Jardín Nazarí

Jardín Nazarí, in the village of Vélez de Benaudalla, is one of the most striking examples of Hispano-Muslim garden design in Granada province, also known locally as "Generalife Chico" or the "Garden of the Senses." The village sits in the lower valley of the Guadalfeo river, only a short drive from the Costa Tropical coastline, making it an easy stop for travelers moving between Granada and the Andalusian coast.

Why is it called the "little Generalife"?

The garden's layout, climate and overall atmosphere echo the famous Generalife gardens beside the Alhambra in Granada, which is where its popular nickname comes from. Research carried out in 1995, however, established that both the garden and the adjoining residence actually date from the 16th century — well after the Reconquista. The builders adapted pre-existing orchards on the site and preserved the older Arab irrigation network, which is why the place still feels distinctly Moorish even though it is technically an early modern creation.

How is the estate laid out?

The whole property covers close to 7,000 square meters and is clearly split into two parts. One is a house arranged in three wings around a central courtyard; the other is an extensive garden containing orchards, a mill, and small grottoes carved into the rocky hillside. This combination of a residential core with productive elements like an orchard and a mill was typical of rural Andalusian estates of the period.

What role does water play in the garden?

Water is the central, ever-present element throughout the visit. It reaches the garden via an Arab-built acequia (irrigation channel) that runs across the entire village, starting at the Paseo del Nacimiento, a spot where three natural springs emerge. Inside the garden, the channel feeds the old mill and forms a decorative waterfall, while also irrigating the terraced sections, which keeps the vegetation lush despite the otherwise dry Mediterranean climate of the area.

What protected status does the garden hold?

Because of its historical and landscape value, Jardín Nazarí has been listed by the Andalusian regional government (Junta de Andalucía) as a Bien de Interés Cultural, in the category of historic garden. It is one of the few sites of this kind in the region that survives in a condition that allows visitors to walk through it, rather than existing only as historical record.

When and how can you visit?

The garden is open to visitors from Wednesday to Sunday, from 11:00 to 14:00 and again from 16:00 to 18:00; it is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Admission costs 3 euros per person. The visit follows terraced paths past orchards, grottoes and running water, which makes the walk a genuinely sensory experience — the source of its informal name, the "Garden of the Senses."

Frequently asked questions

Is Jardín Nazarí actually a Nasrid-era garden? Not quite — 1995 research showed the garden and house in their current form date from the 16th century, though they reuse an earlier Arab irrigation system.

How much does admission cost? Entry costs 3 euros per person.

Which days is it closed? The garden is closed to visitors on Mondays and Tuesdays.

How large is the estate? The full property, including the house, mill, acequia and grottoes, covers nearly 7,000 square meters.