Granada tours and tickets
The Alhambra is the one booking in Granada that can ruin a trip if you leave it late. Tickets are timed, sold in advance, and sell out months ahead in spring and autumn. The cathedral, the baths and the flamenco shows need only a few days' notice. The Albaicín and the Sacromonte are best on foot, and mountain trips run most days.
Book these first
- Alhambra tickets
- 1 to 3 months ahead. Tickets are on sale from three months before until two hours before, are personal to the visitor's ID or passport, and the Nasrid Palaces have a fixed half-hour entry slot. Buy only from tickets.alhambra-patronato.es.
- A flamenco show
- 3 to 7 days ahead. The small cave and tablao venues have few seats, and weekends fill first.
- Hotels in spring and Holy Week
- 2 to 3 months ahead. April and May, and the weeks around Easter, are the busiest of the year.
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Monuments and landmarks
Alhambra and the Generalife
A palace city on a hill, with the Nasrid palaces, the Alcazaba fortress and the Generalife gardens. Tickets are timed for the palaces, and there are day, night and garden-only versions. Guided visits and audio guides are sold.
Which to pick. Book the day ticket as soon as your dates are fixed. Choose a morning slot for the palaces, and allow four hours. Buy only from the official seller.
1 to 3 months ahead, spring and autumnVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorAlhambra night visit
A shorter, quieter visit to the Nasrid palaces after dark, with lights on the courts. It is sold separately and runs on set evenings.
Which to pick. Choose it if the day tickets are gone, or if you want fewer people. It doesn't cover the Generalife.
1 to 2 months aheadOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorMirador de San Nicolás
A viewpoint in the Albaicín with a wide view of the Alhambra and the Sierra Nevada. It is free and busy at sunset.
Which to pick. Go before sunset to find a space on the wall. A guided Albaicín walk often ends here.
Not neededVisitor guideTours and tickets on Viator
Churches and palaces
Granada Cathedral and the Royal Chapel
A Renaissance cathedral and the burial place of the Catholic Monarchs, in the Capilla Real next door. Tickets are sold separately for each, and audio guides are included.
Which to pick. Buy the chapel ticket first. Go at opening time, since tour groups arrive by mid-morning.
A few days ahead in seasonVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorMonastery of La Cartuja
A baroque monastery on the northern edge of the city, known for its sacristy with carved marble and stucco. It is a short taxi or bus ride.
Which to pick. Add it if you have an afternoon free after the cathedral. Buy at the door, and take the bus or a taxi.
Not neededTours and tickets on Viator
Experiences and nights out
Flamenco show in the Sacromonte
Shows in whitewashed cave rooms with a small stage, a guitarist, a singer and dancers, lasting about an hour. Some include a drink or a hotel pickup.
Which to pick. Pick a small venue with fewer seats for a closer view. Book the late show if you want atmosphere.
3 to 7 days aheadTours and tickets on ViatorArab baths
Hammam-style baths in the Albaicín, with warm pools and a massage option. Sessions are timed, with a limited number of bathers.
Which to pick. Book an evening slot for a calm end to a day of climbing. Bring a swimsuit.
A day or two aheadTours and tickets on ViatorTapas tour
Granada serves a free tapa with each drink, and guided evenings take you through several bars in the center and the side streets.
Which to pick. Go alone if you like bar-hopping. A tour helps you find places off the main streets.
A day aheadTours and tickets on Viator
Guided walks and tours
Albaicín and Sacromonte walking tour
A guided walk of about two to three hours through the old Moorish quarter, the cave district and the viewpoints, on steep cobbles.
Which to pick. Take it on your first day. Wear flat shoes with grip. A small group is easier on the narrow lanes.
A day or two aheadTours and tickets on ViatorRealejo and the old Jewish quarter walk
A guided stroll through the quarter below the Alhambra, with street art, small squares and the story of the city's Jewish past. It lasts around two hours.
Which to pick. Choose it as a second walk after the Albaicín, in the evening when the heat has dropped. A small group is easier.
A day aheadTours and tickets on Viator
Day trips
The Alpujarras
Whitewashed mountain villages on the southern side of the Sierra Nevada, such as Pampaneira and Capileira. Tours include lunch and a village stop.
Which to pick. Go with a tour if you don't drive, since buses are slow. Spring and autumn are best.
A few days aheadOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorSierra Nevada
A mountain range with ski slopes in winter and walking in summer, about an hour from the city by road or bus.
Which to pick. Go by bus in winter for skiing, or with a guide in summer for walking.
A few days aheadOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
City and museum passes in Granada
- Bono Turístico GranadaA city pass for the Alhambra and a selection of other sights, plus public transport rides. It saves effort if you want to combine several, but Alhambra entry is still subject to availability, so book it early. Official page
Booking tours and tickets in Granada
Can I change an Alhambra ticket?
Tickets are tied to a named person and a time, and changes are limited. Read the conditions on the official page, and buy only when your dates are certain.
What if the Alhambra is sold out?
Try the night visit, the garden-only ticket, or a guided tour that includes entry. Check the official page for returned tickets a few days before.
Is the flamenco show worth it?
Yes, if you pick a small venue and book the late show. Large dinner shows are more commercial. Ask how many seats the room has.
Is the Sacromonte safe at night?
Generally yes, but the lanes are steep and dark. Take a taxi back from the late shows, and ask your venue for directions.
Do I need a guide for the Alhambra?
No, but a guided visit explains the carvings and the layout. An audio guide is the cheaper option, and the signs are good.
What can I leave until I arrive?
The cathedral, the baths and the tapas can be done on the day. Book the Alhambra, flamenco and any Alpujarras tour before you travel.