The full guide
The sights that sell out
| Sight | City | Why book early |
|---|---|---|
| Alhambra and the Nasrid Palaces | Granada | Strict timed entry, named tickets, limited daily numbers |
| Sagrada Família | Barcelona | Timed entry; towers sell out first |
| Park Güell (Monumental Zone) | Barcelona | Timed tickets |
| Casa Batlló and Casa Milà | Barcelona | Timed tickets, busy in summer |
| Real Alcázar | Seville | Timed tickets; spring is very busy |
| Caminito del Rey | Near Málaga | Limited daily places |
| Prado Museum | Madrid | Not usually sold out, but queues are long at peak times |
How far ahead?
For the Alhambra, book as soon as your dates are fixed: in spring, Easter and summer, tickets can go weeks ahead. Barcelona’s Gaudí sights and the Real Alcázar are easier but still worth booking at least a couple of weeks ahead in peak season. In winter you can often book a few days ahead.
Official sites, named tickets and ID
Always book on the official website of each sight. Resale and tour sites add fees, and some tickets carry the visitor’s name. At the Alhambra, the name and ID on the ticket must match the person entering, so bring the passport or ID you used to book. Keep tickets on your phone and as a screenshot in case of poor signal.
Free and cheaper times
The Prado is free for its permanent collection from 6 to 8 pm Monday to Saturday and 5 to 7 pm on Sundays and holidays; the general ticket is €15 (checked September 2026). Many other museums offer free afternoons or days, so check each one’s website, but expect queues.
Building a realistic itinerary
Don’t book two timed sights back-to-back across a city. Allow time for security checks, travel and lunch, which in Spain is late. Put your fixed slots in first, then fill the gaps with things that don’t need booking, like neighbourhoods, markets and viewpoints.
Common mistakes
Booking the Alhambra without the Nasrid Palaces. Check which ticket includes them.
Turning up late. Timed slots are strict and late arrivals may be refused.
Forgetting closing days. Many museums close one day a week, often Monday.
Frequently asked questions
What if everything’s sold out?
Check the official site daily for returns, look at combined tickets with official partners, or book an official guided tour, which often has its own allocation.
Are children free?
Many sights offer free or reduced tickets for children, but you still need to book a ticket for them.
