Alhambra opening hours

Summer opening hours (1st Apr - 14th Oct)

The summer opening hours for the Alhambra for the day tours are 8:30AM to 8PM. The night tours in the summer start at 10PM and end at 11:30PM and are available Tuesday through Saturday.

Winter opening hours (15th Oct - 31st Mar)

In the winter, the opening hours for the Alhambra for the day tours go from 8.30AM to 6PM, whereas the night tours go from 8PM to 9:30PMand are only available Friday and Saturday.

Closing days

The Alhambra is open all year long, the only two closing days are the 25th of December and the 1st of January.

Best time to visit

The optimal times to visit the Alhambra are early in the morning or later in the evening. Arriving right at opening time, around 8:30 AM, allows you to experience the monument before the crowds arrive and before the midday heat sets in. Alternatively, visiting in the late afternoon, after 5:00 PM, can offer a more relaxed atmosphere as the crowds thin out. Additionally, visiting during the shoulder seasons of late spring (April–June) or early autumn (September–October) provides pleasant weather and fewer tourists.

FAQs and tips

What are the general visiting hours for the Alhambra?

The Alhambra operates daily from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM between April 1 and October 14. During the winter season from October 15 to March 31, the site closes earlier at 6:00 PM.

Night tours are available Friday and Saturday evenings from 8PM to 9:30PM in the winter, and from Tuesday through Saturday from 10PM to 11:30PM during the summer. The ticket office opens at 8:00 AM daily and closes at the same time as the general visiting hours.

Are the Alhambra's visiting hours different on weekends?

The Alhambra maintains the same daily schedule Monday through Sunday. Weekend hours do not differ from weekday operating times.

Night tours specifically run on Friday and Saturday evenings in the winter. These special evening visits operate from 8PM to 9:30PM, whereas in the summer they are open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10PM to 11:30PM.

Can you access the Nasrid Palaces any time during the Alhambra visiting hours?

The Nasrid Palaces require timed entry tickets with specific time slots. Visitors must enter the palaces during their designated 30-minute window.

The rest of the Alhambra complex can be explored at leisure once inside. Visitors can access the Generalife, Alcazaba, and gardens without time restrictions after entering the site.

How early in advance should I arrive for my scheduled entry to the Alhambra?

Visitors should arrive at the Alhambra at least 30 minutes before their Nasrid Palaces time slot. This allows time to walk through the complex and locate the palace entrance.

Many experienced visitors recommend arriving when the site opens at 8:30AM. This strategy provides ample time to explore other areas before the timed palace entry.

What's the average duration of a visit to the Alhambra?

A complete visit to the Alhambra typically takes 3 to 4 hours. This includes time for the Nasrid Palaces, Generalife gardens, and the Alcazaba fortress.

Visitors can stay on the grounds until closing time once they enter. The complex allows people to explore at their own pace without additional time restrictions.