The Alhambra at night isn't a cut-down version of the day visit: it's a different ticket, with different times, a different price and a different allocation. That's why there can be space even when daytime tickets are gone, or the other way round. The catch is that in winter there are only two nights a week, and those places go quickly over bank holidays. This guide covers the night visit only; for daytime tickets, see Alhambra tickets sold out.
What options are left?
| If you want… | Option | From |
|---|---|---|
| Another night | Official website, Nasrid Palaces night visit | €12.73 |
| To buy on the spot | Night box office, an hour before entry | €12 |
| The palaces at night + gardens by day | Alhambra Experiences, two consecutive days | €22.27 |
| A separate allocation | Granada Card 24h, night visit included | €50 |
| Free | No free night visit; under-12s go free | €0 |
| A guide, entry included | Nasrid Palaces night tour, 4.9★ (288) Book | €54 |
| Generalife and Alcazaba by day | Gardens and Generalife, no Nasrid Palaces, 4.5★ (2,256) Book | €17.50 |
| The Alhambra from outside at dusk | Albaicín and Sacromonte sunset tour, 4.9★ (3,200) Book | €15 |
1. Official night-visit days and times
There are two separate night visits. These are the times published by the Alhambra trust (Patronato de la Alhambra):
Nasrid Palaces at night
| Season | Days | Visit | Box office |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 October - 31 March | Friday and Saturday | 8pm-9:30pm | 7pm-8:45pm |
| 1 April - 14 October | Tuesday to Saturday | 10pm-11:30pm | 9pm-10:45pm |
Generalife Gardens and Palace at night
| Season | Days | Visit | Box office |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 April - 31 May | Tuesday to Saturday | 10pm-11:30pm | 9pm-10:45pm |
| 1 September - 14 October | Tuesday to Saturday | 10pm-11:30pm | 9pm-10:45pm |
| 15 October - 14 November | Friday and Saturday | 8pm-9:30pm | 7pm-8:45pm |
In June, July and August and from 15 November to 31 March, the official site shows no Generalife night times. There are no night visits at all on Sundays or Mondays.
2. Official prices
Booking in advance at tickets.alhambra-patronato.es (the price includes an advance-sale commission of roughly 6%; at the box office you pay the base price):
| Ticket | What it covers | Adult | Reduced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nasrid Palaces Night Visit | The Nasrid Palaces only, at night | €12.73 | €8.48 |
| Gardens and Generalife Night Visit | The Generalife, no Nasrid Palaces | €8.48 | €6.36 |
| Alhambra Experiences | Nasrid Palaces at night + Gardens, Generalife and Alcazaba by day, on two consecutive days | €22.27 | €14.85 |
| Dobla de Oro Night | Nasrid Palaces at night + five Albaicín monuments, over two days | €23.06 | — |
Reduced rates apply to over-65s, European Youth Card holders, large families, people with a disability of 33% or more and children aged 12 to 15. Under-12s go free but must be included in the booking. Tickets are in your name: bring your passport or ID card.
3. What to do if it's sold out
In this order:
- Check the other night. In winter there's only Friday and Saturday; if one fails, try the other. From April to mid-October, Tuesday to Thursday has more room than Saturday.
- Check Alhambra Experiences and Dobla de Oro Night. They're separate products on the same site and give you the palaces at night plus something extra for a few euros more.
- Look at the Granada Card 24h (€50). It's the only Granada Card that includes the Nasrid Palaces night visit, and according to Granada's tourist board it has its own allocation: there may be space when single tickets are gone. Worth it if you're also visiting the cathedral, the Royal Chapel and other sights.
- Go to the night box office, which opens an hour before entry. There may be a ticket or two, but there's no guarantee.
- Book a guided night tour with entry included. Operators reserve their allocation well ahead.
4. The guided night tour
Our Nasrid Palaces night tour€54 · 4.9 (from €54, 4.9★ from 288 reviews) includes the night-visit ticket and a live guide or audio guide for an hour and a half. It meets on the Paseo del Generalife. Note that pushchairs aren't allowed and wheelchair access is very limited; you can cancel up to 24 hours before for a 60% refund.
5. If you can't get in: alternatives for that evening
- The Generalife at night (€8.48), if your date falls between April and 14 November outside summer. It's a different allocation and usually lasts longer.
- The Mirador de San Nicolás in the Albaicín: the floodlit Alhambra from across the valley, for free. On the Albaicín and Sacromonte sunset tour (from €15) you get there at the right time with someone explaining what you're looking at.
- Flamenco in a Sacromonte cave, such as Cueva del Zincalé (from €20), to round off the night.
- The Alhambra by day: with the Gardens, Generalife and Alcazaba€18 · 4.5 ticket (from €17.50) or a private Nasrid Palaces tour with hotel pick-up (from €139).
When it sells out and how far ahead to book
- Fridays and Saturdays from October to March: the only nights of the season; book as soon as you have dates, especially over the early-December bank holidays and Easter when it falls in March.
- Spring Saturdays: the most sought after in the long season.
- Tuesday to Thursday, April to October: usually more room.
Common mistakes
- Assuming the night visit includes the Alcazaba or the Generalife. The Nasrid night visit only covers the palaces.
- Looking for a night visit on a Sunday or Monday. There isn't one.
- Mixing up the Nasrid and Generalife night visits. The Generalife one is cheaper for a reason: it doesn't include the palaces.
- Arriving late for your time. You enter the Nasrid Palaces at the time printed on your ticket.
- Forgetting your ID. Tickets are in your name and checked at the entrance.
In a nutshell
If the Alhambra night visit is sold out, try the other night, Alhambra Experiences or the Granada Card 24h; if nothing's left, book a guided night tour with entry from €54 or head up to the Mirador de San Nicolás to see it lit up. For the rest of your visit, read how to visit the Alhambra.
