Situated at the heart of the Comares Palace, this rectangular patio features a pool and hedges of evergreen myrtle on its two long sides, with a porticoed gallery at either end. The still water in the pool, which reflects the tiled porticos at each end, almost reaches the columns so it seems to be floating,

You need a ticket to visit the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens, ideally pre-booked in advance; each ticket has an allocated entry time for the Nasrid Palaces. The number of admissions per day and hour is limited. All tickets must bear the full name of the holder. This is a guide to the different ways to buy an Alambra Ticket.

Probably the most famous and recognisable patio of the Alhambra complex, the Courtyard of the Lions consists of a forest of elegant columns surrounding a fountain, and a small pavilion at each end (east/west), with a circular fountain.

If visiting the Alhambra by walking from Granada city, this Self Guided Alhambra Tour itinerary will be helpful. If you are arriving by car from outside Granada, or arriving by taxi and have plenty of time, follow our Alhambra itinerary starting from the main entrance.

Having parked your car in the main car park, walk down to the Ticket office complex where the main entrance is located. There are two lines, one for individual ticket holder and another for groups. On you ticket will be the time you need to enter the Nasarid palaces, it will comfortably take about half an hour from here to this entrance.

Granada is most famous for the breathtaking Alhambra Palace that towers above the city, a fortress that has been there since the 9th century. In order to truly enjoy any visit to see the Alhambra and this beautiful city.

The Alhambra: the most romantic building in the world, and Spain's top tourist attraction (book tickets well in advance), full of exquisitely decorated palaces with hidden courtyards. Exhibitions, and outdoor plays and concerts in summer.

Originally the Nasrid Palace of Los Infantes, this was converted into the Franciscan convent of San Francisco under Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand soon after their reconquest of Granada. Now a hotel, part of the state-owned Parador chain.

Tales of the Alhambra is a collection of essays, verbal sketches, and stories by Washington Irving. Irving lived at the Alhambra Palace in Granada while writing some of the material for his book.

The Nasrid summer palace  and gardens are located at the far eastern limit of the Alhambra complex. The building itself is set on a south-facing hill. The gardens, which were designed to be a productive working estate with fruit and vegetables.

In Nasrid times, this eastern section of the fortified complex was the densely populated medina, with mosque, public baths and markets, grand mansions of high-ranking officials, and soldiers’ quarters.

The Alhambra is the second-most-visited monument in Spain, a complex of Arabic and Christian palaces and gardens. Its exquisitely inscribed arches and beautifully detailed ceramic tiles, along with the perfect proportions of colonnades and pools, create a place of ethereal beauty. Here we take a look at well-known and less familiar aspects of what was once a self-contained city.