Alhambra
Perched on the Sabika hill above Granada, the Alhambra is a palace-city built atop an earlier Andalusi fortress complex — first raised for the emirs and court of the Nasrid dynasty, later repurposed as a residence for Castilian monarchs. It encompasses ancient palaces, gardens, and a military citadel (the Alcazaba); the artistic heart lies in the interiors of the Nasrid Palaces, whose decoration is considered the pinnacle of Andalusi art. In 1984 it was inscribed, together with the Generalife gardens, as Spain's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. Follow the towers, gates, courtyards, and fountains and you'll find traces of courtly life at almost every turn.
Spain · 60 The overlooked corners inside
The overlooked corners inside
Torre de las Damas (Ladies' Tower)
Of all the surviving structures in the Alhambra, the Ladies' Tower (*Torre de las Damas*) is the oldest. Commissioned by Nasrid sultan Muhammad III (r. 1302–1309), it is the earliest decorated structure in the palace complex, and its limestone carvings are considered the oldest surviving ornamental work in the Alhambra. The name "Torre de las Damas" appeared in the late 18th century; an earlier name was *Partal* — Arabic for the characteristic arcaded portico. The portico consists of five arches resting on marble columns, with the slightly taller central arch being the only one original to the building.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · alhambradegranada.org
Partal Palace
Stand before the Partal and let the still reflecting pool and the five-arched portico register first — this is the oldest surviving palace in the Alhambra. Built by Nasrid ruler Muhammad III in the early 14th century, it was formed by converting a defensive tower into a belvedere set into an ornamental building. The name *Partal* derives from the Arabic *al-Barṭal*, itself an Arabicization of the Latin *portale* (gateway), meaning "arcaded portico" in Old Castilian. The portico was originally supported by brick columns; the slender Nasrid-style marble columns you see today were added in the 20th century.
Sources: es.wikipedia.org
Parador de Granada (San Francisco Convent)
Today it is a state-run *parador* (historic inn) within the Alhambra walls, but the ground beneath your feet once held the burials of Spain's most famous monarchs. This 15th-century convent of San Francisco was commissioned by the Catholic Monarchs in 1494, built along the Royal Way on top of a Nasrid palace — a residence of the princes of Muhammad III (r. 1302–1309) — which still preserves important rooms including a "Nasrid Hall." It was Granada's first convent, and its cloisters and halls hold a rich collection of artworks and furnishings.
Sources: es.wikipedia.org
Puerta de la Justicia (Gate of Justice)
The Gate of Justice (*Puerta de la Justicia*) is the largest of the Nasrid tower-gates on the Alhambra's southern side, and since Christian rule it has been the main ceremonial entrance to the palace complex. Built in 1348 on the orders of Yusuf I, it is framed by a pointed horseshoe brick arch. At the keystone of the outer arch is a carved relief of a hand, traditionally said to welcome visitors and ward off the evil eye. Passing through the outer arch, you reach a second, smaller horseshoe arch.
Sources: es.wikipedia.org
Alcazaba
The Alcazaba occupies the westernmost tip of the Alhambra on the summit of the Sabika hill, and it is the oldest surviving part of the entire complex. Muhammad ibn Nasr, founder of the Nasrid dynasty, laid the foundations here in 1238 on the site of an 11th-century Zirid fortress — he rebuilt and expanded it on that existing base, and in the same year completed an aqueduct that would supply water for the palace city to come. The hill has been fortified since the 9th century and was always Granada's military core.
