Alhambra tips wanted, please!

[BellissimoGecko]

Going to Granada for a few days next month. Does anyone have any tips about visiting the Alhambra, eg which tours are best? Other things to do?

Thank you!

Go as early in the day as you can. Have a great time :)

I just bought tickets online from the official site. About £20 but sell out fast. Then we just wandered at our own pace. Just make sure you give yourself plenty of time for your timed ticket as it’s big and busy. We also spent a few hours just wandering the historic areas of Granada. Great weekend break.

Have you bought advance tickets?

As others have said, make sure you have booked tickets in advance for the palaces.

Also while you’re there go to a flamenco show.

Go first thing in the morning, earliest ticket you can get. You don't need to pay for a guided tour, just taking your time walking through all of it. It's amazing.

thank you! I’ve found the official website. Much cheaper than some others…

I always book one of the guided tours - you get fast tracked entrance and a lot more information on the history than just wandering around on your own

Or - buy a guide book. A surprisingly easy way to self guide around an attraction!

From Granada get the bus uphill to the main entrance. We walked back down to Granada afterwards from the lower entrance, it's a nice stroll downhill back to the city - wouldn't want to walk uphill! We didn't do a guided tour as the kids get restless, but if I'd gone by myself would have

Brilliant. Tickets bought. Can anyone recommend a flamenco show or hamman baths in Granada?

I was just about to say similar! The hike up to the Alhambra is not for the faint hearted - or me at my age either! I did (for once) the tourist thing to get me up there without needing oxygen 😊and took the little tourist train for a tenner. It was great, and did a hop on off of all the main attractions, with a stop outside the Alhambra. Perfect! It leaves from the main thoroughfare in Granada. I even got a few euro discount for seniors, happy days. Like you, I walked back down and stopped at the scenic viewpoint Mirador San Nicolas, through Sacromonte, the Albaicin, and back down. Fabulous.

One thing I want to mention, and that is BRING YOUR PASSPORT to the Alhambra. Even if you have pre booked tickets you won't get in without ID. I self guided my way around at my own pace. It was amazing, one of the more spectacular places I have visited so far.

Thank you re the passport!

We went a couple of months ago. There isn’t too much info in English, so a guide book or the audio guide v useful.

you could spend hours in the gardens.

Don't miss the views of the Alhambra across the city from the San Nicholas viewpoint. Wander up there late afternoon or early evening for a lovely experience

Definitely get the bus up from town. I do quite a lot of walking, but the Alhambra is vast, and there is a lot of walking involved in looking round it, so I didn’t want to start already tired.

You will be spending a fair amount of time outside during your visit so if it’s make sure you take a hat, water & suncreen.

Granada is a great little city to discover. The drive or bus journey from Malaga goes up through the mountains and is a scenic treat in itself. The local sweet treat are tiny pionono cakes. They are delicious & perfect with coffee. Enjoy!

We were in Granada for two days in late August. Absolutely gorgeous. We did a guided tour of the Alhambra because I’m a history fan and want to know everything! I didn’t regret it one bit, it’s such a vast place. Couldn’t believe what good value we got everywhere for food and drinks. I agree with everyone that the viewpoint across to the Alhambra was well worth the effort in getting there. We walked nearly every where, but did treat ourselves to a taxi after our Alhambra adventure. If you like your kings and queens the royal
chapel where Ferdinand and Isabel’s tombs are is worth a visit (parents of Catherine of Aragon and patrons of Christopher Columbus). Enjoy every minute in the charming city.

We did a guided tour of the Alhambra and really struck lucky. We were told the maximum number of people in the tour group would be 30. However, only 5 were booked for our group and the other 3 got delayed and rang to cancel so DH and I got a personal tour! It was great as the lovely young man was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable and, as there were so few of us, he knew how to avoid the queues and crowds

We went a few years ago and loved it. As well as Alhambra tour we also did walking tours of the old town and the caves. And a flamenco lesson and show - both excellent!

Can you recommend a flamenco show or a walking tour to book?

Ahh it was about 5 or 6 years ago (and 3 email addresses). We just found them on google / trip advisor I think

I used to live in Granada, it's incredible!

https://granada.hammamalandalus.com/en/service-menu-massages-granada/
not to be missed, I'd recommend the baths/massage combo, you'll leave floating on air! It's opposite the Albaicin, so a great place to wander over for tapas afterwards.

Also recommend a traditional Arabic teahouse in the Albaicin as well, lots to choose from.

Granada is the last place in Spain where you'll normally still get a free tapa with each drink you order in a cafe, generally they start off with maybe olives or nuts but get more exciting the longer you sit there. If you can speak a bit of Spanish you can also ask what the options are.

Not sure how long you're there for but if you have time a daytrip to the Alpujarras is worth it.

Have fun!

Thank you! That’s great. Will take a look.

We stumbled upon the Spanish Inquisition museum quite unexpectedly (Monty Python pun if you get it) which was quite interesting.

Get the bus up to the top of the Alhambra, the walk is brutal.

It can be insanely hot there compared to the coast, take sunscreen and plenty of water.

The city (like many) can be quite grim in parts.

Don't miss giant churros with chocolate sauce

https://maps.app.goo.gl/HPCjzwhDrp3u7tUD9

Ooh, I think I had breakfast there once. We go on holiday to Lanjarón quite regularly because we have friends there that DP likes to ride mountain bikes with.

I often take myself off to Granada for a couple of days and once didn't fancy the hotel breakfast so went to a cafe instead. As well as churros, I had the other great Spanish breakfast, pan con tomato.

Lanjarón is the 'gateway to the Apuljarras', mentioned by a PP, a small town/large village that is known for its mineral water, if you've been to Spain, you'll have seen their red labelled bottles. It's a lovely traditional Spanish village, with picturesque views, and decorative fountains where you can fill your water bottles with the local water. Plus all the local bars give free tapas with drinks.

We went on honeymoon so I’m not current, but I remember that the Generalife gardens were magnificent.