We will be in the area around Granada 12/26-12/30. Is it necessary to buy tickets in advance for Ahambra.

It is not necessary... IT IS COMPULSORY. In the ticket you have the specific date and times when you can visit the Alhambra. I think they give a range of two hours or something like that. If you miss it, you´ve lost your money.

Thanks for the reply. How far in advance is it necessary to book.

Well, it's not compulsory but very advisable to buy them in advance. The tickets you buy at the Alhambra ticket office are only valid for the day you buy them and it's likely that they are sold out.

You can do it online at AlhambraTickets.com , at any branch of the BBVA bank or on the phone number 902 22 44 60 (00 34 91 346 59 36 if calling from abroad).

Carmen,
I think you may be thinking of visiting the Salon de Leones?! It may have changed since the last time I went (a couple of years ago), but tickets unless you went with a tour, were VERY hard to get. So, for those of us not attending a tour, we got up bright and early to get there BEFORE it opens (already a HUGE line!) and wait to get a ticket. Once you're in, there is a time on the ticket that allows you a time slot to visit the Lion's den, a room that has limited access and a limited number of people that they let in at a time. If you miss the time your ticket gives you, they won't let you in! We almost missed ours had it not been for a very friendly tourist!

Good luck and enjoy!

I just visited the alhambra in Oct 2001.

I ordered my tickets on the internet and picked them up at a special window at the entrance. This worked out great.

You have an entry time for the Alhambra palace but not any particular room. We took the first entry of the day, 8 am. It worked out great because most of the large tour groups came in around 9 a.m. so we had the place before it was packed with the groups.

The entire alhambra complex blew me away. We spent the entire morning visiting and then had special evening tickets (I thing only available during the summer) and returned again.

Hey Cathy, tell us about the night visit. How much do you get to see at nite, the whole inside? Just went in Nov. and I had remarked that I wondered what they used for light then and now, cause I didn't see lights nor torch marks of old. Am curious. Did see lights out in the gardens.

The night entrance was just for the interior of the palace.

It was quite a contrast to our visit earlier in the day. First of all there was hardly anyone there - we practically had the place to ourselves. It was raining somewhat hard earlier in the evening so I don't know if people who had bought tickets simply didn't show or if this is usual for the night visits. Also, the difference of the colors and how they show up was quite striking. It was somewhat spooky to be roaming around the palace at night - very easy to imagine what it may have been like hundreds of years ago.

I would definately recommend a night (and of course day) visit if you have the chance.

Thanks for the replies. We will plan on getting tickets in advance and also trying to work in a night visit. This whole trip is getting pretty confusing as the various family members have now decided that they dfinitely want to wok in a couple of days in Cordoba. So we are thinking of spending the first two nights in Madrid and then renting a car (should we do this in advance) on the 24th of Dec. and heading down to Cordoba with a stop for most of the day in Toledo. We are really getting a bit messed up with plans because of Monday when many museums are closed. We plan to get to Almunecar on the 26th and stay four nights - then return to Madrid. Too bad the trip has to be so short.

As others have noted, it is smart to have reserved tickets. The Alhambra is a zoo, although it's well worth the crowds, be warned. It's chaotic, and the well designed entrance is a testament to its popularity. When I visited in 2001 we had tickets, bought on the Internet, but the code (provided by their website) wasn't found valid by the ticket takers. Fortunately, they were aware of the site's problems and simply provided our entrance based on the computer print-out we'd brought from home. Yes, yes, yes, reserve tickets, this is one place you don't want to miss. The buildings, gardens, and amazing water transport system (running throughout the compound) are incredible. Hope you all enjoy your Alhambra visit...I have fond memories!