The Alcazaba is one of the oldest parts of the Alhambra! It was originally built as a military fortress and is an excellent example of Moorish architecture. Visitors are likely to marvel at its robust fortifications and towers. Speaking of towers, the Alcazaba offers some of the most stunning views of Granada below. This is especially true from the largest tower, the Torre de la Vela. In addition to views of Granada, visitors see far into the countryside and the Sierra Nevada mountains. It’s easy to imagine the military advantage this fortress provided back in its heyday.
The story of the Alcazaba
The story of the Alcazaba begins way back in medieval Spain; sometime around the 9th century. Granada was a budding hub then and the ruling Moors at the time recognized the need for protection. The Alcazaba was born, perched high on the hilltop where you could see enemies coming from miles away. In the 13th century, the Nasrid king decided to further fortify the Alcazaba by adding its iconic walls and towers. Inside the walls, a mini-city was buzzing with life and inhabited by soldiers, officers, and civilians. When the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, captured the city in 1492, they laid claim to the Alcazaba too. The Alcazaba is repurposed over the subsequent centuries and was looking pretty rough by the 19th century. However, it experienced a revival as people recognized its historic and cultural value.
Photo Above: The view looking back at where we entered into the Alcazaba.
Photo Above: The view when entering the Alcazaba and walking toward the Torre de la Vela (large tower in the background).
Experiencing the Alcazaba
As we walked up to the Alcazaba, it was again hard to believe we were in Spain, as the Moorish architecture transported me somewhere else. Maybe it was that we had traveled back to medieval Spain. The entirety of the Alhambra left me awestruck, and this section was no exception. We visited this section after we toured the Nasrid Palaces, the Palace of Charles V, and the Alhambra museums. It was a bit of a workout seeing everything. And we did lose some of our crew before the final ascent up to Torre de la Vela at the Alcazaba. Which was fine, because they found a perfect bench to sit on below while the rest of us huffed and puffed our way up the stairs just like soldiers have done for centuries. It was all worth it when we reached the top and were rewarded. The view was fantastic!
Taking in the breathtaking views
The tower truly offers panoramic views in all directions. So even though there isn’t much else to do on the tower, it is a good place to spend some time catching your breath and soaking up the Birdseye view of Granada and the surrounding areas. The photos are just a snapshot, literally. In real life, you are seeing miles and miles of views in every direction.
Photo Above: View from the first lookout point in the Alcazaba, which looks down over the side of the Alhambra.
Photo Above: View of Granada from the Torre de la Vela.
Zooming in for a closer look
We saw our apartment from the Torre de la Vela. This made sense since the apartment had great views of the Alcazaba, in particular. When we looked out our windows, we could see the groups of people on top of the tower peering down. I thought it was helpful to zoom in and look around Granada, to get a sense of where everything was located. The view provided us the ultimate map. When you are down in Granada navigating the narrow streets, going this way and that way, it can be difficult to get a sense of where you are going, or where you have been. From the Alcazaba however, you see all the landmarks in relation to each other and suddenly get a better understanding of the town’s layout.
While looking around and down is rewarding, the skies up here were also beautiful, don’t you think?
Planning Your Visit
Alhambra official website:
Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife (alhambra-patronato.es)
Opening hours and prices:
Opening hours and prices – Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife (alhambra-patronato.es)
Online Official Tickets:
Home – Tickets Alhambra Patronato (alhambra-patronato.es)
Important information about your ticket:
- You must present your official ID card or passport at the entrance to enter the monumental complex.
- Punctuality is very important for accessing the Nasrid Palaces!
- Carry the QR code for your ticket in physical or digital format.
Interactive Alhambra Map:
Helpful tips to know in advance of your visit:
Helpful tips – Tickets Alhambra Patronato (alhambra-patronato.es)
Information on official App and Audioguides:
Audioguides – Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife (alhambra-patronato.es)
Getting around Granada and Alhambra:
Our family purchased the 10 EUR Travel Card on board a bus, and shared the card during our visit. Rides were discounted at the time to .42 to .44 cents using this card, compared with 1.40 EUR for a single ride ticket. We paid 2 EUR for the initial card, plus the value. Then you can top it off as needed. More information on the Granada tourist buses which provide transportation to all the tourist sites is available from here.
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