The best Alhambra variants⎇ 2026

Alhambra is a strategic board game set in the historical context of the construction of the Alhambra in Granada, Spain, during the Middle Ages. It combines elements of resource management, tile placement, and strategic planning.

Alhambra: Big Box is the ultimate collection for fans of the Alhambra board game, combining the base game with all five of its expansions. This comprehensive set offers a wide range of gameplay variations and strategic depth. The packaging is thoughtfully designed to store each expansion separately, ensuring easy organization and setup. The expansions included are The Vizier's Favor, The City Gates, The Thief's Turn, The Treasure Chamber, and Power of the Sultan, each adding unique elements and challenges to the game.

Players aim to score the most victory points over five rounds, with scoring occurring after the 1st, 3rd, and 5th rounds. Using eight dice displaying six building symbols, players roll three dice each turn to collect symbols for buildings. The player with the highest roll chooses between two buildings or a building and a special token providing additional bonuses, while the second-best player receives the remaining option. Victory points are awarded based on majorities in building categories, similar to the original game.

The Gardens of Alhambra is an abstract influence game where each player is represented by a specific color. Players place stones, which depict all four colors, on fixed locations on the board, aiming to surround and capture victory point markers. Careful placement of the stones is essential to maximize points while minimizing opponents' scores, as ties result in disqualification, awarding points to the next highest color sum. The player with the most victory points at the end wins.