Palace of Charles V

The Palace of Charles V stands in stark contrast to the Nasrid palaces of the Alhambra, representing a bold Renaissance intervention in the heart of the Moorish fortress. Commissioned by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V in 1527, the palace was designed by Pedro Machuca, a Spanish architect trained in Italy, and features a unique circular courtyard surrounded by a two-story colonnade. The building's massive stone facade and Doric and Ionic orders reflect the imperial ambitions of Charles V. Today, the palace houses two museums: the Alhambra Museum (Museo de la Alhambra) on the ground floor, which displays Hispano-Muslim art and artifacts, and the Fine Arts Museum (Museo de Bellas Artes) on the upper floor, featuring works from the Granada school from the 16th to 20th centuries. Visitors can explore the courtyard's harmonious proportions, climb to the rooftop for panoramic views of the Alhambra and Granada, and admire the intricate coffered ceilings. The palace never served as a royal residence; it was left unfinished for centuries and only completed in the 20th century.

Don't miss

• The unique circular courtyard with its double colonnade
• The Alhambra Museum's collection of Nasrid art, including the famous Vase of the Gazelles
• The Fine Arts Museum's Renaissance and Baroque paintings
• The rooftop terrace with views of the Alhambra and the Albaicín
• The contrast between Renaissance architecture and the surrounding Nasrid palaces

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Palace of Charles V

Cheapest way inAlhambra Surroundings Tour and Nasrid Palace in Granada4.6★ · 11 travelers~3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$22 per personSee dates →Most bookedAlhambra & Generalife Skip the line Small Group including Nasrid Palaces4.7★ · 3,252 travelers~3 hoursFrom$69 per personSee dates →Private & flexiblePrivate Tour With A Different Perspective of Alhambra5★ · 232 travelers~3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$163 per personSee dates →