The Mighty Alhambra Palace and Gardens
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Port
Motril (Granada), Spain
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Activity Level
Strenuous Activity
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$200
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 5 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Please Note: Tickets for this tour are on a request basis. Bookings will initially be waitlisted until the ticket for the Alhambra entrance can be confirmed, at which point you will receive a notification. Alhambra tickets are personalized and sold ahead of time; therefore, your passport information must be on file in your cruise booking when waitlisting for this tour. You will need to bring the same passport on tour for entry to the Alhambra. Waitlisted bookings not associated with passport information will not be confirmed into an actual booking.
Rising above the modern lower town, the Alhambra and the Albaycín, situated on two adjacent hills, form the medieval part of Granada. To the east of the Alhambra fortress and residence are the magnificent gardens of the Generalife, the former rural residence of the emirs who ruled this part of Spain in the 13th and 14th centuries. The residential district of the Albaycín is a rich repository of Moorish vernacular architecture, into which the traditional Andalusian architecture blends harmoniously.
Granada lies in the shadow of the Sierra Nevada mountain range and holds the secrets of ancient Moorish Andalusia. The city rose to fame when the Moors transferred to this charming locale the seat of their diminishing empire.
Granada's most famous landmark, by far, is the Alhambra palace -- a spectacular complex of buildings, courtyards and cupolas that represent the zenith of Moorish architecture. Hear the fairytale of A Thousand & One Nights and admire the last capital of the Moors -- so impressive that the even the Catholic conquerors could not bear to destroy it. Your tour will take you inside the Alqala hamra (Alhambra) meaning 'the red castle'. You'll visit the section known as the Nazaries Palace, with intricately-carved stucco walls, knotted ceilings, elaborate honeycomb vaulting, and beautiful courtyards. You can also step inside the Serallo -- official residence of the Sultan -- and the harem which surrounds the famous Patio de los Leones with its fountains feeding water through the mouths of 12 lions. There are many other wonderful sights within the fortress.
Continuing with the tour you will stroll among the Generalife -- a garden residence that was built as a summer paradise for the Sultans. Its lovely terraces, grottoes, flowerbeds and fabulous fountains bring to life the glamor of the Moorish inhabitants. Look up and marvel at the splendid view of the "original" Sierra Nevada.
Please note this venue has strict guidelines that we must adhere to. You must submit your passport information as soon as you book this tour; bookings not associated with a passport number are not accepted. The same passport is required for entry into the Alhambra. Bring your passport on tour; a hard photocopy or a digital copy on your mobile device are not acceptable.
As non-refundable entrance fees are included in this excursion price, and it is necessary to pay in advance, no refund will be offered, and full charges will be made should you cancel your tour. The same will apply to waitlisted reservations, once transferred to an actual booking, cancellation charges will apply.
Considerable walking is required over uneven surfaces with about 150 steps to negotiate throughout the Alhambra. The Alhambra is not wheelchair accessible. Wear comfortable walking shoes.