Alhambra Opening Hours 2026
Day & Night Timings
The Alhambra is open daily from 8:30 am to 8 pm (1 April–14 October) and from 8:30 am to 6 pm (15 October–31 March). Night visits run Tuesday–Saturday from 10 pm to 11:30 pm in summer, and Friday–Saturday from 8 pm to 9:30 pm in winter. The Alhambra is closed on Christmas Day (25 December) and New Year’s Day (1 January). Last entry is one hour before closing.
Planning your visit to the Alhambra Palace in Granada starts with knowing when it’s open — and the timings here are more nuanced than at most attractions. The Alhambra operates across two seasons with different daytime hours, separate night visit schedules, closure periods for the Generalife Gardens, and area-specific access rules. Getting this right is critical, because the Nasrid Palaces have strictly timed entry and arriving at the wrong time means being turned away.
This guide covers every opening hours scenario for 2026 — daytime visits, night visits, individual area timings, exterior lighting schedules, and the two days per year the Alhambra closes completely. For advice on when to book your tickets and how to choose your time slot, see our best time to visit guide.
Alhambra Top Tickets
Alhambra Daytime Opening Hours
The Alhambra is open every day for daytime visits. From 1 April to 14 October (summer season): 8:30 am to 8 pm. From 15 October to 31 March (winter season): 8:30 am to 6 pm. The Alhambra is closed on 25 December and 1 January. Last entry to all areas is one hour before closing time.
| Season | Days Open | Opening Hours | Last Entry |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 April – 14 October (Summer) | Monday to Sunday | 8:30 am – 8:00 pm | 7:00 pm |
| 15 October – 31 March (Winter) | Monday to Sunday | 8:30 am – 6:00 pm | 5:00 pm |
⚠ The Alhambra is closed on Christmas Day (25 December) and New Year’s Day (1 January). These are the only two full closure days in the year.
Nasrid Palaces & Generalife Gardens Opening Hours
The Nasrid Palaces and Generalife Gardens follow the same daytime hours as the wider Alhambra complex. Night visits to both areas run Tuesday–Saturday from 10 pm to 11:30 pm (April–October) and Friday–Saturday from 8 pm to 9:30 pm (October–March). The Generalife Gardens are closed for night visits from 1 June to 31 August and from 15 November to 31 March.
| Season | Visit Type | Days | Opening Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Apr – 14 Oct | Daytime | Mon to Sun | 8:30 am – 8:00 pm |
| 1 Apr – 14 Oct | Night | Tue to Sat | 10:00 pm – 11:30 pm |
| 15 Oct – 31 Mar | Daytime | Mon to Sun | 8:30 am – 6:00 pm |
| 15 Oct – 31 Mar | Night | Fri & Sat only | 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm |
The last entry to the Generalife Gardens is one hour before closing. Night visits to the Generalife Gardens are unavailable from 1 June to 31 August (peak summer) and from 15 November to 31 March (winter). During these closures, night visits to the Nasrid Palaces are still available.
Generalife Gardens Night Visit Closure Periods
| Period | Night Visit Status |
|---|---|
| 1 April – 31 May | Night visits available (Tue–Sat) |
| 1 June – 31 August | CLOSED for night visits |
| 1 September – 14 October | Night visits available (Tue–Sat) |
| 15 October – 14 November | Night visits available (Fri–Sat) |
| 15 November – 31 March | CLOSED for night visits |
Night Visit Opening Hours
Alhambra night visits are available Tuesday to Saturday (April–October) from 10 pm to 11:30 pm, and Friday to Saturday (October–March) from 8 pm to 9:30 pm. The ticket office opens one hour before the night visit start time. Night visits cover either the Nasrid Palaces or the Generalife Gardens — not both. The Alhambra is closed for night visits on Sundays and Mondays throughout the year.
| Season | Days | Night Hours | Ticket Office Opens |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Apr – 14 Oct | Tuesday – Saturday | 10:00 pm – 11:30 pm | 9:00 pm |
| 15 Oct – 31 Mar | Friday – Saturday | 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm | 7:00 pm |
For full details on what each night ticket covers, prices, and tips for the after-dark experience, see our Alhambra night tour guide.
Alhambra Ticket Office Hours
| Season | Daytime Ticket Office | Night Ticket Office |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Apr – 14 Oct (Summer) | 8:00 am – 8:00 pm | 9:00 pm – 10:45 pm |
| 15 Oct – 31 Mar (Winter) | 8:00 am – 6:00 pm | 7:00 pm – 8:45 pm |
Since 2020, on-site ticket sales have been extremely limited. All tickets must be booked online in advance. The ticket office handles collection of pre-booked tickets and accessibility requests only.
