Swifter booking and extra security at Alhambra Palace

Online booking has already been a feature for some years, and banks such as La Caixa and Kutxabank – formerly BBK – which sell concert, sports and theatre tickets sell them at their cashpoints and on websites, but these still had to be collected at reception, even though it saved queueing up to buy them on the door.

Now, though, visitors can book between two hours and three months before their tour and even print off their tickets at home.

QR code technology and a requirement for Spaniards to enter their DNI, foreign residents in Spain to type in their NIE, and anyone else to put their passport number in, means illegal resales of tickets can be avoided.

As with pop and rock concerts and major sporting events, illicit touting – bulk-buying tickets and then selling them on at inflated prices – has long been a problem which events organisers are gradually stamping out.

Those who wish to print their tickets but do not have access to a printer at home can do so in special booths set up at the entrance to the Alhambra.

But tickets will still be available for purchase at the entrance as always, for those who do not have internet access, and payment by credit or debit card as well as in cash is now accepted.

To ensure the right numbers of tickets are available for sale on the door, online and through authorised agents without exceeding the maximum numbers allowed in the complex at any one time, a university faculty head of applied mathematics has been working with the Alhambra team on a 'cutting-edge new process' to prevent over- or under-booking.

With over 2.7 million tourists per year – an average of 200 every half-hour – managing numbers is a complex exercise.

Visitors who opt to book online will receive two emails – one with recommendations for the visit (such as wearing comfortable shoes and bringing drinking water) and one with safety rules, ensuring tourists know what to do before arrival and therefore making life easier for staff on site.

Additional security measures have been implemented, too, in light of the Barcelona and Cambrils terrorist attacks, given the high concentration of people at the Palace at any one time.

A safety taskforce has been set up with a budget of €2 million available for putting in place any viable suggestions, as well as for taking on a Head of Security who will be responsible for strategy and on-the-ground operations full-time.

The Alhambra team says the decision to appoint a Head of Security was actually taken before the terror attacks, and assure visitors that it already has a very strong safety network in place – 24-hour CCTV, reinforced fencing, metal-detectors, staff trained in self-defence, and a sniffer-dog unit trained in detecting explosives.

Pillars, bollards and large concrete plant pots will be installed to prevent unauthorised vehicles getting into pedestrian areas, and extra National, Regional and Local Police force agents will be on duty.