A fascinating contrast of worlds exists in Granada. Arab palaces and Moorish architecture live alongside a modern, vibrant city, next to an old town full of Moroccan street markets and teahouses, Arab baths and beautiful, whitewashed buildings.
The Alhambra
The Alhambra is a symbol of Granada, the best preserved medieval Arab palace in the world and one of Spain's most popular tourist attractions. It inhabits the hills overlooking Granada and casts an imposing shadow on the city.
- Entry costs €10
- Open during March to October: 8.30am - 8pm daily & 10pm -11.30pm (Tues-Sat)
- November to February: 8.30am - 6pm daily & 8pm - 9.30pm (Fri-Sat)
It's a good idea to book tickets in advance. Each ticket has an allocated time of entry to the Palacios Nazaries
Best of the Alhambra
There's plenty to explore, from ruined forts and ramparts to majestic palaces and ornate courtyards and gardens. Below are some of the highlights:
- Plaza de los Aljibes - Ramparts that offers superb views over Granada
- Alcazaba - Ruined fortress with views of the Sierra Nevada
- Palacio de Carlos V - Italian Renaissance palace, featuring the Museo de la Alhambra
- Palacio de Comares - In front of this palace, the Patio de Arraynes is a tranquil, quiet spot with a beautifully landscaped pool and fountains.
- Palacio de los Leones - The fountain of the 12 lions
- Palacios Nazaries - Series of Islamic palaces
Generalife - The Summer Palace
After leaving the Alhambra itself via the Partal - beautiful gardens and stone arches, a walk leads past a number of restored towers towards the Generalife, which was used as the summer palace. The highlight of this section is the gardens - the Jardines Nuevos and Altos. The upper gardens (Altos) are a collection of immaculate gardens and flowers, centred around numerous pools and fountains and linked by a series of walkways and bridges.
The Albaicin
The area of Granada that maintains its Moorish heritage is known as the Albaicin. Here, the labyrinth of narrow streets and steps, fringed by whitewashed houses, are filled by Moroccan vendors selling food, colourful lamps and fabrics.
There are numerous white churches, the Banos Arabes are the best preserved Moorish baths in Spain and the Paseo de los Tristes is a tree lined walkway that follows the river upstream and is home to several bars and restaurants, some of which offers free tapas with every drink.
Moroccan Team Rooms
This Moroccan tradition is still alive and well in the Albaicin section of Granada. Colourfully and ornately decorated and accompanied by the soothing sound of trickling water, these tearooms are a great place to relax and experience a sport of North African culture while enjoying exotic flavoured pots of tea.
El Mirador de San Nicolas
Majestic at any time, the Alhambra takes on a mystical, eerie presence at sunset and when lit up after dusk. Large crowds gather to gaze up at the palace from El Mirador - a beautiful terrace situated in front of the Iglesia di San Nicolas. Live music adds to the warm atmosphere, and this is the perfect place to take that definitive photograph of the Alhambra,
Getting to Granada
Granada has its own airport, or there is the larger airport at Malaga. Buses operate between Granada and Cordoba. Trains to/from Madrid take approximately four and a half hours. To/from Seville is three hours by train.
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Matt Adams - I'm a freelance writer focussing on subjects that are of great interest to me, namely travel and adventure sports. I have travelled ...
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