Castles · Tour

Private Alhambra Starting at the Generalife Gate, Throne Room Included

The Alhambra rewards being taken slowly, and a private guide is the only way to do that here. Around three hours, one group, and no pace set by anyone else. The point of the extra time is not more rooms. It is understanding what the place was for. The Alhambra was the seat of the kingdom of Granada, and every part of the hill had a job: the Generalife was where the sultan went to be off duty, among gardens and orchards; the Alcazaba was the military quarter, and still gives the best view over the city; the Nasrid Palaces were the administration, the courts and the private apartments of the ruling family. The Throne Room is where royal receptions were held, and on a private visit there is time to stand in it long enough to notice what it was designed to do to whoever was summoned there. Tickets are included, so the timed entry to the palaces is already arranged. The meeting point is up at the Generalife entrance, which is a 15-minute walk uphill from the city, a short taxi ride, or two bus lines.