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Nasrid Palaces of the Alhambra illuminated at night, Granada, Spain
Practical guide

Alhambra night visit

The Nasrid Palaces after dark: 90 minutes inside the Alhambra at night, without the daytime crowds. Here is what the ticket covers, what it does not, and how to book before it sells out.

The Alhambra night visit is not the full Alhambra. That needs saying first, because the ticket price (€12.73) and the name can create the wrong impression. What you get is 90 minutes inside the Nasrid Palaces (the Mexuar, the Hall of the Ambassadors, the Court of Lions) after the daytime crowds have left and the building is lit from within. The Alcazaba fortress, the Generalife gardens, and the Partal terraces are closed. You follow a predetermined route and exit.

That is still, for most visitors, the best 90 minutes available in Granada. The stucco muqarnas in the ceiling of the Hall of the Ambassadors under artificial light shows geometry that afternoon sun washes flat. The Court of Lions at 22:30 in August, with perhaps forty people rather than four hundred, is a different place. The question is whether the restricted scope (no gardens, no fortress, Palaces only) fits your plans.

This guide covers exactly what is included, the schedules for both seasons, how to book, photography rules, and the practical details that catch visitors out. For tickets to the full daytime Alhambra, see the Alhambra tickets planning guide or the Alhambra tickets guide.

Ticket types and prices

Three separate night products exist. They are not combinable on the same evening — all run at the same time.

Nasrid Palaces night visit

€12.73

The main night product. Covers the Mexuar, Palacios de Comares (including the Hall of the Ambassadors and the Courtyard of the Myrtles), Palacio de los Leones (Court of Lions), and the Corredor-Lindaraja balcony with city views. Also includes the Gate of Justice entry and Charles V Palace. Duration: 90 minutes on a fixed route.

Not included: Generalife gardens, Alcazaba fortress, Partal gardens, museum access.

Generalife gardens night visit

€8.48

A separate night tour of the Generalife gardens and water terraces. Runs at the same time as the Palaces visit — you choose one or the other for the evening. If your priority is the gardens after dark (the pools, the sound of water, the cypress walks), this is the ticket. The Nasrid Palaces are not included.

Dobla de Oro night visit

€23.06

The Dobla de Oro is a combined visit covering the Nasrid Palaces and additional areas of the monument complex. This is the premium night ticket for those who want more time or scope. Check the official Patronato site for current inclusions, as the itinerary can vary seasonally.

All prices verified May 2026. Source: alhambra-patronato.es.

Schedule: winter and summer

The Alhambra runs two distinct night-visit seasons. The change happens on 15 October and 1 April.

Winter season

15 October – 31 March

  • Days: Friday and Saturday only
  • Session: 20:00 – 21:30
  • Ticket office opens: 19:00
  • Arrive by: 19:00 at the latest

Summer season

1 April – 14 October

  • Days: Tuesday through Saturday
  • Session: 22:00 – 23:30
  • Ticket office opens: 21:00
  • Arrive by: 21:00 at the latest

Arrive at least one hour before your access time

The Alhambra requires visitors to be at the ticket office one hour before their designated entry slot. This is enforced. The walk from the nearest taxi or bus drop-off to the ticket office takes longer than most navigation apps suggest, so allow extra time, particularly on winter evenings when visibility on the hill paths is lower. Late arrivals forfeit their ticket without refund.

The night visit runs two sessions per evening during peak periods. If you hold a ticket for the later session, you still need to arrive an hour before that session's start time. Check your ticket confirmation for the exact access slot.

How to book

Night tickets sell out well ahead of the visit date, particularly in summer. Book as soon as your dates are confirmed.

Book directly from the official Patronato site

The only authorised booking channel is tickets.alhambra-patronato.es. Phone booking is available at +34 958 027 971. ATM machines at the Alhambra also sell tickets, but availability on the day is minimal during peak season. Third-party resellers charge a premium (sometimes 30–40% above the Patronato price) for the identical ticket.

Booking deadline

Until 23:59 on the day before the visit. There is no same-day booking window via the online system during peak season.

Cancellation policy

Changes and refunds are not accepted. Choose your date carefully. If you book and cannot attend, the ticket is forfeit.

Identity documents

Original identity documentation (passport or national ID) must be presented at the entry gate. Printed or digital booking confirmation is also required.

When to book

July and August: two to three weeks minimum. June and September: one to two weeks. April, May, October: one week. Winter Fridays and Saturdays: a few days to one week, depending on the calendar.

For the full comparison of daytime versus night ticketing options, see the Alhambra tickets guide or the Alhambra tickets planning page.

What to expect on the night

The route through the Nasrid Palaces at night is fixed. You cannot linger indefinitely in any single room, but the pace is slow enough for photography. Total time inside: 90 minutes.

1

Gate of Justice

Entry point. The 14th-century gate is lit from below — the carved hand and key in the arch are readable in a way they rarely are by day. Allow 10 minutes.

2

Mexuar

The oldest section of the Nasrid complex, converted to a chapel after 1492. Geometric tile dados at floor level, carved stucco above. Allow 15 minutes.

3

Palacios de Comares

The Hall of the Ambassadors — a throne room with a cedar ceiling representing seven levels of heaven — and the Courtyard of the Myrtles with its long reflecting pool. At night, the pool surface is still; the reflection doubles the tower. Allow 25 minutes.

