Have you tried to buy tickets for the Alhambra through its official website, and they are sold out? You don’t have to miss out on visiting it. In this article, I’ll tell you about different options to get into the Alhambra even if tickets have sold out.

The first time I went to Granada, it was a fairly spontaneous trip, organized with just a few days’ notice, and on top of that, it was during public holidays. That’s why, when I tried to buy tickets for the Alhambra on its official website, they were sold out. But I started investigating and discovered that there are more options to ensure we don’t miss seeing this impressive place. Here I’ll tell you about the different alternatives:

1. Take a Guided Tour of the Alhambra

Different websites and tourism companies have spots available for guided tours of the Alhambra. For example, with Civitatis, you can opt for a 3-hour tour covering the entire Alhambra for €44, or choose other options, such as a night tour of the Nasrid Palaces or a tour of the Alhambra and Granada’s most emblematic neighborhoods. Obviously, it’s more expensive than simply buying tickets, but this way you’re sure to learn more and discover many more details.

On this portal, Civitatis, there are also Alhambra tickets for visiting it on your own with an audio guide, but unfortunately, these also tend to sell out well in advance.

2. Acquire the Granada Card

The Granada Card is Granada’s tourist pass that, for a single price, allows you to visit different monuments in the city. It’s a good option if, for example, you’re going to spend more than one day there and want to make the most of your stay. The Granada Card has different prices depending on the number of days it’s active and what it includes.

One option is the 48-hour card, which for €50 includes the full Alhambra + Generalife, the Cathedral, the Monastery of La Cartuja, the Monastery of San Jerónimo, nine bus trips, and more. Take a good look at what each one includes, because, for example, the 24-hour card only offers the option of visiting the Palace section at night, and the Gardens-only option does not include the Palaces (at least when I did the research).

To get admission to the Alhambra through this card, you select your preferred option and click “Buy.” Then a calendar will appear where you must select the day you want to enter the Alhambra and the access time for the Nasrid Palaces.

3. Explore Other Options on the Official Website

It’s possible that general admission tickets on the official Alhambra website are sold out, but other options might be available. The most impressive parts are the Nasrid Palaces and, secondly, the Generalife (at least, in my opinion), so you can opt for the Dobla de Oro General or the Combined Visit with the Rodríguez-Acosta Foundation to get a complete visit. Or buy a night ticket for the Nasrid Palaces and see the free parts during the day (although this way we would miss some parts like the Generalife or the Alcazaba).

4. Try to Buy Tickets for Alhambra on the Same Day

If tickets are available for that day, they can be purchased at the moment the Alhambra’s physical ticket office opens. However, it’s not guaranteed that there will be any available, and you’ll also need to get up quite early to get them.

On the other hand, on the website, the number of available tickets can vary. Also, just like at the ticket office, same-day tickets are usually updated if available, so you can try checking periodically; you might get lucky.

5. Visit the Free Part of the Alhambra

If, unfortunately, you don’t manage to get spots to visit the entire Alhambra with any of the above options, you don’t have to miss out on seeing it. At least, you can enter the areas that are free, such as the Palace of Charles V and the Plaza de los Aljibes, from where you get spectacular views of Granada.

Now you already know what to do if Alhambra is sold out. I hope this article has been useful to you. I’ll finish with an important reminder: along with your Alhambra ticket, you must carry your physical ID or passport. To get a taste of what’s to come, here’s a short video of me exploring the Alhambra on my second visit to this emblematic place:

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