Alhambra opened royal palaces exhibition on 9 October

A new exhibition at the Alhambra (La Alhambra) in Granada opened on 9 October 2026, bringing the site's royal spaces and imperial history together. The Royal Palaces of the Alhambra exhibition runs until 17 January 2027 as part of a wider programme marking the 500th anniversary of Carlos V and Isabel of Portugal's stay in the city.

Royal Palaces of the Alhambra opens at Charles V Palace

The exhibition is presented in the Palace of Charles V, within the Alhambra complex. The Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife and the University of Granada are behind the programme, which links the exhibition to the imperial couple's arrival and residence in Granada in 1526. The operator lists the exhibition from 9 October 2026 to 17 January 2027 in its official cultural agenda.

The display examines how the Nasrid palaces were adapted to the requirements of an imperial court. Its subject is not only royal residence, but also the use of the complex for diplomacy, administration and the presentation of power. A report on the 9 October 2026 opening describes the exhibition as part of the wider 1526 programme and places it in the Palace of Charles V.

An exhibition connects Nasrid rooms with imperial Granada

The exhibition gives the current visit a specific historical frame. The imperial court occupied the Nasrid palaces during its stay in Granada, while the Palace of Charles V represents the later Renaissance presence within the same monumental setting. That relationship allows the exhibition to be read alongside the surviving Islamic architecture rather than as a separate city-centre display.

The wider property is recognised by UNESCO as the Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzin, a World Heritage site formed by the Alhambra and Albayzin on adjacent hills above Granada. The Generalife gardens lie east of the fortress and residence. UNESCO describes the Alhambra as a preserved palatine city of the Islamic period, with Nasrid architecture, decorative work, gardens and water systems at its core. These characteristics explain why an exhibition about changing court life belongs inside the monument itself. The UNESCO World Heritage record identifies the site's architectural and landscape significance.

Visiting Alhambra: what travellers from Western Europe should know

• The Royal Palaces of the Alhambra exhibition opened on 9 October 2026 and continues until 17 January 2027.
• The venue is the Palace of Charles V inside the Alhambra complex. The exhibition is separate from the Nasrid Palaces, so visitors should distinguish the exhibition venue from access arrangements for the palace route.
• The monument rises above Granada's modern lower town. The operator gives the address as C/ Real de la Alhambra, 18009 Granada, Spain.
• The site combines fortress, palace, gardens and narrow historic routes on elevated ground. Visitors should expect changes in level and walking between parts of the complex.
• Spanish is the official language in Spain, and the currency is the euro.

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Frequently asked questions about Alhambra

When does the Royal Palaces of the Alhambra exhibition take place?

The exhibition runs from 9 October 2026 to 17 January 2027 at the Palace of Charles V inside the Alhambra complex.

What is the Royal Palaces of the Alhambra exhibition about?

It examines how Nasrid spaces were adapted for the imperial court of Carlos V and Isabel of Portugal during their stay in Granada in 1526.

Where is Alhambra and how do you get there?

The Alhambra stands above Granada's modern lower town in southern Spain. Its listed address is C/ Real de la Alhambra, 18009 Granada, Spain.