Known for its perfectly instagrammable gardens, intricate geometric archways and bright-blue fountains, the Alhambra in the Andalusian city of Granada is one of Europe’s finest examples of Islamic art and architecture. However, this famous palace is not one simple castle – but three!
A Brief History
Constructed on a hill overlooking the city of Granada, the Alhambra was built between 1238 and 1358 AD. What was originally a Roman fortress on a hill was completely transformed by the Moorish Nasrud dynasty. Muhammad I, ruler of Granada in the 12th-century saw the potential of the fortification and rebuilt it to overlook the city. That was when Spain was under Muslim rule. Then in 1492, after the Christianization of Spain, the new Catholic kings and queens built their own palace on the same site, and that is the palace we see today.
What You Will Visit
It would take over an hour to read about everything that there is to visit. Here is a summary of a few highlights of the Alhambra, in order to inspire you to visit:
- The Patio of the Lions: the most famous sight of the Alhambra, where 12 lions throw jets of water into the fountain. The white marble fountain, built by order of Mohammed V, is a great example of Muslim sculptures. The gallery surrounding it is in the style of a Christian cloister.
- Hall of the Ambassadors: this is where all the receptions would happen, and also where the throne was located. The floor, once made of marble, is now made of clay tiles. The hall contains niches, arches, wallas and dressing rooms, all covered by poems towards God.
- Comares Palace: this was the official residence of the king, consisting of several rooms surrounding the Patio of the Myrtles. The king wanted his residence to amaze visitors, so he hired architects to build it in an exquisite way.
Trust me, these are only some of the top sights which history buffs look for when visiting castles. There is a lot more to this palace, which will keep your eyes wide open and amazed at the beauty of the palace and its fascinating stories!
Planning Your Visit
The city of Granada and the Alhambra is a top worldwide destination for anyone travelling in southern Spain. Therefore, you’ll need to carefully plan your visit as the palace gets extremely busy year-round. Here are my recommendations on how to make the most of your visit:
- Book a Guided Tour: on top of a skip-the-line ticket, this includes a walking tour with an on-site guide who will explain all the stories. Upon arrival at the palace, there is a separate line for those who have booked a tour, which should not take longer than 10 minutes. It’s important to book early as guided tours can easily fill up.
- Book a Skip-The-Line Ticket: if you don’t need a guided tour, never simply make your way to the palace. You will wait in line anywhere from 1 to 3 hours. Always book a Skip-The-Line ticket, which must be booked for a specific time. Arrive on time and you will bypass the long line. Ensure to not book the day before, as they only sell a certain number of tickets for each entry time.
- If exploring at your own pace is your cup of tea rather than being led by a tour guide, ensure to at least pay for an audio guide which will explain the fascinating stories of each room and area you visit. Simply walking in the palace and looking at the stories shown will not give you a full experience, and will leave you wondering what was so special about this palace.
I hope I have inspired you to include a visit to the Alhambra on your visit to southern Spain! I was there more than 10 years ago, and I can still feel the fascination that hit me when I was listening to the tour guide explaining the stories!