Opening hours of Alhambra

From 1 April to 14 October, the Alhambra is open for daytime visits every day from 8 am to 8 pm. 

Evening visits, when the whole palace is illuminated, are available Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 pm to 11 pm.

From 15 October to 31 March, the daytime visits happen daily from 8.30 am to 6 pm.

Evening visits in this season are limited to Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 pm to 11.30 pm.

All through the year, the ticket office opens at 8 am. During summer months, they close at 8 pm, and in winter months, at 6 pm.

The Moorish castle is open throughout the year except on Christmas Day (25 December) and New Year’s Day (1 January ). 

The last entry to all areas of the Alhambra is one hour before closing time.

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.

Generalife Gardens and Nasrid Palaces timings

*Generalife Gardens remains closed for night visits from 1 June to 31 August and from 15 November to 31 March.

The last entry to the Generalife Gardens is one hour before closure.

Exterior lighting schedule in Alhambra

The Alhambra’s exterior lighting schedule changes throughout the year:

• From 1 November to 28 February,  the monument is lit from around sunset until 2 am.
  
• From 1 March to 31 October, the lighting extends from dusk until 4 am.
  
• During special occasions, such as Easter week (Wednesday to Saturday), the Corpus Christi celebration (Saturday before the last Saturday of the festival), and Christmas (24 December to 5 January), the lighting remains on until 6 am.

Best time to visit the Alhambra

The Alhambra is a timeless destination that offers a rich historical and cultural experience year-round. However, timing your visit right can make a big difference in how you enjoy its beauty and tranquility.

To avoid the crowds

Plan to arrive early in the morning before 10 am. This is when the site is at its quietest, the lighting is soft and ideal for photography, and you can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere without the usual crowds. Avoid weekends, public holidays, and school breaks—Saturdays tend to be especially busy.

For the best views 

Sunset offers stunning golden light and dramatic views of the Alhambra, but it can draw more visitors, especially on weekends. 

For the best experience, visit the Nasrid Palaces and Generalife Gardens either early morning or late afternoon, when the lighting is perfect and the surroundings are more serene.