The Alamo

The Basics

A visit is essential for understanding the history of early Texas and the Texas Revolution. Visitors are free to tour the grounds on their own or sign up for a guided or audio tour. Sightseeing and hop-on hop-off bus tours often stop at the mission complex in addition to Mission San Jose, Market Square, and Mission Concepción.

Travelers can even combine a visit with a cruise along the San Antonio River Walk, or, for those interested in the attraction’s ghostly residents, visit the complex as part of a haunted San Antonio tour.

Things to Know Before You Go

• This site is a must-see for history buffs.

• Book Alamo tickets online are on-site.

• Don't forget to wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes.

• San Antonio can get hot; be sure to wear sunscreen and drink plenty of water.

• All public areas are accessible for wheelchair users.

• Photography is prohibited inside the church and Long Barrack Museum.

How to Get There

The entrance is in the heart of downtown San Antonio, Texas just a block from the San Antonio River Walk. Visitors with a car will find ample parking in the area, though often for a fee. The complex is also located along the VIVA missions and VIVA centro bus routes.

When to Get There

While the Alamo is open year-round (with the exception of December 25, Christmas Day), many travelers prefer visiting in the off-peak season between early September and early March, when the weather is cooler and the crowds are smaller. Try getting there first thing in the morning or at dusk when the mission is beautifully lit.

Diving into History at the Alamo

A regular calendar of events features free history talks several times per day in the Calvary Courtyard, as well as living history presentations that sometimes include period impressions and live demonstrations of fire starting, leatherworking, or textile making. You can see a 17-minute film telling the 300-year Alamo story in the Long Barracks Theater and the Alamo Arbor.

How much does it cost to tour the Alamo?

Admission into the Alamo Church is free. If you’d like to take the self-guided audio tour, take the docent-led guided tour, or visit the exhibit with artifacts and historical documents, that will incur a fee. That being said, timed reservations are still required for the Alamo Church and can be booked online.

How long is a tour of the Alamo?

The standard Alamo guided tour—which winds through the Alamo’s battlefield and historic church and ends in the Alamo’s Exhibit (similar to a museum, with artifacts and documents)—lasts 1 hour. The self-guided audio tour is designed to last 45 minutes, though you’re welcome to go as quickly or as slowly as you like.

Can you tour the Alamo for free?

While you can explore the Alamo Church for free, that’s the only aspect of The Alamo you can “tour” without cost. Both guided and self-guided tours—which include the battlefield, the church, and the on-site museum—are offered for a fee. Self-guided tours last roughly 45 minutes; guided tours last roughly an hour.

Is the guided tour at the Alamo worth it?

Whether or not the guided tour at the Alamo is worth it depends on your interests and preferences. If you’re interested in a serious dive into this aspect of American history and would like memorable stories, facts, and anecdotes added to your visual experience, the guided tour is absolutely worth it.

Is the Alamo open every day?

The Alamo is usually open 364 days a year—every day except Christmas. The last visitors are permitted roughly 15–30 minutes prior to closing. If you’re aiming for a certain time to arrive, know that no on-site parking exists; you’ll need to park in one of the public parking lots close by.

What do I need to know before going to the Alamo?

Before going to the Alamo, know that the site is mostly outdoors—depending on the season and weather, you should bring sunscreen, bug spray, a hat (please remove when inside the church), comfortable shoes, and water. You’re also allowed to bring food and drink on-site, so long as there are no open containers in any historic buildings.

Ways to explore

Tour the grounds on your own for free or sign up for a guided or audio tour. A calendar of events features living history presentations that sometimes include period impressions and demonstrations of fire starting, leatherworking, or textile making.

Sightseeing and hop-on hop-off bus tours often stop at the mission complex in addition to Mission San José, Historic Market Square, and Mission Concepción. You can combine a visit with a cruise along the San Antonio River Walk, or, if you're interested in the attraction's ghostly residents, visit the complex as part of a haunted San Antonio tour.

Accessibility

The Alamo is wheelchair accessible. Braille visitor guides and tour transcripts are available upon request. American Sign Language interpreters are available with seven days’ advance notice.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Reusable water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray

What to wear

Wear light clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Visitors wearing anything with offensive or obscene language will be turned away.

Not allowed

Pets, flash photography inside historic structures, hats inside the Alamo Church, open food and beverage containers

Amenities

Restrooms, Wi-Fi, vending machines

Address 

The entrance is in downtown San Antonio, Texas, just a block from the San Antonio River Walk. There is ample parking in the area, but the complex is also located along VIVA's Missions and Centro bus routes.

Driving

The Alamo does not provide parking. Instead, look for street parking or snag a spot in one of downtown San Antonio’s public parking lots and garages. Parking apps allow you to reserve and pay for parking in advance.

Public transportation

The Alamo is across the street from the Third Street and Avenue E bus stop (24, 25, 225) and roughly a 10-minute walk from the busy Navarro and Houston stop (2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 34, 67, 90, 242, 275).

Best times to visit

Try getting there first thing in the morning or at dusk when the mission is beautifully lit. Musket firing demonstrations are held at 11:30am daily.

Best days to visit

Weekdays are typically less crowded, though you risk visiting at the same time as a school group.

Best months to visit

The Alamo is at its most pleasant during the off-peak season, between early September and early March, when the weather is cooler and the crowds are smaller.

Special events

Every year between the end of February and early March, Commemoration celebrates the Battle of the Alamo. Visit for 10 days of festivities, including educational events and historical reenactments.