Alhambra

There are three sections to the citadel – the Alcazaba, which is the ruins of the fortress and barracks, the Nasrid palaces and the Generalife. The latter two are absolute musts. For the Nasrid palaces, if you follow the route, you’ll enter all the lavish rooms and courtyards, including the Mexuar and Palace of the Lions. The Palace of Comares, where you’ll find the Court of Myrtles and the Hall of the Ambassadors with its ornate wooden ceiling, is sublime. If you have time, make sure to check out the Partal Palace and the Palace of Charles V.

As one of Spain’s most important and popular attractions, tickets to the Alhambra are highly sought after, even in the high temperatures of summer. Often, you need to buy months in advance. By booking a skip-the-line guided tour, you can ensure access to this UNESCO World Heritage Site. As these tours are for small groups, you’ll enjoy a more intimate experience and get to find out all about the history of the citadel as you admire its magnificent décor. Another option is to visit in the evening, when the palaces and their rooms and illuminated.

Most guided tours are 3 hours long. If you enter the Nasrid palaces by yourself, you can stay as long as you want until closing time. You may want to spend a bit longer to wander around and savour the ambience, checking out the parador – a state-owned luxury hotel located in a former convent – or the Palace of Charles V. The landscaped gardens, where there’s a soothing soundtrack of irrigation channels, cooing doves and chirping parakeets, offer a shaded and secluded place to reflect on the beauty of the Alhambra.

The early morning, from opening time to 11.00 is the least busy time to enter the palaces. Because entrance is limited to a maximum of 300 visitors every 30 minutes, there will rarely be moments when its overcrowded. This maximum is usually reached between 11:00 and 16:00. You may even have the chance to take pics inside without anyone else appearing in them.

The Alhambra sits atop Sabika Hill, which rises some 100 metres above Granada old town. It’s a remarkably picturesque setting, with the – in winter snowcapped – Sierra Nevada in the distance. To best appreciate this view, cross the bridge over the River Darro to the Albaicin, a hilly district of whitewashed houses. It was here that the city’s Muslims lived, and many of their former homes, known as carmens, are still standing. But the Albaicin’s star attraction are its 10 viewpoints – Mirador de San Nicolas is the best known – offering panoramic views of the Alhambra. The best time to go is before sunset. It’ll be busy, but worth it to see the Alhambra illuminated as night falls.