Granada Itinerary
Jul 6th, 2016, 05:35 PM
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Granada Itinerary
I'd like to start by thanking everyone who has helped me out with the Seville portion of our itinerary. I've gotten some really great advice and I really appreciate it, thank you thank you thank you! 
Monday October 10th: depart Seville on the 10am bus (which is listed as a supra economy and is much more expensive than the other time slots, for some reason?). Arrive Granada at 1pm in the afternoon, check into hotel (Shine Albayzin). Lunch somewhere, pick up Alhambra tickets at the Corral de Carbon location. Do the RS Granada Old Town walk and visit the Royal Chapel and Cathedral if they're open by then. Check out Casa de Zafra and ruins of Hammam El Banuelo, and make our way up into the Albayzin. Take in views of the Alhambra from San Nicolas and eat dinner with a view from one of the restaurants on the hill. Flamenco this evening, not sure if we should try one of the caves in Sacromonte for the atmosphere or if we should go somewhere else?
October 11th: This ends up being a big Alhambra day. Tickets are on sale now so I'm wanting to pounce once I get advice. Thinking we'd enter through the Justice Gate with a later morning timeslot for the Nasrid palace, maybe 10:30 or so, so we can sleep in just a little bit and not be too rushed. I'm also thinking of buying an afternoon ticket for the Generalife gardens so again, we can take our time and go at our own pace. I definitely would like to stop and smell the proverbial roses this day and take in all that the Alhambra has to offer. After we get done with our daytime visit, I'd like to go take in an spa experience at the Hammam Al Andalus. Culinary exploration via tapas after the baths, followed with the 10:00 Alhambra night visit.
October 12th: Start the day with a 9:30am Olive Oil Tour. Get back to our hotel around 1-1:30, grab our luggage, and head to the train station for a 2:45 departure to Madrid. I'd prefer to take a taxi to the train station but we may need to walk if traffic is busy because of the holiday? Is an 1hr to 1.5hrs enough time to grab luggage, get to the train station and get on a train?
Thanks again!
Monday October 10th: depart Seville on the 10am bus (which is listed as a supra economy and is much more expensive than the other time slots, for some reason?). Arrive Granada at 1pm in the afternoon, check into hotel (Shine Albayzin). Lunch somewhere, pick up Alhambra tickets at the Corral de Carbon location. Do the RS Granada Old Town walk and visit the Royal Chapel and Cathedral if they're open by then. Check out Casa de Zafra and ruins of Hammam El Banuelo, and make our way up into the Albayzin. Take in views of the Alhambra from San Nicolas and eat dinner with a view from one of the restaurants on the hill. Flamenco this evening, not sure if we should try one of the caves in Sacromonte for the atmosphere or if we should go somewhere else?
October 11th: This ends up being a big Alhambra day. Tickets are on sale now so I'm wanting to pounce once I get advice. Thinking we'd enter through the Justice Gate with a later morning timeslot for the Nasrid palace, maybe 10:30 or so, so we can sleep in just a little bit and not be too rushed. I'm also thinking of buying an afternoon ticket for the Generalife gardens so again, we can take our time and go at our own pace. I definitely would like to stop and smell the proverbial roses this day and take in all that the Alhambra has to offer. After we get done with our daytime visit, I'd like to go take in an spa experience at the Hammam Al Andalus. Culinary exploration via tapas after the baths, followed with the 10:00 Alhambra night visit.
October 12th: Start the day with a 9:30am Olive Oil Tour. Get back to our hotel around 1-1:30, grab our luggage, and head to the train station for a 2:45 departure to Madrid. I'd prefer to take a taxi to the train station but we may need to walk if traffic is busy because of the holiday? Is an 1hr to 1.5hrs enough time to grab luggage, get to the train station and get on a train?
Thanks again!
Jul 6th, 2016, 08:16 PM
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With October tickets on sale since July 4th (that's when I finally purchased ours), I would make your decision asap. For our day, the time slot that I wanted was gone before I was able to get the tickets.
