I will be in Granada 4D/4N Friday to Tuesday in late October. I'll be visiting Alhambra Saturday night (hours are 8 - 9:30 p.m.) Then wanted to visit Sunday, but am somewhat flexible on when to go. It seems that Oc 29 is daylight savings time, so clocks are set back meaning sunrise is 7:35 a.m.
I thought to be at the Justice Gate for opening at 8:00 a.m. and visit Alcazaba for early morning photos, but then I don't know when to book entry to Nazrid Palace. Is 30 minutes enough for Alcazaba, or too much of a rush? Book 9:00 entry and see Alcazaba first, or book 8:30 and go back to Alcazaba after Nazrid.
Because of the hills, I thought to go back to Charles Palace after Narzrid, and then return into Partal gardens afterwards then keep heading towards Generalife from there.
I know there are set numbers of visitors allowed, but I wonder when tours start to arrive? Some are in a rush and really pushy.
Is leaving Nazrid entry until late in the day worth considering to avoid tours and get later day light?
Anyone want to suggest a strategy? It would be appreciated.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17448 posts
We entered through the Justice Gate (after picking up our tickets the day before) and went to the Alcazaba before our 10:00 booked entry at the Nasrid Palaces. We headed to the Nasrid line around 9:30 but wished we had booked earlier, as the school groups seemed to arrive around 9:30-10 and they needed to process them first. We could not stand in line until 10, and then watched our 30-minute window for entry evaporating. . . . and they finally let us in at 10:28.
Posted by
OP
Ontario, Canada
4656 posts
Thanks Lola. I am hoping that on a Sunday I can avoid the school tours. But knowing that they may let tours in first is good to know.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15791 posts
I'd allow more time for the Alcazaba, especially since you want to spend time taking photos, presumably the vistas from the parapets? For early photos of the Nasrid, why not start there at 8.30?
For the night visit (and in general) you have to enter the Nasrid Palaces at the specified time but once you are inside, you can stay as long as you want. So if tickets are sold for a 9.30 pm entry, the sight will be open at least until 10.30 pm. There is a one-way route through the complex (longer during the day when all the rooms are open) but you can backtrack to your heart's content.
Something else that's good to know is that the grounds are open to the public. You need the ticket only to access the 3 ticketed areas, so you can return to the Alhambra on another day for early or late photos.
Posted by
OP
Ontario, Canada
4656 posts
Thanks for the extra insight Chani. Given that I am going late in season, the night hours by late October is only the 90 minutes I posted, but I will use them to my best advantage.
Good point about the grounds being accessible any time.I have the Carmen de las Martires on my list, so could hit the Alcazaba first, though the Carmen also has atmospheric views, I hear.
I might jave to just toss a coin, but I am thinking 9:00 for Nazrid Palace. A little more light might show the plasterwork relief better.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Chani mentioned something very important. Once inside the Nasrid Palace, you can stay as long as you like, and as long as you don't exit, you can backtrack (although you are "swimming upstream" to the crowds).
So, I'd book as early a time slot as possible. Go through for a once-over and some pictures with no people in them, then go back and take a second set of photos if the light is better.
For the night visit, not all of the Nasrid Palace is open, so it doesn't take as long to go through all of the open sections.
Posted by
OP
Ontario, Canada
4656 posts
Thank you for your suggestions. I decided to go for the 8:30 time slot. I took to heart the fact it would have fewer people to start.
I wanted to just mention that I have purchased my ticket. I also purchased the Dobla de Oro Nocturna ticket for the Night visit as well as the other minor sites I can visit over 3 days.
I used a Visa credit card with Verified by Visa and both purchases went through with no problems at all. I entered my last name in both the 'middle name' and 'last name' spaces, so received no error messages there.
Next hurdle are my Renfe ticket purchases when those come available. Having some challenges committing to travel times, as it isn't my style, but worth it for some journeys if only to ensure a seat (with a little savings thrown in).
Thanks again for your input.