The Alhambra is inviting visitors to journey back five centuries to discover how Carlos V and Isabel of Portugal lived during their stay in 1526. The Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife, part of the Ministry of Culture, Historical Heritage and Sport of the Junta de Andalucía, has organised two guided tours led by specialists that will explore key locations associated with the emperors’ lives, providing insight into how the monumental complex functioned as the imperial court's residence.
This initiative is part of the commemoration of the 500th anniversary of Carlos V and Isabel of Portugal's stay at the Alhambra (1526-2026) and offers a unique perspective on the monument's history, from the couple's intimate moments to the architectural, defensive, and cultural transformations the fortress underwent over the centuries.
Guided tours details
The first tour, titled Visita Carolina a la Casa Real de la Alhambra, will take participants through spaces such as the Mexuar Hall, the Harem Courtyard, and the Queen's Dressing Room, among others. This tour will provide visitors with a glimpse into the daily lives of Carlos V and Isabel of Portugal, the rooms they may have used, and the challenges they faced in adapting the ancient palaces to the needs of a court accustomed to greater comforts and ceremonies. The tour is scheduled for 24 and 31 October, 4, 21 and 28 November, 12 and 19 December, and 9 January 2027.
The second tour, Visita Carolina y Poliorcética de la Alcazaba de la Alhambra, will focus on the military and defensive aspects of the site. Participants will explore areas such as the old gate of the Alcazaba, the bastion of the Mezquita de Cabe Darro, and the stables, discovering how fortifications evolved to meet the new defensive needs of the modern era. This tour will take place on 25 October, 15 and 22 November, 13 and 20 December, and 10 January 2027.
Historical significance
The stay of Carlos V and Isabel of Portugal in Granada was much more than an extended honeymoon. During their time in 1526, the city served as a temporary seat of the court and the backdrop for significant political decisions within an empire that spanned much of Europe and beyond. The couple found an Alhambra deeply influenced by the legacy of the Catholic Monarchs, who had previously used its palaces as their residence and laid the foundations for the new Christian kingdom of Granada.
However, the accommodation and representation needs of the new monarchs were vastly different. The coexistence of inherited architecture and the demands of the imperial court led to significant changes in the palace spaces. The accommodation difficulties even prompted Isabel of Portugal to move her residence to the newly constructed Monastery of San Jerónimo, which better suited the comforts she was accustomed to in Lisbon.
These tours will also address the evolution of the Alhambra as a residence for Spanish monarchs from the Habsburg and Bourbon dynasties, as well as the successive transformations of its palaces, gardens, and defensive structures until its designation as a national monument in the 19th century.
Both tours will be led by Juan Antonio Vilar Sánchez, a doctor in Modern and Contemporary History from the universities of Nijmegen (Netherlands) and Granada, who is a specialist in the figure of Carlos V and has authored numerous publications and research on this historical period.
Through this programming, the Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife continues to bring lesser-known episodes of the monumental complex's history to the public and offers the opportunity to discover its spaces from new perspectives, understanding Granada's role in the history of the Spanish monarchy. Tickets for the tours, priced at €12.73, are already available.
