Overlooking the city of Granada from the majestic Sierra Nevada, the Alhambra is one of Spain‘s top attractions – and rightly so. For centuries, this saffron castle has been inspiring artists from all over the world – some of the best guitar compositions and poetry were written with the Alhambra in mind. One day inside the splendorous Nasrid Palaces and the lush gardens of the Generalife is all it takes to understand why.
Top tips:
Tickets for the Alhambra sell out quickly so make sure you buy them online as soon as you can (sometimes they are even sold out three months in advance). A number of tour agencies also hoard tickets and sell them to last minute visitors for a higher price. Another option, if your visit to Granada is rather improvised, is to show up (early) at the entrance and try to get tickets in person.
The Nasrid Palaces (the highlight of the Alhambra) can only be visited during an allotted 30-miute period. Most travel agencies and guidebooks recommend visiting the Nasrid Palaces at the end to get a sense of how intricately elaborate the designs of the Alhambra once were. It’s true that sometimes it’s best to save the best for last, but here we advise to do the opposite: visit the Nasrid Palaces first so you can enjoy the rest of your visit leisurely without having to worry about time. If you can get the first morning slot, you can enter the grounds through the Gate of Justice and enjoy views of Granada with a beautiful morning light.
For a special treat, you can also stay at one of the two hotels inside the Alhambra.
Highlights:
Nasrid Palaces
The most sublime designs of all the Moorish castles in Spain are found in the Nasrid Palaces. The beautiful symmetric designs will sweep you off your feet. While walking through the numerous extravagant chambers lit by the sun sparkling through the delicately carved windows, you will most likely experience an eye-orgasm. Take a minute to marvel at the court of lions and its emblematic marble masterpiece, the fountain of lions. Its design was changed over the years to try to embellish it and improve its stability based on the best available technology at the time. Today’s fountain is a replica of what was probably the first fountain in its heyday.
Generalife
The most interesting of the buildings outside the main fortress of the Alhambra is the Palace of the Generalife with its picturesque water courtyard and surrounding gardens. Of interest, too, is the water stairway, an ingenious architectural feat which is designed to please all the senses.
Alcazaba
While the Alcazaba is less grand in design than the rest of the site, the towers offer some fantastic views of the Albayzin, Sacromonte, and the Cathedral of Granada.
Palace of Charles V
This Renaissance building sits in the middle of the Nasrid fortifications of the Alhambra. While it pales in comparison to the Moorish part of the Alhambra, the circular inner courtyard is interesting and the archaeological museum it hosts has a worthwhile exhibition featuring remains from the glorious past.
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