Since you are considering buying additional afternoon tickets for the Generalife gardens (I assume because you want to have more freedom to enter after the 14.00h cut off time), you are thinking of spending most of the day at the Alhambra. Buying two separate tickets is one option, and I think it's a good one. The investment of only about 10 euros will give you peace of mind. There is another option though avaialbe to you too.
I will let the cat out of the bag and give you an early Christmas present!
You might have heard of this "urban / Alhambra legend " that if you buy the ticket with Nasrid Palaces slot at 11.30 / 12.00 / 12.30 / 13.00h... you are allowed to use the complex for the whole day?
I personally read this mentioned a few times. But since I didn't to put my faith in comments on forums when making such an important decision, I did the following.
I called the Alhambra bookstore in Granada (fyi, you cannot print the tickets there anymore, the machines are located at the Coral de Carbon now), I called the Coral Carbon too, and I emailed group reservations department at the Alhambra (I was searching for information how to buy tickets for more than 10 people). Each of this places had the same answer : yes, it's possible to use the complex from opening at 8.30h till 20.00h with tickets for Nasrid timed between 11.30 and 13.30.
"You will be able to visit the monumental complex during the day but you are only allowed to access one time at the Nasrid Palaces (the time indicated on your ticket), once at the Generalife Palace (08:00 until 20:00) and once to the Alcazaba Fortress (08:00 until 20:00)."
So, if I were you, first, I would ...probably call Coral de Carbon just in case so I could check it myself
And second, I would get a move on and get a ticket for the Nasrid Palaces at 11.30 or 12.00h before they are sold out.
Again, this information is what I have at the moment and I do not know if the Alhambra complex is going to change the system in the future. I would also like to say that I recommend checking it for yourself by calling the numbers for Alhambra that you can find online. OR asking your hotel concierge to check the information before making such an important decision.
Hope this helped.
Since you are considering buying additional afternoon tickets for the Generalife gardens (I assume because you want to have more freedom to enter after the 14.00h cut off time), you are thinking of spending most of the day at the Alhambra. Buying two separate tickets is one option, and I think it's a good one. The investment of only about 10 euros will give you peace of mind. There is another option though avaialbe to you too.
I will let the cat out of the bag and give you an early Christmas present!
You might have heard of this "urban / Alhambra legend " that if you buy the ticket with Nasrid Palaces slot at 11.30 / 12.00 / 12.30 / 13.00h... you are allowed to use the complex for the whole day?
I personally read this mentioned a few times. But since I didn't to put my faith in comments on forums when making such an important decision, I did the following.
I called the Alhambra bookstore in Granada (fyi, you cannot print the tickets there anymore, the machines are located at the Coral de Carbon now), I called the Coral Carbon too, and I emailed group reservations department at the Alhambra (I was searching for information how to buy tickets for more than 10 people). Each of this places had the same answer : yes, it's possible to use the complex from opening at 8.30h till 20.00h with tickets for Nasrid timed between 11.30 and 13.30.
"You will be able to visit the monumental complex during the day but you are only allowed to access one time at the Nasrid Palaces (the time indicated on your ticket), once at the Generalife Palace (08:00 until 20:00) and once to the Alcazaba Fortress (08:00 until 20:00)."
So, if I were you, first, I would ...probably call Coral de Carbon just in case so I could check it myself
And second, I would get a move on and get a ticket for the Nasrid Palaces at 11.30 or 12.00h before they are sold out. Again, this information is what I have at the moment and I do not know if the Alhambra complex is going to change the system in the future. I would also like to say that I recommend checking it for yourself by calling the numbers for Alhambra that you can find online. OR asking your hotel concierge to check the information before making such an important decision.
Hope this helped.
Jul 7th, 2016, 02:32 PM
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Kja, I should have mentioned more about that. The Alhambra doesn't have night visits on Mondays so we can't go. I really wish we could because I think the timing would be perfect, but unfortunately it's not available. 
