We will be in Torremolinos in September, and would like to do a day trip to Granada and the Alhambra. What is our best option? Sign up for a guided tour from our hotel in Torremolinos to Granada; or take the bus to Malaga, transfer to Granada, and pre-purchase tickets on our own to the Alhambra? Any advice?
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23268 posts
Setting the logistic question aside -- The Alhambra is very easy to see on your own or with a printed walking guide as you find in the Steves' guidebook. You absolutely must have a ticket in advance. This is the most visited tourist site in all of Spain. And it is not a quick hit. You could spend all day there plus Granada is worth some of your time. Probably more efficient to take a tour. On your own, it could take 3, maybe 4 hours just to get to Granada.
Posted by
Sevilla
1292 posts
I'd definitely book a guided coach tour for this. If there is one that picks up at/near your hotel all the better.
If you do it yourself you not only have you to get to Malaga (train might be better than bus, by the way), and then change for Granada, but when you get to Granada bus station it is some way from the Alhambra and you'd need another local bus or taxi. Same going back. For a day-trip that seems a bit of a faff compared to a door-to-door coach trip.
Posted by
OP
13 posts
Many thanks to you both for your responses to our inquiry about Alhambra. We agree that a guided tour will be the best option for us. Does anyone recommend a name of a tour company that we could try? We have heard about a company named Viator, are they reliable? Thanks
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23268 posts
Viator is not a touring company but a reseller of tours from other companies or sometimes called a consolidator. Book the same tour a month a part and it could be from different companies. Trying to book directly with the tour company.
Posted by
OP
13 posts
Thanks for your response Frank. We've got our tour booked now.