The Generalife
Written by official guides
The Generalife was the summer palace and country estate of the Nasrid sultans, on the Cerro del Sol hill right next to the Alhambra. It is the part of the monumental complex devoted to gardens, with water as the central element of its design.
This article covers its history, its essential corners and how to buy tickets, including the option of visiting it without going through the Nasrid Palaces.
History of the Generalife
The Generalife was probably built during the reign of Muhammad II (1273 to 1302), although some sources place it in the early years of Muhammad III (1302 to 1309), who added the lookout of the north pavilion.
Ismail I remodelled and redecorated the complex in 1319, adding the decorative inscriptions that survive today. Later, Muhammad V (reigning between 1354 and 1391) carried out extension works, and Yusuf III (1408 to 1417) remodelled the southern areas in the 15th century.
After the Reconquest, the Catholic Monarchs added an upper floor to the north pavilion in 1494, and the Patio de la Sultana was completely redesigned in the 16th century. The most important 20th-century restorations were carried out between 1931 and 1951, directed by Leopoldo Torres Balbás and Francisco Prieto Moreno.
The Generalife was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984, together with the Alhambra.
What to see in the Generalife
The route combines courtyards of Nasrid tradition with gardens added in the Christian period and in the 20th century.
1. The Patio de la Acequia
The best-known space in the Generalife, with a central water channel running the length of the courtyard and fountains at both ends, among flowerbeds.
2. The Water Staircase
A staircase of several flights with water running down the stone handrails and small fountains on each landing, unique of its kind in Nasrid architecture.
3. The Patio de la Sultana
Located above the Patio de la Acequia, it was redesigned after the Nasrid period with pools, flowerbeds and garden walks.
4. The New Gardens
The landscaped terraces dating from the 20th century, the work of Francisco Prieto Moreno, which complete the route alongside the historic gardens.
Opening hours and tickets for the Generalife
The Generalife is visited with the General ticket to the Alhambra (€22.27), which also includes the Nasrid Palaces and the Alcazaba, or without the Nasrid Palaces with the Gardens, Generalife and Alcazaba ticket, which costs €12.73.
This second option includes, as well as the Generalife (Patio de la Acequia, Patio de la Sultana and Water Staircase), the Paseo de los Cipreses, the Secano, the Gardens of San Francisco, the Partal and the Alcazaba. It is the cheapest alternative for those who only want to see the gardens and cannot get, or do not need, a ticket to the Nasrid Palaces.
Opening hours are the same as for the rest of the complex: 8:30 to 18:00 from 15 October to 31 March, and 8:30 to 20:00 from 1 April to 14 October. There is also a Night Visit to the Gardens, for €8.48.
How to get to the Generalife
The Generalife is inside the Alhambra enclosure, at Calle Real de la Alhambra, s/n, in the highest part of the complex. It can be reached with the same city bus lines, the 30 and 32, from Plaza Isabel la Católica.
On foot you can climb the Cuesta de Gomérez from Plaza Nueva or the Cuesta de los Chinos from the Paseo de los Tristes, the route that historically connected the Albaicín with the Generalife.
The Gardens, Generalife and Alcazaba ticket is a good alternative when there are no tickets left with the Nasrid Palaces, but it is also best bought in advance at tickets.alhambra-patronato.es, because the capacity of the complex is limited and tickets sell out anyway in high season.
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