Granada Things to Do Tips by easyoar

Climbing the Tower at the Alcazar THE ALHAMBRA: ALCAZAR Review

The best reason to go into the Alcazar is to climb the Tower as it gives very good views, and aslo gives you a better idea of the site of this Castle. There are normally around three flags flying on top of the Tower. From memory they are the Spanish flag, the Andalusian Flag and the flag for Granada.

This picture shows the view from the top of the tower. There are also very good views across into Granada Town too. although these are not shown here.

Address: Calle Real s/n

Directions: Tel. bookings: BBVA bank : 902 224 460 from Spain or through web site

Phone: 902 441 221

Website: http://www.alhambra-patronato.es

The Alcazar at the Alhambra THE ALHAMBRA: ALCAZAR Review

When you enter the Alhambra, your ticket will take you into to thre separate parts of the Alhambra. The Palace area is the bit everybody wants to see. The Generalife gardens are also very impressive. That leaves the Alcazar (meaning Castle in Spanish). This Alcazar is ruined, and is not really that exciting. Indeed a lot of guidebooks don't even seem to cover it. There seem to be a lot of foundations and a big tower that has seen better days. The attached picture shows this area for completeness sake.

Address: Calle Real s/n

Directions: Tel. bookings: BBVA bank : 902 224 460 from Spain or through web site

Phone: 902 441 221

Website: http://www.alhambra-patronato.es

The Palace of Carlos V THE ALHAMBRA: CARLOS V PALACE Review

The Palace of Carlos V is inside the Alhambra complex, and you can enter with your ticket that you purchased for the Alhambra.

It doesn't really fit in with the beauty of the Moorish built Alhambra, and I think most tourists don't bother to see inside. The central courtyard (shown here) was used for bullfighting once upon a time.

Address: Calle Real s/n

Directions: Tel. bookings: BBVA bank : 902 224 460 from Spain or through web site

Phone: 902 441 221

Website: http://www.alhambra-patronato.es

There is no conqueror... THE ALHAMBRA Review

There is no conqueror but God. The Moors were hugely religious, and decorated the walls with phrases from the Koran. This one says "Wa-la-ghaliba illa-Llah" which translates into "There is no conqueror but God".

This phrase was also the reponse used by one of the Moorish rulers when his people called him Mansur (meaning Victor).

When you are wandering around a strange place with strange writing on the walls, if you can understand some of what it says, it does help to make a place more interesting!

Address: Calle Real s/n

Directions: Tel. bookings: BBVA bank : 902 224 460 from Spain or through web site

Phone: 902 441 221

Website: http://www.alhambra-patronato.es

The Patio de Arrayanes - Alhambra THE ALHAMBRA: NASRID PALACES Review

This Patio is probably badly named, as most of it is actually a pool with a gargling fountain at one end. The Moors who built the Alhambra loved water and especially the sound of it, so this is a recurring theme all the way through the Alhambra.

The patio itself goes around the outside of the pool, and is bordered by myrtle hedges. The water helped to reflect light into the surrounding halls (the rooms in the Alhambra tend to be quite dark as they don't have too many windows).

Address: Calle Real s/n

Directions: Tel. bookings: BBVA bank : 902 224 460 from Spain or through web site

Phone: 902 441 221

Website: http://www.alhambra-patronato.es

Cactus Fruits (Indian Figs) in the Generalife THE ALHAMBRA: GENERALIFE GARDENS Review

If you look around in the Generalife Gardens, it is very likely that you will be able to see large cactus plants that are either flowering or carrying cactus fruits on. The common name for Cactus Fruits is Indian Figs. The fruits are very tasty, but very full of pips and some find them to be an acquired taste. Be careful how you handle them as the fruits are covered in tiny thorns and you really need a special picking device to pick them (or strong gloves). To eat them you peel off the skin (a bit like a potato) and eat what is left.

Address: Calle Real s/n

Directions: advanced booking is advised to prevent crowdings

Phone: + 34 958 227 525

Website: http://www.alhambra-patronato.es

Generalife gardens - Patio de la Acequia THE ALHAMBRA: GENERALIFE GARDENS Review

A short walk from the Alhambra palaces takes you into the Generalife Gardens. Again the interpretation of these gardens was to resemble as closely as possible paradise on earth (as paradise is explained in the Koran).

The gardens were originally started in the 13th century and have been modified several times in the interim period. It is in these gardens that Granadas annual music and dance festival takes place.

The Patio de la Acequia as shown in this picture is based on an oriental garden with a long thin central pool that has the obligatory fountains.

Your ticket for the Alhambra Palace will get you into the Generalife Garednes too.

Address: Calle Real s/n

Directions: advanced booking is advised to prevent crowdings

Phone: + 34 958 227 525

Website: http://www.alhambra-patronato.es

Patio de Los Leones THE ALHAMBRA: NASRID PALACES Review

This patio is in the heart of the harem (i.e. the part of the palace where the Sultan kept all of his wives). Whilst this is probably one of the most stunning parts of the whole Alhambra, I can't help but feel that it has been rather badly named. In case you can't speak Spanish, Patio de los Leones translates into "Patio of the Lions".

To my eye at any rate, I cannot see a single Lion. Instead I see a collection of small dogs reminiscent of Tintin's dog Snowy.

I suspect I'm not the only person to be disappointed by the distinct lack of Lion type attributes of the animals in the centre of the patio. Apparently the inscription on the bowl the Lions are holding up states that "How much fiercer they would look if they weren't so restrained by their respect for the sultan".

Perhaps the embarrassed architect added this afterwards when he saw how his Lions had come out, hoping this obvious kowtowing to the Sultan would cover for his distinct lack of animal realism...

Address: Calle Real s/n

Directions: Advanced booking is advised to prevent crowdings

Phone: + 34 958 227 525

Website: http://www.alhambra-patronato.es

Stunning views down to Granada THE ALHAMBRA: NASRID PALACES Review

The City of Granada is down below the Alhambra. As you come out of the Palace section of the Alhambra, look down over the wall to your left hand side. You will see a great view down onto the whitewashed houses with their red tiled roofs. Whitewashed walls and red tiled roofs are the standard building in Andalusia, and Granada is no exception to this rule!

Address: Calle Real s/n

Directions: advanced booking is advised to prevent crowdings

Phone: + 34 958 227 525

Website: http://www.alhambra-patronato.es

Intricate Moorish Stonework THE ALHAMBRA: NASRID PALACES Review

As well as using tiles to decorate their rooms in the Alhambra, the Moors also used highly intricate carved stone, some with geometrical patterns, and some with Koranic verses on. Even the Koranic verses appear to have been carved in such a way as to appear almost geometrical in design, so it can be seen that the Moors loved their decoration, their religion and their living space.

Address: Calle Real s/n

Directions: advanced booking is advised to prevent crowdings

Phone: + 34 958 227 525

Website: http://www.alhambra-patronato.es