The Alhambra in Granada, Spain

The Alhambra in Granada: A Complete Travel Guide Europe

Location

• City: Granada, Andalusia, southern Spain
• Sits on a hilltop (Sabika Hill) overlooking Granada and the Sierra Nevada mountains

Historical Background

9th century: Originally a small fortress

13th–14th centuries: Transformed into a royal palace by the Nasrid Dynasty, the last Muslim rulers in Spain

1492: After the Christian Reconquista, it became a royal court for Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand II

Later: Modified by Christian monarchs but much of the Islamic art and architecture remains intact

What to See Inside the Alhambra

Nasrid Palaces (Palacios Nazaríes)

The most stunning part of the complex, full of:

• Court of the Lions (Patio de los Leones) – with the famous marble fountain and lion statues
• Hall of the Ambassadors (Salón de los Embajadores) – throne room with an intricate wooden dome
• Ornate stucco work, Arabic calligraphy, muqarnas (stalactite-like designs)

Generalife Gardens

• Summer retreat of the sultans
• Terraced gardens, fountains, and pools
• Peaceful and full of flowers – designed for meditation and rest

Alcazaba (Military Fortress)

• The oldest part
• Towers (like Torre de la Vela) with panoramic views of Granada
• Soldiers’ quarters and defensive walls

Palace of Charles V

• Built after the Reconquista by the Christian King Charles V
• A unique Renaissance building, circular courtyard inside a square exterior
• Now houses museums: Alhambra Museum and Fine Arts Museum

Best Time to Visit

• Early morning or late afternoon (for softer light and smaller crowds)
• Spring and autumn are ideal due to the mild weather and blooming gardens

How to Reach

• Nearest airport: Federico García Lorca Granada Airport
• You can also reach Granada by bus or train from Madrid, Seville, or Málaga
• From central Granada, buses C30 and C32 go to the Alhambra, or you can walk up the hill (~20–30 mins)