Patronato de la Alhambra y el Generalife — Attraction in Granada

Location: Well, if you're walking, it's up a pretty steep hill. I thought it would be a good idea to do this twice. Note that there are buses that will take you up - it looked like there's a tourist bus and possibly a public bus. The walk up is totally fine if you're in shape - even if you're not, I'd say it's OK if you take breaks. Bring water.

Caution: Do NOT get scammed by the old ladies who offer you sprigs of I don't know what - as soon as you accept it, they'll grab on to you for dear life and proceed to read your palm in Spanish (even if you don't understand them) then demand 5€. Just say no and walk away.

The place: What can I say that hasn't been said already? This place is spectacular and it's massive. It's remarkably well-preserved and it looks like they're still excavating the area - you can see a partial dig on the way to the Generalife. As a fan of architecture, I really appreciated the Arabic influences. The gardens are great, and the trek up to the Alcazaba is worth it for the view of Granada. I had read that there was a dress code to visit this place but that's untrue. I saw plenty of people in shorts and I wore a tank top. I think that if you show a modicum of respect, you'll be fine. My favourite building was the Nasrid palace - difficult at times to photograph in some areas as they are confined and there are always people, so I'd suggest you just take it all in without focusing on 'photo ops'. Check out all the nooks and crannies - they're well worth it. Also, do wander through the garden maze at the Generalife - it's lovely and peaceful. The one thing I have to say is that walking up from the centre, you have the option of taking stairs (on the left) or waking through the middle - take that middle path. It's so very peaceful and it smells great. I mean, all of Granada smells great - I don't know what it it about that place but I was in heaven as I wandered aimlessly.

I recommend buying your tickets online via Ticketmaster.es otherwise you'll be waiting in a queue. The only other advice I can give you is to pick up your tickets at the Alhambra the day before your scheduled visit. The site says you can go to any CAIXA to get them but this is untrue. I was able to stick my card in one of their ATMs, shown the Alhambra option then nothing happened.

Price point: I think it was 15€ for a ticket but I might be confusing that with...

La Alhambra complex is a must see site if you are in Granada. The visit takes you back centuries into a world where hispanic arab art, architecture and customs dazzled due to their magnificence. A true masterpiece, it took us 6 hours to really take in all the sights and history. The full entrance is around €45 but it is worth it. There is a free audio guide that you can download on your phone called Davinci. The Generalife will give you insights into the agricultural tendencies of the monarchs, their need for peace and natural beauty, as well as their fascination with the wellbeing benefits of plants. The palacios nazaries are an impressive window into the life of the sultan’s family and court as well as their devotion to God. I have never seen such detailed artwork on walls. Compared to the style of the royal palace in Madrid, the palacios nazaries are a sublime dive into royal elegance and sublime taste. The alcazaba will also give you the best views of Granada. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes, bring water and a good camera. 📸 The Alhambra will surely take your...

The decoration consists for the upper part of the walls, as a rule, of Arabic inscriptions—mostly poems by Ibn Zamrak and others praising the palace—that are manipulated into geometrical patterns with vegetal background set onto an arabesque setting ("Ataurique"). Much of this ornament is carved stucco (plaster) rather than stone. Tile mosaics ("alicatado"), with complicated mathematical patterns ("tracería", most precisely "lacería"), are largely used as panelling for the lower part. Metal was also not present very mainly. Similar designs are displayed on wooden ceilings (Alfarje).Muqarnas are the main elements for vaulting with stucco, and some of the most accomplished dome examples of this kind are in the Court of the Lions halls. The palace complex is designed in the Nasrid style, the last blooming of Islamic Art in the Iberian Peninsula, that had a great influence on the Maghreb to the present day, and on contemporary Mudejar Art, which is characteristic of western elements reinterpreted into Islamic forms and widely popular during the...