As the hub of the Moorish capital, Alhambra has multiple entrances, but only three are used today.
The entrances on the south and east presently allow entry: the Access Pavilion or main gate, the Gate of Justice and the Gate of Carts.
Visitors prefer certain gates over others because of their proximity to the complex’s various sections.
So, which entrance should you take? This guide will have everything you need to know about Alhambra’s entrances, location, timings, etc.
A Quick Guide
Here is a snapshot of the entrances, who they are accessible for and where they lead:
Please note that all except the Gate of Carts are wheelchair accessible.
| Entrance Gate | Location on Alhambra Complex | Nearby Alhambra Sections | Used by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access Pavilion | Eastern side | Generalife | All visitors, with or without pre-booked tickets and tours |
| Gate of Justice | South-western side | Alcazaba, Nasrid Palace, & the Palace of Charles V. | Visitors with pre-booked tickets |
| Gate of Carts | Southern side | Nasrid & Charles V’s palaces; lower area of the Alhambra complex | Visitors with pre-booked tickets, except people with mobility issues |
Note: We recommend booking your entry ticket or guided tours online for quick entry through the entry gates.
Access Pavilion
Access Pavilion
- Entrance Timing: 8.30 am to 8 pm (April to October), 8.30 am to 6 pm (November to March).
- Average wait time: 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the season, holidays and day of the week.
This is Alhambra’s main entrance, which has counters and stalls for most visitor amenities.
Visitors without pre-booked entrance tickets may purchase them here or collect their QR code.
The Generalife is a short distance from this gate.
You can reach this area by taxi, car or bus, which stops nearby.
Location: East of Alhambra Complex Get Directions
Parking: about 300 m from the Alhambra public parking lot.
Facilities: Ticket office, Wheelchair hire counter, Wheelchair-accessible entry, restrooms for all visitors, Bluetooth, Visitor Information Desk, Lockers, Audio and Sign Guide counters, Food and drinks, and Bookshop.
Gate of Justice
Gate of Justice
- Entrance Timing: 8.30 am to 8 pm (April to October), 8.30 am to 6 pm (November to March).
- Average wait time: 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the season, holidays and day of the week.
The Gate of Justice (Puerta de la Justicia) is the largest entry gate to Alhambra.
If you already have skip-the-line tickets booked online, opt for this gate, which will scan your ticket to enter. Queues are generally short here, and you can enter them faster.
The three closest places to see are the Alcazaba, Nasrid Palace, and the Palace of Charles V.
If you are walking from the town to Alhambra, this is the nearest gate to enter.
This gate is popular for its finely hand-carved keystone arch gate that blends Arabic calligraphy with Catholic symbols.
Location: South-west of Alhambra Complex Get Directions
Parking: There is no nearby parking. The public bus stop is nearby.
Facilities: Wheelchair-accessible entry, restrooms for all visitors, Visitor Information Desk, Lockers, Bluetooth, First Aid station, food, and drinks.
Gate of Carts
Gate of Carts
- Entrance Timing: 8.30 am to 8 pm (April to October), 8.30 am to 6 pm (November to March).
- Average wait time: 10 to 15 minutes
The Gate of the Carts (Puerta de los Carros) is a less popular entrance into the Alhambra complex with shorter waiting lines.
It lies on the southern wall and is closest to the Nasrid Palaces and Charles V palaces.
Previously, carts and common men used it to transport supplies from the outside to the fort area.
Currently, it is the main access to the lower area of the Monumental Complex, which gives access to different services and departments of the Alhambra.
Location: South of Alhambra Complex Get Directions
Parking: There is no nearby parking. The public bus stop is nearby.
Facilities: Visitor Information Desk, Letter Box, Taxi.
How to Reach the Entrances?
You can take a taxi, Uber or a City Microbus from Granada City to access the Alhambra Palace.
Alternatively, you can take bus lines 30 and 32, stopping at various locations near the Alhambra complex.
Bus stops near Alhambra:
- Ticket Offices or Access Pavilion Entrance: near Generalife
- Torre de las Cabezas (Tower of the Heads): near Charles V Palace and Nasrid Palaces and
- Puerta de la Justicia (Gate of Justice): near Alcazaba.
Which Entrance Should I Choose?
Out of the three entrances, the Access Pavilion has the longest queues and the highest waiting time.
The ticket counter is located there, and visitors without tickets generally gather here.
Additionally, the main entrance has the Visitor Information Desk, wheelchair rental, and other amenities, making it crowded.
On the other hand, the Gate of Carts and Gate of Justice allow entry by scanning digital tickets booked online and fewer waiting lines.
The best entrance for you would be the Gate of Justice as, along with shorter queues, it allows wheelchair entry, lockers, an information desk etc, which is helpful for visitors.
Contents
FAQs About Alhambra Entrance
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Which Alhambra entrance gate is best for online ticket holders?
If you booked your tickets online, then the Gate of Justice (Puerta de la Justicia) and Gate of Carts are the best for you.
You must visit the Access Pavilion ticket counter if you don’t have online tickets.
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Which Alhambra entrance gate has longer queues?
Access Pavilion experiences longer queues than the Gate of Justice and Gate of Carts entrances.
The lines get significantly longer, with about one hour of waiting time during peak season, weekends, and public holidays.
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Which Alhambra entrance is wheelchair accessible?
Both the Access Pavilion and Gate of Justice are wheelchair-accessible entrances. Get more information about the wheelchair-supported paths inside the complex.
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Is there parking outside the Alhambra entrance?
The Alhambra’s parking lot is located close to the Access Pavilion or Main Entrance. It offers 360 spaces for cars and separate sections designated for buses and caravans.
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How many entrances are there at Alhambra?
The Alhambra monument features three entry points: the Access Pavilion, the Gate of Justice and the Gate of Carts.
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What is the average wait time at the Alhambra entrance?
During peak times, ticket holders typically face a wait time of approximately one hour and 15 to 30 minutes during the off-season. If you don’t have a ticket, you might experience a longer wait, possibly one to two hours.
