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Generalife, Granada

4.8
#1 of 557 in Parks in Andalucia
Must see · World heritage site · Garden · Historic Site
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Learn interesting details about the history and heritage of the city with a tour of Generalife, the summer palace and lush gardens of the Nasrid Emirs who once controlled this area. This expansive estate, built between 1302 and 1309, features one of the oldest surviving Moorish gardens in the country, positioned on a hill at the rear of the complex overlooking the famous Alhambra palace. Inside the gardens are colorful flower beds, exquisite architecture, cascading fountains, sparkling ponds, and cool shaded areas. A symbol of the city, this well-preserved estate is an important part of a protected World Heritage Site and one of the main attractions inside the vast complex. The grounds hold numerous secondary sights as well, many of them just little off the beaten path. Advance booking is advised, as access to various areas is strictly limited on a daily basis. Work out when and for how long to visit Generalife and other Granada attractions using our handy Granada trip itinerary builder website.
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Generalife reviews

TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
11,446 reviews
Google
4.8
TripAdvisor
  • So lovely walking through this palace and gardens. It has lovely views and many places to sit and relax. 
    So lovely walking through this palace and gardens. It has lovely views and many places to sit and relax.  more »
  • Beautiful garden with stunning views. Must buy a ticket in advance as this was very crowded even in March. 
    Beautiful garden with stunning views. Must buy a ticket in advance as this was very crowded even in March.  more »
  • Visited the Generalife, as part of Alhambra tour, the former summer palace and gardens are lovely, we were there in early March, so maybe gardens not as colourful, but not too busy and pleasant for... 
    Visited the Generalife, as part of Alhambra tour, the former summer palace and gardens are lovely, we were there in early March, so maybe gardens not as colourful, but not too busy and pleasant for...  more »
Google
  • Immense. I have no idea why the place I’d named Generalife. Sounds like a crackpot pill being sold my a Trump pilot fish on Fox News in America. I think it refers to the grounds of Alhambra. I enjoyed the grounds more than the castles and museums. I spend summers riding through Europe on motorcycles and I’ve overdosed on castles and museums. I love the traveling and the natural beauty. The grounds are pretty nice. Formal. It would be nicer if they would identify the more spectacular plantings. In Spanish, English, and the proper botanical Latin. When I see places like this I become uncomfortably and acutely aware that all great empires were built on slave labor. It all winds up in and as museums.
  • Generalife is a very beautifully designed and well maintained garden. You can see the ingenuity of the gardeners from the combination of various tall trees, bushes and flowers, among the fountains, ponds and small yards. Although it is always flooded with tourists and it can be really difficult to take good pictures, still it’s very worth the visit.
  • Light and airy and sitting on top of a hill, this beautiful palace has some of the most memorable gardens that I've seen anywhere. Elegantly understated, with simple but gorgeous water fountains and water running literally all over the place, this summer palace overlooks the older palaces of Alhambra, the Albaicin neighborhood and the valley beyond. The perspectives are to die for. No matter in which direction you look, there will be an infinite number of beautiful shots waiting for you. While the Nasrid Palaces will impress you with architecture, this palace's gardens are its main attraction. Choose a beautiful sunny day. Try to get there early in the morning - it opens at 8:30 - to avoid the huge crowds, especially during the summer.
  • Lovely gardens and summer place adjacent to the Alhambra Palace Complex. It is delightful in the autumn, when the weather is comfortably cool and there is fall foliage. Make sure to buy tickets in advance because they are usually sold out!
  • A beautiful castle with beautiful surroundings. This area will be very busy by the time you arrive here on your Alhambra visit. If you're lucky you'll have a few moments to yourself but you won't get photos clear of people unless you sprint here at opening time. Some of the best views of Granada are found from this area.

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