The Alhambra in Granada: Visiting Spain’s Moorish Palace
The Alhambra is a palace-fortress complex perched on a hilltop above Granada in southern Spain. Built primarily between the 13th and 14th centuries by the Nasrid dynasty, it stands as the finest surviving example of Islamic architecture in Western Europe.
More than 2.7 million people visit the Alhambra each year, making it Spain’s most visited monument. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was a finalist for the New Seven Wonders of the World.
What Is the Alhambra?
The name “Alhambra” comes from the Arabic “al-Hamra,” meaning “the red one,” likely a reference to the reddish walls of the fortress. The complex includes a royal palace, a military fortress, gardens and an entire residential neighborhood.
The Alhambra was the seat of the last Muslim rulers on the Iberian Peninsula. When Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella completed the Reconquista in 1492, they took the Alhambra as their own and added Renaissance structures to the grounds.
The Nasrid Palaces
The Nasrid Palaces are the crown jewel of the Alhambra. Three connected palaces make up the complex:
- Mexuar: Originally a council chamber and courtroom, now the oldest section visitors can enter
- Comares Palace: Home to the Throne Room, with its stunning wooden ceiling representing the seven heavens of Islamic cosmology
- Palace of the Lions: The most photographed section, centered around the Court of the Lions with its famous fountain supported by 12 marble lions
Every surface in the Nasrid Palaces is covered with geometric tilework, carved stucco and Arabic calligraphy. The level of detail is staggering. Arches frame views of fountains, gardens and the Sierra Nevada mountains beyond.
The Generalife Gardens
The Generalife was the summer palace and gardens of the Nasrid rulers. Its name translates roughly to “garden of the architect,” and the name fits.
Water channels, fountains and carefully planned plantings create a landscape designed for rest and contemplation. The Patio de la Acequia (Court of the Water Channel) is the most recognizable feature, with a long reflecting pool flanked by flower beds and arched walkways.
Tips for Visiting the Alhambra
Book Early
The Alhambra limits daily visitors, and tickets frequently sell out weeks in advance. This is one site where advance planning is not optional.
Visiting on a guided tour of Spain eliminates this concern entirely. Caravan handles all ticketing and reservations, including the timed entry slots for the Nasrid Palaces.
Allow Plenty of Time
A thorough visit to the Alhambra takes three to four hours. The complex covers about 26 acres, and rushing through the Nasrid Palaces means missing much of the artistry that makes the site so extraordinary.
Wear Comfortable Shoes
The Alhambra sits on a hillside, and walking between sections involves slopes, stairs and uneven stone paths.
Granada Beyond the Alhambra
Granada has more to offer than the Alhambra alone. The Albaicin neighborhood, a UNESCO-listed Moorish quarter, features winding streets, whitewashed houses and viewpoints looking directly at the Alhambra across the valley. The city’s tapas culture is also notable: in Granada, tapas are traditionally served free with every drink order.
Visiting the Alhambra on Caravan’s Spain Tour
Caravan’s 14-day Spain and Portugal tour includes a two-night stay in Granada with a full guided tour of the Alhambra, the Nasrid Palaces and the Generalife gardens. The tour arrives from Seville via Cordoba and continues to Toledo and Madrid.