We are traveling to Spain in June and will be traveling from Barcelona to Madrid to Marbella. We have one open day on the last day of our trip in Marbella and are considering hiring a private small group tour company to do a day trip to Granada and Alhambra. I think it is about a 2 1/2 hour drive each way. Do you think this would be a good use of our time for the day and what is recommended to do and see at each of these places? i have been reading a lot of reviews that recomend Alhambra but would love to know some further detail so i can decide on a good use of my time. the two other options for that day would be Gibralter or Ronda, however we can tour one of these cities on Saturday and then do the Granada day trip on Sunday. thoughts and suggestions please?
Posted by
California 🦋
5288 posts
Linda,
As much as I enjoyed visiting the Alhambra in Granada, I would not recommend visiting it as a day trip, especially if it took 2.5 hours each way.
I'd save Granada for another trip when you can also consider visiting other beautiful cities such as Sevilla and Córdoba.
Enjoy your time in Spain!
Posted by
Spain
162 posts
I would absolutely do it! or go to Ronda. That is a little closer, and a wonderful day trip. That is a really good choice! I would pass on Gibralter, Ronda is much more interesting. Hopefully you can find a good tour guide to point out all the cool things in Ronda. You park outside the main city and walk around. Easy walking. It is a beautiful town that is very romanesque. The bridge over the river is incredible!
At this late date, you may not be able to get tickets to the Alhambra. I do know that in Spain, almost all the towns along the coast sell tickets to the Alhambra, and you may be able to get them once you are there, but I would try to purchase them at least a week in advance if you aren't able to buy them now. I wouldn't bother to go to Granada if I didn't have tickets to the Alhambra, and yes, it is worth going.
Posted by
OP
NY
19 posts
Thank you for your feedback! does it matter what religion you are to best appreciate Alhambra?
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
"does it matter what religion you are to best appreciate Alhambra? "
No, and I'm not sure why you think it would. The Alhambra is a palace complex, with the highlights being gardens, a ruined fort, and most of all the palace itself. Going there is not about seeing any houses of worship.
Posted by
Michigan
17 posts
Read up on the History of the Alhambra. Its history is long and complex. Oscar Wilde lived a year in the palace while writing "Tales from the Alhambra". Literature is a fantastic way to get to understand a culture. I highly recommend the book, BTW. I've driven to Granada for the day, visited just the Alhambra, then traveled on to the coast. There is more to Granada than the Alhambra, but the Alhambra is an absolute jewel.
Posted by
Chicago
2019 posts
While the Alhambra has Arabic calligraphy, it was used as a palace and fortress-not a religious site.
Tales of the Alhambra was written by Washington Irving-who was Ambassador to Spain and was allowed to live in the ruined fortress. You can see his rooms on the tour.
Posted by
OP
NY
19 posts
great information! I have been trying to read more up on it. I was under the assumption that it was important because of its religious history (built by the last Muslims to rule Spain), but I am seeing now that it is more about its history and sophisticated planning of the complex. so now I have a tough choice for my two days in Marbella. i think i can fit in two out of the three; which would be the last two days of a busy 10 day trip (barcelona to madrid to Toledo to Marbella) Do I do the Alhambra(2 hr drive each way), Gibralter(1 hour each way), or Ronda(1 hour)???! or Are my plans too aggressive for me and my 18 year old daughter?? and do I do them on my own or hire a tour guide to show us around?