Alhambra Palace Tour - With Expert Guide
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Key facts:
- Where: Granada, Spain
- Duration:
Alhambra Palace tour (Without Transport): 2.5 – 3 hours
Alhambra Palace tour (With Transport): 4 hours
Why book this tour
- The Alhambra Palace is one of the world’s most beautiful Palaces and Spain’s top tourist attraction
- The number of people who can enter the Palace per day is strictly limited – book ahead to ensure your reservation
- An expert guide will lead you on an in-depth tour of the Alhambra Palace and Gardens
- For ultimate convenience we offer an option of this tour with hotel pick up and drop off
- Tour information
- Activity schedule
- Itinerary
Be transported into the magical
world of the Arabian Nights when you visit the UNESCO World Heritage
Site; the Alhambra Palace and gardens. This hilltop royal residence is
one of the finest examples of Moorish architecture in the world. Marvel
at the carved cedar-wood, cupolas, ornate ceilings, frothy stucco work,
and exquisite mosaics. Enjoy the cool marble, tranquil pools, tinkling
fountains, pavilions and promenades set against the stunning back-drop
of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains.
This tour takes you inside the Alhambra Palace with a live expert
guide and provides you with an in-depth view and history of this
architectural marvel. You can ask any number of questions to your
knowledgeable and friendly guide. You will visit all the main parts of
the Alhambra Palace; The Royal Palace, the Gardens of Generalife and the
Alcazaba.
Download the Alhambra map
- Tour information
- Activity schedule
- Itinerary
When does it run?
Daily
Duration
Alhambra Palace tour (Without Transport): 2.5 – 3 hours
Alhambra Palace tour (With Transport): 4 hours
Alhambra Palace tour (With Transport): 4 hours
Start time
Alhambra Palace tour (Without Transport): Between 09:50am and 10:10am
Alhambra Palace tour (With Transport): Between 9:15am and 9:50am depending on your hotel location
Alhambra Palace tour (With Transport): Between 9:15am and 9:50am depending on your hotel location
Meeting point
(Please provide your hotel details in the special requests field at the time of booking. If you do not have this information please contact the local activity operator at least 24 hours prior to the tour with these details.)
(Please provide your hotel details in the special requests field at the time of booking. If you do not have this information please contact the local activity operator at least 24 hours prior to the tour with these details.)
- Tour information
- Activity schedule
- Itinerary
You will tour the three main parts of the Alhambra Palace: The Royal Palace, the Gardens of Generalife and the fortress of Alcazaba.
The Royal Palace:
The Royal Palace interior is lavishly decorated. Surfaces are adorned with intricate geometric designs skillfully executed in marble, glazed tile and alabaster. The Palace is divided into three sections. The first is the Mexuar where business, government, and palace administration took place. This section includes the Oratory and the striking Golden Room.
The second section is the Serrallo, where the sultans held court and entertained their ambassadors. In the heart of the Serrallo is the Court of the Myrtles with its long pool flanked by myrtle trees. The decorative tiles here are said to be some of the finest in the Alhambra. The Serrallo is also home to the Hall of the Ambassadors, which has a spectacular carved throne and a domed cedar-wood ceiling.
The third section of the Palace is the Harem, which in its time was entered only by the sultan, his wives and concubines, young children and eunuchs. The delightful Court of the Lions lies at the harem’s heart. The courtyard is named for the 12 lions, thought to represent the months or signs of the zodiac, which support the fountain at the center.
The Alcazaba:
The Alcazaba is the Alhambra Palace’s original fortress. You will be able to walk up the steps to the watchtower for some splendid panoramas of Granada. You will also see the Royal Baths, where the sultans' favourite beauties once relaxed in brightly tiled pools, and the Renaissance palace of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.
The Generalife:
The Generalife was the summer retreat for the Moorish kings. Here you will stroll through the spectacular gardens, said to have been inspired by the Koranic description of Paradise. You will see tall columnar cypress trees, roses, orange trees, oleanders and other flowers as well as tranquil pools and tinkling fountains.
The guided tour of the Alhambra Palace ends at 1:30pm. For those who have selected the option with hotel drop off you will then be taken back to your hotel.
