Upon entering the grounds you there is a choice to be made between entering the impressive gardens known as the generalife or the walled off Alhambra complex. After the crossing the bridge to the Alhambra there is a several hundred meter walk through yet more impressive gardens before encountering the area containing the main buildings. The bathhouse is near where the mosque used to be and the roof has these attractive skylights.

I thought that these carvings were impressive but this was before I had entered the actual palace. This structure is opposite the bath house so for the visitor it only acts as an introduction to the splendours to be seen later.

Just a few steps on from the bath house, this huge renaissance palace begun in 1527 but never completed, is next on the visitor's itinerary. The building is square but the courtyard is two tiered and circular. The building also acts as a museum. In any other location this building might be more appreciated.

This name is actually a Christian corruption of the name as alcohol is strictly forbidden in Islamic culture. The gate forms part of an inner wall between the citadel and the palace area. Through the gate it is possible to see part of the Palacio de Carlos V.

From the Alcazaba or the citadel can be viewed the town walls and cave dwellings set on the slopes.

Within the citadel can be seen this formation which I am guessing are the foundations of what looks like a complex of rooms. I couldn't find any explanation of what I was looking at and nor was it mentioned in the guide books that I had.

This protruding tower gives spectacular views over the town and towards the distant mountains.

The Watch Tower, with a winding staircase up to its top terrace gives splendid views. The cross and banners of the Reconquista were raised here in January 1492.

In the background can be seen the snow topped mountain range of the Sierra Nevada.

The muqarnas or stalactite/honeycomb vaulting in the Palacio Nazaries. This was primarily for the ruling emir, and in here some of the most brilliant Islamic structures in Europe can be seen. These are an example of ceiling which is common in the palace.

Built for the Emir Yusuf I, this section of the Palacio Nazaries served as a private residence for the ruler.

This is built around the lovely Patio de los Arraynes with its rectangular pool. In English, this is the Patio of the Myrtles, It has received different names and its current name is due to the bright green myrtle bushes that surround the central pond.

The Palace of the Lions was built between 1362 and 1391. A marble fountain channels water through the mouths of 12 marble lions and symbolises paradise, which is divided into four parts by rivers (represented by water channels meeting at the fountain).

The riverside area which this road runs along is a location that has been captured many times by artists. In this, the bridge of El Cadi can be seen and once linked the Alhambra to the Albaicin, the old quarter.

Across the valley from the Alhambra is the old Muslim quarter. Today it is a charming area with narrow streets but at night it is advised to keep to the main roads. Any visit to this area should have the Mirador San Nicolas as its goal as this area offers a welcome break for weary legs and great views of the Alhambra and Sierra Nevada.

Another view across the valley capturing part of the Alhambra and the snow topped Sierra Nevada.

On this day, Europe wide protests were taking place about the unstainable way that humans are living. I think. What was more interesting though was seeing a load of naked people cycling along a busy road and then coming to a stop at some traffic lights. This made it a lot easier to get photographs of the whole occasion because after all, how often can you witness a worldwide movement? Who cares about the Alhambra anyway? It was nice to see such well trimmed gardens but come on guys, on this special day couldn't you have made a similar effort?