Sources: es.wikipedia.org
Torres Bermejas
The Torres Bermejas (*Red Towers*) stand on the Mauror hill facing the Alhambra across a r… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: es.wikipedia.org
Museum of Fine Arts of Granada
The Museum of Fine Arts of Granada (*Museo de Bellas Artes de Granada*) is the city's most… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: es.wikipedia.org
Fountain of the Lions
The fountain at the centre of the Court of the Lions is the most widely recognised image o… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Court of the Lions
The Court of the Lions (*Patio de los Leones*) is the heart of the Lion Palace built by Na… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Courtyard of the Myrtles
The Courtyard of the Myrtles (*Patio de los Arrayanes*) is the centrepiece of the Comares… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: es.wikipedia.org
Puerta de las Granadas (Gate of the Pomegranates)
The Gate of the Pomegranates (*Puerta de las Granadas*) is the historic entrance to the Al… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: es.wikipedia.org
Torre de la Vela (Watch Tower)
Built between 1238 and 1279, the Torre de la Vela is the largest defensive tower of the Al… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: es.wikipedia.org
Alhambra Museum
The Alhambra Museum (*Museo de la Alhambra*) occupies the southern wing of the ground floo… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: es.wikipedia.org
Puerta de las Armas (Gate of Arms)
The Gate of Arms (*Puerta de las Armas*) is the oldest entrance to the Alhambra, reached f… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: es.wikipedia.org
Memorial Plaque to Corporal José García
This plaque is mounted on a wall in the Plaza de los Aljibes (Cistern Square). Its inscrip… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: elindependientedegranada.es
Torre del Cubo (Cube Tower)
The Torre del Cubo is a semicircular tower on the north wall of the Alcazaba, built around… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: es.wikipedia.org
Puerta de los Siete Suelos (Gate of the Seven Floors)
The Gate of the Seven Floors (*Puerta de los Siete Suelos*) was the main entrance to the u… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: es.wikipedia.org
Hall of the Ambassadors
The Hall of the Ambassadors (*Salón de Embajadores*) is the throne room added by Yusuf I (… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Secano Underground Silo / Dungeon
This underground structure in the Secano area is the largest of its kind in the Alhambra c… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: alhambra-patronato.es
Mirador de la Reja (Grille Belvedere)
This small courtyard on the north side of the Lion Palace takes its name from a wrought-ir… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: alhambradegranada.org
Torre de las Armas (Arms Tower)
The Torre de las Armas stands on the northern battlements of the Alhambra and takes its na… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: alhambradegranada.org
Torre del Capitán (Captain's Tower)
The Torre del Capitán is the most simply built of the outer-wall towers in the Secano area… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: alhambra-patronato.es
Patio de los Leones (Court of the Lions)
The Court of the Lions (*Patio de los Leones*) is the core of the Nasrid Palaces of the Al… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Torre de Siete Suelos (Tower of Seven Floors)
The Torre de Siete Suelos is a defensive tower in the Alhambra's outer wall, rebuilt and r… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Torre de las Cabezas
The Torre de las Cabezas is a defensive tower in the Alhambra's outer wall, reconstructed… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Torre del Cadí (Qadi's Tower)
The Torre del Cadí (*qadi* meaning judge in Arabic) stands on the Alhambra's north wall, b… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: alhambradegranada.org
Torre de Juan de Arce
The Torre de Juan de Arce is a small defensive tower on the Alhambra's southeastern battle… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: alhambra-patronato.es
Torre de las Infantas (Tower of the Infantas)
The Torre de las Infantas is the best-preserved palace-tower (*torre-palacio*) on the Alha… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: es.wikipedia.org
Torre del Agua (Water Tower)
The Torre del Agua is a tower in the Alhambra's outer wall, named for the royal aqueduct (… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: es.wikipedia.org
Torre de la Justicia (Justice Tower)
The Torre de la Justicia rises above the Gate of Justice (*Puerta de la Justicia*), built… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: nomads-travel-guide.com
Torre de Baltasar de la Cruz
The Torre de Baltasar de la Cruz is one of four soldier-named towers in the Secano area, i… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: alhambra-patronato.es
Torre de la Bruja (Witch's Tower)
The Torre de la Bruja stands next to the Torre del Capitán and belongs to the same categor… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: alhambra-patronato.es
Torre de los Picos (Spurred Tower)
The Torre de los Picos takes its name from the row of projecting spurs (*picos*) on its ou… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: es.wikipedia.org
Torre de la Cautiva (Captive's Tower)
The Torre de la Cautiva on the Alhambra's north wall is regarded as an outstanding example… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: es.wikipedia.org
