The great Mosque and the Alhambra, by moonlight

Discovering monuments such as the Alhambra in Granada and the great Mosque of Cordoba is always a pleasure. But if the visit takes place by night the experience is even more special. This is one of the options available to you when you choose to visit the region of Andalusia in southern Spain.

Both of these monuments have been declared World Heritage sites by the UNESCO, and both offer the chance to enjoy an original visit by night.

In the case of the Great Mosque of Cordoba, this innovative proposal features tours in groups of a maximum of 80 people. It begins in the Orange-tree Courtyard with an audiovisual screening explaining the history of the monument and the city. Visitors are then taken around the rooms in the Mosque, and are shown a sound and light show. At the same time you can hear a narrative describing particular aspects of the Mosque through your headphones, available simultaneously in eight languages: Spanish, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese and Arabic. This is a delightful way to observe the great halls of columns and bi-coloured arches, and to find out all about the different forms of worship which this monument has seen throughout the centuries. The visit lasts approximately one hour, and you are guaranteed to feel privileged indeed as you stroll around the interior of this monument, opened exclusively for your group.

The Alhambra in Granada offers two types of nocturnal visits to this monumental site: a tour of the Nasrid palaces, and a tour of the Generalife Gardens and Palace. Both are separate and mutually incompatible as they take place at the same time. These tours are a wonderful opportunity see these sites fully illuminated, and to take a more intimate look at one of Spain's loveliest architectural treasures.

For more specific information about times and prices, we recommend that you visit the following official websites: http://www.turismodecordoba.org/ and http://www.alhambra-patronato.es/

Things to remember:
Times for the nocturnal visit to the Nasrid palaces:
15 March to 14 October, Tuesday-Saturday: 10-11:30 pm.
15 October to 14 March, Friday-Saturday, 8-9:30pm.

Times for the nocturnal visit to the Generalife Gardens and Palace:
15 October to 31 March, Tuesday-Saturday: 10-11:30pm.
1 September to 14 October, Tuesday-Saturday: 10-11:30pm.
16 October to 14 November: 8-9:30pm.

Times for their nocturnal visit to the Mosque of Cordoba:
January and February: Fridays and Saturdays
March: first fortnight, Wednesday-Saturday. Second fortnight, Monday-Saturday.
April and May: Monday-Saturday.
June and July: Wednesday-Saturday
August, September and October: Monday-Saturday.
November and December: Fridays and Saturdays

January and February: 8pm and 9:30pm.
March, April and May: 9pm and 10:30pm.
June, July and August: 9:30pm and 11pm.
September: 9pm and 10:30pm.
October, November and December: 8pm and 9:30pm.