Exploring Granada’s Generalife Alhambra

Overlooking Granada’s valleys and rivers, its history and its bustling cityscape is the serene Generalife. A short climb from the astounding Alhambra complex, the Generalife Palace and its vast gardens are a picture of tranquillity and its whitewashed simplicity stands in contrast to the decorated environs of the Nasrid Palaces below. However, the 13th-century summer retreat that offers glimpses into Moorish origins while showcasing its European flourishes and its many terraced gardens and orchards is a must-visit on your stop in Granada. Here is everything you need to know about Generalife Alhambra.

Generalife Alhambra - Things to know

Generalife Alhambra’s history

Generalife came up in the 13th century. It was built by Granada’s Nasrid rulers as a summer palace, private retreat, and farmhouse fit for the kings! Over the next couple of centuries, the sultans continued embellishing and remodelling, extending and adorning their cosy getaway. However, unlike the Alhambra complex below, very little from the Nasrid era remains today, although you can see snippets of ornate walls being rediscovered in modern times.

The elegant whitewash structure that stands today emerged after the Spanish Reconquest in the 15th century. Christian monarchs, who took over the site, reimagined Generalife. They began by adding an upper storey to the structure. With layers of whitewashed coatings, the original ornate patterns that carpeted the walls, much like the Nasrid Palaces below, were lost. The gardens too were dug up and replanted to take on a more European feel.

Recommended tickets to Royal Palace of Generalife Gardens

Generalife’s architecture

Sitting rather daintily on an uphill perch from Alhambra’s fortress complex, Generalife is everything you’d wish for in a summer palace. On a tour here, the main palace stands atop a terraced garden structure and is a whitewashed structure featuring a tiled roof and lines of open arches through which the sun pours in. As you meander through the area, you’ll catch glimpses of the Nasrid era, including a mirador (lookout) that is decorated in rich stucco. Several patios and salons showcase similar work and paint a picture of how Generalife looked during the Moorish era.

The upper pavilion of the palace was added in the late 15th century when the Christian monarchy made an emphatic return to Andalusia. Generalife achieved its breezy, whitewashed exterior in the years after the Reconquest and much of the gardens too were transformed.

In recent years, careful excavations and restoration have ensured that you see a mix of the Moorish and Spanish influences that have shaped Generalife through the centuries. While the pristine white structure looms over the gardens, you can turn a corner and discover intricate stucco work across patios and salons in the palace's interiors. The expansive gardens too pay ode to both histories and you’ll be able to weave your way through harmonious Persian gardens, Spanish pavilions, fountains, and meandering waterways.

Your Generalife tour deconstructed

Best time to visit Generalife Alhambra

Ideally, Generalife should be the last stop on your trip to Granada’s Alhambra. Since there are strict visiting schedules for the Nasrid Palaces, we recommend you wrap up those before heading up to the Generalife. Start your tour early and you should be able to make your way to Generalife in the later hours of the morning.

Alhambra and Generalife are Granada’s star attractions, so, book your tickets in advance and try to plan a visit on a weekday. The months between June and September are pleasant and the weather remains cool – making it ideal for a visit.

All you need to know before visiting Generalife Alhambra

Opening Hours

From April 1 to October 14

• Monday to Sunday: 8:30am to 8pm
• Ticket office: 8am to 8pm

From 15th October to 31st March

• Monday to Sunday: 8:30am to 6pm
• Ticket office: 8am to 6pm

Generalife Alhambra entrance

There are two main entrances to the vast Alhambra complex - the main pavilion entrance and the Gate of Justice. The first one is the closest to the Generalife Palace and has a ticket office. However, for pre-purchased tickets, you will have to make your way to the Gate of Justice to access the complex.

Generalife Alhambra directions

Generalife is best accessed through the Alhambra complex. The best ways to get to Alhambra are listed below:

• By Bus: Here is the list of buses that will take you to Alhambra:
  C30 (Alhambra – Centro)
  C32 (Alhambra – Albaicín)
  C35 (Cementerio - Barranco del Abogado – Centro). Get off at Paseo de la Sabica to access Alhambra.
  
• By Taxi: You can easily hail a taxi from Granada to Alhambra. Taxis are usually well-priced and won’t burn a hole in your pocket.
• By Car: Follow the directions to Alhambra after you take N-323/ A-44 to reach Ronda Sur (A-395). Do note, that private transport is not allowed up to the Alhambra from the city centre.

Generalife Alhambra map

Insider tips for your visit to Generalife Alhambra

• The Alhambra complex is Granada’s leading attraction and attracts millions of visitors each year. Tickets to the monument are limited, so, we recommend you book your tickets well in advance.
• Here on a weekend or during the tourist season? Queue up early in the morning to avoid large crowds.
• Make sure you have your ticket, with the bar code, on you at all times since you will have to produce it to gain entry into the various sections of the Alhambra complex, including, Generalife.
• Large bags, backpacks and even strollers are not allowed into Alhambra and Generalife. You can sign up for portable baby backpacks that help you get your kids around.
• Touching the monument walls and the plants that surround Generalife is frowned upon and evokes severe warnings.
• The Alhambra complex and Generalife are spread over an expansive area, wear comfortable shoes and carry sunscreen since you will spend quite a bit of time outdoors.

Ready to visit Granada?

The Alhambra complex

Located below Generalife, the Alhambra complex is the highlight of the Granada experience. Home to several spectacular monuments, Alhambra is a raised citadel that looms over Granada and traces its origins to the 13th century. Awe-struck visitors roam the vast grounds of the Alhambra discovering its various sites. These include the Alcazaba – the imposing fortress whose construction began in the 1200s when the Nasrid rulers first took over the city. The Nasrid Palaces are a series of ornate royal halls, mansions, and salons that are decorated with heavy stucco and showcase Moorish architecture. Alhambra is also home to the Charles V Palace which came up after the Catholic monarchy’s reconquest of Granada.

Granada Cathedral

Located in Granada’s main city area, the Granada Cathedral’s unassuming exterior façade opens up into over-the-top, heavily decorated interiors that are a blend of Gothic and Spanish Renaissance styles. The 16th-century church, built on the site of a mosque, mesmerises with its high domes painted in blue and covered in stars. Another highlight is the soaring naves that are marked by embellished pillars. At the Cathedral, you’ll also be surrounded by gilded work, paintings, sculptures, and colourful glasswork.

Granada Flamenco Show

Embrace the culture of Spain’s Andalusia by signing up for a flamenco show when you are in Granada. Head out for a show at the Palacio de los Olvidados – a historic structure that has been around since the Moorish era – and be prepared to be swept away by a spectacular showcase of dance and music.

Frequently asked questions