A place travelers can visit The Alhambra

Reviews: The Alhambra

General description: The Alhambra

The Alhambra
The interior of the Alhambra ("The Red One") is hidden away like a treasure behind mighty, unadorned walls. They enclose a complex made up of several, completely different parts.

Exploring the Alhambra
At the western end you can see the remains of the Alcazaba, the fortress and administrative area. From the Torre de la Vela, there are two wonderful views: looking to the north you see Albaicín, while the Sierra Nevada is to the south. However, it is the Palacios Nazríes (Nasrid Palaces) which are at the heart of the Alhambra. Once you've stepped across the threshold, the Mexuar (Audience and Court Hall) and the Cuarto Dorado (Golden Room) give you an idea of the splendour yet to come. From there, you arrive at the first highlight of the palace visit: the Patio de los Arrayanes (Myrtle Court) with the adjoining Sala de los Embajadores (Ambassadors' Hall). The throne of the Nasrid Kings probably stood beneath the enchanting artesonado ceiling, made of thousands of cedar platelets. You then move on to the Patio de los Leones (Court of Lions), the Alhambra's favourite photo motif. Twelve stone lions stand in a circle facing outwards in the centre of the court, beneath a round marble basin. The Sala de los Abencerrajes is a place of magical splendour: the dome is like a sea of plaster honeycombs from which white honey has dripped and turned to stone while falling. The image is blurrily reflected in the twelve-sided fountain on the floor of the hall. The Nasrid spell is broken when you enter the palace of Charles V, which he had built in the Alhambra from 1526.

Other attractions in the Alhambra
The cool Renaissance building, square outside and round inside, now contains Granada's Museum of Fine Arts. Within the Alhambra's walls there is a parador which is frequently booked out, and you can enjoy cool drinks and tranquillity at its bar. Afterwards, you should take a walk through the blooming garden around the Generalife summer palace to the rear of the Alhambra.

Visiting the Alhambra
To avoid getting up too early, unnecessary queuing and the possible disappointment of not even being allowed to enter the Alhambra because of the limited number of visitors allowed in per day, book your admission ticket in advance online or by phone. In Spain, you can also order tickets at branches of Caixa Bank. You can buy tickets on the day at the desk at the entrance to the Alhambra, if there are still any to spare. Entrance to the Nasrid Palaces is only possible at the specified time - morning visitors have to leave the Alhambra at 2.00 p.m.

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• The fairytale royal palace in Granada is the most important legacy of the Nasrids, a Moorish dynasty.
  

Opening times
Mon-Thurs, Sun: 08:30 - 18:00
Fri, Sat: 08:30 - 18:00, 22:00 - 23:30

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