Is A Granada Card Worth The Cost?
Several cities around the world, particularly in western Europe, have discount tourist cards that give you access to several of the major local sites for a flat fee. Often they’re a balance between savings and time – that is, you get admission to a number of interesting places but limited time to take advantage of them all. It’s those practical considerations that make or break a discount card.
So today let’s take a look at the Granada Card, specifically the 3-day pass, which Turismo Ciudad de Granada was kind enough to provide me during my visit to Granada, Spain last fall.
What Is A Granada Card And What Does It Get You?
As I mentioned above, basically the Granada Card (there are 3 and 5-day varieties) allows you access to Granada’s major touristic sites, including the popular Alhambra. The 3-day card costs 25 Euros and the 5-day is 30 Euros. They both get you into the same sites: the aforementioned Alhambra, Granada Cathedral, Royal Chapel, Monastery of Cartuja, Monastery of San Jeronimo and Science Park Museum.
The primary difference between the 3 and 5-day cards, aside from 5 Euros, is that the 5-day card gets you 9 free rides on the city bus network and the 3-day card only 5. (I should also mention those of you traveling with kids can get either card for your children for 9 Euros.)
Breaking Down The Costs – Granada Card vs. Purchasing Tickets Individually
Let’s first begin by looking at the costs of a Granada Card to see if it makes sense for your budget in the first place to buy one. Assuming you intend on visiting all of the sites it allows you in, here’s a breakdown of the individual costs:
- Alhambra: 14 Euros
- Science Park Museum: 6 Euros (2.5 Euro for Planetarium entry)
- Monastery of Cartuja: 4 Euros
- Granada Cathedral: 4 Euros
- Royal Chapel: 4 Euros
- Monastery of San Jeronimo: 4 Euros
- Total: 36 Euros (vs. 25 Euros for the 3-day Granada Card)
This of course doesn’t include the bus fares that come complimentary with the card (a single ride is around 1.25 Euro) and the added perk of being able to skip to the head of most lines.
Are Visiting That Many Sites Practical?
In case you don’t have 96 hours in Granada, I would organize the sites in this order: Alhambra (one day), Science Park Museum, Monastery of Cartuja (same day), and Granada Cathedral, Royal Chapel, and Monastery of San Jeronimo (all same day). It can be done I know because I did so, despite my habit of tardiness and fondness of consuming alcohol with my Spanish friends. The only site that absolutely requires you to be on time (and early) is the Alhambra. I met many travelers at my hostel who missed out on a visit because they neglected to get there on time.
It’s an easy mistake to make as southern Spaniards are hardly the most punctual people on the planet but consider the Alhambra an exception to the rule. (When meeting people in Spain, generously pad about 30 minutes to any agreed upon rendezvous time. And the same if you’re ever meeting me anywhere.)
How To Get A Granada Card
There are a few ways and locations where you can get a Granada Card. The easiest way is to swing by the Granada City Hall in Plaza del Carmen (pictured above – here’s a map) the day before you plan to start using it. (Say hi to them from me while you’re there.) You can also pick one up upon entry into the Alhambra or the Science Park Museum.
One Of The Few Practical Buy-One-Get Many Cards In Europe
You may be wondering why I’m writing about the Granada Card, whether I was paid to do so, or if getting one free influenced my take on things. The answer is it’s one of the few cards in Europe that saves you money and can be practically used within the time allotted. Oh, and no I wasn’t paid and no, money isn’t one of the substances that influences my writing. (There are plenty others I’ll leave to your imagination.)
The short truth is, many of these cards like the Dublin Pass, require you to visit countless sights from morning until evening so you’re doing nothing but. The Granada Card is a nice blend of price and pace; quite appropriate for this region of Spain.
Thanks for your marvelous article on our Bono Turístico Granada Card!!
they have further information here http://www.granadatur.com/en/uplevel-menu/granada-card/
My absolutely pleasure – thanks for giving me the opportunity to realize what a good deal it is!
Well, I already purchased my tickets to the Alhambra for July since everybody said to get them way in advance, so the card would barely cover its cost. But bus rides and line-cutting are a big plus. I’ll think about it. Thanks for the advice!
Hi Sonja,
I should have also added that the 3-day card comes with 24 hours on the local hop-on-hop off; and the 5-day 48 hours. Two more perks to consider but if you’ve already gotten your Alhambra tickets it may not be worth it. However, I would shoot an email/message to the folks at Turismo Ciudad de Granada (Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/granadaturismo), let them know you’re inquiring after reading this post, and perhaps there’s a way to combine your existing ticket into the card. Worth a try and if it’s possible I know they’ll do their best to help you.
Hi Anil & Sonia, once you’ve booked the Alhambra there’s no point for getting the Bono Turístico Granada Card as that monument is the most expensive.
Regarding the tourist bus, the 3-day card doesn’t have this service included BUT if you want to take it you will get a great discount
. The 5-day card includes the 24-hour ticket for the hop-on-hop off.
How does it work with the Alhambra? I heard you should purchase ahead of time, but with the card do you go there and make a reservation for a later time or can you just show up whenever and the card gives you preference? Also, I heard it is great to go both during the day and the night. Does the card just provide one entry or could you use it to enter twice?
The card allows you to make a reservation; as for the multiple entries I’m not sure but will ask the folks at Turismo Ciudad de Granada to leave a reply for you here
Hi Anil!
I already answered Jeff, i’m suscribed to comments on this article so I’ll be answering all your doubts your readers may have!
Thank you again for the invaluable Granada information!!
Hi Jeff, let me explain how the Alhambra and the Granada Card works.
On your purchase of the Bono Turístico Granada you will have to decide when to visit the Alhambra (date, morning or afternoon shift, and exact time for visit the Nasrid Palaces -the most important part of the Alhambra).
For the rest of the monuments, you can visit them whenever you want whithin the 3 or 5 days.
The Card only allows one entrance to each monument. (and for the Alhambra, only the day visit). So if you wish to visit the Alhambra by night (you will visit only the Nasrid Palaces or the Generalife -the gardens-) you will have to get another night ticket.
I hope I answered all your doubts, if you have further inquires, I will be very pleased to answer!
Daniel, thank you for the reply – it did indeed answer my questions. I look forward to visiting Granada and picking up one of these cards.
Seems like a great card! I usually find that those kind of cards will save you a lot of money if you’ve already planned to visit the attractions they cover.
If you haven’t planned to visit you might feel tempted to do so just because you have a discount, so you’ll end up paying for something you had not planned to even visit
Out of the city cards I’ve tried, my favorite ones (that have saved me the most money) are the Innsbruck Welcoem card (almost every single thing is free, including all transport) and the Edinburgh pass (also a lot of free stuff).
Absolutely, and a good point I hadn’t thought about – these type of discount cards can often let you know about or encourage you to visit some sites you might not have otherwise.
I’ll keep the Innsbruck and Edinburgh cards in mind, I haven’t been to either city so good to know about them!