Oratorio del Partal (Partal Oratory)
The Partal Oratory (*Oratorio del Partal*) was built by Yusuf I (r. 1333–1354) as a small… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: es.wikipedia.org
Torre de Mohamed (Muhammad's Tower)
The Torre de Mohamed stands on the Alhambra's north wall, built by Sultan Muhammad II, who… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: nomads-travel-guide.com
Church of Santa María de la Alhambra
The Church of Santa María de la Alhambra (*Iglesia de Santa María de la Alhambra*) stands… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: es.wikipedia.org
Torre Hueca (Hollow Tower / Adarguero Tower)
The Torre Hueca (*Hollow Tower*, also called the *Torre del Adarguero*) sits at the southe… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Torre Quebrada (Broken Tower)
The Torre Quebrada is a tall rectangular tower mid-way along the Alcazaba's east wall, add… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Torre de Comares (Comares Tower)
The Torre de Comares played a symbolic role in the defining moment of 1492: the Count of T… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: es.wikipedia.org
Torre de Machuca
The Torre de Machuca is a small defensive watchtower, roughly 4 metres square in plan, pro… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: nomads-travel-guide.com
Torre de la Pólvora (Gunpowder Tower)
The Torre de la Pólvora is part of the Nasrid defensive system of the Alcazaba, positioned… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: alhambra-patronato.es
Torre de la Sultana (Sultana's Tower)
The Torre de la Sultana stands at the southwestern end of the Plaza de las Armas (Arms Squ… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: nomads-travel-guide.com
Torre de los Hidalgos (Noblemen's Tower)
The Torre de los Hidalgos stands on the Alcazaba's north wall immediately below the Torre… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: es.wikipedia.org
Torre del Homenaje (Keep)
The Torre del Homenaje is the tallest tower on the Alcazaba's east wall, rising between 22… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: es.wikipedia.org
Torre del Peinador de la Reina (Queen's Dressing Room Tower)
At the tower's core is a Nasrid-period Arabic structure — the *Torre de Abu l-Hayyay*, dec… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: alhambradegranada.org
Torre de Barba
The Torre de Barba is a tower in the Alhambra's southern outer wall defensive system. When… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: nomads-travel-guide.com
Torre de los Abencerrajes
The Torre de los Abencerrajes is built flush against the northwestern corner of the Palace… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: nomads-travel-guide.com
Torre de los Carros (Carts' Tower)
The Torre de los Carros owes its existence directly to the construction of the Palace of C… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: dialnet.unirioja.es
Torre del Cabo de la Carrera (Road's-End Tower)
The Torre del Cabo de la Carrera takes its name from the fact that the main thoroughfare o… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: alhambradegranada.org
Baño de la Mezquita (Mosque Bath)
The Mosque Bath (*Baño de la Mezquita*, also called the *Baño del Polinario*) stands besid… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: nomads-travel-guide.com
Secano
The Secano zone connects the Alhambra palace complex with the Generalife gardens; both req… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: es.wikipedia.org
Palace of the Abencerrajes (Archaeological Ruin)
The Palace of the Abencerrajes (*Palacio de los Abencerrajes*) is a ruin within the Alhamb… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: yatrikaone.com
Palacio del Mufti (Mufti's Palace Ruins)
Directly opposite the south facade of the Palace of Charles V, almost forgotten beneath th… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: legadonazari.blogspot.com · en.wikipedia.org
Baños Reales (Royal Baths)
The Royal Baths (*Baños Reales*, also called the *Baño de Comares*) were built during the… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: alhambradegranada.org · granada.hammamalandalus.com
Cuarto Dorado (Golden Room)
The Cuarto Dorado (*Golden Room*) is an elegant small hall within the Mexuar palace group… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: alhambra-patronato.es
Mexuar
The Mexuar is the western entrance zone of the Comares Palace, which served multiple admin… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: es.wikipedia.org
Mirador de Daraxa (Lindaraja Belvedere)
The Mirador de Daraxa (also called the *Mirador de Lindaraja*) was built by Muhammad V as… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: alhambra-patronato.es · alhambradegranada.org
Partal Mosque (Oratorio del Partal)
The Partal Mosque (*Oratorio del Partal*) was built by Yusuf I (r. 1333–1354) as a small e… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: es.wikipedia.org
Patio de la Madraza de los Príncipes (Princes' School Courtyard)
The Patio de la Madraza de los Príncipes is a foundation-level ruin within the Mexuar pala… 🔒 Unlock the full guide
Sources: nomads-travel-guide.com
FAQ
What overlooked corners are worth seeing inside Alhambra?
Torre de las Damas (Ladies' Tower), Partal Palace, Parador de Granada (San Francisco Convent) and more — 60 spots in all, each with sources and a guide in your language to read or listen to on the spot.
Is the Alhambra guide free?
The first 5 spots are free to read; the other 55 unlock with a one-time purchase (not a subscription).