The Alhambra, Granada

The Alhambra palace in Granada is one of the most beautiful and surprising in Europe and it more than deserves its status as a World Heritage Site.

The Alhambra Palace

Built by the Moors around 700 years ago, a visit to the Alhambra today reveals a sprawling complex of buildings and almost mythical gardens, rather than a single, stern palace. It’s quite a walk between the areas, especially in the summer heat, but the fountains, rosebushes and views of the snowy Sierra Nevada mountains more than compensate for the effort.

Generalife, Alhambra

This is the highest point in the Alhambra complex, a series of gardens with delicate arches that create shade and an “aqua staircase” where water cascades down grooves in the handrails.

The Alcazaba Military Area, Alhambra

Flags still fly over the battlements here, and the towers provide sweeping views over the white-washed streets of Granada.

The Medina, Alhambra

This is the Alhambra’s former shopping area, where a few tasteful souvenir shops keep the tradition going!

The Nasrid Palaces, Alhambra

The Nasrid Palaces are the highlight of a visit to the Alhambra. The level of detail and harmony in the intricate wall carvings have kept visitors enthralled for centuries. Then there’s the artwork across the ceilings, not to mention the elegant fountains and the birds that swoop overhead, the latticed windows and the coloured mosaics…even the most curmudgeonly, palace-overdosed visitor cannot help but feel impressed.

Visiting the Alhambra

Alhambra tickets are reasonably cheap considering the size and importance of the complex (13 Euros in June 2010.) However, the booking arrangements are more complicated. You are given a 30 minute time slot to visit the Nasrid Palaces and a six hour slot that covers the whole area. You MUST be at the palaces on time or you will be turned away, although once inside you can take as long as you like to wander around. Visit the palaces in the afternoon, if you can, to avoid some of the heat. You can buy tickets for the Alhambra online here.

Facilities within the Alhambra

Toilets and drinking fountains are easy to find, however the options for food are more limited. There is a beautiful hotel that offers excellent tapas but, as you would expect, the prices are not that cheap.

Getting to the Alhambra

The Alhambra is on the outskirts of Granada in southern Spain. Several budget airlines now fly direct to Granada, itself a great place for a weekend break. Parking outside the complex is easy or else you can pick up a taxi in town. You can also walk up the hill from Granada, although the road is steep and in summer the air is incredibly hot.