Palace of Charles V (Palacio de Carlos V)
Celle Real de la Alhambra, Granada, ESP
During a visit to Granada in 1526, King Charles V (Carlos V) chose the Alhambra as the site of his future royal residence. The Palace of Charles V (Palacio de Caros V) stands in stark contrast to the style of the surrounding Moorish Alhambra. It is notable for its 2-level columned circular courtyard and surrounding square structure.
The Palace of Carlos V is home to two notable Granada museums: the Museum of the Alhambra (Museo de la Alhambra) and the Fine Arts Museum (Museo Bellas Artes). Both charge an entrance fee for non-European visitors, but the palace itself is free to enter from the Puerta de la Justicia to the south of the Alhambra. Many guided tours of the Alhambra and Generalife Gardens, including those with skip-the-line access, include a visit to the Charles V Palace, where you can learn more about the eccentric monarch.
The Palace of Charles V is worth a visit for history and architecture buffs, as well as first-time visitors in Granada.
Maximize your time at the palace and surrounding Alhambra with a skip-the-line tour.
The palace isn’t wheelchair accessible; there are steps and steel slopes.
Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking over uneven surfaces.
The Palace of Carlos V is located in the historic city center of Granada within easy walking distance of many nearby attractions. Many guided tours of the Alhambra that also include the palace offer round-trip transportation from Granada hotels.
The Palace of Charles V is open daily throughout the year; its hours are similar to those at the Alhambra. If you visit in summer, come first thing in the morning to avoid the biggest crowds.
When King Carlos decided to build a residence in Granada, he had no intention of establishing a capital in the city. The move was more symbolic; building a palace for Catholic monarchs on the grounds of a Muslim citadel was a symbol of the triumph of Christianity over Islam in this region.
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