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Alhambra to Hammam al Andalusus Spa / best option

Alhambra to Hammam al Andalusus Spa / best option

Old Jun 29th, 2016, 01:32 AM
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Alhambra to Hammam al Andalusus Spa / best option

Greetings!

Justice Gate of Alhambra to Hammam al Andalusus . Based on Google maps, I can see that it is about 1.5km or 20min walk. If I am not mistaken, it's all downhill, is it not? I cannot tell whether it would be best to walk or take a taxi from the gates to the spa. According to the map, it looks like using a car would take much longer than walking. Or is the map showing the driving route for "private" cars and city taxis are allowed to take a short cut? My question is should we walk OR should we use a taxi?

Justice Gate - Hammam al Andalus

Walk -- https://goo.gl/maps/tFB9DC7yBG22

Car (Taxi ??) -- https://goo.gl/maps/FvMVbdzZsxz

The reason I'm asking is because I'm still juggling different options for our two days in Granada and my biggest issue is a visit to a Hammam spa. On one of the days, I want to add a 2-hour visit to the Hammam al Andalusu ( Hammam Al Ándalus Arab Baths, Calle Santa Ana, 16, 18009 Granada, Spain / http://granada.hammamalandalus.com) . Out of all sessions, 4-6pm seems to be the best to try-- it would allow us to return to the hotel for a short rest and change of clothes before going out for dinner.

I've considered doing the spa on our first day in Granada. But with an arrival to Granada around 12pm, we would at most get about 3.5 hours for sightseeing AND lunch. Even a quick lunch would still end up being 60 -75min. So I feel that we won't have enough time to see the Cathedral + Royal Chapel + Albaicin, would we? Check in around 18.30h. Dinner with an Alhambra view around 20.00h.

Which of these options sounds better?

Option one:

12.00h arrive in Granada from Malaga (drop off our luggage at the hotel Victoria)
12.00-13.30 Cathedral + Royal Chapel
13.30-14.45 Lunch
14.45-15.45 Albaicin
14.45-18.00 Spa Hammam Al Andalus
18.30 Check in at the hotel
19.30 Depart for dinner at one of the Carmen Restaurants (maybe Restaurante Estrellas de San Nicolas).

OR

Second option: To do the Spa after the visit to the Alhambra on our 2nd day.

09.30 -10.30 Generalife
11.00 - 11.30 Alcazaba
11.30 - 13.30 Nasrid Palaces + Partal gardens (11.30h entrance means we must enter by 12.00h)
13.45-15.15h Lunch at the Parador restaurant
15.15-15.45 Walk OR take a taxi to the Spa
15.45-18.00 Spa Hammam al Andalus
18.30-19.30 Rest at the hotel
19.30 Tapas dinner near the hotel

Thank you!
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Old Jun 29th, 2016, 01:37 AM
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Doesn't the spa have a night option? If so, do that on your first night. I am pretty sure that's the one we did (although it may have been a couples night).
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Old Jun 29th, 2016, 01:38 AM
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Unless you have limited mobility, there is no reason to not walk to it. It's a lovely walk.
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Old Jun 29th, 2016, 03:22 AM
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Thank you, sparkchaser :
the spa has sessions at 4, 6, 8pm. but our 1st night in Granada is set aside for a fancier" welcome to Spain" dinner. fighting jet leg, I'm afraid the group won't have any energy for that if the dinner starts any later than 19.30~20.00h. Hence, the 4pm slot for the spa. As for the second day, again 4pm would work better since we are departing for Cordoba on day 3 @ 8.30am.

Glad to hear that the walk is pleasant and we can avoid wasting time on taking a taxi.
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Old Jun 29th, 2016, 03:46 AM
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It is a nice walk. Just avoid the gypsies.
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Old Jun 29th, 2016, 05:27 AM
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Another option instead of going down the Cuesta de Gómerez:

A different and not too very well known walk down from the Alhambra to the river is via the new and improved Cuesta de los Chinos (Cuesta del Rey Chico), if you're game for a different perspective and to see more of the city.

