It’s hard to believe this year is almost over already. So much has happened in these past twelve months, including some pretty amazing travel opportunities.
Looking back on those travels brings back many happy memories, including an incredible day spent in Granada, Spain. More specifically at the Alhambra. It’s so incredible and I feel badly that I am only sharing this now (sorry to those who were following my adventures in the spring!). Fortunately it’s not an easy place to forget. That, and it’s pouring rain in Toronto and very un-Christmas-y, so I am taking a break from the holiday festivities to remember that day in Granada.
A little history for you (because history is cool)
The Alhambra was originally built as a fortress in 889 and was rebuilt and renovated a few times until it was converted into a royal palace in 1333 by the Sultan of Granada at that time. These days it is undergoing restoration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Some say the name Alhambra comes from the Arabic term alhamra, which means “the red one” — possibly a reference to the red clay used to construct the outer walls of the original fortress. Whatever the origin of it’s name, as it stands today, the Alhambra is an overwhelmingly huge Moorish palace complex, with winding streets, beautiful gardens and even more beautiful architecture.
Fortunately most tours group things into four main sections to make everything you’re about to learn a little easier to digest — the Alcazaba, the Generalife, the Palace of Charles V, and the Nasrid Palace. Not that it makes your trip any shorter. I think we spent a little over four hours from start to finish, and that’s without stopping to visit the museum located on the grounds.
The Alcazaba: This is the oldest part of the Alhambra (remember that fortress?) from which you can get some of the best views of the of the city. As long as you’re okay with walking uphill for twenty minutes, followed by climbing a few flights of stairs.
The Generalife: Surrounded by some of the fancy gardens previously mentioned is the former vacation home of Granada’s royal family.
Palace of Charles V: This was an add-on in by the Holy Roman Emperor after Granada was conquered by the Catholics in the 1400s, hence how out of place it looks next to the rest of the Moorish style buildings that surround it. Note: Good luck trying to get a photo of yourself in the centre of the courtyard. That’s where everyone wants to do it and there’s always a crowd.
Nasrid Palace: Undoubtedly the most interesting part of the Alhambra, and the most popular. The level of detail that is carved into every little wall, column and ceiling, even in the servants’ quarters is incredible. For obvious reasons walking through here felt just like walking through some of the places I’d been in Morocco only a few days prior to visiting here.
Off to visit the Alhambra? I’ve got some tips:
Buy your ticket in advance. Preferably about a month or two before your trip. No, really. There is a daily limit of about 6,600 people in the palace grounds and as you can imagine it can get very, very busy and it sells out fast.
Trust me, you’re going to want the guide. Unless you’re an Alhambra expert already, there is SO much information, little stories about the members of the royal families that lived there and more that you’ll miss out on otherwise.
Don’t lose your ticket! They have checkpoints inside the Generalife and Nasrid Palace and you won’t be let in without showing your ticket to the guard. I’ve seen people turned away because they dropped them somewhere along the way and they were sad. Don’t let it happen to you. 🙁
Make sure your camera and/or phone are fully charged before you go. And bring an extra battery for each. You will be taking a TON of pictures in the few hours you’ll be there. One of those devices is bound to die before you’re done.
If you ever find yourself in the south of Spain, and with time to visit only one place, I would tell you one hundred times over to go to the Alhambra in Granada. It was kinda cold, and it poured rain the majority of the time I was there. On top of that I didn’t have an umbrella. Even then it was still pretty magical wandering about those palace walls. I would do it all over again if given the opportunity!
-C
