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In my life, I have experienced a few travel moments so spellbinding, so breathtaking, so fascinating, that they have left me short of breath.
They’re not common. After visiting 28 countries, I can think of only about five instances that have affected me so deeply. And one of those was visiting the Alhambra in Granada.
The Alhambra was built during the mid-14th century as a palace for the Moorish princes. After the Moors were driven out of Spain in 1492, the Christians continued to use it as a palace. Washington Irving lived in the Alhambra and wrote about it in the 19th century, and it later became a UNESCO World Heritage site.
I started with a walk through the grounds.
On the walk in, you see the area that used to house markets, shops, and homes. These places have since been destroyed. It reminded me of Angkor Wat, where the only remaining structures are the ones that were built to stand for centuries.
The Nasrid Palaces
Your ticket will likely direct you to begin your visit at the Palacio Nazaries, or the Nasrid Palaces — the most spectacular buildings of all. These are the buildings that hosted Granadan royalty.
The Palacios Nazaries are a series of rooms, courtyards, and hallways, each decorated beautifully. It seems like every surface is carved as intricately as possible.
The ceilings were especially striking.
Take a look at one of the walls close-up:
And it kept getting better and better. Many of the rooms had windows overlooking all of Granada.
These rooms surrounded courtyards filled with lush vegetation.
This is where it started happening. I would turn a corner and SIGH, quite loudly, with happiness. The Alhambra was just that beautiful.
I do wish that I could convey it better, but you’ll have to trust me on this — nothing compares to seeing the Alhambra in person.
Even the rooms hidden away from site — like the servants’ quarters — were filled with beauty.
No detail is too small for the Alhambra. I loved the little touches, like the cubbyholes in every room, each of them as intricately carved as the surrounding walls and columns.
And the most beautiful part? The courtyard with the pool.
BLISS. Pure, absolute bliss. This building could not be more beautiful.
The Alcazaba
Across from the Palaces is the Alcazaba. It’s mostly interesting for its military history, and in terms of beauty, it doesn’t even come close to the Palaces.
BUT — the Alcazaba is where you’ll get the best view of Granada.
Climb to the tallest tower and this is the view:
Not bad, huh?
The Generalife
The finale to visiting the Alhambra is the Generalife — or the Generalissimo, as I called it throughout my visit. This was the vacation and leisure home of Granada’s royalty.
The Generalife is the perfect place to end your visit — you can wander the gardens at a leisurely pace, or sit on a bench and take in the late afternoon views over the Alhambra and the city. After experiencing so much beauty, it’s nice to get that chance to reflect.
From there, it’s a final walk through the gardens that leads you to the Alhambra’s exit.
Tips for Visiting the Alhamabra
- Book your ticket in advance. My friend Hilary implored me to do this, but I figured I’d be safe because it was only March. Not so. Tickets are allotted to certain times, and I ended up sitting around with an hour to kill.
- Prepare for an uphill climb. It’s a long, uphill walk to the Alhambra — it’s one of those deceptively slight inclines that exhausts you after a few minutes! It’s very doable; just be sure to wear comfortable shoes.
- Examine your ticket carefully. You will be given a four-hour stay at the Alhambra, and one of those hours is reserved for the Palaces. Be very careful not to miss this window, as they’re the best part of the Alhambra. You won’t be allowed in the Alcazaba or the Generalife during your Palace time.
- Skip the audio guide and get a written guide instead. I got the audio guide because I don’t know much about the Alhambra or the history of Moorish Andalusia — but I wish I hadn’t. I had to wear what looked like wearing a cordless phone from the 80s, and the dialogue was cheesy, narrated by a faux Washington Irving.
- Take your time. It’s so much to take in at once. Ever heard of those Japanese tourists who literally made themselves sick in Florence because they were unnerved from being around so much beauty? The Alhambra is like that. I took a few breaks and spent three hours at the Alhambra in total (but I always go much faster solo than I would with a companion).
This is one of my absolute favorite travel experiences of recent memory. If you’re planning a trip to southern Spain, you absolutely MUST include Granada and the Alhambra.
Once again, you did it! Love your post!
Oh… i guess you already knew this, but “Generalísimo” is how Franco-the-dictator liked people to call him…
🙂
For the record, I only meant Generalissimo in the context of 30 Rock. 🙂
I thought so 🙂 30 Rock rocks… but I just wondered if you knew about the Franco-connection hehe
Ahh, reminds me of the palaces and intricate details of Moroccan architecture. Glad the Moors invaded Spain, eh? 😉
What a lovely culture to take over Spain!
As much as I like an uphill climb (haha, yeah right), there is a bus that leaves from Gran Via de Colon (near Plaza Nueva) that goes up the hill to the Alhambra. 🙂
I absolutely loved the Alhambra too. I have never seen anything quite like it and despite seeing dozens of castles and palaces since then, very few compare to the striking beauty of the Alhambra. I am, for various reasons, completely in love with Granada, and the Alhambra plays a huge part in this!
I agree — you can take Versailles and Bangkok’s Grand Palace — just give me the Alhambra!
What a stunning place, would love to visit someday!
There’s a reason it’s one of Spain’s most-visited monuments. (I’ve heard it is the MOST-visited, but other people dispute that, so I’ll just say one of.)
My fiance took this photo of the view from the Mirador (http://bit.ly/HIrGSs). I love it.
I would love to visit one day. I would take my time for sure. I like to focus at the details. Thanks for all the helpful tips.
Beautiful architecture and exquisite detail. Definitely going to go here when I head to Spain!
Love it! I wrote a mega-essay on the architecture of this place when I was in university! There is so much intricate detail. 😀
In a place as fascinating as this, I bet you could have taken so many different angles.
Kate,
This my well be your best post ever…nice camera work.
Frank
Thanks so much, Frank!
I also thought the Alhambra was quite literally breathtaking. An easy jaunt down from London for an incredible weekend trip! Too bad I just relocated to NYC 🙁
I could not imagine moving back to the States at this point — you miss out on SO MUCH EASY AND CHEAP TRAVEL!
Spain was my first ever foreign country to visit… and I remember the Alhambra well! Even at the tender age of 10 (I think) I had flipped through my parents’ guidebook and decided I wanted to go to Generalife. My cousin, who had been studying abroad there and already been, said not to bother (she had been previously in winter and everything was dead). I insisted so my Dad reluctantly took me. It was stunning! One of my clearest memories of the trip and a funny beginning to my travel planning bug.
That’s so nice, Alex! I’m glad you went anyway.
The Alhambra is truly something spaicel, but I couldn’t wait to get out of Grenada don’t ask me why bad vibe, I guess.Hope you had fun. It’s an interesting part of the world.Meilleurs voeux!!
I’ve always wondered about the Alhmabra since my street is named after it! Every time I see something Alhambra related (like in Nicaragua, etc.), I feel a specially connection. Can’t wait to visit the original one day! 🙂