Tower of the Peaks, Defensive tower in Granada, Spain

The Tower of the Peaks is a defensive tower in Granada, Spain. It stands as a tall, square structure built of light tan masonry, with a weathered surface and pale patches. Two horizontal stone bands divide the upper section. On the visible facade, a single round-arched window is split by a slender central column, set within a shallow recessed frame. A small grated opening sits near the base. The top is flat, edged with a projecting cornice. A dense green tree partially obscures the right side and lower half of the tower.

The Tower of the Peaks was built at the end of the 13th century or the beginning of the 14th century. It was later remodeled under Sultan Yusuf I, who ruled from 1333 to 1354. The tower guarded the Puerta del Arrabal, one of the four historic entrances to the walled city. It was part of a network of residential towers that looked out over the orchards of the sultan's summer palace.

The tower's name comes from the small pointed projections, or peaks, that once adorned its exterior. Inside, the second level features wall paintings with Islamic motifs, larger than those in other palace rooms. These paintings give a sense of the tower's former role as a royal residence, not just a military post. Visitors can see how the tower was both a home and a defense, with its views over the Generalife and the Darro Valley.

The tower is open to visitors on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, from morning to early evening. Access is included with the general admission to the Alhambra, so no separate ticket is needed. It is located near the Puerta del Arrabal and can be reached on foot within the monument. The interior has three levels with vaulted ceilings, so be prepared for some stairs and uneven surfaces.

The tower is one of the largest in the Alhambra, along with the Comares and Homenaje towers. Its interior vaults are different on each level: the first has a cloister vault, and the second has four ribs. These architectural details are often missed by visitors who focus only on the exterior.