The Alhambra, Granada

About the Alhambra

The Alhambra is a whole fortified city on Sabika hill above Granada. Building began in 1238 under the first emir of the Nasrid dynasty, and later rulers kept extending and decorating the palaces for two more centuries. The name comes from the Arabic al-Hamra, the red one, after the colour of its walls at sunset.

Within the walls there were once a mosque, baths, workshops, homes and at least six palaces. Best preserved are the Nasrid Palaces, the only near-intact palace of the medieval Islamic world. The Alhambra joined the UNESCO list in 1984 and is now one of Spain's most visited sights.

What to see in the Alhambra

• The Nasrid Palaces — the Mexuar, Comares and Palace of the Lions.
• The Court of the Lions — a fountain borne by twelve stone lions.
• The Court of the Myrtles — a long pool mirroring the Comares tower.
• The Alcazaba — the old fortress with a tower and city views.
• The Partal gardens — a pool, an arcaded pavilion and roses.
• The Generalife — the summer palace with gardens and fountains.

The Nasrid Palaces

The Nasrid Palaces are the main reason to come, and entry is strictly at the time on your ticket. The route starts in the Mexuar, where rulers received visitors, and leads into the Comares Palace with its Court of the Myrtles: a long pool edged by myrtle hedges reflects the tower whose throne hall sits beneath a carved wooden dome.

Next comes the Palace of the Lions and the Alhambra's most famous courtyard, where twelve stone lions carry a fountain basin on their backs amid a forest of slender columns. Nearby halls have ceilings of thousands of carved cells, like stalactites or honeycomb. The walls are covered in lacy carved plaster and Arabic poetry, above geometric tiles.

The Alcazaba and Partal gardens

The Alcazaba is the oldest part of the Alhambra, a fortress on the western tip of the hill. Climb the Torre de la Vela for a view over all of Granada, the white Albaicín quarter opposite and the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada beyond. It's especially lovely in the evening as the city lights come on.

After the palaces, step into the Partal gardens: a large pool reflecting a five-arched pavilion, with terraces of roses and cypresses. A path leads on to the Generalife, the summer palace and gardens. In the middle of the complex stands the Renaissance Palace of Charles V, whose round courtyard houses the Alhambra Museum.

Tips for your visit

Allow 3–4 hours and wear comfortable shoes: the grounds are large and the paths go up and down. Plan your route around your Nasrid Palaces slot, seeing the Alcazaba before it and the gardens and Generalife after. There are cafés inside, but the choice is limited, so bring water.

In summer the most comfortable times are morning and evening. There are also night visits to the Nasrid Palaces and the Generalife: floodlit halls in the quiet are a completely different experience from the daytime. Book these well ahead too.

The best view of the whole Alhambra is from outside: the Mirador de San Nicolás in the Albaicín. Go at sunset, when the walls glow red against the mountains.

Places in Granada: compare and choose

Places in Granada rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.

Nearby and on the way

44

Palace of Charles V

Granada, Spain

45 min · Courtyard free, museums paid · 3 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Palace of Charles V

39

Generalife

Granada, Spain

1 h · On the Alhambra ticket · 5 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Generalife

40

Sacromonte

Granada, Spain

2 h · Free; shows paid · 11 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Sacromonte

40

Albaicín

Granada, Spain

2 h 30 min · Free · 19 min walk

Yes — add to my route: Albaicín

How to do it right

• Book weeks ahead.
• Reach the palaces on time.
• Bring your passport.
• Sunset from the Albaicín.

Questions