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Any one disagree w/day AND night tour the Alhambra?

Any one disagree w/day AND night tour the Alhambra?

Old Feb 7th, 2012, 11:45 AM
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Any one disagree w/day AND night tour the Alhambra?

Will post info/questions on another thread, but briefly, DH, DD and I are from US and planning train from Madrid on Friday, March 30, 1 night in Granada, train to Seville for 5 nights w/ day trip to Cordoba, leaving Spain on Thursday.

I know some people recommend 2 visits, day and night, but w/ limited time in Andalucia, anyone suggest day or night visit only.

Anyone regret doing/not doing both?

Thanks.
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Old Feb 7th, 2012, 12:03 PM
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I did both and MUCH preferred the day. At night you really only see the palace - there is so much more, the grounds, other buildings, etc that you don't see on the night tour. So if you have to pick then the day visit definitely. And with limited time I would not bother with the night tour. Sure it was atmospheric but having seen it in the day time I'd spend my evening exploring the city. In fact I really like Granada and spent three days there and found much to discover. I would almost suggest taking one night from Seville, although that too is wonderful so five nights with a day trip to Cordoba is certainly not too much.

Here are my photos of all three cities: http://www.pbase.com/annforcier/sevilla_cordoba_granada

and trip report: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...p-report-1.cfm
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Old Feb 7th, 2012, 12:11 PM
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Hi susan,

I'm going to respectfully disagree with isabel and say that the night visit was well worth it - there are far fewer people allowed in, and consequently you get a much better idea of the Nasrid palaces, which are indeed the only buildings open for the night visit. they are just gorgeous at any time, but in the evening, they have an added romance and atmosphere. IMHO not to be missed!

where I do agree with her is that Granada is well worth more than one night. If possible, I would "borrow" one from Seville and spend it in Granada - that should give you a day and a half [and 2 nights] in Granada - enough to see the palaces in the night and the day, to explore the town [the cathedral is well worth the visit] and the Albercin.

you would also avoid having two "one night stands" in a row - always to be avoided!
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Old Feb 7th, 2012, 12:19 PM
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How useful a one night stay in Granada depends on how you structured the stay there. The provided info does not shed light on just how much time you have in Granada.

Here is what I am interpreting. You are leaving US on Thursday. That means arriving in Madrid in the morning of Friday. You then make your way to Atocha train station upon landing and take a train to Granada. Now compare this to booking your outbound trip to end in Granada instead. If you can recover a few hours this way, you open up an opportunity to visit Alhambra at night. Whether you are up to doing this kind of thing on an arrival day is something you have to decide.

If you start your visit for the daytime Alhambra next morning at opening time, you will be done by mid afternoon and can make it to Sevilla easily by evening.
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Old Feb 7th, 2012, 12:25 PM
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The day visit should include the Generalife which is the garden above the palace.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/...57622975757180 and the next three or four photos in the set.
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Old Feb 7th, 2012, 12:33 PM
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We did the day and night tours and both were lovely. If you can only do one, opt for the day tour. Although the night tour was atmospheric and pleasant, there was more to experience on the day tour including the gardens. I felt the Alhambra was one of the most sensuous places I have ever been (that is, an experience involving all of the senses). That was more evident to me during the day tour.
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Old Feb 7th, 2012, 12:35 PM
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I did both last summer. And I agree with Isabel. The day tour was much more comprehensive. The gardens and Generalife are not to be missed. The night tour was much more restricted and there were lots of people. It even seemed crowded in the enclosed space and in the dark. No comparison IMHO.
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Old Feb 7th, 2012, 12:57 PM
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We did the day tour and then viewed the place illuminated at night from our accommodation in the Parador.

I liked the Alhambra a great deal but am I the only person on earth who felt some of the interiors eventually mind-numbingly similar?
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Old Feb 7th, 2012, 01:11 PM
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in the summer you can also do a tour of the Generalife gardens at night. [that's new from when we went]. being a bit of a garden nut I'd have liked to do that too.

As you are going to Seville, do not miss the Alcazar - it's similar to the Alhambra yet very different, not least because it's far less crowded, though I'm not entirely sure why.

Dukey - yes the interiors are similar, but so what? the workmanship is fantastic, and the effect would have been wonderful at the time that it was built, when it would have been multi-coloured rather than the single colour it is now.
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Old Feb 7th, 2012, 02:32 PM
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I've done a day visit in January and another in October and a night visit in April. All were enjoyable.

On the April visit, I reserved tickets too late to go during the day, and I was kicking myself for reserving late. However, I enjoyed the night visit every bit as much as the day visits.

The January was probably my favorite because it wasn't crowded.
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Old Feb 7th, 2012, 02:42 PM
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If you only have time for one visit and had to choose between the day and night tour, then I'd choose a day tour. While I do believe the night tour is extremely worthwhile the day tour includes much more and I wouldn't miss it.

Since you're traveling smack in the middle of Semana Santa I assume you've already booked hotels - if not you need to do this ASAP especially for Sevilla. I'd also book the train travel in advance particularly between Madrid and Granada, and Sevilla and Madrid. Otherwise the trains will likely be sold out or only offering the full fare in preferante or club classes. You can train or bus between Granada and Sevilla - I'd purchase these in advance also.
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Old Feb 7th, 2012, 03:12 PM
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Wow, thanks for those pictures, they're lovely and I'm hoping I get the same sunny weather as you have. Also, being from the American East Coast, I'm ridiculously excited about seeing palm trees!

Is it March yet?!
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Old Feb 9th, 2012, 09:24 AM
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Thanks for all the great info. We will just do the day tour and stay 2 nights.
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Old Feb 9th, 2012, 01:08 PM
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once you get there, you may find that as it's March, you can still get tickets for the evening visit if you change your minds.

you do however need to book tickets for the day-time visit in advance - now would be good!
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