If someone were to tell me they had time to visit only one site in Spain, I would send them to the Alhambra in Granada. Somehow we almost skipped it for fear it was a tourist trap. Boy am I glad we listened to all of the recommendations that we received. I expected greatness although wondered if any destination could be worthy of all the praise, yet Alhambra still managed to far exceeded my expectations.
It is a Moorish fortress and castle built in the 14th century by the then ruling Arab leaders. It was taken by Spain in 1492 when the Jews and Muslims were exiled from Spain. You can see the Christian modifications in most of the rooms, but the Moorish architecture shines through.
The spectacular gardens completed the perfect day.
Sorry, the photos do not do this place justice. Here are some of my shots:
Granada and Alhambra Travel Tips:
- Alhambra lets in only 6,000 visitors each day, which means many are turned away. It is important to get tickets on-line in advance.
- Use a credit card when you purchase on-line tickets and you can retrieve them the night before from the ATM machines. There is a button on the machines for English (assuming that is your native language as you are reading this post in English). Look for the button that says “event tickets” and follow the steps.
- If you have student/child tickets included in your purchase, be sure to bring the passports to prove they qualify for the discount prices. You will need to exchange their tickets from the ATM for verified tickets. If you are a group of all adults you can just go to the entrance.
- If you are silly enough to visit in July or August (like we did) select the first time slot, as this allows you to complete your visit before the temperature becomes way too hot.
- Stay in town near the cathedral and take the number 30 bus up to Alhambra. This puts you at the beginning of the line so you have a chance to get a seat.
- We use Lonely Planet Spain.
We are currently travelling through Spain for two weeks between two home exchange houses – the first in Catalunya, the second in Galicia.
All photos on this page © Rhonda Albom
Do you agree, Alhambra is the number one place to visit in Spain?
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Toledo Spain, City of Coexistence of Christians, Jews and Muslims
ally
i am so glad you did the alhambra- isn’t it just so amazing, its for sure on our top ten days out of all time, inland spain really is stunning and historically fasinating maybe you’ll get lucky and be somewhere when they have a moors and christians feista- most towns reinact the explusion of the moors from spain with an extremly lively battle each year. the spanish know how to party. abrazos y besos Ally x
Rhonda
I am so glad we went there too. I would agree, it is on our top 10 list. And to think we almost skipped it thinking it would be too touristy. Silly us.
Tony Payne
Looks amazing.
Rhonda
It was pretty awesome.
Karolina
Wonderful! I have always wondered about those beautiful detailed ornamental patterns on the facades of this building. Nice shots, I wish I could visit that place again!
Rhonda
It just amazes me how detailed these places are. They are so old, yet people really took the time to carve and build. It was stunning. I hope you get there someday.
Don E. Chute
I wish I were your Camera.
Safe travels.
PLU from SSF
Rhonda
What a cool comment! Thanks Don.
Noah
Those were great tips you shared! It will surely come in handy as I am organizing a visit to the Alhambra. Thanks!
Rhonda
Thanks Noah, the “travel tips” section is new, and I am glad to see it so well received. I may go back and add travel tips to some of my prior posts- in my free time. LOL
Margaus
The photos already showed some of the place’s highlights and I was in awe. What more if I get there personally? I can imagine…
Rhonda
That is exactly what we were thinking when we were not planning to go to Granada to visit Alhambra. But the truth is, the photos simply don’t capture the magnificence. If you are in Spain, this is one place I would recommend keeping on your list.
Joyce
You sure have seen some interesting sites.
Rhonda
I think this trip through the middle of Spain was one of the most amazing.
Comedy Plus
What a cool place. I would love to visit here too. Way cool.
Have a terrific day. 🙂
Rhonda
It is just amazing. I am so lucky to have friends who have been and to have met people along the way, all of whom told us to go here. We were going to skip it. What a mistake that would have been.