Alhambra & Generalife Gardens Visit, Granada

Enjoy a private tour of Granada's Alhambra and Generalife Gardens, the second-most visited monument in Spain. A professional guide will cater the tour to your personal interests and lead you through the complexes and the Nasrid Dynasty, steeped in thousands of years of history. As you walk through palaces, courtyards, halls, chapels, and gardens, your guide will explain how Granada, once the last bastion of Al-Andalus (the Iberian Peninsula under Muslim rule), maintained these landmarks throughout history, even when transitioning from the Moors to the Christians.

Explore one of the most popular sites in Spain—and one of the best-preserved palaces of the historic Islamic world—with the help of a private guide. You'll start by meeting your guide at the Alhambra's entrance, in front of the large mural map of the complex. You'll receive tickets for a specific entry time, so arriving at least 10 minutes early is best to avoid any issues. Once inside, you'll follow your guide and the footsteps of sultans and kings.

The Alhambra welcomes an average of 3 million visitors each year. It offers a look at hundreds of centuries of history, revealing what was then known as the "Red City," thanks to the vibrant color of the stones used in construction. Built atop a hill overlooking Granada, the fortress dates to the 9th century, though the Nasrid Dynasty rebuilt it in the 14th century. It was an essential Moorish palace until after the Christian reconquest when the Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabella took control. As a result, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a glimpse at royal life in its many forms.

Though you'll visit the entire complex, as a private experience, you can cater the tour to your personal interests. The Palacios Nazaries is a great starting point and where you'll find some of the monument's most recognizable architecture. The palaces you can see are the Palacio Real (Royal Palace), Palacio de Comares (Palace of Ceremonial Rooms), and Palacio de los Leones (Palace of the Lions, the Sultan's private quarters), each with a traditional courtyard. The oldest part of the palaces is the Mexuar, once used as a courtroom and then a chapel. 

Other important sites of the Alhambra include the Patio de los Arrayanes (Court of Myrtles), an incredible courtyard with a hedge-lined pond and fountains, and the Sala de los Embajadores (Hall of the Ambassadors). You'll also visit the stunning Sala de las dos Hermanas (Hall of the Two Sisters) with its Arab stalactitic vaulting, ornate tilework, and thousands of details hidden in the stucco. You might find this hall as equally fascinating as the ceiling in the Sala de los Abencerrajes.

Next, head to the Generalife Gardens, possibly the most photographed spot in Granada. You'll find that famous picture-perfect scene at the 13th-century Palacio del Generalife, the summer palace of Moorish kings, with its flower- and fountain-lined pond. You also can't miss the Patio de los Cipreses (Patio of the Cypresses) and Patio de la Acequia (Patio of the Irrigation Ditch) with their fragrant orange trees and rose garden.

As you walk and visit the complex's important rooms and structures, your guide will explain the history and divulge unique facts and anecdotes. After 2.5 hours, you'll leave with your guide and say farewell back at the entrance.