Like stepping into a fairytale, the Alhambra

We only have one word for the Alhambra in Granada, WOW. There are too few words to describe this Arabian palace with its beautifully landscaped gardens. But Wow best describes our first impression of this special place.

The Alhambra, a true fairytale

The Alhambra is a must see when you are in Granada, a palace that you should not miss during your city trip. As soon as you step through the gates of the Alhambra, you walk into a fairy tale. The Alhambra is a fairy tale from 1001 nights and has a magical atmosphere. You can really spend hours strolling through the gardens of the Alhambra, getting lost in the mazes, enjoying the beautiful colors of the flowers and the most beautiful trees. Or you can sit on one of the benches and just enjoy the feeling this place gives you. A visit to the Nasrid Palace, one of the palaces that is part of the Alhambra, will make your visit complete. The Nasrid Palace is a beautiful Arab palace, a place you really don't want to leave. Inside this Nasrid palace it seems as if you are no longer in Spain, but in one of the Arab palaces in Marrakech.

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The Alhambra is a piece of Spanish history in Granada

The Alhambra in Granada is a palace and fortress that dates back to the Middle Ages. It dates from the time of the Moors. You can still see these Moorish influences very clearly in the palaces of the Alhambra. The Alhambra was later seen as a very important loot by the Catholics when they conquered the Moorish palaces. Unfortunately, the Catholics demolished part of the existing palace after conquering it. The son of King Charles V wanted to build his own palace in the middle of the Alhambra. Fortunately, part of the old Alhambra has been preserved.

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Art in the Alhambra

The Alhambra is a palace where you can see a lot of art. The Nasrid Palace is a work of art in itself with all the beautiful finishes, light and passages. There are so many beautiful details in this palace. You can see that they strived for perfection with the construction of Nasrid Palace. You can only judge for yourself whether they succeeded when you visit the Alhambra and the Nasrid Palace itself.

Must-sees when in the Alhambra

Everything about the Alhambra is beautiful, but there are still a number of specific and important sights within the Alhambra. We have listed these must-sees in the Alhambra for you.

Palacio de los Leones, the lions of the Alhambra

Palacio de los Leones is a patio in the Nasrid Palace of the Alhambra. In the center of this patio, Palacio de los Leones, is an impressive marble fountain. This marble fountain is carried by twelve lions and is surrounded by no fewer than 124 columns.

Comares palace, the sultan's palace within the Alhambra

The palace of Comares was once the palace of the sultan. This palace, the palace of Comares, can also be found within the walls of the Nasrid palace.

Le Mexuar, the oldest part of the Alhambra

Le Mexuar is the oldest part of the Alhambra, the oldest part of the Nasrid Palace. Le Mexuar is an important historical site within the Alhambra, as it is in this part of the Nasrid Palace that the ancient kings made most important decisions about business matters and governing their territories.

The palace of Charles V, a contrast to the Nasrid palace

The Palace of Charles V is another palace which is part of the Nasrid Palace. This palace was built in the 16th century by King Charles V. The Palace of Charles V forms a stark contrast to the rest of the Nasrid Palace. Where the Nasrid Palace is mainly built in Arab architecture, the Palace of Charles V is completely built in Renaissance style, the usual architecture in Europe during this period. Charles V built this castle in revenge against the Moors.

The Alcazaba, the military fortress of the Alhambra.

The Alcazaba is the original fortress of the Alhambra and is one of the oldest parts of the Alhambra. This fortress was used by both the Moors and the Catholics. They used the large clock in the watchtower of the Alcazaba to open their irrigation systems at the correct times. The Alcazaba was mainly used to defend the city of Granada, but it was actually a small village where the soldiers lived.

The Generalife, a summer palace of the Sultan within the Alhambra

The Generalife is a palace that was built as a summer palace and country house of the Nasrid sultans of Granada. The Generalife is a beautiful palace, but it is especially the gardens of the Generalife palace that make this palace so magical. In front of the Generalife palace is a long pond, which only emphasizes the magnificence of the palace. The palace is surrounded by flower beds, fountains, pavilions and beautiful trees which give this palace the appearance it has. The Generalife is one of the oldest Moorish gardens that still exist.

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The different architectural styles of the Alhambra

These sights are just a small selection of what can actually be seen in the Alhambra. The gardens of the Alhambra, like the palaces, consist of so many beautiful patios, squares, corridors and special and magical corners that you will all discover during a visit to this special place. A place where there are palaces with completely different styles and yet all come together as a whole and are surrounded by a beautiful garden.

Visiting the Alhambra with children

The Alhambra is a great place for children. They can enjoy a run through a royal garden, two Arab palaces and a medieval fortress, from which the city of Granada was once defended. Going to the Alhambra is like stepping into a fairy tale of 1001 Arabian nights. I'm sure all the kids who visit the Alhambra in Granada will walk out of here excited about this place.

Take enough time to visit the Alhambra

Take the time to visit and discover the Alhambra. The Alhambra with all the different palaces is very large. You have to walk quite a few meters to visit the entire Alhambra. Fortunately, there are benches everywhere in the gardens of the Alhambra to take a rest from all the beautiful things you have seen. So make sure to use this as well. In our opinion you need at least half a day to visit the Alhambra.

Practical tips when you visit the Alhambra

It can get very crowded in the Alhambra. Every year no less than 2.5 million people visit the Alhambra, the main attraction of Granada. When you have booked a city trip to the Alhambra, it is therefore also wise to immediately book your tickets for the Alhambra. Then you certainly don't miss the chance to visit this special place.

Another tip is to visit the Alhambra as early in the day as possible. Because it gets very busy here, you can avoid the big crowds if you go early in the morning. Moreover, the temperature in the afternoon can rise considerably, especially during the summer months in Granada. And with the hot summer temperatures, the number of meters you have to cover in the Alhambra only gets heavier.

If you also want to visit the Nasrid Palace, in our opinion the most beautiful and special part of the Alhambra, you should definitely book your tickets and time well in advance. Buying your tickets a week in advance is often too late.

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How to visit the Alhambra in Granada

You can of course reach the Alhambra by car or by taxi. There is a large car park and the road to it is easy to drive. If you want to explore Granada with the Granada City tour, you will also pass the Alhambra. The Alhambra is a stop on the Granada City Tour route. Make sure to coordinate the time you have reserved to visit the Alhambra with the times when the Granada City Tour goes there. They can be quite strict, especially at the Nasrid Palace, with the time slots you have reserved. Being late can really mean they will not let you in.

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Adress: C. Real de la Alhambra, s/n, 18009 Granada