La Alhambra: Time?

[tankhead]

The plan is to leave Ronda early in the morning, no later than 9:00am. The route that I have mapped on the Garmin shows about 3.30 hours of riding to Grananda.  I could reduce the trip miles to save time if I need to but is it realistic to want to keep the twisty bits in the ride and still have time to see La Alhambra all in one day? The next day I have about the same amount of driving time to Nerja.  Let me know what you think about seeing Alhambra in the evening or during the morning into afternoon, also.  Gracias mi amigos!

[miles]

The Alhambra is one of the most beautiful places on earth.  No amount of time you could spend there will be enough.

That said, see if you can get your tickets in advance.  It can fill up, especially on weekends or holidays.  An afternoon will be enough to give you a feel for the place.  Across the little valley, in the old town there's a church that has a little plaza about level with the Alhambra.  Try to be there at sunset.  Anybody will know the place and be able to give you directions.

[tankhead]

Gracias Senor Miles.  I will shorten the distance and time traveled and be there early to spend the day there with mi esposa.  

[Snowdog]

If its still the same as when I was there, Alhambra tickets are timed entry - I got there pretty early and had to kick my heels for quite a while. Its a good idea to book ahead - you can do it online - to avoid this problem.

The place is wonderful. To do it justice you do need to allow plenty of time. I could easily have spent the whole day there if I'd got straight in.

Link to Alhambra site

[Orson]

I stayed at a 4 Star hotel right across the street from the Alhambra.

It had underground parking so, the bike was safe  

If its still the same as when I was there, Alhambra tickets are timed entry - I got there pretty early and had to kick my heels for quite a while. Its a good idea to book ahead - you can do it online - to avoid this problem.

The place is wonderful. To do it justice you do need to allow plenty of time. I could easily have spent the whole day there if I'd got straight in.

Yah. I think I had to wait about 2½ hours.

For sure you want to take your time strolling about the grounds and soaking it all in.

less than 3 hours would be criminal  

[miles]

If its still the same as when I was there, Alhambra tickets are timed entry - I got there pretty early and had to kick my heels for quite a while. Its a good idea to book ahead - you can do it online - to avoid this problem.

The place is wonderful. To do it justice you do need to allow plenty of time. I could easily have spent the whole day there if I'd got straight in.

Link to Alhambra site

Yeah, but the Generalife (The Women's Palace) isn't timed, so you can get your tickets, spend the time at the Generalife, then enter the Alhambra proper at the allotted time.

[notarian]

Carry your wallet in your front pocket when in Granada, all large cities and especially cities on or near the coast. Its not the Spanish, its the North Africans that are very professional at picking your pocket.

The worst is Barcelona where they don't even bother with being slick. In the touristy bits, often one will confront you with a request of some kind and 2 or 3 others will come up behind, hold you while stripping your pockets. Night or day - it makes no difference.

[Aero]

I went to the Alhambra thinking that an afternoon would be enough, but ended up going again the next day. It is a huge complex of palaces which was extended many times between the 9th and 16th centuries. It truly is just about the most beautiful place that I have ever been to.

Try to see the Great Mosque (Mezquita) in Cordoba while you are in the area (Cordoba is about halfway between Granada and Sevilla), another stunning example of Moorish architecture. You'll be amazed at the cultural vandalism shown by the Catholic cathedral that was built right in the middle of it after the Moors had been expelled. As King Charles V himself said when he saw it "It is a great cathedral, but it could have been built elsewhere."

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathedral%E2%80%93Mosque_of_C%C3%B3rdoba

[miles]

Although the Mezquita is amazing, Cordoba bums me out.  I don't care for the town at all.

[tankhead]

NO time or interest to head up to Cordoba.  Thanks for all the info so far.  I am thinking that we could get the afternoon seesion.  12:30 to 4:30 I believe.  

[Gaw]

NO time or interest to head up to Cordoba.  Thanks for all the info so far.  I am thinking that we could get the afternoon seesion.  12:30 to 4:30 I believe.  

Are you planning doing this in summer? If yes, I don't recommned you that sesion, unless you don't mind hot...

[tankhead]

Are you planning doing this in summer? If yes, I don't recommned you that sesion, unless you don't mind hot...

Spring break. Should be fine

[Gaw]

That's fine. La Alhambra is awesome, you will enjoy it.

If you have more questions about Spain let me know!

[yotes65]

That's fine. La Alhambra is awesome, you will enjoy it.

If you have more questions about Spain let me know!

Take Advantage of David's offer. He was very helpful last year when the misses & I visited Spain!