Alhambra & Generalife Gardens Visit, Granada
Follow a private expert guide through centuries of history at the Alhambra and its beautiful Generalife Gardens.
Beautiful views! I learned a lot about the Alhambra & the history of the city.
This was our favorite site of our entire stay in Spain.
Jennifer, our guide, did an amazing job. She provided us with so much history and cultural information to make the visit extra memorable. She also spend... Read more
Our guide in Granada was spectacular! My wife was unable to make the tour so it ended up being only myself and the tour guide and... Read more
Alberto was an excellent guide. Enthusiastic and knowledgeable. A great balance of historical storytelling and art history commentary
Overview
Highlights
- Explore the many palaces, courtyards, and gardens of the Alhambra
- Learn about Granada's unique history and royal families
- Discover the intricate design and cultural architecture with a private guide
- Take in the panoramic views of Granada from several lookout points
Know before you go
3 hours
All ages
Private
What you'll do
The Alhambra welcomes an average of 3 million visitors each year. It offers a look at hundreds of centuries of history, revealing what was then known as the "Red City," thanks to the vibrant color of the stones used in construction. Built atop a hill overlooking Granada, the fortress dates to the 9th century, though the Nasrid Dynasty rebuilt it in the 14th century. It was an essential Moorish palace until after the Christian reconquest when the Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabella took control. As a result, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a glimpse at royal life in its many forms.
Though you'll visit the entire complex, as a private experience, you can cater the tour to your personal interests. The Palacios Nazaries is a great starting point and where you'll find some of the monument's most recognizable architecture. The palaces you can see are the Palacio Real (Royal Palace), Palacio de Comares (Palace of Ceremonial Rooms), and Palacio de los Leones (Palace of the Lions, the Sultan's private quarters), each with a traditional courtyard. The oldest part of the palaces is the Mexuar, once used as a courtroom and then a chapel.
Other important sites of the Alhambra include the Patio de los Arrayanes (Court of Myrtles), an incredible courtyard with a hedge-lined pond and fountains, and the Sala de los Embajadores (Hall of the Ambassadors). You'll also visit the stunning Sala de las dos Hermanas (Hall of the Two Sisters) with its Arab stalactitic vaulting, ornate tilework, and thousands of details hidden in the stucco. You might find this hall as equally fascinating as the ceiling in the Sala de los Abencerrajes.
Next, head to the Generalife Gardens, possibly the most photographed spot in Granada. You'll find that famous picture-perfect scene at the 13th-century Palacio del Generalife, the summer palace of Moorish kings, with its flower- and fountain-lined pond. You also can't miss the Patio de los Cipreses (Patio of the Cypresses) and Patio de la Acequia (Patio of the Irrigation Ditch) with their fragrant orange trees and rose garden.
As you walk and visit the complex's important rooms and structures, your guide will explain the history and divulge unique facts and anecdotes. After 2.5 hours, you'll leave with your guide and say farewell back at the entrance.
What's included
- Entry tickets
- Professional guide
- Visit to the Alcazaba, Nasrid Palaces, Generalife, and Carlos V Palace
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Get startedSee alternatives
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