Palacio Nazarei - the Alhambra
The Alhambra was a major destination of the trip for us, and we devoted most of a full day to it. First you have to get there, which is a matter of climbing a rather steep hill (well, you could take a bus or cab if you wanted to). Then we spent more than three hours inside the walls. Finally, we walked back down the hill.
There are actually three separate parts to the Alhambra. The Palacio del Nazarei was where the princes lived. Every single square of surface inch is decorated with fine carvings and tiles.
When Washington Irving stayed there more than a hundred years ago, it was deserted except for a few nominal caretakers, and much neglected. Still, water was running on natural spring power just as it had when the system was first built hundreds of years before.
Just about every room has a burbling fountain in the center, from which water runs in little stone channels. In the summer, the palace must be delightfully cool. Outside the palace, there are beautiful reflecting pools and more fountains and more irrigation.
More Alhambra: Alcazar