Set on a plateau overlooking the hillside city of Granada, this 14th century fortress-palace was built by the sultans of the Nasrid Dynasty, seeking to create a new Muslim capital in Granada after being driven to the south by the Christians. Described by Moorish poets as "a pearl set in emeralds", this monument to Muslim art -with its column arcades, glazed tiles, arabesques, intricate ceilings and fountains - is set within ornate gardens and a dense wood of English elms. As one of Spain's most visited sites, be prepared for crowds particularly at the height of tourist season.