Last-minute Alhambra tickets

Alhambra tickets sell out fast, and if you haven’t booked in advance, you can try for last-minute cancellations or partial entry tickets to explore areas like the Generalife Gardens and Alcazaba. 

Booking a guided tour is another option, as many tour operators hold reserved tickets. You can also check out combo tours that include Alhambra and other attractions in Granada.

The Granada City Pass gives access to Alhambra and other sites in the City, while arriving early at the ticket office may also offer a chance for same-day tickets. 

If all else fails, you can see the beauty of Alhambra by visiting the free attractions like the Charles V Palace.

Read on for more tips on securing last-minute Alhambra tickets.

The Alhambra Castle attracts over 2.6 million visitors annually, so booking in advance is a smart choice. The skip-the-line ticket is the most popular and budget-friendly option. For a deeper understanding of the palace, the guided tour offers expert insights, while the night tour provides a magical experience in a peaceful atmosphere.

How to get last-minute entry to Alhambra?

If you’ve left buying Alhambra tickets until the last minute and are stuck, don’t worry – you’re not alone.

There are several ways to get tickets on the day of your visit or find last-minute entry options into this Red castle.

Here are some tips and tricks to help you get in.

Check for last-minute cancellations

Alhambra tickets are often booked up to 90 days in advance, so cancellations are common.

To secure last-minute tickets, visit the website at midnight (Central European Time) and try booking. Returned or unsold tickets may be available from 0:01 onwards.

This method is risky, but it’s worth trying if you’re after last-minute tickets.

We recommend this option only if you’re staying in Granada for a few days. If tickets aren’t available on your first try, you can try again the next night.

Keep refreshing the page at midnight and early in the morning for a chance to secure last-minute tickets.

Book an Alhambra guided tour

Guided tours are a great last-minute option for entering the Alhambra.

Tour operators like GetYourGuide, Tiqets, and Viator buy tickets in advance and offer them as packaged tours for tourists.

Guided tours last for 3 hours, and you have skip-the-line access to all parts of the Alhambra Palace.

An expert guide will provide fascinating insights into the history and architecture of the palace.

Ticket prices

Adult ticket (12+ years): €59 – €109
Child ticket (3 to 11 years): €35 – €99
Infant ticket (below 3 years): Free

Purchase the Granada City Pass

The Granada City Pass is a great option for visitors wanting to explore Granada’s top attractions easily.

It’s especially useful during peak times when Alhambra tickets may sell out.

The pass costs 26 Euros and can save you time and money (up to 10%), ensuring you don’t miss any of the city’s must-see sights.

The pass offers priority access to major attractions like the Alhambra, Sacromonte, and more.

It also includes perks such as guided tours, access to public transportation, and discounts at local restaurants and shops.

Explore partial entry ticket options

Besides the popular Alhambra General ticket, there are other ticket types that sell out quickly.

These tickets don’t provide full access to the Alhambra Castle, but they offer a guaranteed way to enter if General tickets are sold out.

Alhambra Gardens tour

• This 2-hour tour grants access to all parts of the Alhambra Castle, except the Nasrid Palaces.
• The tour includes a guide and has three starting time slots to choose: 12 pm, 2 pm, and 5 pm.
• This tour is a great alternative when a complete visit is unavailable due to limited availability, as it does not include the Nasrid Palaces.
• One advantage is that there’s no need to stick to a schedule, as they don’t require timed entry.
• The tour also provides an audio guide system for convenience.

Ticket prices

Adult (12+ years): €34 – €38 
Child (3 to 11 years): €19 
Infant (up to 2 years): Free 

Nasrid Palaces at night

• Most tourists prefer to visit the Alhambra during the day, so day tickets sell out quickly.
• Night entry tickets are usually available on the same day, with tours starting at 10 pm, and it happens around 1.5 hours.
• If you choose the night tour, you can go for a guided tour or a self-guided tour.
• In the guided tour, a local guide will show you around the Alhambra Castle and Nasrid Palaces, but it doesn’t include the Generalife Gardens or Alcazaba.
• In the self-guided tour, you can explore either the Nasrid Palaces and Charles V Palace or the Alhambra Gardens and Generalife.

