We had always wanted to visit the Alhambra, but timing had never worked out on our previous visits here. The Alhambra is a magnificent palace and fortress complex in Granada, renowned for its stunning Moorish architecture and beautiful gardens. It served as the royal court of the Nasrid dynasty—the last Muslim rulers in Spain—during the 12th and 13th centuries.
The complex includes several iconic areas such as the Nasrid Palaces, the Alcazaba fortress, and the Generalife summer palace. After their victory in 1492, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella took possession of the Alhambra, establishing it as their royal residence. Today, it stands as one of Spain’s most visited monuments and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
We booked a private tour through Spain Day Tours, a very reputable company we’ve used in the past. Our driver, Pedro, met us right outside the cruise terminal at 8:30 a.m., and we enjoyed a scenic 90-minute drive to Granada. Upon arrival, our guide, Tomas, was waiting for us at the entrance to the Alhambra. He expertly led us through the expansive grounds while Pedro waited nearby. The gardens, palaces, and fortress were absolutely breathtaking! All of the water features, which flow throughout the grounds and inside the palaces, are gravity flowed, as they were when originally constructed, AMAZING!