This walk begins next to the Restaurante La Mimbre on the Alhambra grounds and descends to the Paseo de los Tristes along the Darro River in the lower Albayzín. It has all new pavement and is illuminated at night.

It goes down along the Alhambra walls ,and it will deposit you down to the Paseo de los Tristes (officially the Paseo del Padre Majón) in the lower Albayzín, where you'll see the Restaurant Ruta del Azafrán and outdoor terraces.

Then take the Paseo de los Tristes west towards the Plaza Nueva, and it becomes the Carrera del Darro , following the Darro river. Then cross the bridge to the Calle Santa Ana and the Hammam at Calle Santa Ana.

Here's a picture of the route-
http://albayzin.info/tema/cuesta-de-los-chinos/

It's a very pretty and interesting walk.

Highly recommend the Estrellas de San Nicolás.
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Old Jun 29th, 2016, 07:51 PM
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Thank you Robert. Looked through the photos of the new route you suggested. Lovely. Googlemaps helped to trace the route you suggest. So that will be our other option. Thank you.

Choosing a restaurant with a view of Alhambra is quite a challenge. Unfortunately. our dinner is on Monday which means some of the restaurants are closed. Narrowed down to the Estrellas de San Nicolás (which due to it's location seemed to have more of a tourist clientele) and Carmen de Aben Humeya http://abenhumeya.com/#_=_ .

The later keeps pulling me in. Even though lower ranked, it seems more intimate and photos of the gardens and food are very pretty. That said, restaurant's response rate is quite peculiar. They replied to the initial booking inquiry and asked a few questions regarding the event. Since then, 3 emails have gone unanswered. So, now I'm considering going back to the Estrellas de San Nicolás as a choice.

So, the Estrellas de San Nicolás would be a good choice for a "dress up / fine dining" experience?
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Old Jun 29th, 2016, 09:30 PM
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Yes, Estrellas de San Nicolás is a very good bet for both the food (chef is French) and the views. We haven't tried all the "Albayzín restaurants with full frontal Alhambra views", though, as there are several in addition to the two mentioned above.

The Parador de San Francisco (former 16th century convent, where Fernando and Isabel were temporarily buried in the chapel) is also nice for a coffee or snack break during or after your Alhambra visit. The entrance to the café/restaurant is to the left of the main entrance to the hotel and down some steps-it's open to non hotel guests. But it doesn't open until 11 am.
We took a break there on our recent winter visit and the day was so warm we were able to sit out on the terrace. We've also had lunches and dinners there. On weekends a classical guitarist plays during dinner (but maybe only in the high season-they did have the brochures of his performance out when we were there).

Since you're staying at the NH Victoria Autograph Collection (nice hotel), there are several nice places for tapas and wine that are walkable. We like Taberna la Tana, which is considered the city's best wine bar, found tucked away at the end of pedestrian Calle Navas and its extension, Calle Rosario, to the left on the corner, at the Plazeta del Agua, before reaching the Plaza de los Campos.
It opens at 8:30 pm and quickly gets packed with locals.
Just beyond Taberna la Tana, up some steps to the Plaza de los Campos, on the right you'll find Taberna de Jam, for more wine and Iberian ham. And at the end of Calle Rosario, on the right, is the newer and larger version of Los Diamantes, with table seating in the back, a fine freiduría (one of Andalucías best) that serves delicately fried fish and mussels, clams, etc. Los Diamantes also has another larger branch that attracts more tourists because of its setting at the Plaza Nueva.

www.tabernalatana.com
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/19/tr...ghborhood.html
http://www.barlosdiamantes.com

For tapas on the pretty Plaza de la Pescadería you have two, Cunini and Oliver, side by side, who both specialize in seafood and have outdoor terraces.

http://www.marisqueriacunini.com/Empresa.html
http://restauranteoliver.com

In front of city hall we also like Puerta del Carmen, on the Plaza del Carmen.
http://www.puertadelcarmenrestaurante.com/en-index.html

In Granada with the order of a drink (beer, wine), you receive a free tapa. For every drink order a different tapa will be served. Waiters have very good memories.
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Old Jun 29th, 2016, 11:10 PM
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Dear Robert, I'm bookmarking all your suggestions for tapas

And related to the tapas culture and style of dinning, I have a question. I would go from place to place for hours if I were visiting Granada with a friend or two. However, considering that there will be 7 people in my group, how does this "tapas dining" works? Would you venture to any of these places with that many people and no reservations?

