Alhambra – Part II

The Generalife was constructed to be the recreation area of the Kings of Granada.  It includes the lower gardens, the Palace of the Generalife and the upper gardens.

The lower gardens.

Patio de la Acequia (Court of the Water Channel).

The cypress tree at Patio de la Sultana (Court of the Sultana).

Patio de la Sultana (Court of the Sultana) was a secret meeting place for the wife of the Sultan and her lover.

Palacio de Carlos V

The circular interior.

Other buildings in the Alhambra compound are the Church of Santa Maria and the baths of the Mosque.

Church of Santa Maria

Star-shaped skylights in the Mosque’s baths.

Alhambra – Part I

The Alhambra complex includes the Nasrid Palaces, the 13th century Alcazaba, Partal, Generalife and the Palacio Carlos V.

It was built when the Nasrid dynasty ruled Granada using modest materials of tiles, plaster and timber but with superb workmanship.

Tickets can be bought online and preferably so as there is a limited number on sale per day.  Ticket cost euro14.30 and can be collected at any La Caixa terminal(there is one opposite the Catedral along Gran Via) once you arrived in Granada.  Entrance is only allowed at 8.15am which is just enough time for a walk to the Nasrid palaces which opens at 8.30am.

The Nasrid Palaces is a construction of three palaces built in different periods – Mexuar Palace, Comares Palace and Palace of the Lions.

Mexuar-Oratory

Little archway leading out to the patio of the Comares Palace

Facade of the Comares Palace

Patio de Arrayanes (Court of Myrtle) where the hedges are lined with myrtles and a pond which captures the reflection of the palaces beautifully.

Honeycomb dome of the Sala de dos Hermanas (Hall of the Two Sisters)

Intricate carvings on the walls in the Sala Dos Hermanas.

Looking out at the Patio de los Leones (Court of the Lions).

Patio de los Leones.

Slender marble columns at Patio of the Leones.

Exterior of Sala de Abencerrajes (Hall of the Abencerrages) which is currently closed for upgrading works.

Palacio del Partal, the Alhambra’s oldest palace.

Five-arched portico of the Partal.

Alcazaba is one of the oldest parts in the Alhambra and the military area of the complex.

Plaza de las Armas.

Torre de la Vela (The Watch-Tower)

Hotel Santa Isabel la Real

A charming little restored house from the XVI century tucked away on the narrow cobbled streets of the Albaicin neighborhood, Santa Isabel welcomes travelers in quaint Andalusian style with helpful staff to boot.

The hotel entrance which is cut into the wall with just enough feet room for you to hop-on to make way for oncoming cars.  Yes, that’s how narrow the streets are!

Sign on the other side of the door warning the same.  No kidding!

Hotel Santa Isabel

Convento de Santa Isabel.

This is where the buses stop(where the white car is parked).  Get off here and walk back up the street.  The hotel is right next it though like us, you would probably miss it the first time due to its unassuming front. From the city centre you can take the red minibus line 31 along the Gran Via-Catedral to get here.  The red minibus 32 to Alhambra(takes about 20 minutes) stops here as well making it super convenient.

Check -in is at the small room right behind the pillar on the left.

Patio

Quaint lounge decors

On the upper level.

Super cosy and romantic room ambience.

Comes with a lounge.

Also a dining area.

Unique toiletries.

Buffet breakfast is included in the room rates.  Though the selection is not very wide their croissants are absolutely delicious – soft and fragrant.

I just love their croissants(the reason why there’s only one left on the tray!).

It is just ten minutes walking distance to the city centre(assuming you don’t get lost along the way!  Trust me, every street will look the same if you don’t pay attention) and about five minutes to Mirador San Nicolas.  Along the way you will see neighborhoods with white houses called Carmenes.

Some even with beautiful flower arrangements outside their windows.

Stunning sunset view of the Alhambra from Mirador San Nicolas.

So book early to avoid disappointment as it only has 11 rooms in total.  You will love it as we did.

Note: Inter-city bus tickets can be bought in the bus itself and comes in a booklet of 7 tickets for euro7 whereby euro2 is refundable when the card is returned at the end of your stay.