Fast-track your Alhambra visit: Skip the lines

The second most visited historical site in all of Spain, the Alhambra tells an enchanting tale of Europe’s tryst with the Moors. Spread across 35 acres, Alhambra houses a looming Alcazaba (fortress), the richly adorned Nasrid Palaces, the Renaissance-style Palace of Charles V, and the serene Generalife apart from smaller centuries-old edifices.

Despite its ever-growing fame, the monument complex only allows a limited number of visitors each day and tickets to Alhambra sell out months in advance. If this unforgettable 13th-century citadel is on your bucket list, skip-the-line tickets not only help you beat the crowds but also ensure you have enough time to soak up every gorgeous detail of this Nasrid-era wonder. Here is how you can skip the lines at Alhambra.

How long is the wait time at the Alhambra

Peak tourist season:

Between June and September, the tourists flock to the Alhambra and crowds are thicker than usual. You can expect a wait time of at least 30 to 40 minutes. So, make sure to queue up in time, especially for the time-slotted Nasrid Palaces visit.

Off-peak season:

Throughout the rest of the year, you should be able to access the Alhambra fairly easily with minimal wait time. However, tickets to the monument are limited, throughout the year, so make sure you book in advance.

Recommended tickets

5 tried and tested ways to skip the line at Alhambra

1. Pre-book in advance

Every day, the Alhambra allows fewer than 7,000 visitors. This might seem like a lot but, in reality, is a very small number given that the monument is one of the most visited sites in all of Europe. To avoid disappointment, waiting at the ticket counters, and to give yourself the freedom of choice, we recommend booking your tickets at least two to three months in advance.

2. Choose a skip-the-line ticket

Want to fast-track your way to the start of the lines at Alhambra? Then, opt for skip-the-line tickets. At Alhambra, tickets are checked at each of the complex’s main monuments, like, the Nasrid Palaces, Alcazaba, Generalife and others. This may eat into the time you want to spend taking in the beauty of the Alhambra. With skip-the-line tickets, you’ll be able to make the most of your visit.

3. Sign up for a guided tour

Guided tours will help you navigate the complex with ease while also ensuring that you soak in all the important historical and architectural details of the Alhambra. With a guide by your side, you’ll be able to leave the crowds behind and take advantage of your guide’s in-depth knowledge of Alhambra's inner workings.

4. Pick the right time

Early mornings, before 11 am, tend to be less crowded and give you plenty of room to discover the beauty of the Alhambra at your pace. If you can’t make it in the morning, we recommend aiming for the slot between 5 and 7 pm, when the crowds start to thin out.

5. Sign up for a Granada card

The Granada card can be a valuable addition to your trip to this historic city. With the card, you will be able to visit Alhambra and Granada’s other attractions. Plus, it gives you access to public transport. Valid between 48 and 72 hours, the card ensures you move around the city with ease and helps you skip the lines at the Alhambra complex.

Alhambra skip-the-line tickets versus guided tours – what to choose?

The type of Alhambra ticket you choose can have an impact on your experience. One of Europe’s most fascinating monument complexes, the Alhambra showcases Moorish history and architecture while also telling the story of the Spanish reconquest. If you don’t want to miss out on any of the details of this spectacular complex, then, we recommend a guided tour. Led by knowledgeable, local resources, the guided tours are also a great way to ensure a hassle-free experience and help you navigate the crowds easily.

While there are plenty of advantages to the guided tours, they tend to be on the pricier side. If you are on a budget but still want a stellar Alhambra outing, then, opt for the skip-the-line tickets. This category of tickets will ensure you avoid the queues and you’ll be able to spend your time taking in the site.

Inside Alhambra – what to expect?

Perched over the city of Granada on a rugged outcrop with the soaring Sierra Nevada mountains in the backdrop, Alhambra was once the astounding 13th-century citadel of the Nasrid emirate. A soaring symbol of power and the might of the Nasrid dynasty, Alhambra over centuries came to include a fortress, palaces, mosques, baths, and mausoleums. Today, millions of visitors come to Alhambra each year to be awed by its impressive Mudejar-style architecture, the heft of its towers and the serenity of its patios and gardens. Here are the must-sees at Alhambra:

Alcazaba

The oldest structure at the Alhambra, the Alcazaba or the fortress sits at the western end of the complex. Touring the interiors of the Alcazaba, you can make your way through the multi-layered fortress walls that enclose hammams, dungeons, and silos. The outer walls of the fortress are marked by towers from where you can take in sweeping views of the city below.

Nasrid Palaces

The sparkling jewel of Alhambra, the Nasrid Palaces are where Moorish artistry peaks. The series of interconnected palaces, salons, chambers, and patios were built through the 13th and 14th centuries and have been lavished with architectural detail that leaves you in awe. Your tour will likely begin at the Mexaur, where the public met with the royalty and the affairs of the crown were debated and administered.

Then, you’ll head towards the Palacio de Comares (Comares Palace) whose exterior is covered in grand stucco and tile work. Inside, you’ll find key salons where the ceilings are decorated with intricate woodwork that represent Islamic themes. Finally, there is the Palacio de los Leones (Palace of the Lions) which once served as the most intimate living quarters of the royal family. Built by Mohammed V, the Palace’s enchanting salons are decorated in detailed marble and vaulting work that stay with you long after you have left Alhambra.

Palace of Charles V

In the days and centuries after the 15th-century Spanish Reconquest, the Christian rulers of Granada sought to make their mark on Alhambra. And the Palace of Charles V stands as testimony to this exercise in reclamation. Sitting close to the Nasrid Palaces, this notable addition is built in the Renaissance style. The Palace’s square façade is made up of elegant entrance arches and Venetian windows while the inside is a circular structure that is marked by columns. Today, the Palace houses two museums that spotlight artefacts from the Alhambra as well as historical artwork from Granada.

Generalife

A short walk upwards from the Alhambra complex will bring you to Generalife – a palace and summer retreat from the Nasrid era. Its white-washed exteriors and elegant arches make for a serene picture that’s only enhanced by the winding gardens, orchards, pools, and fountains that surround the main palace. Generalife also offers visitors unparalleled views of Granada and the looming Sierra Nevada mountains in the distance.

Rules and regulations

Ticket sales are limited to ten per person. If you are travelling in a large group, it is recommended you get bulk tickets through an authorised travel agent.

• All tickets should have a bar code and must be produced at various entrances throughout the complex along with a passport or a recognised ID.
• Backpacks, strollers, and large bags should be left at the clock roam. The facility provides baby packs to carry small children around.
• Tripods and flash photography are not allowed at the Alhambra without explicit, authorised permission.
• Touching the monuments and even the plants in the gardens is strictly prohibited.
• Pets are now allowed except for guide dogs for the disabled.

Alhambra skip-the-line ticket reviews