Palacio de Dar al-Horra is a Nasrid palace in Granada’s Albaicín, set in the Alcazaba Cadima area. Visit to see its courtyard and Islamic architectural details, and to take in views of the surrounding quarter from the upper floor.
- Location: Alcazaba Cadima, Albaicín.
- From the hotel: about a 10-minute walk from tuGuest Elvira Suites.
- Visiting hours: daily, with different schedules across the year.
- Ticket: the general Andalusian Monuments ticket includes the palace; entry is free on Sundays.
The palace and its historical setting
Palacio de Dar al-Horra is a fifteenth-century Nasrid building constructed over remains of an eleventh-century Zirid palace. Granada City Council identifies it as the residence of Aisha, mother of Boabdil. Its name means “House of the Honest.”
The palace has two floors and a tower arranged around a courtyard with a square pool. Its main rooms sit behind the courtyard arcades, and much of the building and its original decoration remains. The south-side room was used as a church until the present church of Santa Isabel la Real was built.
The building retains Islamic architectural forms and some Nasrid decoration. Inscriptions on the plasterwork of the viewpoint include phrases such as “Blessing,” “Happiness” and “Joy continues.” From upstairs, you can look over the Axarea quarter, the church of San Cristóbal and the Zirid wall.
A small garden is irrigated by water from the Aynadanar canal. The canal comes from the nearby Aljibe del Rey cistern and reaches the garden through the Arch of the Nuns. The palace formed part of the large palace of Zirid King Badis, though archaeological evidence has not convincingly confirmed that connection.
Tickets and opening information
The general Andalusian Monuments ticket costs €8.48 and includes Palacio de Dar al-Horra, Corral del Carbón, Bañuelo, Casa Morisca (Calle Horno de Oro) and Maristán. The Alhambra Patronato says entry to the Andalusian Monuments is free on Sundays. The palace can also be visited with the GRANADA CARD.
Listed visiting hours are Monday through Sunday, 10:00–17:00 from September 15 through April 30. From May 1 through September 14, hours are 09:00–14:30 and 17:00–20:30. The Alhambra Patronato lists December 25 and January 1 as closing days for the Andalusian Monuments, including the palace.
Before you go, check the official site of the Alhambra Patronato for current visiting details.
How do you get to Palacio de Dar al-Horra through the Albaicín?
The palace is at Callejón de las Monjas, s/n, in the Albaicín-Sacromonte area. From the hotel, allow about a 10-minute walk to reach it. You can also plan your route with this guide to getting around Granada by metro, bus and on foot.
Once in the Albaicín, use the palace address to guide you through the historic quarter. For another nearby subject to read about as you plan, see the guide to Puerta de Elvira. The palace’s listed address is Callejón de las Monjas, s/n.
Nearby historic stops
The Andalusian Monuments ticket offers a way to combine the palace with several other historic sites: Corral del Carbón, Bañuelo, Casa Morisca on Calle Horno de Oro and Maristán. Check the ticket’s included sites when planning your visit, then use the palace’s courtyard and upper floor as the focus of your stop here.
The public park Huerto de Carlos was once part of the convent garden, before nineteenth-century expropriations. For more Albaicín and Sacromonte context, you can also read about Sacromonte’s abbey, caves and viewpoints.
For accommodation details, see tuGuest Elvira Suites.
FAQs
Where is Palacio de Dar al-Horra?
It is in the Alcazaba Cadima area of Granada’s Albaicín. The listed address is Callejón de las Monjas, s/n.
What does the general Andalusian Monuments ticket include?
It includes Palacio de Dar al-Horra, Corral del Carbón, Bañuelo, Casa Morisca (Calle Horno de Oro) and Maristán.
Does the palace have seasonal opening hours?
Yes. Its listed daily hours differ between September 15–April 30 and May 1–September 14; check the Alhambra Patronato’s official site before your visit.
Can you visit Palacio de Dar al-Horra with the GRANADA CARD?
Yes. Granada City Council lists the palace as visitable with the GRANADA CARD.