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Ronda or Granada with a 3 hr tour to Alhambra can't decide which excursion to take from Cruise line.

Posted by (Placitas, NM, USA) on

Our cruise ship will be in the port at Malaga for one day. The excursion to see Alhambra was already booked when I got my chance to book excursions. I was able to book the excursion to Granada however which doesn't include Alhambra. Somebody suggested that I investigate getting tickets/tour through "private" tour company which worked out. I was fortunate to book a a 3 hour small group tour to Alhambra on my own. This is my plan: take the cruise excursion to Granada see a bit of the city then break away from that tour take a taxi, bus or walk up the hill to join up with the 3 hour tour of Alhambra rejoining the cruise tour when that's over. I'm having second thought now......The ship excursion along with the "private" tour is expensive, not sure if it's worth it. I'm thinking we should take the excursion to Ronda instead. From what I've read-out Ronda it be a lovely and interesting way to spend the day. Less crowded, and a lot less money!

Thoughts?

Posted by
4180 posts

While slightly less crowded, and less money, Ronda is significantly less of a sight than Granada and the Alhambra, the're not even on the same level. If you have the opportunity to see the Alhambra, I would definitely not skimp, it's one of the top 3 sights of Spain, in my opinion :)

Posted by
2047 posts

Seconded the PP. Granada and the Alhambra are not to be missed and you will learn a lot about the Alhambra with a private tour guide-probably more than the audio guide. I've been to Spain twice and still haven't seen Ronda and in terms of historic significance is far less.

Posted by
262 posts

+1 for Alhambra - no comparison. We found Ronda pleasant and interesting. But then we stayed there and so experienced the place before and after the day-trippers. Which, by the way, you would be one of. I thought the crowds in Ronda were more detracting than Granada/ Alhambra. Hopefully your tour includes Nasrid Palace where entrance is metered by the hour so not bad at all in there. Any chance of just traveling independently to Granada to pick up your tour reducing cost?

Posted by
1038 posts

It may end up being a bit more than you’d prefer to pay, but I think that’s a solid plan! The Alhambra is the must see out of the three options here. If you manage to get a little something from the cruise tour before and after, then that’s just gravy. It will be a full day for you but one you won’t regret.

Agree with others here: Ronda is lovely, but there’s nothing there that comes close to the Nazarid Palace.

Posted by
8248 posts

Don't miss the Alhambra and Granada.

We cruise a lot and take private tours most of the time. It does take a while to see the Alhambra and you will be walking or standing a lot. Make sure the logistics for connecting back with your ship's transportation and be there a little early.

Posted by
1297 posts

Whilst agreeing with everyone else that you should stick to your Granada plan, if not my alternative would be staying in Malaga rather than going to Ronda.

Ronda is pleasant if staying overnight, but Malaga has more interesting sights, including a "mini-Alhambra".

But, just to repeat, I'd go to Granada.

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