6 Reasons to visit the Alhambra in Granada (Spain)

Granada is one of the favorite places for tourists, due to the great variety of its stories and legends. Its emblematic monuments, which you absolutely cannot miss when visiting the city, are the Alhambra and the Albaicin. What many do not know and do not even imagine is that the Alhambra was once a real fortified city with more than two thousand inhabitants within the city of Granada, which served as accommodation for the monarch and the court of the Nazari kingdom. This city not only has a well-preserved fortress, but also the beautiful villa with Generalife gardens. Why can't you miss this place?

1. Because of its history

The Alhambra is an essential monument, as it bears witness to the Arab rule in the territory and its architectural style, and that is why it was recently declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The best way to discover its history during your visit is to have a guide accompany you to explore also the most hidden corners without getting lost in this huge architectural complex. Listening to the guide's stories you will travel through time imagining the luxurious life of the sultan with his courtiers inside the rooms of the palaces or the thermal baths.

2. For the views of Granada

Being a fortress, the Alhambra stands on the hill of the Sabika, the highest point of the city of Granada, because it was a strategic place from which the city could be defended and observed, and at the same time it represented the center of power that could be seen from the rest of Granada. Today, thanks to its ancient purposes, it has become the viewpoint of Granada from which you can enjoy incredible views of the caves of Sacromonte, the Albaicin quarter, and the mountains of the Sierra Nevada. It is an amazing sight that will surprise you!

3. For its art

Walking around the interior of the Alhambra you will notice that each wall is covered by carefully created arabesques through molds all different, so you will not find similar decorations anywhere. Moreover, these decorative motifs follow the principles of symmetry forming a harmony between all the elements that compose them.

4. By their legends

The Alhambra was the scene of the famous Thousand and One Nights, and all its patios and rooms inspired even the American writer Washington Irvin to write his own stories of the Alhambra. However, within its walls, many other legends are hidden, among others the most interesting is that of Boabdil, the last sultan of Granada. It is said that when the armies of the Catholic Kings arrived in 1492, he escaped immediately and when he turned around to see such a splendid place for the last time, he was moved to tears. For his cowardly conduct, as he left the city in the hands of the enemies, Boabdil would be remembered as the last sultan of the Nasrid dynasty who betrayed his city.

5. For his gardens

Apart from the courtyards, the Alhambra is surrounded by gardens full of orange and orchid trees and other types of plants that form lush vegetation next to the colored flowers. The trees more than produce fruits for the inhabitants also served as insect repellents. Finally, the Generalife gardens are famous for representing the antechamber of paradise as described in the Koran.

6. For its palaces

As I have already told you, the Alhambra is a huge architectural complex with some palaces that you cannot miss. Among them are the Nasrid Palace and the Palace of Charles V; each one belongs to a different historical period. The former, which is older, was the seat of the administrative functions, while the Palace of Charles V was built as the residence of Emperor Charles and since it is located next to the Nazarí Palace it contrasts sharply with the Islamic architecture of the surroundings. In these two palaces, you can enjoy two completely different but equally amazing architectural styles.