路 Palacio de Carlos V
路 Museo de Bellas Arte (closed)
路 Museo de Alhambra
路 Alcazaba
路 Nasrid Palace (Casa Real)
路 Mexuar
路 Puerta de la Vela
路 Patio de Leones

Palacio de Carlos V

This palace surrounds the Nasrid palace and makes an interesting transition from Moroccan architecture of the 8th century to the 15th century renaissance building style. This was meant to be one of the King Charles V residences, however he never lived in it. Built with tax money from the Moriscos (converted Moors) who rebelled in 1568, there was no money left to complete it.

Generalife

Open: same times as the Alhambra

Price: 5鈧� adults
Time: minimum 30min if you rush through!

Facts:

This was the Nasrid king"檚 summer palace. Five minutes away from the Alhambra but tickets purchased are generally valid for both.
Generalife means in Arabic "gardens of the master builder"�, although most of the gardens were planted in the 19th and 20th century - after the Arab occupation
The doorway bears the symbol of the key of Allah. The centerpiece of the Generalife is a long pool with many water sprays that pass through beds of roses. In winter the gardens seem rather grey and uninviting and walking through them would take 30 min. However in summer when everything is in bloom, it is a great place to relax and enjoy the sun. Take water with you, so you do not dry up.

Alcazaba
This citadel is the oldest part of the Alhambra and dates back to the Nasrid kings. Climb up the Torre de la Vega (watchtower) where you have great views over Granada and the hill, Albaicin. The towers bell originally rang at every opening and closing of the Vela irrigation system. Nowadays it is rang on January 2nd, the anniversary of Boabdils capitulation to the catholic kings in 1492. Legend has it that an unmarried woman ringing the bell will be engaged within the year. At the base of the Alcazaba you will find the Torre Bermeja (Vermillion Towers).

Important! The Alcazaba is located opposite the Nasrid palace and once you are in you can"檛 take any shortcuts and come back again afterwards. Plan your time; you will need a minimum of 45 mins and there are some amazing views, so do not rush, take at least 1 hour before your planned time to enter the Nasrid palace. If you have only 30 min prior to the Nasrid palace, use the time to buy a drink at the only kiosk there is and enjoy the view over to the Albaicin and go into the Alcazaba afterwards.

Puerta de la Justicia (Tower of Justice)

This most impressive gateway of the Alhambra depicts two motifs. The Key and the Hand. In Irving"檚 story about the Alhambra he writes that the day the hand reaches the key, the Alhambra will fall into ruin and the hidden treasures of the Moors will be revealed.

Casa Real (Nasrid Palace)

Special visiting times are assigned to this area of the Alhambra and are indicated when purchasing your ticket. The time you spend there however is not limited.
The beauty of the Palace probably lies in its architecture and abundance of ornaments. The Muslims, as opposed to the Catholics, believed that Allah"檚 sense of propriety would be offended when more attention was given to worldly possessions, rather than to a fleeting moment. For this reason, most of the decorations are made of perishable materials such as wood, plaster and tiles, instead of gold and marble. However considering the beauty still maintained, it does not seem much perished for its age.

This is where you first enter the Nasrid palace and the place where the kings used to hold audiences. The adjoining patio de Mexuar is one of the finest rooms in the Alhambra.

Patio de los Leones (Photo 1)

Located in the Nasrid palace. The kings"� residence was built around this famous patio with a fountain supported by 12 lions at its centre reflecting the 12 months of the year or 12 signs of the zodiac.

Museo de Bellas Artes

Open: Tue 2pm "� 8pm /Wed "� Sat 9am "� 8pm / Sunday 9am "� 2pm
Price: Free for EU citizen / 1,5o 鈧� for non EU citizen

This museum has a rather poor collection of religious paintings from Granada churches. However, it has some interesting sculptures by Diego de Siloe, Alonso Cano and Pedro de Mena.

Museo de Alhambra

Price: Free with Alhambra ticket

This museum has the best selection of Moorish art including azulejos (tiles) and plaster arabesque in Spain. It is definitely worth a visit.