La Alhambra, Granada

The Alhambra is located in the beautiful city of Granada. Overlooked by the mighty Sierra Nevada mountains, both the Generalife and Alhambra are some of the most visited tourist attractions in Spain.

When visiting Granada, both stunning monuments should be on your "must-do" list. The Alhambra, built in a rocky outcrop,  is a walled compound that is fortified by strong towers and well protected from invaders due to its difficult access.

The palaces that are located behind these bare walls stand in stark contrast with their intricate architecture and decorations. 

Visiting the general Alhambra will allow access to the Alcazaba, Nasrid palaces, Generalife, palace of Charles V and the Alhambra museum.

Visiting the Alhambra:


To avoid disappointment, book your tickets in advance. Where there is a ticket office on site, there is a quota of daily visitors. Once it is reached, sale of tickets is suspended until the next day. Advance booking allows you to buy tickets up to three months in advance.
Only buy tickets from the official website, first of all they are the cheapest and you are guaranteed to have purchased "real" tickets (Home - Tickets Alhambra Patronato )

Next is to choose the right tickets. The general ticket grants access to all areas open to the public. The gardens ticket, meanwhile, only grants access to the main landscaped areas. There are also two tickets for night-time visits: one for the palaces (available throughout the year) and one for the Generalife Gardens and Palace (available from April to November). The “Alhambra experiences” ticket includes a night-time tour of the Nasrid Palaces, and a daytime tour of the gardens the next day.

Once you are inside the complex, plan your visit:

A full visit will take at least three hours if you want to see everything. While you’re free to wander the gardens at your own pace, entrance to the Nasrid Palaces is strictly controlled and tied to a specific time slot assigned when you book your tickets. Once you receive your time, be sure to stick to it—there’s no way to change it later. Keep in mind that there is also a queue to enter the palace, so arriving early is essential.

The Alhambra:

The Alhambra, with its distinctive reddish walls, sits on a strategic hilltop overlooking the city. Its origins date back to the 9th century, when it began as a small fortress that gradually expanded and became inhabited. However, it wasn’t until the 13th century, with the arrival of the first Nasrid king, that the Alhambra was transformed into a royal residence.
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​During this period, the original Alcazaba was reinforced, and both the watchtower and the keep were constructed. Water was ingeniously diverted from the River Darro through a network of canals, enabling the development of gardens, baths, and residential areas. As the complex grew, additional structures such as storerooms, workshops, and eventually the palaces were built, shaping the Alhambra into the magnificent citadel we see today.

Alcazaba:

The old section of the Alcazaba was strengthened, and both the watchtower and the keep were constructed. Water was channelled from the River Darro through an ingenious system of canals, and new ramparts were added to fortify the complex. As the site continued to grow, additional structures such as storerooms and warehouses were built, eventually followed by the construction of the palace itself.

Generalife

The Generalife served as the summer palace and estate of the Nasrid rulers. Designed as a peaceful retreat, it offered a cooler residence during the hottest months while also fulfilling important agricultural functions.

Built between the 13th and 14th centuries, the complex stretches along the slope of the Cerro del Sol, directly bordering the Alhambra’s outer walls. Its buildings were once surrounded by extensive orchards and beautifully arranged gardens that supplied fresh produce to the palaces. This fertile landscape was made possible by diverting water from the River Darro, whose irrigation channels brought life to the terraces, courtyards, and lush greenery that still define the Generalife today.

The outer gardens:

These gardens exist out of three large terraces with the two lower ones being the gardens that provided the palaces with food in the 14th Century. The highest of the three is a new garden that was added in the 20th Century

The Generalife palace:

The heart of the palace is the Courtyard of the Water Canal, a serene space framed by pavilions on both its northern and southern sides. The southern pavilion rises over two floors, while the northern pavilion once served as the main hall, offering views across the reflective water channel that defines the patio.

As you wander through the palace, it’s impossible not to be captivated by the extraordinary craftsmanship on display. The richly carved stucco, adorned with geometric motifs and elegant Arabic inscriptions, showcases the artistry of the Nasrid period. Above you, beautifully crafted wooden ceilings add warmth and depth, completing an architectural ensemble that feels both intricate and timeless.

​The Court of the Sultana’s Cypress Tree is another breathtaking patio within the Generalife. Its central pond, framed by neatly trimmed myrtle hedges, creates a serene and elegant atmosphere. At the far end of the courtyard, a grand 19th‑century staircase leads visitors up to the higher terraces of the gardens, offering new perspectives and even more beautiful views as you ascend.

Nasrid palaces

The Nasrid Palaces were the habitual residence of the Kings of Granada and consist of three main palaces: the Mexuar, the Palace of Comares, and the Palace of the Lions. Each of these spaces served a distinct purpose within the royal court and together form the most exquisite example of Nasrid architecture within the Alhambra.

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​Mexuar:

 Considered the oldest part of the whole palace, the Mexuar was used for justice related matters and for meetings with the king's ministers. The sultan used to sit on an elevated stand and gave justice.  The hall is completely covered by decorative inscriptions which are poems praising god or the emir, texts of the Koran,...
At the end of the room, there is a small room which served as a chapel, hence the reason it is oriented differently in order to meet religious requirements.

Comares palace

The Comares Palace was the centre of state affairs, serving as the administrative heart of the Nasrid court. Within this complex you’ll find the Comares Tower, the Baths of Comares, and the private quarters that once housed the sultan and his family. Inside the tower itself was the Hall of the Throne, the grand ceremonial space where official audiences and important receptions were held.

​At the core of the palace lies the Court of the Myrtles, a serene rectangular courtyard dominated by a long reflective pond bordered by neatly trimmed myrtle hedges. This elegant patio forms the palace’s central axis and creates a striking contrast between water, greenery, and the surrounding architecture.

The palace of the lions:

The palace of the lions is the private area of the royal family. It is composed by a central patio better known as the Patio of the Lions, the most famous place of the palace. It got its name from the twelve water-spewing lions which are part of the fountain in the middle of the patio. The pation is surrounded by a gallery in the style of a Christian cloister. The gallery, supported by 124 marble columns are decorated with stunning inscriptions.

The hall of the Abencerrajes and the hall of the two sisters are stunningly decorated. These chambers housed the sultana and her family. Within this room, you find a stunning dome of mocarabes which looks like a stunning flower. 

Palacio Carlos V
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Construction of the palace began in 1527, but it was never completed due to financial difficulties and a series of uprisings. The project was eventually abandoned in 1637, leaving the structure without a roof and exposed to the elements, which accelerated its deterioration. Restoration work did not resume until after 1923, when the building was finally completed. This Renaissance masterpiece features a striking contrast between its rectangular exterior and its perfectly circular inner courtyard.

Visiting the Alhambra and the Generalife is more than a journey through palaces and gardens—it’s a step into centuries of artistry, ingenuity, and quiet grandeur. From the intricate Nasrid palaces to the peaceful courtyards and the lush terraces of the Generalife, every corner reveals another layer of Granada’s rich past.

Afterwards, it’s time for a well‑deserved drink and some tapas— the perfect way to unwind after exploring the Alhambra and the Generalife.