How to Get Cheap or Free Tickets for the Granada Alhambra Palace
If you would like to visit the Alhambra for less money or for free, in this post I will tell you how you can do so.
Detail of the arches of the Alhambra | Luis Cardoso
The Alhambra is one of Spain's most beautiful monuments, attracting thousands of visitors every year. It is a palatine city unique in Europe and a cultural benchmark for Hispano-Muslim art in the West.
Booking tickets for the Alhambra online is easy. However, finding discounts that allow you to see it for less money or even for free is not so simple. If you would like to know if you are one of the visitors who can get cheaper tickets for the Alhambra, I advise you to read on.
Alhambra Skip the Line Tickets
Get your cheap ticket to the Alhambra
Access Spain's most visited monument at the best price and without queues, including the Nasrid Palaces and Generalife.
With these tickets to the Alhambra in Granada, you can visit the fortress, the Nasrid Palaces and the Generalife Gardens without queuing and at the best price available. It is the easiest way to secure your place in one of the most popular places in the world.
What's more, by booking online, you avoid last-minute surprises, secure your ticket on the date of your choice and can choose the option that best suits your budget. A convenient and affordable alternative to enjoy the Alhambra without spending too much.
** Why I like these tickets**: they are the cheapest and most practical option for discovering the most iconic areas of the Alhambra without spending too much.
** Recommended if...** you are looking for an affordable alternative to ensure you don't miss out on visiting this World Heritage Site.
How can I save money when buying tickets for the Alhambra?
The most economical option to see everything at the best price is to try to get a single ticket without a guided tour online, which costs from S$25.
I do not recommend buying tickets directly at the ticket office because demand is very high and places are limited, so you may be left without a ticket. Besides , it's not worth standing in endless queues. Your time is also valuable, and if you buy your tickets for the Alhambra online, you can spend it doing other activities in Granada.
Other affordable options available at the ticket office are the "Entrance to the Gardens, Generalife and Alcazaba" pack, which allows you to visit only those areas for around €10, the "Night Visit to the Gardens and Generalife" pack for around €7, and the "Night Visit to the Nasrid Palaces" pack for around €10.
Who is eligible for discounted rates at the Alhambra
Visiting the Alhambra in Granada requires payment, and you will need to purchase a ticket to gain access. However, certain groups can obtain tickets at a lower price than the general public. Broadly speaking, this is the list of people who could benefit:
- Holders of the European Youth Card.
- EU citizens over 65 years of age.
- Groups linked to cultural or educational institutions consisting of 15 or more members, subject to prior authorisation.
- People with disabilities.
- Members of large families.
If you are one of these groups, you will need to present a supporting document at the ticket office of the monument to qualify for the discount. I recommend arriving well in advance so that this process does not take up too much of your time during your visit to the Alhambra.
How to buy tickets for children to the Alhambra
Buying tickets for children at the ticket office
Families who wish to try to get tickets for the same day of the visit at the ticket office can benefit from free tickets or a small discount for children.
- General admission for children up to 11 years of age (inclusive) is free of charge as long as they are accompanied by an adult.
- General admission for children aged 12 to 15 (inclusive) will be reduced to £8, provided they are accompanied by an adult.
However, you will need to bring proof of identity so that the child's age can be verified. Even though admission is free, all visitors must have a ticket to enter, as this serves as a guarantee in the event of any incident that may occur during the visit.
Buying tickets online
The great advantage of booking your tickets to the Alhambra online and in advance is that you will have your tickets with you before you set off on your trip and you won't have to queue endlessly at the ticket office to try to get one of the tickets that go on sale for that same day.
At Hellotickets you can book tickets to the Alhambra or guided tours where the price of children's tickets is also slightly lower than that of adults. This way you can save money without having to buy tickets at the last minute once you are in Granada!
When is admission to the Alhambra free?
Currently, there is no specific day when you can enter the Alhambra for free. To visit the interior of the monumental complex, you must purchase a ticket in advance.
However, there are some exceptions that will allow you to enjoy the Alhambra without spending a penny. Let me explain how you can do it!
If you are from Granada or a resident of Granada
The Alhambra is the great emblem of the city of Granada and, with the aim of raising awareness of its historical and cultural importance among the local population, the Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife launched an initiative to allow all residents of Granada and the province to enter free of charge at weekends.
Those who wish to visit the Alhambra on their own and free of charge must make an online reservation by filling out the form and attaching the required supporting documentation.
Another option is to make the reservation in person at the Residents' Office located in the Corral del Carbón. Unfortunately, people who are not from Granada or do not reside there cannot participate in this initiative.
If you are from outside Granada
If you are travelling to Granada on a tight budget and would prefer not to purchase tickets, or if you have not been able to get hold of any, do not worry because you can always visit the free part. Although it is the least spectacular, it has some very interesting sites that you can see, such as:
- The walls
- The Puerta de la Justicia, which is the most iconic gate in the complex.
- The Plaza de los Aljibes
- The Gate of the Carriages
- The Palace of Charles V, which houses the Alhambra Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts.
- On the esplanade in front of the palace, you can see the Wine Gate and even take a souvenir photo with the Albaicín in the background.
- Calle Real, the main street of the old Medina, which has been preserved since the Middle Ages.
- The Parador de Turismo de Granada in the Alhambra
Another place you can go for free to enjoy the wonderful Alhambra is the San Nicolás viewpoint in the Albaicín neighbourhood. It is said to offer the most beautiful sunset in Spain and the best panoramic view of the Andalusian fortress with the Sierra Nevada in the background. You will also have unbeatable views of the Alcazaba, the Nasrid palaces and the Generalife.
In short, what can I see for free at the Alhambra?
Access to the monument complex is subject to a fee, and you will need to purchase a ticket to the Alhambra in Granada to tour the Nasrid palatine city. However, there are some parts of the Alhambra that can be seen without spending any money.
For clarity, below is a summary of what you can see at the Alhambra for free and what you cannot:
Requires a paid ticket
- The Nasrid Palaces
- The gardens and the Generalife Palace
- The Alcazaba
- The Baths of the Mosque
It is free and does not require a ticket.
- The walls
- The Gate of Justice
- The Plaza de los Aljibes
- The Palace of Charles V, which houses the Alhambra and Fine Arts museums.
- The Royal Street of the Alhambra
- The Gate of Wine
- The San Nicolás viewpoint
- The Puerta de los Carros
- The Parador de Turismo de Granada in the Alhambra, a former 15th-century convent built by the Catholic Monarchs.
Another option to save money: the Granada Card
The Granada Card is a tourist pass that allows you to visit the Alhambra and the Generalife, as well as other attractions in the city. With this card, you can also use the city bus to get from one place to another comfortably.
By purchasing the Granada Card, you will not only save time (as you will not need to queue at the ticket office of each monument to buy tickets) but also money, because this 24-, 48- or 72-hour tourist card will give you access to the main attractions and services in Granada at a reduced or flat rate.
Children aged 2 to 11 can also use the Granada Card for children, which includes the same services as the adult card, so if you are travelling with your family, this is an option to consider in order to save a little more.
Another comprehensive and cost-effective option for seeing the Alhambra: a guided tour
We have already mentioned that the standard price of tickets for adults is €19, but for just a little more money, you can explore this legendary Nasrid palace city with a guided tour of the Alhambra alongside a professional guide who will reveal all the secrets of this landmark of Islamic architecture and art in Spain
The price of guided tours of the Alhambra varies depending on the type of tour you book and what is included in the tour, but at Hellotickets you can find options starting at €29.