Alhambra Generalife Gardens Granada Spain
Strolling through the Alhambra Generalife Gardens can take your breath away! The word Generalife translates garden of paradise, orchard or garden of feasts in Spanish. It also means garden of the architect. True to its meaning every moment I spent there, feasting my eyes on the gorgeous blooms, I felt like I was in a paradise! Who built these gardens of Generalife?
Gardens of Generalife Spain
Generalife Garden History
History of Generalife Garden, Alhambra dates back to 12th century. Abu Abdullah Muhammad Ibn Yusuf Ibn Nasr also known as Ibn al-Aḥmar, the founder of the Nasrid Dynasty, took up residence here in 1238. Built between the 12th and 14th centuries, the Generalife was ideal for gardening.
The place was used as a place of rest for the Muslim royalty. It was designed as a rural villa in the vicinity of the Alhambra, with decorative garden, fruit and vegetable patches, courts and other structures.
Some restoration was done on Generalife’s new gardens. These new gardens, also known as Rose gardens were created between 1930 and 1931 by architect Leopoldo Torres Balbas.
Alhambra palaces and gardens
Tips for Alhambra Generalife Gardens Tour
Walking tour in Generalife Gardens can easily take 2 hours. Most important point to be kept in mind is your ticket timing. Check your Alhambra ticket timings; because nobody reminds you the expiry of ticket timings. The complex is huge, so make a route plan for the visits. For later timed entry to the Nasrid Palace, make the visit to Generalife early, else you may have to rush through.
Our time slot to Nasrid Palaces of Alhambra was at 7 PM, so we had ample time from 2 PM onward.
The Generalife Gardens
The area between Alhambra and Generalife too got a facelift. Lovely landscaped gardens. In 1931 a section resembling a labyrinth garden was created with arched rose gardens.
Alhambra Generalife Gardens
Alhambra Rose Gardens
Main Sights in Generalife Gardens
The main sights in Generalife Gardens are
- summer palace Emirs (Kings)
- the gardens
- Court of the Water Channel which has a long pool framed by flowerbeds, fountains, colonnades and pavilions
- and the Jardín de la Sultana (Sultana’s Garden)
Interestingly the entire layout is a typical example of Arab art and how their gardens used to be. Every corner of the gardens holds a novelty, soothing colors for the eyes.
The authorities gave a facelift to the gardens in the 1930s. These beautiful gardens which were once built by Kings for their recreation today provide the tourists an ambiance of intimacy and tranquility to relax and unwind. The name seems to come from the Arabic Yanat- al- Arif or Garden of the Architect. Its poetical-religious symbolism refers to God, Allah, as an architect, the creator of the universe.
Buildings of Generalife Gardens are quite solid, but simple in design. There are only some decorative motifs of plaster work, which are not very varied, but are exquisitely fine and tasteful.
Generalife gardens virtual tour – View of Granada city from the windows of the palace is mind blowing.
Generalife garden plan
Water Gardens
The cooling water gardens are gorgeous and relaxing. And there are those taps with cool drinking water at a couple of place. However it is advisable to carry your own water. I have seen other beautiful gardens in this world but definitely not something as BIG as this.
Court of the Water Channel in Generalife Gardens of Alhambra is a classic Moorish water feature. The Moorish Kings who lived here came from the North of Africa where water is a precious treasury. And that is probably the reason why water bodies are given so much importance.
Generalife fountains Alhambra
Gardens of Generalife
Generalife garden tour was like a dream. Walking along the Promenade of the Oleanders of Generalife Garden, a long path, covered with oleander is an unforgettable experience. It crosses the upper wall that separates the vegetable gardens and runs into the Promenade of the Cypress Trees.
Generalife Gardens images
In 1952, they built the outdoor amphitheater for the Granada International Festival of Music and Dance. This festival is held here regularly since then, it hosts every year some of the shows of the Music and Dance Festival. There is good seating arrangement. I am sure it must be very entertaining.
Amphitheatre in the Alhambra and the Generalife gardens
Generalife Gardens Tickets
- General admission (Alhambra included): 14 euros.
- Gardens only: 6 euros.
- Children under 12 years old and disabled: free.
- Over 65 years: 7 euros.
Generalife Garden Visiting Hours
- November-February: Monday-Sunday: 08:30-18:00 h.
- March-October: Monday-Sunday: 08:30 – 20:00 h.
FAQ about tour of Generalife Gardens
Where is Generalife Gardens located?
The gardens of Generalife is located on the hill Cerro del Sol, adjacent to the Alhambra.
Why are the gardens of Generalife important?
The Generalife gardens was a leisure place for the kings of Granada. It was here they spent time when away from the official affairs of the palace.
Is the Alhambra Generalife Gardens crowded?
