Suppose I could just wait until I explore Granada but if anybody knows if I will be able to get a taxi at the top of the San Nicolas viewpoint in the evening. My plan is to explore the Albayzin during the day and end up at the viewpoint at sunset and don't really want to walk or bus it at nighttime in the area. Likely, I will be doing this exploring solo. Getting excited (and a little anxious) for this trip. It has been long in the planning and now just 2 1/2 weeks away.
Linda
Taxis are plentiful. The area felt very safe to me. Once you get there you might decide you feel comfortable with the bus.
Short answer: yes, there should be plenty of taxis.
However, I'd bet you will feel a lot safer than you imagine. Especially at sunset. The minibus is full of tourists and I wouldn't hesitate to take it. If you are watching expenses, it's worth considering. Of course a taxi will be fine if that makes you feel better.
Thank you Jennifer and Mira. You have put my mind at ease. Don't know what has gotten into me. I travel on public transportation almost every day in Seattle and sometimes in "sketchy" areas. I will be fine
I understand where your concerns are coming from - Rick. He makes it sound dangerous to see this area. I found that staying on the bus route and the well-touristed path did not feel dangerous at all, and taking the bus (with, as noted, lots of others) felt quite safe. I would be uncomfortable going off the beaten path in that area in the dark - but that's no different from LOTS of other places all over the world. So, short answer - you should be fine.
'My plan is to explore the Albayzin during the day and end up at the viewpoint at sunset' - then start at the 'top' of the Albayzin at Mirador San Cristobal (mini-bus or conventional bus both run by the city available) for your first view of the Alhambra and make your way down/crisscross to San Nicolas. You are minutes walk only, downhill, from the newer city at San Nicolas and you may want to take in another plaza on the way.
I went in February, even then there were still plenty of tourists around. There were lots of people at the viewpoint selling various stuff. Suddenly there was a loud whistle from one of them and they all grabbed their stuff and ran. The police come by often to chase them away (and maybe catch a couple). I saw that in Barcelona too. I took a "sambra" tour one evening. It started with an after-dark walking tour of the Albayzin before the performance. The area was pretty quiet but felt safe.
Taxis are hit and miss there. I saw a fairly regular flow of taxis around sunset but not a taxi stand right at San Nicolas that you could count on. There are restaurants along that stretch but there isn't likely to be a lot of traffic for those until later, when dinner starts up.
Brad: well then, I might just stay for dinner.
Chani: I laughed about the whistle blowing and pulling up the wares. Same thing happened in Florence and Rome. Oh, the travel stories we share.
Getting excited to explore Spain and Portugal for the first time.
Happy travels, Linda
The minibuses felt very safe when I was there in May. 1.20 Euros.
After seeing all of Rick's videos, I was very nervous that I would be accosted by gypsies, pickpocketed or that my car would be broken into. None of this happened. Instead, my husband unknowingly dropped a ten Euro note while getting his camera out of his pocket and a man picked it up and gave it to him.
There is drug activity at San Nicolas. For the same view without crowds or drugs, go down the street to the east a short distance. The mosque of Granada, also on one of Rick's videos has the same view of the Alhambra and the Sierra from their garden courtyard. Very pleasant.
