Palaces and Areas of the Alhambra with Free Access, Without a Ticket


☞ If you want to enjoy a special day in the Alhambra, you can reserve a guided tour:
☆ Alhambra Guided Tour: discover the wonders of the Alhambra with this tour that includes everything: the Nasrid Palaces, the Generalife, the Alcazaba, etc.
☆ Albaicin and Sacromonte Guided Tour: discover this old arab quarter of Granada with this guided tour.
☆ Alhambra Guided Tour: discover the wonders of the Alhambra with this tour that includes everything: the Nasrid Palaces, the Generalife, the Alcazaba, etc.
☆ Albaicin and Sacromonte Guided Tour: discover this old arab quarter of Granada with this guided tour.
To visit the Nasrid palaces (the most beautiful and famous part), the Alcazaba (military buildings and towers) and the Generalife (palaces and gardens) you need to buy a ticket.

In this section, you can learn about what to see in the Alhambra for free.
And don't underestimate it because it's free, there are very interesting places to be discovered. Find out where.
If you you'd like to see all main areas: the Nasrid Palaces, Alcazaba and Generalife and
not miss a detail, you can choose a Alhambra Guided Tour.
You can explore the surroundings and see the Alhambra from a new perspective with the Open Air Tour, this guided tour includes free areas of the Alhambra.
You can explore the surroundings and see the Alhambra from a new perspective with the Open Air Tour, this guided tour includes free areas of the Alhambra.
The Pomegranates Gate
If you walk from Plaza Nueva to Cuesta Gomérez you will find the impressive Puerta de las Granadas (Gate of the Pomegranates). This beautifully preserved medieval gate is the main access to the forest of the Alhambra.
The pomegranate, the symbol of Granada, is represented in carvings in this gate, hence its name.
Right on the center you can see the Imperial coat of arms of Emperor Charles V, which is crowned by three grenades.
The gate consists of three arches: a central one for the cavalries; and two lateral ones for people.
The Alhambra Forest

From here three paths will lead you into the complex; the lateral ones are only for pedestrians.
They were designed in 1729, although its current configuration dates back to the 19th century.
Now we are in the old forest that extends throughout the Sabika hill. Right on the top of this hill the Alhambra was built.

This cool and peaceful place still retains its beauty thanks to the variety of species: mainly, chestnuts, poplars, elms and laurels.
The Fountain of the Gate of the Pomegranates (17th century) and the cross of the gunner Leandro de Palencia (photo), a former blacksmith of the Alhambra, welcome the visitor.
This fountain was built to replace an older one, the same as the Gate.
The Fountain of Charles V

In this monumental fountain we can see three big spouts representing the three rivers of Granada: Beyro, Darro and Genil.
Take your time and admire every detail of this marvelous work of art. Once again, right at the top of the fountain, we will find the imperial coat of arms of Charles V.
The Gate of Justice

This is one of the four outer gates that grant access to the walled complex of the Alhambra, and certainly the most impressive and renowned one. It was built in 1348, during the reign of Yusuf I.
It has two arches, in the outer one you will see a hand carved in stone.

In the center of the inner arch, you will see a key, which is believed to represent the power that God granted to the Prophet Mohammed to open and close the doors of Heaven.
We cross this wonderful gate that grants access to the medieval city of the Alhambra.
The Plaza de Los Aljibes

Today it looks very different from the original square. In the Nasrid period there used to be a significant difference in height here, so the new inhabitants of the Alhambra took advantage of it building a large tank for storing water in 1494.
This is called aljibe, hence the name of the place.

