Visiting the Alhambra is one of the highlights of any trip to Granada, but during high season Alhambra tickets often sell out weeks in advance. If you find that official tickets are no longer available, don’t worry: there are several official, legal and reliable alternatives that still allow you to visit all or part of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This guide explains how to visit the Alhambra when tickets are sold out, with practical tips, official options, and important warnings to help you plan your visit safely and confidently.
First: Always Check Official and Trusted Options
When Alhambra tickets are sold out, the most important rule is to avoid unofficial sellers. Tickets to the Alhambra are personalised and linked to your ID or passport, so buying from resellers or non-official websites can result in denied entry.
Official Alternatives (Separate Ticket Pools)
Even if the general Alhambra ticket is unavailable, there are other official ticket types with separate availability. Some include the entire monument, while others grant access to specific areas.
1. Buy an Official Guided Tour
Booking a guided tour of the Alhambra is often the easiest way to secure entry when tickets are sold out. Guided tours have their own ticket allocation and guarantee access.
Although more expensive than standard tickets, guided visits provide expert historical context and insights you are unlikely to find in guidebooks. This option is ideal if you want to fully understand the Nasrid Palaces, Generalife, and Alcazaba.
In this page, you’ll find a curated selection of Viator guided tours, which are easy to book online and offered by reliable, well-reviewed operators.
2. Buy the Dobla de Oro Pass
The Dobla de Oro Pass is an excellent alternative when general Alhambra tickets are sold out, as it combines guaranteed access to the Nasrid Palaces with a deeper exploration of Granada’s Islamic heritage, making it one of the most complete and rewarding ways to visit the city.
Visit to the Nasrid Palaces, Alcazaba and Generalife gardens
Eight historic monuments located in the Albaicín and the centre of Granada are included: El Bañuelo, one of the best-preserved Arab baths in Spain; the Maristán, a 14th-century hospital founded by Sultan Muhammad V; the Casa Morisca de Horno de Oro; the Casa del Chapiz; the Casa de Zafra; the Palace of Dar al-Horra, former residence of Aixa la-Horra, mother of Boabdil; the Corral del Carbón, a historic merchants’ inn with free entry; and the Cuarto Real de Santo Domingo, a Nasrid palace pavilion.
Types of Dobla de Oro tickets
Dobla de Oro – General
Includes the General Day Visit to the Alhambra (Nasrid Palaces, Generalife, Partal and Alcazaba) plus access to the monuments listed above. Price: €30,48
Dobla de Oro – Night
Includes a Night Visit to the Nasrid Palaces and access to the same Albaicín and city-centre monuments. Price: €23,06.
The Andalusi monuments can be visited the day before, the same day, or the day after the Alhambra visit specified on your ticket.
Every Sunday, the Dobla de Oro monuments can be visited free of charge.
Where to buy the Dobla de Oro Pass
Alhambra and Generalife ticket offices
Corral del Carbón (C/ Mariana Pineda s/n)
El Bañuelo (Carrera del Darro, 31)
Palace of Dar al-Horra (Callejón de las Monjas s/n)
Alhambra Shop (C/ Reyes Católicos, 40)
Online via the official Alhambra Patronato website
3. Buy the Granada Card
The Granada Card is another official and reliable option when general Alhambra tickets are sold out. It combines access to the Alhambra with other major attractions and transport in the city.
The Alhambra visit is included in the Granada Card 48-hour and 72-hour options, which normally cover a general daytime visit to the monument. The Granada Card 24-hour option includes a night visit to the Alhambra instead. In addition to the Alhambra, the card provides access to around 10 major monuments in Granada, including Granada Cathedral, Royal Chapel and Science Park, free travel on urban buses, and one ride on the tourist train.
During high season, the Granada Card often allows access to the Alhambra even when individual tickets are no longer available, although availability is limited and it can also sell out during peak periods and holidays. Booking in advance is therefore strongly recommended.
For full details, options, and practical information, you can find everything you need on our dedicated page about Granada Card.
Other Official Alhambra Ticket Types
When general tickets are sold out, you may still be able to purchase alternative Alhambra tickets that allow you to visit part of the complex. These tickets are sold on the same official website as the general Alhambra tickets.
