9The Alhambra, Generalife, and Albayzín (Granada)
Few places capture Spain’s blend of cultures as vividly as Granada’s Alhambra. This Moorish palace complex, with its intricate stucco, serene courtyards, and stunning views of the Sierra Nevada, epitomizes Islamic art at its peak.
The adjacent Generalife gardens offer a peaceful retreat with fountains and flower-lined pathways, once used as a summer palace by Nasrid rulers. Just across the valley, the Albayzín neighborhood—with its maze of narrow streets and whitewashed houses—completes the picture of Granada’s layered past. The Alhambra’s beauty and symbolism make it not just a heritage site but a cultural icon.
