I need some advice since the one excursion that we really wanted to the Alhambra Palace and Gardens while in port in Malaga is already sold out. These are my options:
..Walking tour of Malaga in the am and an afternoon in Mijas.
or
..Full day tour of Granada
or
...Full day in Ronda
RS gives Ronda 2 stars however there is nothing mentioned in RS about Mijas although it looks like a beautiful white hill town. If we were to visit Granada we might be able to see The Alhambra on our own while we're there....
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
5581 posts
From the way you worded it, it sounds like you would have to get your own Alhambra tickets? You need to get those tickets 3 months in advance on their website. Also, the tickets seem to go on sale the 1st of the month, so if you desire tickets for a date midmonth, those tickets go on sale 3+ months ahead of time on the 1st. If you can get tickets, I would do the Alhambra unless you think you could return in the near future. I've been to Ronda, it was nice though I enjoyed the smaller hill towns more. Mijas does look delightful
Posted by
Sevilla
1296 posts
I wouldn't give up on seeing the Alhambra. Presumably it is the official cruise boat tour sold out? But, in season, there are lots of Malaga-Alhambra tours and they might fit your available time. The cruise terminal is very close to the central hotels where other tours pick up & return. Just have a google and youll find lots of options.
Posted by
Hayden, Idaho, USA
7276 posts
Sue, some options like this would accommodate your first choice:
We went to Granada, Ronda & Malaga, plus several other towns on our own itinerary in 2017. I wouldn’t try to go to the Alhambra by yourself- just because of the transportation logistics. A small tour will take you directly there.
We both really liked Ronda, but I wouldn’t enjoy it walking around with a tour group. We explored the gorge down both sides, walked through the first bullring & museum, went to a wonderful classical Spanish guitar concert at night, etc.
Malaga has some nice places to explore if other options fall through for you.
Posted by
Washington DC
27096 posts
Alhambra tickets through May are currently available on the official website--except for the sold-out days, of which there are many. What you're looking for is the Alhambra General or Dobla de Oro General ticket (though you wouldn't have time to make full use of the Dobla de Oro). One thing to be careful of is that any tour you buy or ticket you purchase should include the Nasrid Palaces. That is the major sight within the Alhambra, and I've seen at least one tour that didn't include it. I'm sure the people buying that tour thought they were going to see the full thing.
A possible back-door is purchasing the Granada Card, which includes access to the Alhambra--though certain days and times are sold out there, as well, and you'll pay more since the GC covers additional sights you won't have time to see.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23266 posts
The problem with doing the Alhambra with a local tour is the risk of returning on time unless the ship is over night in Malaga. Granada is a good two hour bus ride from Malaga. I would not bother with Granada if you don't have Alhambra tickets. Granada is interesting with the Cathedral and the town itself but the Alhambra is the main attraction. I would do the full day in Ronda and see if you can get on the waiting list for the Alhambra.