My wife and I visited the Andalusia region in Spain during November 2010, with focus on sights in Granada, Cordoba and Seville. The Moors ruled over much of Spain for over 700 years and left a rich heritage of Islamic art, architecture and culture.

I took along my trusty Canon 5D DSLR with two lenses: 24-105 f/4 L IS, and 50mm f/1.8 II.  The latter is a cheap, lightweight and small lens that I generally include in my travel backpack for use in low-night handheld situations or when I want something light.

This article is focused on the Alhambra palace area.

Alhambra at Sunset (Canon 5D, 105mm, f/11, 0.5s, ISO 200)

I took this from the popular San Nicolas viewpoint in Albayzin quarter, Granada.  The sun has just set to the right of the image with some rain clouds and last colors in the sky. There is some early snow at the top of the Sierra Nevada mountain in the background.

This image was published in National Geographic's World's Best Travel Experiences book (2012), and is also part of NationalGeographicStock.com (Picture Id: 1414718).

Sunset at AlhambraAlhambra just after sunset with rain clouds and last colors in the sky. There is some early snow at the top of the Sierra Nevada mountain in the background.

This image was published in National Geographic's Destinations of a Lifetime (2023) and World's Best Travel Experiences book (2012), and is also part of NationalGeographicStock.com (Picture Id: 1414718).

View of Albayzin Quarter (Canon 5D, 50mm, f/11, 1/250s, ISO 200)

The dominantly Moorish quarter of Albayzin framed by the ornate window arch at Alhambra palace.

View of Albayzin QuarterThe dominantly Moorish quarter of Albayzin framed by the ornate window arch at Alhambra palace.

Alhambra Reflections (Canon 5D, 32mm, f/11, 1/90s, ISO 200)

Beautiful reflections on the pool at Court of Myrtles on a sunny morning.

Alhambra ReflectionsBeautiful reflections on the pool at Court of Myrtles on a sunny morning.

Water Fountains (Canon 5D, 67mm, f/11, 1/125s, ISO 200)

Water fountains at Patio de la Acequia, part of the Generalife Gardens.

Court of the Water ChannelWater fountains at Patio de la Acequia, part of the Generalife Gardens.

Islamic Architectural Details (Canon 5D, 24mm, f/11, 1/3s, ISO 200)

Islamic architectural details inside the Palacio Nazaries at Alhambra, Granada.

Architectural Details, AlhambraIslamic architectural details inside the Palacio Nazaries at Alhambra, Granada.

You can find more images of Spain at my photo site.