“Every inquisitive traveller keeps Granada in his heart, without having even visited it.” William Shakespeare

La Alhambra and generalife Tour

The best-preserved medieval Islamic fortress, hiding a charming palace and dreamy gardens. Layers of history and stories for every taste. An absolute must-see in Spain. It was the first Spanish monument to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984.

Between the 13th and 15th centuries, and for 260 years, Granada was the capital of the last Muslim kingdom on the peninsula, ruled by the Nasrid Dynasty. The Alhambra, also known as “the red one“, was built on the Sabika hill and can be seen from all over the city. It was used as a stronghold for the rulers of the region. However, the Alhambra was also chosen as a symbol of Christian victory from the year 1492, the date on which the Catholic Monarchs managed to take this city from the hands of their last Muslim monarch, Boabdil. Since then, the Alhambra has changed a lot, especially with the building of the Palace of Carlos V, which you can still see today. This means that the place is a mixture of different artistic styles and cultures.

During our visit, you will be amazed by the beautiful Nasrid palaces, where nature is fully integrated into the architecture. You will explore how light can transform spaces, making them magical and mysterious. You will be able to discover how the writings on the walls of the palaces often describe the Alhambra itself.

The beautiful gardens and greenhouses of the Yannat al Arif or Generalife will show you the importance of water, which represents cleanliness, purity and spiritual wealth. Last but not least,  the views of the Albayzín neighbourhood, the fertile Granada plain and the snow on the Sierra Nevada peaks are simply breathtaking.

“I do not know what to call this land upon which I stand. If what is beneath my feet is paradise, then what is the Alhambra? Heaven?” –Lope de Vega

Albayzín and Sacromonte tour

The Albayzín, a UNESCO World Heritage neighbourhood since 1994, is the old Muslim quarter of Granada. It is located on the north hill of the Alhambra. It was founded in the 11th century by the Ziríes, the first Muslim dynasty in Granada. However, over time, and already in the Nasrid period, it had to expand to accommodate the Muslims who had fled from Christian areas.

If two neighbourhoods define Granada, they are the Albayzín and the Sacromonte. As you stroll through the area, you will discover the labyrinthine urban layout typical of Arab cities. Through the architecture, you will gain an insight into the lifestyle and customs of those who lived there. You will learn about Los Carmenes, the system of ditches and cisterns that provided the neighbourhood with its most precious resource: water. The evolution of the city since 1492 includes various transformations carried out by the Christians. For example, churches that were once mosques and elegant Gothic or Renaissance houses that were built on the sites of the Muslims’ discreet courtyard houses.

Sacromonte is a neighbourhood where the gypsies settled in the 15th century, in cave houses, used to this day. Walk along its steep trails, you will also learn about the origins of this ethnic group and its contribution to flamenco. This musical genre has been declared an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO. In Sacromonte, there are many impressive views from its hidden viewpoints. This visit is undoubtedly a journey back in time, offering the chance to discover narrow streets and beautiful corners that are difficult to find in other European cities because Granada is special!

Essential Granada tour

Granada is a diverse and dynamic city, the result of an intense history that has left its mark on it until today. The intense history of Granada is the reason why, on this visit, we will take a general tour of the most outstanding places in the historic centre, without forgetting those that tend to be outside the conventional itineraries.

The city centre was the area that changed the most after the Christian conquest. This is why it is full of art and a combination of styles. In short, it is the result of the evolution from the Muslim to the Christian world. During the tour, we will see the imposing cathedral, the second-largest in Spain, and the Royal Chapel, where the Catholic Monarchs wanted to be buried. Alongside these two examples of Christian art, we will visit the Alcaicería, the old Muslim silk and spice market, and the Madrasa, a school for the study of Arabic and the first public university on the Iberian Peninsula. As we walk, we will also discover majestic plazas such as the Bib-Rambla and the Plaza Nueva.

The Garnata Al Yahud was the Jewish quarter of medieval Granada. This area is nowadays known as the Realejo neighbourhood. Exploring those lesser-known areas will open the door to learn about their history and evolution. We will also explore the important role the Jewish medieval population played in Granada, where they held unusual levels of power at the time.