Things to do in Alhambra Granada

The Alhambra is one of the most charming places in Spain. Also, it is the soul of Granada and the irrefutable evidence of the course of history in Spain. It is considered the best preserved Moorish palace among Europe. The Alhambra in Granada is a place that you should see at least once in your life. It is the icon of the city of Granada, and an exotic adventure for everyone who visits it.

The importance of the Alhambra, in Granada, is related to its location. The Alhambra offers a great look of the city, due to its location on a rocky hill called La Sabika. Facing the neighbourhoods of the Albaicín and the Alcazaba, its completely walled monumental complex imposes an irregular shape that stands out for its beauty. There is no doubt of the importance of this monument and why you must visit it. Are you ready to discover the allure of Alhambra, Granada?

How to get to the Alhambra, Granada?

There are different ways to see the Alhambra and have access to it. There is an option to access the Alhambra by bus, with a minibus called “Alhambra Bus”. The lines C30 and C32, leaves you right at the entrance. You can take it from the Plaza de Isabel la Católica.
However, to get the most out of the visit it is advisable to do it on foot. There are two ways to walk up to the Alhambra from the city centre:

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Route 1. The most traditional:

• Starting from Plaza Nueva, this is probably the most interesting monumental route, as well as the best known. The Puerta de las Granadas is the first monument you will find at the beginning of the walk. It is also, the main entrance to the monumental site of the Alhambra. Charles V commissioned the construction of this gate in 1536.

• After Puerta de las Granadas, we cross the forest of the Alhambra known as the Cuesta de Gomérez. It is a 20-minute walk through a leafy forest of poplars from the Christian period, which will take you back to another era. Then, if we continue along this pedestrian route, next to the esplanade of the Puerta de la Justicia, on the left-hand side we find the Pilar de Carlos V, the entrance to the Alhambra.

Route 2. The least known:

The other access to the Alhambra, you will find it at the end of the Paseo del Darro. This route starts from the Paseo de los Tristes and goes along the slope of the Rey Chico. Also, it is named after the last of the Nasrid kings, Boabdil “el Chico”. The slope of the Little King ends very close to the main entrance, passing by the Restaurant Las Mimbres.

Things to do in Alhambra, Granada

The most important things to see in the Alhambra are the Alcazaba, the Nasrid Palaces and the gardens and palace of the Generalife. Tickets to the Alhambra include the visit to the Nasrid Palaces, the Generalife, the Palace of Charles V, and the Bath of the Mosque. You can buy them either at the Alhambra itself or online.
The general visit usually starts at the Alcazaba, then continues through the Nasrid Palaces, ending at the Generalife. Moreover, the order of visit, depends on the time of access to the Nasrid Palaces, which is indicated on the ticket. You must strictly adhered the time assigned at the ticket, otherwise you will miss your turn.

The Alcazaba

The Alcazaba, together with the Bermejas Towers, is the oldest part of the Alhambra and therefore one of the first to be built. It is a fortress that was used exclusively for military purposes. The Alcazaba has several spaces inside; the Plaza de Armas which was the original entrance to the Alcazaba. The Torre de Armas (Weapons Tower) located on the north wall. The Jardines de los Adarves (Gardens of the Adarves) which are located at the entrance to the Alcazaba, from where you will appreciate a privileged view of the city. Also, the main watchtower, the Torre de la Vela, with a captivating panoramic view.

Nasrid Palaces

The Nasrid Palaces are considered one of the most important spaces that make up the Alhambra. In addition, it is a palatial complex made up of different independent palaces. They were built by the monarchs of the Nasrid dynasty during their reign. It was also the residence of the first Christian kings. In addition, the first room we come across is the Mexuar. This is where the Council of Ministers met and where the sultan dispensed justice.

One of the Alhambra’s great courtyards of this masterpiece is the courtyard of the Arrayanes. The rooms of the palace of Comares revolve surrounding this courtyard. Another of the star buildings and the tallest in the enclosure is the Comares Tower, which is 45 metres high. However, the Nasrid Palaces is the most iconic stop, is the courtyard of the Lions. In addition, the rest of the rooms of the Palace were placed according to the courtyard, around it. Muhammad V built this palace between 1362 and 1391.

Generalife Gardens and Palace

The Generalife is a beautiful villa full of gardens, which was inhabited by the Nasrid kings as a place of rest. It was conceived as a rural villa, where ornamental gardens, orchards and architecture merged. The Generalife is made up of extensive gardens, where every corner is a novelty and a pleasant surprise to the eye. Nowadays, the acmes to the Generalife palace is through the so-called Lower Gardens. It was in 1954 that the large auditorium on the right was built, the current home of the Granada Music and Dance Festival. In addition, the gardens of the Generalife, with their crossed fountains and flowerbeds, have become another emblem of the Alhambra.

Can you visit the Alhambra, Granada, at night?

It’s not just that you can see the Alhambra at night, but that you should visit it at night. It is a thrilling experience that will make you appreciate it even more. There are several tours of the site to see the Alhambra; one in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one at night. Moreover, the night visit is divided into the gardens and palace of the Generalife on one side, and the Nasrid Palaces on the other. At night, the experience changes completely. Moreover, the courtyards of the Palace become more enigmatic, creating a unique atmosphere of light and shadow.

What can you visit in the Alhambra without a ticket?

The Alhambra has a charm and magic that is well worth delving into, taking the full tour. However, many of its monuments and part of its attraction can be found free of charge in the surrounding area. All the way from the city centre to the entrance of the Alhambra is a route full of monuments and points of interest. As we have detailed above, from the Plaza Nueva you will follow an open-air path through the Puerta de las Granadas, through the Alhambra Forest and on to the Pilar de Carlos V, parallel to the Puerta de la Justicia. In addition, you can investigate the following points:

• Plaza de Los Aljibes. This square was a place of transit that separated the military zone and the palaces.
• Puerta del Vino (Wine Gate), which was the main entrance to the Medina of the Alhambra and is one of the oldest constructions in the Alhambra.
• The Palace of Charles V is accessed through the Wine Gate. At this exceptional palace you can see the Alhambra Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts.
• If you continue walking, you will come across the Bib-Rambla Gate, which was formerly located in the centre of the Nasrid Granada, giving access to the square of the same name.
• The Bermejas Towers were part of a complex that is believed to have belonged to the first Alcazaba of the Alhambra. They are strategically located in order to watch over the Vega of Granada, and are connected to the Alcazaba of the Alhambra by a wall.

Accommodation next to Alhambra, Granada

Parador of Granada

Parador de Granada is one of the most renowned accommodations in the city of Granada, due to its unequalled location. Situated in the beautiful gardens of the Alhambra, it occupies a beautiful 15th century convent, adapted for people with reduced mobility. The Parador combines original features, such as stone arches, beamed ceilings and antique furniture, with elegant, contemporary décor. This 4-star hotel is 0.6km from the Albaicín district, 0.8km from the San Nicolás viewpoint, and just a 10-minute walk from Granada’s old town and cathedral. The price per night is a little higher than the average of the hotels we present, about 190€ per night for a double room.
If you want to check other options to book your accommodation, read our post: Accommodation in Granada for your trip.

Frequently asked questions about the Alhambra of Granada