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Alhambra and Generalife, Granada

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Things to see in Granada

Tourist information: 

Oficina de Información Turística del Patronato Provincial
Plaza Mariana Pineda 10
Tel: 958 247 126.
www.turgranada.es

Passes: 

The Bono Turístico (City Pass) gives admission to several major sights, including the Alhambra, cathedral, Capilla Real and La Cartuja and San Jerónimo monasteries, plus ten rides on city buses, a 24-hour pass on the City Sightseeing Granada bus, and discounts at some hotels and restaurants. It's worth getting if you're going to stay in Granada a few days.

You can buy the Bono at the Alhambra and Capilla Real ticket offices, at Caja Granada bank, Plaza Isabel La Católica 6; by telephone (with credit card) on 902 100 095; or online at http://caja.caja-granada.es

Albaicín

The hill facing the Alhambra, which survived as a bustling Moorish quarter for several decades after the Christian reconquest of Granada in 1492, is a picturesque and atmospheric maze of narrow, twisting streets. You'll come upon quaint plazas, beautiful old cármenes (large houses with walled gardens), old churches (most of them former mosques), medieval walls and arches and fabulous views, especially from the Mirador San Nicolás viewpoint.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Albaicín, Granada, Spain
Alhambra

Overlooking the city of Granada, the Alhambra is the most important and most spectacular piece of Moorish architecture in Spain. The name means 'the red' in Arabic, and the building is so called because of the colour of the bricks forming the outer walls. It was begun in 1238 as both a palace and a fortress by Ibn Ahmar, founder of the Nasrid dynasty (who made Granada the capital of his Moorish kingdom), and it was subsequently elaborated upon by his successors until its completion in 1358.

Visitors can explore the Alcazaba, or citadel, which is the oldest remaining part of the complex, as well as the Alhambra Palace, containing the fabled Patio de los Leones (Court of the Lions), an alabaster basin supported by 12 white marble lions. The Generalife gardens, dotted with pools and fountains, are located on the neighbouring hill and were laid out in the 14th century.

Due to very high demand, visitors should book your Alhambra admission tickets at least one week in advance (tel: 902 888 001; www.alhambra-tickets.es). Allow three hours to tour the entire attraction.

 

Opening Times: Daily 0830-2000 (Mar-Oct); daily 0830-1800 (Nov-Feb).
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: Yes
Address: Real de la Alhambra, Granada, Spain
Telephone: 902 441 221.
Website: www.alhambra-patronato.es
Capilla Real (Royal Chapel) and Cathedral

The Capilla Real was commissioned by Granada's Christian conquerors, Fernando and Isabel, as their own burial place. Completed in 1521, it's a gorgeous gothic building, with the grand Cathedral, in combined gothic and Renaissance styles, next door.

Opening Times: Mon-Sat 1015-1330 and 1600-1930, Sun 1100-1330 and 1530-1930 (Mar-Aug); Mon-Sat 1015-1330 and 1600-1930, Sun 1100-1330 and 1530-1930 (Sept-Feb).
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Calle Oficios 3, Granada, Spain
Telephone: 958 229 239.
Huerta de San Vicente

The summer home of Granada's great, beloved and tragic writer Federico Garcia Lorca (author of the plays Blood Wedding, The House of Bernarda Alba and Barren) is preserved as it was in the days before he was arrested and assassinated in 1936 at the start of the Spanish Civil War. Exhibitions on Lorca's life and work are displayed.

Opening Times: Tues-Sun 1000-1430 (Jul-Aug); Tues-Sun 1000-1230 (Sept-Jun); Tues-Sun 1600-1830 (Oct-Mar); Tues-Sun 1700-1930 (Apr-Jun and Sept).
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: Yes
Unesco: No
Address: Calle Virgen Blanca, Granada, Spain
Telephone: 958 258 466.
Website: www.huertadesanvicente.com
La Cartuja Monastery

The sacristy and sanctuary in the monastery church here are a high point of ultra-effusive Spanish late baroque with their highly elaborate and colourful sculpture and design.

Opening Times: Mon-Sun 1000-1300 and 1500-1800 (winter); Mon-Sun 1000-1300 and 1600-2000 (summer).
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Paseo de la Cartuja, Granada, Spain
Telephone: 958 201 932.
Monastery of San Jerónimo

The church in this 16th century monastery is a riot of colourfully painted sculpture.

Opening Times: Mon-Sun 1000-1330 and 1600-1930 (summer); Mon-Sat 1000-1330 and 1500-1830 (winter).
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Calle Rector López Argüeta 9, Granada, Spain
Telephone: 958 279 337.
Parque de las Ciencias

Granada's most visited museum is this modern, interactive science park - genuinely fun for grown-ups as well as kids. Highlights include the Eureka Hall, where visitors can play with a gyroscope, and the epic Planetarium, which opens up the heavens. For younger visitors the key attraction is the Exploration Hall, with plenty of hands-on entertainment for those aged 3-7.

Opening Times: Tues-Sat 1000-1900, Sun 1000-1500.
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Avenida del Mediterráneo, Granada, Spain
Telephone: 958 131 900.
Website: www.parqueciencias.com
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