Available Ticket Types:
a) Night Visit to the Nasrid Palaces
This ticket includes only the Nasrid Palaces at night (Mexuar, Palacio de Comares, Palacio de los Leones y Corredor – Lindajara). It does not include the Alcazaba or Generalife. This visit offers a unique perspective of the palaces, highlighting the architecture and decorations under night lighting, creating a different atmosphere compared to the daytime visit. The visit area is smaller than during the day
Night visit hours are: Winter (15 October – 31 March): Friday and Saturday, 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm; Summer (1 April – 14 October): Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 pm – 11:30 pm.
This option is ideal if your priority is seeing the Nasrid Palaces and no other tickets are available.
b) Alhambra Experience Ticket
When general Alhambra tickets are sold out, the Alhambra Experience ticket is an excellent alternative.
This ticket includes a night visit to the Nasrid Palaces on the date indicated on the ticket, while the rest of the Alhambra complex (Alcazaba, Partal, and Generalife) is visited the following day from 8:30 am until closing.
The price is only slightly higher than the general ticket and allows you to experience almost the entire Alhambra complex. An overnight stay in Granada is required.
c) Visit Generalife and Alcazaba
The ticket “Gardens, Generalife and Alcazaba” includes access to a significant part of the Alhambra complex, though it does not include the Nasrid Palaces. Visitors can explore:
Generalife: the summer palace and gardens of the Nasrid sultans, designed for leisure and relaxation. Includes the beautiful gardens, Patio de la Acequia, Patio de la Sultana, and the Water Staircase, as well as the Paseo de los Cipreses, Secano, and Jardines de San Francisco.
Alcazaba: the original military fortress of the Alhambra, including the Torre de la Vela and the Jardín de los Adarves, offering panoramic views of Granada and the surrounding landscape.
Partal Palace: its portico, gardens, and walkways, part of the sultans’ residential area.
This option allows visitors to experience the historic fortifications, stunning gardens, and architectural details of the Alhambra while focusing on areas outside the Nasrid Palaces. They are a good option if you mainly want to enjoy the gardens and views.
d) Night Visit to the Generalife:
Nighttime visit to the gardens, including the Access Pavilion, Paseo de los Nogales, the New or Lower Gardens of the Generalife, and the Generalife Palace. Official opening hours are:
Summer (1 April – 31 May): Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 pm – 11:30 pm
Winter (1 September – 14 October): Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 pm – 11:30 pm
This visit allows guests to explore the gardens and Generalife palace at night, offering a unique perspective on the Generalife’s historic landscape and architecture.
e) Alhambra and Rodriguez Acosta Foundation Combined Tour
This ticket includes entry to the Alcazaba, Nasrid Palaces, and Generalife at your chosen time, plus a guided tour of Carmen of the Rodriguez Acosta with its studios and impressive gardens, and access to the Gómez Moreno Museum showcasing part of the historian and archaeologist’s collection and legacy. The Rodríguez-Acosta Foundation can be visited the day before, the same day, or the day after your Alhambra visit. Advance booking is required for entry to Carmen (the Foundation headquarters) and for the guided tour, which should be reserved through the Foundation’s official website.
Last-Minute and Risky Options
Check at Midnight or Early Morning
A small number of tickets are released daily due to cancellations.
Check the official site at 00:00 or shortly after
Also try early morning (around 2:00 AM)
This method is risky and tickets are not guaranteed, but it can work.
Free Areas of the Alhambra
Even without a ticket, visitors can explore several free areas within and around the Alhambra complex, gaining insight into its history, architecture, and surroundings:
Palace of Charles V: A Renaissance palace built within the Alhambra complex, showcasing a contrast between Islamic and European architectural styles.
Alhambra Museum: Located inside the Palace of Charles V, it houses collections of Nasrid art, ceramics, and historical artifacts.
Puerta de la Justicia: One of the main entrances to the Alhambra, famous for its Islamic inscriptions and defensive architecture.
Torre de las Cabezas: A historic tower that was part of the Alhambra’s fortifications, offering views of the city and surrounding landscapes.
Carmen de los Mártires: A beautiful garden estate near the Alhambra with landscaped gardens, fountains, and panoramic viewpoints.
Surrounding paths, viewpoints, and gates: Walk along the Alhambra’s perimeter, discovering scenic viewpoints, historic gates, and parts of the old defensive walls.
While access to the Nasrid Palaces and Generalife requires a ticket, these free areas provide a meaningful experience, highlighting the Alhambra’s architectural richness and historical significance.
Important Warnings
No walk-up ticket sales when tickets are sold out
Avoid unofficial resellers
Tickets are personalised and non-transferable
Always use official websites or trusted platforms