Silla del Moro

Silla del Moro is a small hilltop fortress in Granada, widely regarded as one of the best viewpoints over the Alhambra and the Generalife.

What is Silla del Moro?

Silla del Moro — literally "the Moor's chair" — refers to the ruins of a small Nasrid-era defensive castle standing on the slope of Cerro de Santa Elena, roughly 853 metres above sea level. Built in the 13th century, it formed part of the fortified perimeter protecting the Generalife and its orchards, with its main role being to oversee the distribution of water carried by the Royal Acequia (irrigation channel) to the palaces and gardens of the Alhambra complex. From the 17th century the site was officially known as Castillo de Santa Elena, but the popular nickname Silla del Moro, in use since the early 1800s, is the name that stuck with locals and visitors alike. The structure itself is a typical Andalusian watchtower built with lime-mortar masonry, with a roughly rectangular footprint of about 46 by 33 metres, once linked by walls to the nearby palace grounds. A local legend ties the fortress to Boabdil, the last Nasrid sultan of Granada, said to have retreated here during an uprising in the city to sit in silence and watch his rebellious capital from above. The castle fell into ruin in the 17th century and remained abandoned for centuries until a 2011 restoration turned it into a public viewpoint, now managed as part of the Alhambra and Generalife monumental site.

How do you get to Silla del Moro?

The easiest way in is by city bus lines C30 or C32, which terminate at the Alhambra ticket office next to car park number 1; from there it's roughly a ten-minute uphill walk to reach Silla del Moro. The site is also reachable by car or on foot via several hiking paths that circle the hill. An easier approach starts near the cemetery, while a steeper, more demanding route begins at the Fuente del Avellano spring. These same trails are popular with hikers and cyclists continuing on toward Llano de la Perdiz.

What will you see there?

From the walls of the old fortress, the view opens onto the Alhambra and Generalife below, the historic Albaicín and Sacromonte quarters, the Cerro de San Miguel hill, the Darro river valley, and the wide Vega plain ringed by mountains. It's precisely this elevated, side-on vantage point — looking down over the palace rooftops rather than up at them — that leads many visitors to rate Silla del Moro above the better-known miradores in the city centre. The ruins themselves are modest, but the surrounding scenery and the sweep of the view are the real draw.

When should you visit?

Entry is free. The site is fenced and locked every evening, so it's worth timing a visit to the opening hours: from 15 October to 31 March it's open 8:30am to 6pm, and from 1 April to 14 October, 8:30am to 8pm. Even outside those hours, the view can still be enjoyed from the path running alongside the fence. Early morning tends to bring the softest light for photos, while the hour before sunset draws the biggest crowds for the view over the Alhambra.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entrance fee for Silla del Moro? No, admission is completely free, unlike the ticketed entry required for the Alhambra itself.

How long is the walk from the Alhambra car park? The uphill walk from the ticket office and car park number 1 takes about ten minutes.

Is it a good spot for sunset? Yes — the open, unobstructed panorama to the west makes it one of Granada's favourite spots for watching the sun go down over the Alhambra.

Can it be combined with other sights nearby? Yes. Trails from Silla del Moro continue through the Dehesa del Generalife toward Sacromonte and Albaicín, making it easy to plan a longer walk linking several of the city's viewpoints.