We’re still in my favourite city in the world and one of its most iconic and recognised buildings is The Alhambra.

The Alhambra which is Arabic for ‘the red one’ is a palace and fortress located in Granada. It’s unmissable located high up on a hill overlooking the city and particularly beautiful at night when uplighting makes it look majestic.

The Alhambra has quite the complicated history and originally built for the Nasrid Dynasty, the last Moorish and Muslim dynasty in Spain. And it’s Arabic, Muslim roots really show through in the architecture, mosaics, fountains and it was even  reflected in the archways.

I remember just before I departed for Granada that my friend KB gave me advice that I originally laughed at:

Be prepared. You’re going to take a lot of pictures.

And I scoffed “I’m no tourist”.

Wrong.

I took hundreds of photos, even some of door archways that nobody but me will ever understand.

No words will really do it justice (neither will my 100 pictures) the place was just stunning, stunning, stunning, stunning.

Do yourself a favour:

• Book before you go.
• Book the early spot, 8:00 – 14:00.
  Watching the sun rise over The Alhambra is a magical experience AND you avoid the hundreds of tour buses with annoying tourists wearing money belts (this is a shout out to my travel partner who wore a money belt once on our trip, until I made so much fun of her that I’m certain she either threw it out of a plane or burnt it in the ‘spa-game’ in Korea)
•  Load up your camera, film, whatever you need to capture this place.
  KB was right, you will need it.
• Wear comfortable clothes that aren’t too bulky when you get warm from walking around. It’s high up so it’s chilly but it also gets the sun quite well which means it can get a bit sweaty.
• Pack some lunch. I had to take a pit-stop down the mountain and back up again to get dry socks (stupid boots) and sustenance.
• Don’t miss The Good Life gardens, they’re breathtaking and one of the best things up there. Thanks for the hot tip Mike.
• Don’t take any headphones or listening devices. Listen to the sound of the thousands of tourist and the water. Did you know that water back in those days was seen as a sign of wealth?
• Walk up the hill, don’t take the bus.
  You’ll burn off your lunch and you’ll very quickly feel your lungs and heart.
• Avoid the gypsies handing out Rosemary – they’re dodgy.

And if you go and you love it, you’ll have to share your pictures with me.

For more proof that I took over 100 pictures of The Alhambra you can view a full album on Facebook.