4

Palacio de los Leones

The Court of Lions, with its twelve marble lions supporting the central fountain. The muqarnas stalactite vaulting in the two pavilions is illuminated from below. Allow 20 minutes.

5

Corredor-Lindaraja

A gallery overlooking the lower Albaicín and city lights. The exit is here. Allow 10 minutes, then a short walk to the main gate. Total inside: 80–90 minutes.

Photography rules

Flash photography: strictly prohibited throughout the night visit. Guards enforce this actively.

Tripods: banned during night visits. The €5 tripod permit sold for the daytime Alhambra does not apply here.

Handheld gimbals and stabilisers: permitted.

Practical advice: a camera with a fast lens (f/1.8 or wider) at ISO 1600–3200 produces usable results without flash. The lighting is warm and directional; exposure times of 1/30s handheld are achievable with image stabilisation.

What you will not see

Four significant areas of the Alhambra are excluded from the night Nasrid Palaces ticket:

  • The Alcazaba fortress — the oldest part of the complex, with its towers and defensive walls. Day visit only.
  • The Generalife gardens — the summer palace gardens with terraced water features and cypress allées. Separate night ticket at €8.48, or included in a daytime ticket.
  • The Partal gardens — the lower terraced gardens with the Torre de las Damas portico.
  • The Palace of Charles V and its circular courtyard are passed at entry but not open for extended visits at night.

Book the Alhambra night tour

Tours are selected for quality, not commission. We earn a small fee if you book — at no extra cost to you.

Fast-track access to the Nasrid Palaces lit at night, plus the Generalife by moonlight — sells out weeks ahead

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Does the Alhambra night visit include the Generalife gardens?

No. The Nasrid Palaces night ticket (€12.73) covers the Mexuar, Palacios de Comares, Palacio de los Leones, and the Corredor-Lindaraja. The Generalife gardens run as a separate night tour at the same time (€8.48) — you cannot do both in a single evening. The Alcazaba fortress is also excluded from night visits entirely.

How far in advance should I book Alhambra night visit tickets?

In summer (June–August), night tickets sell out two to three weeks ahead. In shoulder season (April–May and September–October), one week is usually enough. Winter (October–March) offers the most availability, but the limited Friday–Saturday schedule means popular dates still go fast. Same-day tickets exist in theory but rarely in practice during peak season. Book at tickets.alhambra-patronato.es.

Can I use a tripod or flash during the Alhambra night visit?

Flash photography is strictly prohibited. Tripods are banned during night visits. Handheld gimbals and stabilisers are permitted. Guards enforce the photography rules actively. The €5 tripod permit that exists for the Alhambra applies only to designated day-visit areas, not to the night tour.

What time does the Alhambra night visit start?

Winter season (15 October–31 March): Friday and Saturday only, session from 20:00 to 21:30. Ticket office opens at 19:00. Summer season (1 April–14 October): Tuesday through Saturday, session from 22:00 to 23:30. Ticket office opens at 21:00. You must arrive at the ticket office at least one hour before your assigned access time.

Is the Alhambra night visit worth it compared to a daytime ticket?

The two visits are different experiences. At night, the Nasrid Palaces are specially lit and far quieter than during the day — the stucco detail on the muqarnas ceilings reads differently under artificial light than in afternoon sun. What you miss: the Alcazaba, Generalife gardens, and Partal gardens are not accessible. If you can only visit once, a full daytime ticket (which can include all three zones) covers more ground. If you want the Nasrid Palaces specifically and prefer fewer people, the night visit delivers that. See the Alhambra tickets guide for a full comparison.

Reporter notebook

Insider tips

Practical observations gathered the way a local journalist would keep them: short, specific, and more useful than brochure copy.

Booking tip

Buy directly from the Patronato, not third-party sites

The only authorised source for Alhambra night tickets is tickets.alhambra-patronato.es. Third-party resellers sell the same ticket at 30–40% above face value. Cancellations and refunds are not accepted on Patronato tickets, so pick a date you are certain about. The booking deadline is 23:59 the day before your visit. Phone booking is available at +34 958 027 971 if the website is down.

Best time

April, May, and October beat summer on every count

Summer night visits (22:00–23:30) are popular, but July and August tickets sell out two to three weeks ahead and the palaces are still crowded inside. April, May, and October run the same evening sessions with far more available tickets, comfortable temperatures, and quieter corridors. The light-on-stucco effect that makes the night visit worthwhile does not depend on season.

Crowd tip

The one-hour arrival rule is not flexible

The Alhambra requires you to arrive at the ticket office at least one hour before your designated access time. In practice, arriving 70–80 minutes early is sensible — the walk from the car park or taxi drop-off to the ticket office is longer than maps suggest, especially at night. Miss the window and you forfeit your ticket. No refunds are issued for late arrivals.

Local custom

Combine the night visit with dinner in the Albaicín

The night visit ends by 21:30 (winter) or 23:30 (summer) and leaves you on the Alhambra hill. Most visitors head straight down and miss the obvious follow-through: the Albaicín is 15 minutes on foot. Bars along Calle Elvira and Calle Calderería serve until midnight. In summer, finishing at the mirador of San Nicolás after the visit — the Alhambra lit below, city lights spread out — is the better end to the evening than any restaurant.