Alhambra Tickets - sold out??

Old Sep 25th, 2010, 11:42 AM
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Alhambra Tickets - sold out??

Trying to buy tickets to the Alhambra for Oct 10 and the website (http://www.servicaixa.com/nav/landin.../alhambra.html) is saying that there is only one ticket remaining for the afternoon. Morning is all sold out. I need two tickets. Is this typical, that it sells out so far in advance? Is there any other way to get tickets?
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Old Sep 25th, 2010, 11:48 AM
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How long are you staying in Grenada? Is 10/10/2010 the only possibility?
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Old Sep 25th, 2010, 12:10 PM
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We have been there several times, and the first few, you didn't need a ticket, but I think they are more aware now of the wear and tear on this national treasure of too many feet..I do remember booking a few days in advance, but had no idea it wa getting this difficult..I am sure if you go there and stand around,they will let both of you in..it's worth the trouble and wait.
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Old Sep 25th, 2010, 12:14 PM
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We did not book ahead and there was not a huge amount of people, but then again we were there in winter.
If you are already there I would maybe go in person and see if you could get in that way.
Hopefully you can get tickets for another day as it is a must see
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Old Sep 25th, 2010, 01:36 PM
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"Is there any other way to get tickets?"


we asked our hotel to book tickets for us.
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Old Sep 25th, 2010, 04:47 PM
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We will be in Granada for two nights, but will be arriving the evening of the 9th and leaving on the morning of the 11th. So the 10th is really the only full day we'll be there. The other possibility is to buy tickets for the palace on the evening of the 9th for night viewing and see the gardens on the 10th during the day, as this ticket combo seems to work. Night tickets are not available on Sun the 10th though. But ideally, we'd really like to see the whole thing during the day on the 10th.

I've emailed the hotel to see if they have access to tickets. I've also come across some agencies selling tickets (I believe they're EUR 27/ticket), which includes entrance fees + bus rides. It's definitely more expensive, but given our tight timeline, I'm wondering whether it's worthwhile to do this. From other's comments, sounds like going there the day of will get us in, but given that it's sold out online, I'm thinking we'll either end up waiting in a really long line or going super early. In which case, the extra few bucks may be worth it.
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Old Sep 25th, 2010, 07:36 PM
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When we were in Granada, sold out really did mean sold out. We changed our plans and stayed an extra day to see the Alhambra, and then got tickets through our hotel. Actually, I think a night viewing of the palace on the 9th would be lovely for you. A morning visit on the 10th would leave you some time to walk around Granada, which is quite interesting.
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Old Sep 26th, 2010, 12:43 AM
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That is a Sunday and holiday weekend. contact your hotel or take a tour which guarantees entrance.
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Old Sep 26th, 2010, 03:45 AM
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Agree w/Casanova-- due to the Holiday weekend crowds your best bet is an organized tour.

A side note; I have been to the Alhambra 3 times with no advanced tickets; just showed up at the gate and got in. The fourth time I tried to do this (May 2008) I could not get nowhere near the sight. Go figure.
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Old Sep 26th, 2010, 07:32 AM
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Alright, the hotel said that they offer a guided tour for EUR 45. They also said that showing up around 8:30am or earlier will get us tickets. I actually like the idea of a tour, given that we probably won't be taking any other tours during our time in Spain. Aside from the fact that it would guarantee us entrance, would you folks suggest a tour would significantly enhance our experience?
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Old Sep 26th, 2010, 09:04 AM
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maybe the tourist office offers one for less, but I do think you will learn a lot more with a tour.
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Old Sep 26th, 2010, 09:24 AM
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I was there last October on a weekday and the place was heaving with groups and individual visitors from all over the world. If all advanced tickets are sold, the ticket office will only have 1800 to sell on the day, and all will likely be gone unless you are in line by 7 am at the latest.
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Old Sep 26th, 2010, 09:25 AM
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Once again go with Casanova on this one-- The Alhambra is a mid 14th Century palace and fortress complex constructed by Moorish rulers. Consequently, it is old, architecturally very significant, it has been defaced throughout the centuries, and it is huge. All these are critical factors that definitely make this monument a prime candidate for a guided visit.
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Old Sep 26th, 2010, 09:31 AM
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I forgot to mention that I have tried the audioguides at The Alhambra and they were not great.....
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Old Sep 26th, 2010, 10:45 AM
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If you go there you may get tickets for the Generalife Gardens and the Alcazaba (the fortress in front of the complext), but no way they are going to let you in the palaces withjout a ticket and out of the indicated time slot. I have witnessed it and you wont get in if you are late.
Do as Lincasanova suggests and try to get tickets for the Palaces (make sure it includes the palaces!!) through some agency, or within a guided tour.
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Old Sep 26th, 2010, 11:05 AM
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Alright, thanks all... I'm convinced and will definitely go with the tour. I'll give the tourist office a call and compare to what the hotel is offering.
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Old Sep 30th, 2010, 12:09 AM
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I have just called and if you buy the "bono tursitico" ( 3 or 5 days) it includes a guaranteed visit to the Alhambra.

You can call 24 hrs/ day or go online. Every day there are 25 entrances reserved for bono turistico holders. You fix your date.

Might be a good solution for someone at some point as I was unaware of this option.

There ARE bonos available for October 10th entrance, so if you are still interested you can access here.

http://caja.caja-granada.es/Apli/bononuevo/main.htm
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Old Sep 30th, 2010, 08:17 AM
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The first visit I had was with a tour guide who was a local and very old. It was so fascinating I've been in love with it ever since. There are so many stories and legends that make the place come to life. I never would have known that each room was painted certain colors and which windows used to be stained glass arranged so the light would change color at certain times of the day, all to enhance the pleasure of the Sultan. Having said that there are probably many bad tour guides who rush you through and aren't good storytellers.
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Old Sep 30th, 2010, 08:59 AM
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Has anyone taken the tours of the Cicerone company and if so, do you recommend?


http://www.ciceronegranada.com/english/default.asp
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Old Sep 30th, 2010, 02:05 PM
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make that 225 entrances for bonos tursíticos. They will not sell you the bono for a day if there are none of these bono tickets left. Sorry about the major number typo.
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