Experience combo tours

Tour operators often combine two attractions or activities into one combo ticket, which helps them sell more.

Tourists love these combo tours because they can save 15-20% compared to buying individual tickets.

Combo tours are a great way to secure castle entry at the last minute.

Here are a few popular combo tours that include access to the Moorish attraction.

Alhambra + Albaicin

• This 5-hour tour has two time slots to choose: 9 am and 12 pm.
• It provides skip-the-line access to Alhambra’s main highlights—Alcazaba, Nasrid Palaces, and Generalife.
• You can take a guided walking tour to explore the charming Albaicín neighborhood.
• Enjoy a full Spanish history and art day, and take a lunch break between tours.

Ticket price: €69

Alhambra + Arabian Bath

• Enjoy a full-day tour exploring Alhambra and the Generalife gardens, followed by a traditional Arabian bath experience.
• In the morning, take a private tour of the Alhambra and learn about the history of Granada.
• In the afternoon, be welcomed by the aromatic scent of essential oils at Hammam Al Andalus, where you’ll enjoy a 15-minute massage.
• Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included for the Alhambra tour.
• You’ll have 1.5 hours to relax and enjoy the Arabian Baths.

Ticket price: €195

Alhambra + Flamenco show

• This 5.5-hour guided tour starts at 10 am.
• Discover the Alhambra Castle on a fascinating day tour of Granada.
• After exploring the beautiful Moorish architecture of Alhambra, immerse yourself in Andalusian culture with a genuine Flamenco show.
• Enjoy a drink inside a Sacromonte cave while being captivated by the performance.
• Round-trip transportation from your hotel in Granada city center to Alhambra is included.

Ticket price: €108 onwards

Alhambra + e-Bike tour

• This 5-hour tour starts at 10 am and is in a small group of up to 10 participants.
• Discover the famous Albaicín neighborhood and the Sacromonte quarter on a guided e-bike tour.
• Then, enjoy fast-track access to Alhambra, Generalife palaces, Alcazaba, and more. (No guide for the Alhambra tour)
• Live tour guide in either English or Spanish. 

Ticket price: €190 (for two people)

Arrive early at the Alhambra ticket office

Arrive early at the Alhambra Ticket Office for a chance to get last-minute tickets.

The ticket office opens at 8 am, and a limited number of same-day tickets may be available.

This option is not guaranteed, but if you’re in Granada and willing to start early, it’s worth trying before the long queues form.

Visit only the free attractions at Alhambra

If the above options don’t fit your budget or time, we recommend visiting the free areas of Alhambra Castle.

The castle is divided into paid and free areas. The paid areas include the Nasrid Palaces, Alcazaba, and Generalife.

However, many parts of the Alhambra Castle are free to visit, and many tourists are unaware of this. They are:

• Gate of Justice
• Pomegranates Gate
• The Alhambra Forest
• Carlos V Palace
• Plaza de Los Aljibes
• Gate of Wine
• Torres Bermejas
• Church of Santa María de La Encarnación
• Gate of the Carriages
• Cuesta de Gomérez
• Gate of Bib-Rambla
• Hamma
• Carmen de los Mártires
• Crimson Towers
• Museum of Fine Arts
• Museum of the Alhambra

Why the demand for last-minute tickets?

Being a UNESCO World Heritage site, Alhambra tickets sell out up to 90 days in advance, especially during the peak summer months. 

With over 2.6 million visitors annually and only fewer than 7,000 palace tickets available each day, tickets are bought quickly. 

Since 2020, Alhambra has switched to an online-only ticketing system to avoid long queues at the ticket office. 

To secure your entry, it’s best to book Alhambra tickets online in advance from the comfort of your home.