Alhambra

Muhammad I Ibn al-Ahmar, founder of the Nasrid dynasty, began the Alhambra in 1238 on a hill that had been fortified before. The complex remained the royal residence of the last Muslim state in Spain until 1492, when the Catholic Monarchs took it over without attacking the palace. Covering about 142,000 square metres, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1984, together with the Generalife and the Albaicín quarter.

The heart of the visit is the Nasrid Palaces, which reached their peak in the 14th century: the Court of the Myrtles with its long reflecting pool, the Hall of the Ambassadors, the largest room of the palaces, and the Court of the Lions with its fountain of twelve stone lions. Ceilings of muqarnas, honeycomb vaults that look like stalactites, crown several halls. Around them lie the Alcazaba fortress, the Renaissance Palace of Charles V with its circular courtyard, and the gardens and summer palace of the Generalife.

Entry to the Nasrid Palaces is limited and tied to a fixed time, and not every ticket includes them. On Tiqets you can choose an entry ticket with an audio guide, skip-the-line tickets and guided tours with or without the Nasrid Palaces, small-group and private tours, or a ticket for the Generalife gardens only. Check that the Nasrid Palaces are included if you want to see the courtyards above.

Book weeks ahead for spring, summer and holidays, as tickets sell out. Arrive in good time for your Nasrid Palaces slot, because late entry is not possible, and plan at least half a day for the whole complex.