burnhamski

Has anyone used a private guide for the Alhambra & do you recommend? Or, alternately, are audio guides available on site & will those be enough?

I thought we were all set for our visit in June, but now having 2nd thoughts after reading posts (Trip Advisor) about people who had bad experiences with ticket bar codes not scanning, getting in the wrong line, not getting in at the right time. Besides escorting us in at the right time & place, will we gain anything by going with a guide?

Thank you! Laura

ekscrunchy

I was very impressed with the guide that we had for the Conquest of Water tour last year.

This is from my trip report:


"The guide for our tour, Jaen Native Juan Cobo, was superlative. He also works as a private guide and I would highly recommend him to anyone wishing a private tour in the Granada area. His English is perfect. Not only did he give us an excellent tour, but he was more than willing to discuss local food and offered us quite a few tips for tapas, along with recipes, and lengthy discourses about Andalucian food in general. Juan can be reached at:

[email protected]



http://www.guiasgranada.com/eng/index.asp?secc=/inicio"

emily71

I did the audio tour and thought it was enough. You should really read a bit about the place before going there. June might be busier but I got to the Alhambra about 8:30 and was able to get in quickly. I had no troubles getting my ticket from the machine and everything went smoothly. It's not really that difficult, IMHO.

kja

The Alhambra is amazing! If you haven't already planned on doing so, do consider going both during the day and the evening. I didn't have any trouble with tickets or directions, but it's been quite a while since I was there, so maybe things have changed.

The audio guide met my needs, but I'm someone who does a lot of advance reading. And it sounds like the tour ekscrunchy describes covers information that wouldn't necessarily be part of the "usual" coverage.

Enjoy!

jgg

We were just there and had no problem with tickets/lines, etc. but we did feel as though the audio guide was poor. If you have a recommendation for a private guide I would definitely consider it as I suspect they would be more informative.

gailw

We were there a few years ago. Wish we had had a guide. Audio guide ok but not great. Alhambra is fabulous and worth paying someone to give you extra info.

burnhamski

Thanks for the info. Will try your guide rec's ekscrucnhy - we have usually been happy with guides, but good to know that audioguides are there as backup.

Thanks for the "night visit"suggestion, kja. Have that noted from an earlier post & will try. Our limited time in Granada means we will have to do our day visit & nigh visit on same day. We have tix for the 8:30 am & will see if evening tix are available same day if we are ready to go back (after maybe some wine & a nap)at night.

Thanks again - Laura