The lake and peacocks
A small lake with swans, and peacocks wandering freely among the trees.
Cocolisa — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Palickap — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Palickap — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Palickap — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Carmen de los Mártires is a large garden on the Alhambra hill itself, yet few visitors know it. Entry is completely free, and it is among the loveliest quiet places in Granada. The gardens are divided into sections in different styles: a Spanish part with pools and fountains, an English part of trees and lawns, and a small lake with swans, while peacocks wander freely. At the centre stands a nineteenth-century house, not usually open, which completes the picture. The word "carmen" in Granada means a house with a walled garden, and it comes from the Arabic karm, a vineyard. From the edges of the garden there is a view over the city and the plain beyond.
A small lake with swans, and peacocks wandering freely among the trees.
Geometrically laid-out pools and fountains in the traditional Andalusi manner.
Granada and the plain seen from the garden's edges — quiet and uncrowded.
Paseo de los Mártires, 18009 Granada
AlhambraThe Alhambra is the most famous thing Muslims built in Spain, standing on a hill6 minutes walk4.9
GeneralifeThe Generalife was the summer garden of Granada's rulers, on the hill facing the7 minutes walk4.9
Palace of Charles VThe Palace of Charles V is a Renaissance building standing inside the Alhambra, 8 minutes walk4.7
Nasrid PalacesThe Nasrid Palaces are the heart of the Alhambra and its greatest treasure. Thre8 minutes walk4.8
Alcazaba of the AlhambraThe Alcazaba is the military part of the Alhambra and its oldest section. Built 9 minutes walk4.8Because it is not part of the Alhambra ticket and does not appear in most itineraries, even though it is on the same hill. That is exactly what keeps it quiet: you can find yourself alone in a large garden while the Alhambra is packed minutes away.
Spring and autumn are best. Fit it in straight after the Alhambra: you will be tired of the crowds and the walking, and this quiet free space minutes away is the ideal relief.
In Granada it means a house with a walled garden, and it is one of the words left over from Arabic: from karm, a vineyard. You will see it on many houses in the Albaicín and on the Alhambra hill.