Some of the establishments you've mentioned, I had come across in an Anthony Bourdain's episode on Granada as well. And the three place that looked fun were : La Tana (I understand it's a tiny sister-brother run establishment), Oliver for the Langoustines!, and the last was El Tabernacle (just cause it looked so different).

For now, I've picked La Botilleria as it takes reservation and is in a walking distance from the hotel. I would love to try other places maybe for a bite here and there--but is it a good idea just to drop by with 7 people?

Parador restaurant is confirmed for our Alhambra day. Feel so special to be dining in such a historic place.
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Old Jun 29th, 2016, 11:17 PM
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It's the same with 7 people. Just be prepared to stand.
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Old Jun 30th, 2016, 06:38 AM
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<Just be prepared to stand> After a long day at the Alhambra that might be a challenge The good thing about these tapas places as I understand is that you are not expected to stay for long. One drink . One tapa. And off you go. So we might still try one or two places, and then head to a sit down dinner. Perhaps at La Botilleria. anyone dined at this restaurant before?
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Old Jun 30th, 2016, 08:57 AM
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We haven't dined at La Botillería.

For 7 people, you can ask your hotel to call ahead and reserve a table for 7 at Puerta del Carmen. It serves both tapas and small plates and does have tables both inside and on the terrace.
Phone: 958 22 37 37

Yes, Oliver was in the Bourdain episode as was La Tana.
La Tana has a few tables but not one for 7. Yes, it's run by a brother-sister combo and they do speak English.
It's quite small, and most locals go there to spend quite a while to try a few wines from their very well chosen list, including wines from Ronda (Encaste) and even from Las Alpujarras. It's a favorite of the Granadino native son and internationally known orchestra conductor, Pablo Heras-Casado.

The newest Los Diamantes, for fried fish and shellfish, on the Plaza Nueva 13 has much more seating than the other two, the original "hole in the wall" and the second one at the end of Calle Rosario (but this one does have about 6 tables in the back). The new one has seating both on the terrace and inside.
You can see the photos at http://www.barlosdiamantes.com
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Old Jun 30th, 2016, 07:27 PM
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I do like the look of Puerta del Carmen. One thing that I've had little luck with is finding restaurants that would be highly regarded for food and have atmosphere / decor to boot. During prior trips I found places that looked liked they were real life inspiration for anything fairytale by Disney! In Granada and Seville, I feel that most of the top restaurants on TA have wonderful food, but they are a bit minimalistic in their decor.
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Old Jul 1st, 2016, 08:05 AM
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Rather than use TA reviews exclusively, I recommend that you also look at the Michelin red guide and the Repsol guide recommendations for solid, reliable dining tips for Andalucía and also Dining Secrets of Andalucia, the gourmet guide of the online newspaper, the Olive Press (but its web page is currently being revamped).

www.viamichelin.com
https://www.guiarepsol.com/es/
http://www.diningsecretsofandalucia.com

And for Sevilla, we take Shawn Hennesey's recommendations to the bank. She's "Azahar", who gives tapas tours and is extremely knowledgeable about the current food scene and knows all the chefs.

http://azahar-sevilla.com/sevilletapas/

There's nothing minimalistic about the decor of Puerta del Carmen.
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Old Jul 4th, 2016, 07:53 PM
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Thank you, Robert. Perusing the links you provided. I really like Azahar-sevilla one. I've been also using Yelp lately when checking restaurants reviews.
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