Alhambra Spain

Did you try the Nazari Viajes website purchase process? I did a test run, aksing for tickets for April 3, one of the sold out days. They sent the email saying I could reserve them, and requesting payment, but nowhere could I find the time that was actually reserved. so you might be taking a chance on getting an undesirable time. Also, they say they will email you a "bono" confirmatino, but at least on that page they did not say where to exhange that for the actual ticket. If you are willing to accept any entry time, it might be worth a try. They do mark the tickets up a bit (4 euros). Make sure to call your bank to advise them you will be making a purchase from Spain. They use the Verified by Visa security system so your card has to be registered first. Another option you might consider is the "visita entorno" sold by the Alhambra (through ServiCaixa). This is a guiled walking tour, in English. They offer a different one each day of the week. We did the "conquest of Water" tour and it was great. I checked a couple of duys during the "sold out" period (which extends to April 13) and these tickets were available. Note however that you do not get to see the whole Nasrid palace on these tours. You do, however, see some areas that are not open to the general public. For "day of" tickets you line up at the ticket office at the main gate. They go very quickly. I don't know how early you would have to line up to have a chance of getting one.

If you are staying in Granada your hotel should be able to book a tour for you. Since there are no more reserved time slots the only option is to do a guided tour. They usually start at 10 and include the albacin and I believe they run around 49 euros pp. I believe they are offered by GuiasGranada.

thanks - I actually went through the nazi site process, the charge went through right away - I've been trying to e-mail them at various addresses to no avail. Am thinking about having the charge contested and refused since they won't correspond with me. I was looking for someone that may have used the site already and has knowledge of it's legitimacy. We will only be in Grenada for a day trip from Malaga - they say to show up for the "day of" tickets by 7 a.m. - an early rise that day for sure if we try that. Thanks for the other suggestions. Oh - has anyone used booking.com? They seem a little iffy also -

I've used booking.com, for rooms, and haven't had any problems with them yet.

Post where your 'iffy' doubts come from and links. I have no recollection of seeing a bad word about booking.com in all the years of existence and have used them a half dozen times, without problems with the site or the accommodation.
What I have seen is plenty of speculation and queries by nervous travellers asking what could go wrong and what they can do to resolve a matter which has not yet occurred, whether with booking.com or another of scores of websites of this ilk.

I found 3 websites full of complaints about booking.com. So, that led me to try to confirm the booking with the actual hostal that I booked with b.com, and the hostal e-mail came back mailer-demon. The hostal website isn't much and all I have left to try is their phone number - I have a feeling they may not speak english. I'm glad to hear good things about b.com, I used them twice before I came upon the bad reviews. Any recommendations from you out there for good cheap, places to stay in Madrid? 1 nite, and would like to be near the on-off bus route. thanks!

P.S. The problem with booking sites (and I've had this happen to me) is that they can't and won't guarantee what they claim on their site. The hotel can change, or do whatever they want, because the reservation is between the guest and the hotel - the booking site won't take any responsibility. There's nothing you can do if you get to your hotel - and things have changed. I try not to use them if at all possible anymore.