Senior Tickets Purchased Online

Another wrinkle is that in some venues and countries, the discount only applies to residents, or EU residents. Typically you need to go to a ticket window/desk to see if the discount applies.

I am with you though, sometimes the extra effort may not be worth the effort, a couple euro won't break you. Sure, if they offer, why not, otherwise, do what is easiest.

Others may be able to share their experience with specific venues in Spain.

I agree with poster above, many countries only give the senior discount to citizens of the EU.

With very few exceptions we’ve always gotten the senior discount at venues in Spain and Portugal even when it says EU residents only. We never buy tickets in advance (the Alhambra was the exception) and go into the regular line. I don’t mind standing in line for five minutes to save a few Euros. The only place on our September trip where we didn’t get the discount was at the Royal Palace of La Granja of San Ildefonso outside of Segovia. In April and early May, lines may not be very long, depending on which venues you plan to visit.

The problem sights in Barcelona call for advance purchase of tickets; I'm not sure any of them have significant senior discounts; even if they do, it would be impractical for most visitors to stand in the very long ticket lines at La Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila/La Pedrera, Casa Batllo, Parc Guell and the Picasso Museum. The Palau de la Musica Catalana could also be an issue, because the English-language tours sometimes sell out.

Outside Barcelona the main sights for which tickets should be purchased in advance due either to sell-outs or long ticket lines are the Alhambra (way-early sellouts) and the Alcazar and Cathedral in Seville. Buying in advance could be smart for the Royal Palace in Madrid as well, though there wasn't much of any line the day i visited in May 2016 (a long time ago; more people are traveling now).

Thank you, everyone. I will just purchase general tickets for both of us and eat the additional cost. In my personal experience, the ticket purchasing line (vs the ticket holder’s line) has never been less than 30 minutes and more often much longer than that.

Real time report from Barcelona:
This morning I entered Sagrada Familia through the ticket holder line with the senior discount ticket I purchased online. I showed the barcode on my phone. No one asked me for any ID or verification of eligibility.

So far, at venues in Madrid and Barcelona when purchasing tickets in person I have been granted the senior discount when available simply by asking and presenting my passport. I’ve been delighted to get in for free at several museums.

Just back from Madrid. We are US citizens.
For the Royal palace, we ordered senior tickets for the English tour on line. This is for a designated time.
We had to go through a short designated line ( not the regular line) to verify with passports and pick up headphones.
It was extremely busy and crowded, even in February.

At Reina Sophia, one could not order senior ( free) tickets online. We were there mid- afternoon, and the line to purchase these was only a couple people. Again, needed to show passports. It was quick and easy . It was not crowded, except for “ Guernica”. There were many high school/ university groups visiting.
Such a wonderful gift, that discounted/free tickets are available for all seniors.

To: JenS, Seattle, WA
"I’ve been delighted to get in for free at several museums."

Would you be so kind to list these "free for seniors" gems that you found in Spain for us on a budget.
I will appreciate your help.