Exterior Lighting Schedule
One of the most dramatic aspects of visiting Granada is seeing the Alhambra illuminated against the night sky, visible from the Albaicín neighbourhood and the city below. The exterior lighting schedule varies by season:
| Period | Exterior Lights On Until |
|---|---|
| 1 November – 28 February | 2:00 am |
| 1 March – 31 October | 4:00 am |
| Special occasions (Easter Wed–Sat, Corpus Christi, Christmas 24 Dec–5 Jan) | 6:00 am |
Opening Hours by Area — Quick Reference
| Area | Summer Hours (Apr–Oct) | Winter Hours (Oct–Mar) | Night Visits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nasrid Palaces | 8:30 am – 8:00 pm | 8:30 am – 6:00 pm | Yes (Tue–Sat / Fri–Sat) |
| Alcazaba Fortress | 8:30 am – 8:00 pm | 8:30 am – 6:00 pm | No separate night visit |
| Generalife Gardens | 8:30 am – 8:00 pm | 8:30 am – 6:00 pm | Seasonal (see above) |
| Charles V Palace | 8:30 am – 8:00 pm | 8:30 am – 6:00 pm | No separate night visit |
| Partal Palace | 8:30 am – 8:00 pm | 8:30 am – 6:00 pm | No separate night visit |
| Alhambra Museum | 8:30 am – 8:00 pm | 8:30 am – 6:00 pm | Closed |
| Free public areas | Always accessible | Always accessible | Always accessible |
Best Time of Day to Visit
The best time to visit the Alhambra is early morning at the 8:30 am opening, or in the late afternoon after 4 pm. Early morning offers the coolest temperatures, the softest photography light, and the smallest crowds. Late afternoon offers similar benefits with the bonus of golden-hour light on the Nasrid Palaces. Avoid 11 am to 2 pm in summer when both heat and crowds peak.
- 8:30–10:00 am (Rope Drop) — fewest visitors, coolest temperatures, best photography light. Ideal for Nasrid Palaces entry.
- 10:00 am–1:00 pm — crowds build steadily. Manageable in spring and autumn; busy in summer.
- 1:00–4:00 pm (Peak) — hottest and most crowded, particularly in July and August. Avoid if possible.
- 4:00–6:00 pm (Late Afternoon) — crowds begin to thin and the golden-hour light on the Generalife fountains is exceptional.
- Night Visit (10 pm / 8 pm) — completely different atmosphere. Minimal crowds, dramatic lighting, limited but memorable access.
For a complete breakdown by season, day of week, and month, see our full guide to the best time to visit the Alhambra.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does the Alhambra open?
The Alhambra opens at 8:30 am every day throughout the year (except 25 December and 1 January). The ticket office opens at 8:00 am. In summer (1 April–14 October), it closes at 8:00 pm. In winter (15 October–31 March), it closes at 6:00 pm.
What time does the Alhambra close?
The Alhambra closes at 8:00 pm during the summer season (1 April–14 October) and at 6:00 pm during the winter season (15 October–31 March). Last entry is one hour before closing — 7:00 pm in summer and 5:00 pm in winter.
Is the Alhambra open on Sundays?
Yes. The Alhambra is open every day of the week for daytime visits, including Sundays. However, the Alhambra is closed for night visits on Sundays and Mondays throughout the year.
Is the Alhambra open in winter?
Yes. The Alhambra is open year-round, including in winter. Winter opening hours are 8:30 am to 6:00 pm (15 October–31 March). Night visits are available on Fridays and Saturdays only in winter, from 8 pm to 9:30 pm.
What days is the Alhambra closed?
The Alhambra is closed only on Christmas Day (25 December) and New Year’s Day (1 January). It is open every other day of the year. Night visits are unavailable on Sundays and Mondays, but daytime visits are available seven days a week.
Can I enter the Alhambra after the last entry time?
No. Last entry to all areas of the Alhambra is one hour before closing. In summer that means 7:00 pm (for an 8:00 pm close), and in winter 5:00 pm (for a 6:00 pm close). Visitors who arrive after last entry will not be admitted regardless of ticket type.
Are the Generalife Gardens open at night?
Only during specific periods. The Generalife Gardens are open for night visits from 1 April to 31 May and from 1 September to 14 November. They are closed for night visits from 1 June to 31 August and from 15 November to 31 March. Nasrid Palaces night visits operate separately and follow a different schedule.
What time should I arrive for a morning visit?
Plan to arrive at the Alhambra entrance at least 20–30 minutes before your Nasrid Palaces time slot. If your slot is 9:00 am — the earliest available — aim to arrive at the entrance by 8:30 am when the gate opens, as security screening takes a few minutes. Early morning slots are the most popular and sell out first.
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