The medina was designed exclusively to serve the court, forming a complete city designed to meet the needs of the Palace. Three main roads intertwined and connected all its parts:

The Lower Royal Street allowed the entrance to the courtyard of the Lions, the royal cemetery and the gardens of the Partal. This street also served as a moat, separating the medina from the palace area.

The Royal High Street was the main artery. It began at the Wine Gate, built by Yusuf I and renovated by Muhammad V. This road extended to the palace of the Abencerrajes and the convent of San Francisco, where it became the axis of the artisan area. It also served as a conduit for the royal irrigation channel, reaching the Water Tower.

The street of Ronda, also known as the street of the Moat, ran along the perimeter of the walls, linking all the elements of the complex and was conceived as a moat in case of siege.