Fortunately when I visited it was least crowded. Though there were many visitors most did not linger for long. The visitors did not stick around for long in one area.
Interested in more gardens?
Read here –> Mirabell Palace and Mirabell Gardens in Austria
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What a beautiful garden – I just love spending time in nature. I am surprised how long history this place has! I have just visited similar place in Costa Brava, I love that they keep the gardens public and everyone can come.
It certainly looks like a dream. Those water gardens are beautiful. Spain has so much beauty to offer. I would love to visit.
Oh, what beautiful gardens! I think I could easily spend more than two hours there. I think the water gardens are especially lovely.
This post brings back great memories. I visited the Alhambra in May 2011. I absolute adore this place. I love its moorish architecture, the Islamic writings on its walls, and roses! So many roses ? And the symmetry of the water garden is just sublime.
Wow, what a beautiful garden is Generalife Garden. I need to visit here everyday and not a tour. It’s my first time to see such a beautiful and big garden. Kudos to this who maintain it. It will also feel surreal Promenade of the Oleanders of Generalife Garden. There is beauty where we less expect……..
Gorgeous garden! I wonder how many round the clock gardeners they have to keep it in such pristine condition? And you are right, what a view!
Wow, that’s so beautiful there. I’d love to walk down that Cyprus promenade. I’ve only been to Barcelona in Spain. So far Alhambra and Granada have just been names I’ve heard here and there. It’s nice to learn a bit more about the history of them.
These perfectly manicured gardens look amazing! I especially love the Promenade of the Oleanders, how lovely to walk through that tunnel. Also, the water gardens look pretty nice. What a relaxing place to spend a few hours amidst lush green nature!
Alhambra in Grenada is one of my all time favourite spots in Spain. We spent so much time in the palace that we did not get to the Generalife and the gardens. I would have loved to see the gardens set out in geometric patterns and the water fountains. Thanks for this view of what I missed.
We did the Alhambra and Gardens in 2015. But I missed that Promenade of the Oleanders!!! How did I do that? And I didn’t take those views of Granada from the palace windows.
Wow these gardens look spectacular! I would spend waaaay more than 2 hrs there. It looks like a photog’s dream.
Vow! So beautiful.
Fantastic Pictures of gardens.. Great Photographs!
Looks like the place belonged to you. I can see very few people. When I went there, it was too crowded to get a decent shot.
Time to visit again? 😉
Very informative
Stunning captures,and the detailed discription of history behind it is appreciating.Beautiful lush green gardens very well maintained worth watching.
Beautiful picture gallery 🙂
Gorgeous pictures. Love reading the historical part:)
wow would love to see those gardens! I did a garden as well but compared to this?wow! lovely photos!
So well kept. The geometrical hedges look interesting.
And wow– what lovely views.
Beautiful indeed!
lovely lovely lovely, you've got some awesome favourites; have a good Thursday
much love…
Enjoyed reading the detailed account of the place! And the striking photos so compliment the write-up.
Wonderful captures of a beautiful garden.
Neat,very well composed images of the lovely garden!
Beautiful pictures and interesting information
nice to know so much about wonderful places
Beautiful garden and very well-maintained…. 🙂
Loved the virtual trip through the once royal garden of Alhambra. The historical backdrop makes the narration even more interesting Indrani.
Congratulations Indrani with you visit to the Generalife Garden in the Alhambra of Granada. We were there different times in the 80's and 90's, but the problem now that you have to reserved your tickets. Last thursday we flying back to Holland and stay her till the end of august. The temperatures are in the Netherlands better than in de South of Spain.
And her we have the grandchildren!!
Love and greetings Albert and Mara
Very beautiful !
Really wonderful captures, Indrani Ji . Your Historical posts are always a glimpse to learn something . Here your pictures are really incredible . the one in which trees are cut in design is very beautiful and unique .
Simply beautiful. Greenery always please our eyes and so do these wonderful views. 🙂
Wonderful gardens…i am sure after reading this post people would be better placed to manage their time and arrangements when in Granada.
The place looks so vivaciously beautiful.. thanks for sharing 🙂
A wonderful account of the place. Amazing captures.
Love your way of presentation.Stunning shots.Thanks for sharing.
Wow, those manicured hedges and carefully tended gardens are just beautiful. The vine covered walkway is like something from a fairy tale!
Amazing!
Looks Beautiful.
This garden is awesome!!!
Really wonderful captures, Indrani. I always love your historical account & other info regarding the place. Good job, as usual. 🙂
The gardens look stunning Indrani! And thanks for the detailed background to them 🙂
Ah, another beautiful place!! I do have lovely memories of Granada!! Thanks as always for sharing the beauty and the fun!! Hope your week is going well, Indrani!! Enjoy!!
Beautiful.
Very well maintained gardens!