In this article
A few years ago you could arrive at the big monuments, stand in line for an hour and get in. That has changed. Most of the places our guests want to see now sell tickets for a fixed entry time, and on busy days the slots run out long before the morning. The good news: with a little planning you walk straight in.
The Alhambra, Granada
This is the one that catches people out. The Nasrid Palaces – the part everyone comes for – have a strict half-hour entry window printed on the ticket. Miss it and you will not be let in, even if the rest of your ticket is valid. Tickets carry the name and passport number of each visitor, and they are checked at the gate, so book with the exact details from the passports, children included.
For spring, summer and holiday weekends, book as soon as you know your dates. If the official site shows no availability, a guided visit through a licensed agency is often the only way left.
The Vatican Museums and St Peter’s
The museums and the Sistine Chapel are booked online by time slot. St Peter’s Basilica is free but has its own security line, which can be long at midday. Two things to know: the museums are closed on most Sundays, and both the museums and the basilica check clothing – shoulders and knees covered for everyone. A light scarf in the bag solves most problems.
Our tip: take the first slot of the morning for the museums, then walk to St Peter’s through the square. You avoid the heat and the biggest crowds in both.
The Acropolis, Athens
Since 2023 the Acropolis has worked with hourly entry slots. The first hour after opening is the coolest and calmest; from late morning in summer the marble reflects the heat and there is little shade. Children enter free, but they still need a ticket for the time slot.
Sagrada Família, Barcelona
Tickets are sold only online and for a set time, and the towers have a separate, smaller allocation. If you want the towers, book them first and build the rest of the day around them.
Three habits that save the day
- Book on the official website of each monument, and keep the confirmation emails offline on your phone.
- Arrive 20-30 minutes before your slot: security checks take time.
- Check the closing days before you plan. Many museums close one day a week, and it is not always Monday.
When we plan a trip, we book these tickets together with the hotel and the driver, so the times fit the rest of the day.
