time | Alcazaba, Generalife, gardens |
| Alhambra Experiences | €22.27 | Yes, at night | Alcazaba, gardens and Generalife by day |
| Night Tour to the Nasrid Palaces | €12.73 | Yes, at night | Palaces only |
| Gardens Day Tour | €12.73 | No | Generalife palace and gardens, Paseo de los Cipreses |
| Night tour to the Gardens | €8.48 | No | Generalife gardens at night (seasonal) |
| Rodríguez-Acosta Foundation + Monumental Complex | €25.45 | Yes, at a fixed time | Alcazaba, Generalife + the Foundation (10:00-14:00) |
| Dobla de Oro General | €30.48 | Yes, at a fixed time | Alcazaba, Generalife + Albaicín monuments (Bañuelo, Corral del Carbón...) |
| Dobla de Oro at night | €23.06 | Yes, at night | + Albaicín monuments by day |
| Children under 12 | Free | With their group | Must be booked together with the adult tickets |
Reduced prices exist for EU citizens over 65, Youth Card holders and people with a disability of 33% or more; you must show the official certificate at the ticket office, or you pay the full price. The Alhambra has no teacher discount. The Mirador de la Silla del Moro and Torres Bermejas are free to visit.
Rules that catch people out
| Rule | What the Alhambra says | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Nasrid Palaces time | 300 people every half hour; late arrivals are not admitted | Be at the palace entrance on time; it's a long walk from the main entrance |
| Nominative tickets | Personal and non-transferable; shown with official ID | Book in the exact passport names; carry the passport during the visit |
| Changes and refunds | Purchase is "final and firm"; no date or time change | Only book a slot you're sure of; a reseller with free cancellation can be worth paying for |
| Online sales window | Advance sales close at 23:59 the day before | Same-day tickets only at the ticket office, if any are left |
| Purchase limit | Max 10 tickets per person, bank card and month | Large families/groups need two buyers or a group booking |
| Ticket office collection | Same booker, with ID and the bank card used, at least 1 hour before the palace time | Use the e-ticket/QR so you skip this |
| Re-entry | Each area (Alcazaba, palaces, Partal, Generalife) once; you can leave the complex and come back | Lunch outside is fine; don't walk out of the palaces early |
| Bags | Bags up to 40×40 cm; free lockers with a same-day ticket; no strollers inside buildings | Pack light; swap a stroller for a baby carrier at Puerta del Vino |
Opening hours (official)
| Visit | October 15 - March 31 | April 1 - October 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Day visit (whole complex) | Daily 08:30-18:00 | Daily 08:30-20:00 |
| Night visit, Nasrid Palaces | Friday and Saturday 20:00-21:30 | Tuesday to Saturday 22:00-23:30 |
| Night visit, Gardens | Friday and Saturday 20:00-21:30 (to November 14) | April-May and September-October 14, 22:00-23:30 |
| Closed | December 25 and January 1 | |
Alcazaba: the Alhambra reports that the Alcazaba reopened in late September 2026 with an adapted route set for safety and conservation, and that the route may still be adjusted. Expect some areas to stay off-limits and check the notice on the official home page before your visit. The official guide time for a general visit is about three hours.
Sold out? What to try, in order
- Other times and days on the official site. Palace slots sell separately from the rest; a different half hour may be open.
- Alhambra Experiences (€22.27): palaces at night, everything else by day. In winter only on a Friday or Saturday night.
- Night Tour to the Nasrid Palaces (€12.73) plus the Gardens Day Tour (€12.73) on another day: two tickets, all the main areas.
- Dobla de Oro or Rodríguez-Acosta combos: pricier, but they come with their own palace slots.
- A guided tour with entry: drawn from the separate authorized-agent allocation, often with free cancellation. Check the listing says Nasrid Palaces entry is included, not just the gardens.
- Same-day ticket office (opens 08:00): a last resort, subject to availability; don't plan a once-in-a-lifetime visit around it.
Compare Alhambra tours with Nasrid Palaces entry on GetYourGuide (affiliate link)
Official ticket vs a guided tour
| Official ticket | Guided tour with entry | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €22.27 (General) | Higher (entry + guide) |
| Availability | Sells out first in busy periods | Separate group allocation (39% of yearly capacity) |
| Change or refund | No | Often free cancellation (check each listing) |
| Context | Audio guide extra; the Alhambra itself offers no guides | An accredited guide explains the palaces |
| Best for | Fixed dates booked early | Sold-out dates, or plans that might change |
What to do, step by step
- Book on tickets.alhambra-patronato.es (type it yourself) as soon as your dates are firm. Online sales stop at 23:59 the day before.
- Enter each visitor's name and ID number exactly as on the passport they'll carry.
- Add free tickets for children under 12 in the same order.
- Choose your Nasrid Palaces time and plan the rest of the visit around it: Alcazaba first if the slot is late, Generalife after if it's early.
- Save the e-ticket/QR on your phone and print a backup.
- Arrive early. From the main entrance (Pabellón de Acceso) to the palaces takes time; don't cut it close.
Checklist before you go
- Ticket with the right date and a Nasrid Palaces time you can make
- Passport or ID matching the name on each ticket
- Discount certificate if you booked a reduced rate
- Bag under 40×40 cm (or use the free lockers)
- Bus C30 or C32 from the centre, or the Cuesta de Gomérez walk from Plaza Nueva
- Mobile data for your QR ticket and maps: Spain eSIM from Airalo (affiliate link), or compare options in our Spain eSIM guide
Also in Spain and Europe
Barcelona next? See Sagrada Familia tickets. The same "official first, reseller only when sold out" rule applies to Vatican Museums tickets and Eiffel Tower summit tickets. Several countries on one trip: Europe eSIM guide.
FAQ
How much is an Alhambra ticket in 2026?
The official General Day Tour, which includes the Nasrid Palaces, the Alcazaba and the Generalife, is listed at €22.27 on the Alhambra's own price page. Children under 12 are free but need a ticket booked together with the adults.
What happens if I miss my Nasrid Palaces time?
You lose the palaces. The official FAQ says the Nasrid Palaces admit 300 people every half hour and that if you are not at the entrance at the time on your ticket, you will not be allowed in. The rest of the complex can still be visited during opening hours.
Are Alhambra tickets nominative?
Yes. The official FAQ says tickets are personal and non-transferable and must be shown with an official ID or passport. Staff, security or police can ask to see both during the visit.
Can I cancel or change an Alhambra ticket?
No. The official FAQ says the purchase is final and the date and time can't be changed after payment. Refunds apply only when the Alhambra itself prevents the visit. Groups of 5 or more can change a limited number of names up to the day before through the call centre.
Why do tours still have Alhambra tickets when the official site is sold out?
The Alhambra's rules reserve 39% of total annual ticket capacity for groups sold through authorized agents, led by an accredited guide. That separate allocation is why guided tours often still have Nasrid Palaces slots on dates the official site shows as sold out.
Is the Alcazaba open?
Yes. The Alhambra announced that the Alcazaba reopened to the public in late September 2026 with an adapted route for safety and conservation, and says the route may change. Check the notice on alhambra-patronato.es before you go.