Purchasing Alhambra tickets on-line through the Caixa website can be somewhat quirky! Use the following link (an English version is available).
alhambra-tickets.es

Note: The calendar only displays correctly using Internet Explorer. I normally use Firefox and for some reason the months won’t display properly.

Select the day of your visit and a time band; either morning or afternoon. Scroll down and select the number and type of tickets. Select continue and the following page will show the half hour time slot you have been assigned for your Nasrid Palaces visit. (See the right side of the page marked in red.)

Selecting a suitable time slot is cumbersome to say the least! If your assigned time slot is unsatisfactory then go back and repeat the process until you obtain the times that you want. I believe the time slots cycle in half hour time bands from the 08:30 opening time right up to closing time.

Once you have a satisfactory time then fill in all the contact details and credit card information to complete your purchase. The website asks for credit card expiry date in the order ‘year/month’ which is incorrect. Enter the month for year and year for month and everything should work fine. Also don’t enter the security code unless you are using a ‘la Caixa’ card.

Continue and your purchase should be completed. Be sure to print the ticket reference number or tick the box for email purchase confirmation. The reference number is needed to pick up the tickets either from the ticket office or the machines at the Alhambra entrance.

Have a great visit!

Thanks for posting this. I'll be buying tickets online soon, and your information about the credit card expiration date may just have saved my computer from being thrown across the room.

I just bought tickets for April (hey, it never hurts to plan ahead), armed with Robt's advice. A couple of comments, in case they help anybody:

quote:

If your assigned time slot is unsatisfactory then go back and repeat the process until you obtain the times that you want. I believe the time slots cycle in half hour time bands from the 08:30 opening time right up to closing time.

This was great advice, as you don't seem to get to specify the Nasrid Palace time slot. I didn't like the first one it gave me, tried again a couple of times, and eventually got 9:00-9:30. I didn't bother trying again to see if there's an 8:30-9:00 slot, too, since 9:00 is fine with us, giving us a little leeway after the complex opens at 8:30.

quote:

The website asks for credit card expiry date in the order ‘year/month’ which is incorrect. Enter the month for year and year for month and everything should work fine.

Strange but true. I might have noticed it eventually based on the choices in the pull-down list, but it was good to know this already.

quote:

Be sure to print the ticket reference number or tick the box for email purchase confirmation.

It's a little easy to miss the box to tick for e-mail confirmation, especially if you tend to assume, incorrectly in this case, that e-mail confirmation would be the default for an online purchase. The reference number is about 20-digits long, so it's not something you can quickly jot down.

All in all, the process is a bit fidgety, but it does actually work.

Great information and tips Robt & KT! Thank you for sharing.

2 more snippets of useful info - on the website, tickets are only available up to three months in advance - this is a change to the old system/website. Also - you will need to present a passport or valid ID and the credit card you used to buy online when you pick up your tickets at the ticket office. If you do it through the ATM at the entrance to the Alhambra having pre-reserved your tickets online you will need to insert the same credit card that you used to buy online and the locator number. THEREFORE VERY important NOT to use a credit card online that will expire before the date that you pick up your tickets at the ATM.

Michael

Granada sells a tourist card called Bono Turistico or the City Pass. It includes one visit to each of these: Alhambra
Cathedral
Royal Chapel
Monasterio Jeronimo
Science Park
Plus 10 minibus or other city bus services.
And discounts on entry fees to Fine Arts & Archaeology museums.
The Pass is good for 5 days.
The Granada site - www.granadatur.com lists the price as 24,50 euro for advanced internet sales and directs you to caja.caja-granada.es/bono for
ticket purchase.
At caja.caja they list the price as 34,50 euros?
I don't know if it is a bargain at this price.
Alhambra 13 euros
Cathedral 3
Royal Palace 3
Monasterio 3
Science M 5
Minibuses,I think,are 1 euro. I hear they are like an amusement ride.
Also, the Granada site states the card entitles you to one 24hour hop on hop off bus. I think the value of that is around 20 euros - it was hard to find. And, since the Caja site has an increased price and doesn't mention the sightsee bus I'm wondering if they've made changes.
For me, if it includes the sightsee hop on off, as one of the ten bus rides, then it is a bargain.
Also wanted to recommend trip report 87 by Doru,although it was some years ago,he is a wonderful storyteller and I loved his trip report.
Lynnee

Lynnee, the minibus ride is like a Cliffhanger ride; an unforgettable experience. Hold on to your breakfast when you go down into town from Sacromonte and Albaicin!

I looked up the site. It seems the prices, at EUR24.50, are a bargain.

What I couldn't find on the website is how one holding the Bono Turistico gets reservations, which require advance booking, for Alhambra.

And thanks for the kind words; it is the place that makes the story.

Doru, It's true the place makes the story, but the teller brings it alive.
Yes,24.50 seems like a bargain,but then they direct you to a site - caja.caja-granada.es/bono to purchase tickets,and there they say the price is 34.50.
Maybe still a bargain if you take advantage of all the card offers, I don't know.
I'm very excited about the trip and having such fun planning it.
Lynnee

Completely agree with you Lynnee. Just read your wonderful report Doru. Really enjoyed it all, like your description of seeing the Alhambra and also the Sardana Dance in Barcelona. I think one of the greatest things about visiting a country is getting to witness and experience some of the special traditions and customs. Spain is a big country and each region seems to be so unique and different. It's going to be hard to choose where to go, but I think Granada to see the Alhambra and Sevilla are right up there.

Lynnee, have a great trip!

Click here and scroll down to "Where can I buy one?" and "How much does it cost?"

Basically, one doesn't have to buy the Bono Turistico through caja.caja

Even if one pre-orders and pays the Alhambra tickets separately, at EUR24.50 the cost of the Bono remains still reasonable.

And thanks, trekcapri.Spain has been again on my mind lately.

After much confusion, I've finally purchased the Granada City Pass.I e-mailed the Granada Tourist Council and they said for some reason the caja purchase internet site wasn't working for March - they didn't know why - Maybe, they said, it was because it is Easter and high season???????

Anyway, I decided to try one more time. I googled Granada City Pass and the caja site came up. Once there, I hit buy pass, a form will come up - you have to pick your date and time of entry to nasrid palaces. You also need to pick the place where you will pick up the tickets, so it's good to get a map and figure which is closest to your hotel. Also they ask for your passport no., so you need that too. Finally, once the screen comes up with Purchase of Granada City Pass, before you confirm and check the info, print yourself a copy. Then, they will give you a reference no., print this too.

Oh, and the price has gone up, it's now 32,50E a person.
Lynnee

Great, Lynnee, and now we will all know how to do it. Thank you and we'll wait impatiently for your stories upon your return.