Alhambra Towers Guide
All 23 Towers Explained
The Alhambra’s defensive walls incorporate 23 towers of varying sizes, functions, and historical periods. The most significant are the Torre de la Vela (panoramic views, bell tower), the Comares Tower / Torre de Comares (throne room, tallest tower at 45 metres), and the Torre del Homenaje (Alcazaba military command post). Most towers are visible from the exterior but only a few are accessible from inside the complex. The towers span from the 9th century (pre-Nasrid Zirid period) to the 16th century (Christian modifications).
The 23 towers of the Alhambra are not merely decorative features — each was designed for a specific defensive, residential, or ceremonial purpose, and each has its own history of construction, modification, damage, and restoration. Together they form one of the most complete surviving systems of Islamic defensive architecture in the Western world.
This guide covers all 23 towers in the Alhambra complex, organised by area. For the full context of each area, see our Alhambra map guide and our individual guides to the Alcazaba Fortress and the Nasrid Palaces.
Top Tickets for the Alhambra
Alcazaba Towers — The Military Heart
| Tower | Height/Period | Function | Accessible? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Torre de la Vela (Watch Tower) | Military; 13th–14th C. | Main watchtower; bell tower after 1492; panoramic views | Yes — rooftop accessible; best views in the Alhambra |
| Torre del Homenaje (Tower of Homage) | ~24m; 13th C. | Military command post; governor’s residence; last line of defence | Exterior only |
| Torre de las Armas (Arms Tower) | 14th C. | Main gateway tower; original entrance to the Alcazaba | Partially — gate passage accessible |
| Torre del Cubo (Round Tower) | 16th C. | Added post-conquest; circular defensive bastion facing the city | Exterior only |
| Torre de los Hidalgos (Nobles’ Tower) | 14th C. | Noble garrison quarters | Exterior only |
| Torre del Doctor Ortiz | 14th C. | Named after a 19th-century doctor; storage/residential | Exterior only |
| Torre de Alquiza | 14th C. | Defensive; named for an official | Exterior only |
| Torre Quebrada (Broken Tower) | 14th C.; damaged 1838 | Eastern wall defence; cracked by 1838 landslide — gives it its name | Exterior visible; interior not open |
| Torre Hueca (Hollow Tower) | 14th C. | Unusual hollow interior design; defensive | Exterior only |
| Torre de la Sultana | 14th C. | Named by romantic tradition after a royal consort | Exterior only |
| Torre de la Pólvora (Gunpowder Tower) | 13th C.; modified post-1492 | Vantage point over Cuesta de Gómerez; later gunpowder storage | Exterior only |
Nasrid Palace Area Towers
| Tower | Period | Function | Accessible? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Torre de Comares (Comares Tower) | ~45m; 14th C. (Yusuf I) | Tallest tower in the Alhambra; throne room (Hall of the Ambassadors) inside | Yes — the Hall of the Ambassadors is the throne room within this tower |
| Torre de las Infantas (Princesses’ Tower) | Late 14th C. | Elaborate residential tower; Washington Irving’s ‘Legend of the Three Princesses’ | Exterior; interior occasionally open for special visits |
| Torre de los Picos (Tower of Spikes) | 14th C. | Named for its distinctive merlons; residential/defensive | Exterior only |
| Torre de la Cautiva (Captive’s Tower) | 14th C. (Yusuf I) | Lavishly decorated residential tower; one of the finest interiors in the Alhambra | Occasionally open — check current access |
| Torre del Cadí (Judge’s Tower) | 14th C. | Administrative/judicial function; connects to eastern wall | Exterior only |
| Torre de los Siete Suelos (Seven-Floor Tower) | 14th C. | One of the largest towers; seven interior floors; Boabdil’s last exit from Granada | Exterior; main gate archway accessible |
Eastern Wall & Outer Perimeter Towers
| Tower | Period | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Torre del Agua (Water Tower) | Pre-Nasrid; modified 14th C. | Controls the acequia water channel entering the complex from the Darro |
| Torre de Juan de Arce | 16th C. (Christian period) | Added post-conquest; named for a Christian official |
| Torres Bermejas (Crimson Towers) | 11th C. Zirid period | Pre-Nasrid watchtowers south of main complex; oldest structures on the hill |
| Torre de la Rauda | 14th C. | Located near the Nasrid royal cemetery (Rauda) |
| Torre del Homenaje (outer circuit) | 13th–14th C. | Part of the outer defensive wall circuit |
The Five Most Important Towers for Visitors
1. Torre de la Vela — Best Views
The most visited tower in the Alhambra. The rooftop of the Torre de la Vela in the Alcazaba Fortress provides the finest panoramic views in the complex. Climb all the way to the rooftop for the 360-degree panorama of Granada, the Albaicín, and the Sierra Nevada.
2. Torre de Comares — The Throne Room Tower
The Comares Tower is the tallest structure in the Alhambra at 45 metres and contains the Hall of the Ambassadors — the sultan’s throne room — in its interior. The tower is accessed from within the Comares Palace as part of the Nasrid Palaces visit.
3. Torre del Homenaje — Military History
The Tower of Homage in the Alcazaba was the military command post of the fortress — the last line of defence and the residence of the garrison commander. At 24 metres, it is the tallest tower within the Alcazaba itself.
4. Torre de la Cautiva — Hidden Gem
The Captive’s Tower (Torre de la Cautiva), built by Yusuf I in the mid-14th century, has one of the most elaborately decorated interiors in the entire Alhambra — rivalling the Nasrid Palaces in the quality of its carved plasterwork and tilework. It is occasionally open for visits separately from the main ticket circuit — check current access with the Patronato.
5. Torres Bermejas — Oldest Towers
The Crimson Towers (Torres Bermejas) south of the main complex predate the Nasrid period by two centuries — built in the 11th century by the Zirid dynasty on the slopes of the Alhambra hill. They are freely accessible from the street below without an Alhambra ticket.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many towers does the Alhambra have?
The Alhambra complex has 23 towers incorporated into its defensive walls and palace structures, spanning from the 9th century (pre-Nasrid) through the 16th century (Christian modifications). This count includes major towers; minor bastion projections are not counted separately.
Which Alhambra tower has the best views?
The Torre de la Vela (Watch Tower) in the Alcazaba Fortress has the best panoramic views — a 360-degree panorama taking in Granada, the Albaicín, the Sierra Nevada, and the Vega plain. It is fully accessible with any standard Alhambra entry ticket.
Can I visit the Torre de las Infantas?
The Torre de las Infantas (Princess’s Tower) is occasionally open for special guided visits but is not part of the standard Alhambra ticket circuit. Check current access arrangements with the Patronato de la Alhambra at time of visit.
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