With the construction of the Palace of Charles V (photo) this area was expanded and a piece of the southern wall was demolished.
Currently, this square is the point of entry to the Alcazaba and Torre de la Vela (literally Candle Tower).
It could be a good place to stop and take a break in your visit. Enjoy the beautiful views of the Albaycín.
The Gate of Wine

You will notice that, unlike the outer gates, this is not built in a L-shaped pattern and it grants direct access to the artisans and workers district.
However, there are benches inside for the guards that controlled the passage.
This gate is one of the oldest buildings in the Alhambra, since it dates back to the reign of Muhammad III (1302-1309). However, the facades belong to a different time.
☞ If you want to enjoy a special visit these guided tours offer unique opportunity to discover Granada.
☆ Alhambra + Albaicín + Sacromonte Tour: a combination of the complete tour of the Alhambra (Palaces, Alcazaba, Generalife) + the Albaicín + the Sacromonte.
☆ Albaicin and Sacromonte Guided Tour: discover this old arab quarter of Granada with this guided tour.
☆ Alhambra + Albaicín + Sacromonte Tour: a combination of the complete tour of the Alhambra (Palaces, Alcazaba, Generalife) + the Albaicín + the Sacromonte.
☆ Albaicin and Sacromonte Guided Tour: discover this old arab quarter of Granada with this guided tour.
The Palace of Charles V and Museums

This exceptional building can be visited free of charge and you will find here two museums:
- the amazing Museum of the Alhambra (photo) and
- the Museum of Fine Arts (this one is free only for EU citizens).
Church of Santa María de La Encarnación
You could spend here the rest of the day, but if you wish to continue exploring the treasures of the Alhambra, we recommend you to follow the street on the right side of the palace, the Calle Real (Royal Street) and visit the Church of Santa María de La Encarnación (photo).
The image of Saint Mary of the Alhambra (by Torcuato Ruiz del Peral in 1750 – 1760) is venerated here and taken to Granada every Easter in a very popular procession (photo bellow next to the Gate of Bib-Rambla).
You do not need a ticket to visit this church.
The Saint Francis Convent, Paradores Hotel
If you continue walking this road you will reach the old Saint Francis Convent, turned into a luxury hotel today (National Heritage Paradores group, photo).
In this convent, Queen Isabella was buried while the Royal Chapel (current burial place) was built.
Its main highlights: the viewpoint that remains from the Nasrid palace and the old chapel, where the Queen was buried.
Angel Barrios Museum and The Gate of the Carriages

This interesting building is located where the Bath of the Great Mosque of the Alhambra once stood. You can see the remains of it and a Nasrid house.
The Barrios family lived here and run a tavern called "El Polinario", which was the artistic name of the father.

We keep walking, now turning left and down to the forest. We will pass through the Gate of the Carriages (photo).
This gate was open in the wall between 1526 and 1536 with the sole purpose of facilitating the passage for the construction works in the Palace of Charles V.
The Cuesta de Gomérez and Gate of Bib-Rambla

Here you will find the Monument to Ángel Ganivet, a writer and diplomat from Granada, a key figure in the Generation of 98.
If you walk further down you will find the marvelous Gate of Bib-Rambla (photo) from the Muslim-medieval era.
Originally it was located in the center of the Nasrid city, in the wall surrounding the medina.

Although it was considered a National Monument, it was dismantled in 1894 and moved piece by piece first to the Archaeological Museum, and then here in 1933.
It was also known as the Arch of the Ears and Hands because the ears and hands of convicted offenders were exhibited here.
Carmen de los Mártires
Turning left on this road, we will arrive at the Manuel de Falla Auditorium and the beautiful Carmen de los Mártires (photo).
Today it is a perfect example of the 19th century carmen from Granada, and its beautiful gardens offer amazing views of Granada.
The entrance to the Carmen de los Mártires is free.
Nearby, the Alhambra Palace Hotel has a terrace with panoramic views over the Realejo quarter. This is a great place to enjoy a magical sunset over Granada.
The Crimson Towers

These watchtowers were built in the 11th century on an earlier fortification to reinforce the walls.
It is believed that the three remaining towers were part of a group that belonged to the first Alcazaba of the Alhambra.
They were located in this strategic point to watch over the Vega of Granada. It was connected with the Alcazaba through a wall.
To see the rest of the Alhambra you have to buy a ticket.
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Page Updated: Aug 19, 2021
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