There are several types of Alhambra tickets, and choosing the right one changes your whole visit. The general one, the gardens-only one, the night one… and each includes some areas but not others. Let me explain clearly which tickets exist, what each one includes and which suits you depending on how you travel, so you don’t get any surprises at the gate.
Let’s get to it.
Types of Alhambra tickets
- General ticket: includes all three areas (Nasrid Palaces, Generalife and Alcazaba). It’s the full ticket and the one almost everyone wants.
- Gardens, Generalife and Alcazaba: everything except the Nasrid Palaces. Cheaper, and handy if the general ticket is sold out.
- Night visit to the Nasrid Palaces: the palaces lit up and with fewer people. It doesn’t include the Generalife or the Alcazaba.
- Night visit to the Generalife: the gardens by night, at certain times of year.
- Tickets with a guided tour: the ticket plus the explanation, with its own allocation.
Which one suits you?
If it’s your first time, go for the general ticket without a doubt: it’s the one that lets you see the Nasrid Palaces, which are the most impressive part. If the general ticket is sold out for your date, go for the gardens one or a guided tour with its own allocation. And if you’re coming back or want something special, the night visit to the Palaces is a real treat.
Remember: your access to the Nasrid Palaces comes with an exact time slot. If you miss it, you don’t get into that part. The rest of the site you can take more at your leisure.
Price and where to buy them
The general ticket is the star and the most in demand; the gardens and night tickets are cheaper. Prices are set by the Alhambra board and change from time to time, so check the amount when you buy. I explain where and how to buy them (official website or tours with their own allocation) in the guide on how to buy Alhambra tickets.
And to know what you’ll see in each area, take a look at what to see at the Alhambra. All together, in the guide on visiting the Alhambra.
Frequently asked questions
What does the general Alhambra ticket include?
The three main areas: the Nasrid Palaces, the Generalife and the Alcazaba. It’s the full ticket and the one I’d most recommend for a first visit.
What’s the difference between the general ticket and the night ticket?
The general ticket includes all three areas by day. The night one lets you see only the Nasrid Palaces (or the Generalife, depending on the time of year) lit up and with fewer people.
Which is the best ticket to see the Alhambra?
The general ticket, because it includes the Nasrid Palaces, which are the most impressive part of the whole site. If it’s sold out, a guided tour with its own allocation.