Minamax10, that's fascinating!! I had read that and it's interesting to hear that you've confirmed the rumor. I'm way too much of a worrier though and I'd prefer to just spend a few extra dollars for the peace of mind in case something were to change, there be a miscommunication, etc. It's a heck of a deal though if it's true!
Minamax10, that's fascinating!! I had read that and it's interesting to hear that you've confirmed the rumor. I'm way too much of a worrier though and I'd prefer to just spend a few extra dollars for the peace of mind in case something were to change, there be a miscommunication, etc. It's a heck of a deal though if it's true!
Jul 7th, 2016, 07:29 PM
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I’m confused! I was trying to suggest that you make sure that – on Tues. Oct. 11 – you give yourselves more time than you have planned for the Alhambra. Then get whatever ticket you can get (preferably for the Nasrid Palace, but if not, for the Generalife) for THAT evening. As you say, you don’t have a Monday evening option….
Jul 7th, 2016, 07:38 PM
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My apologies kja, I just simply didn't read your response properly (long day). I've booked 10am Nasrid. I tried to book night tickets, but the night ticket page converts to Spanish and I think I'm having troubles getting the name portion right for the card. Keeps saying there is a problem...I'll try again tomorrow. And yes, I'm thinking we will spend most of our day there. I want to get afternoon tickets for the Generalife just to be safe on timing with a relaxed pace.
Jul 7th, 2016, 07:58 PM
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So is your question about WHICH tour, Nasrid Palace or Generalife, for your Tuesday night? Tough call! FWIW, my evening visit to the Nasrid Palace remains among my all-time favorite travel memories, and OMG, I've been so fortunate to have a TON of wonderful travel memories! During my evening visit to the Nasrid Palace, everyone who was there spoke very, very quietly, and I found it absolutely magical! I didn't need to learn about what I was seeing -- I had done that during the day. I got to see this incredible palace with very different lighting, and to smell the flowering shrubs, and hear the fountains, and … truly, it was exquisite.
Hope that helps, good luck, and no worries about miscommunication -- we've ALL been there.
Hope that helps, good luck, and no worries about miscommunication -- we've ALL been there.
Jul 8th, 2016, 01:48 AM
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I hear you, Candj83 
) I was sceptical about that loophole in the system. That's why I checked and double-checked. haha... that said, I was unable to buy the time slot I wanted (11.30am were sold out on my date), so I won't be able to put theory to the test.
) I was sceptical about that loophole in the system. That's why I checked and double-checked. haha... that said, I was unable to buy the time slot I wanted (11.30am were sold out on my date), so I won't be able to put theory to the test.
Jul 8th, 2016, 02:10 AM
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The atmosphere will be something special up in the Sacromonte caves, but if you're looking for top of the shelf flamenco, you should go to Casa del Arte Flamenco, just off Plaza Nueva and at the bottom of the Cuesta de Gomérez leading up to the Alhambra. Only great artists perform here, and all the elements of flamenco: song, guitar and male and female dancer. No Food, no drinks, just some 60 minutes flamenco: http://www.casadelarteflamenco.com/
Local girl Alba Herédia won the very prestigious Premio desplante in La Unión last year, and she dances here every now and then: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZo2869kZtM
Lucía Álvarez "La Piñona" is another of many great artists here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBo1M7qX53k
Local girl Alba Herédia won the very prestigious Premio desplante in La Unión last year, and she dances here every now and then: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZo2869kZtM
Lucía Álvarez "La Piñona" is another of many great artists here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBo1M7qX53k
Jul 9th, 2016, 05:48 AM
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kja, you've sold me on the Nasrid palaces for our evening visit! Wow do you make it sound just breathtaking. I bet it does take on a life of its own in the dark and quiet. We will be looking forward to that. Now I just need to figure out if I can buy the tickets without having problems...
Kimhe, thank you for the flamenco suggestion. It sounds very special!
Can anyone advise if 1 to 1.5 hours is enough time to get our luggage from our hotel (Shine Alybazin) and get to the train station in time for a train with pre-purchased tickets?
Kimhe, thank you for the flamenco suggestion. It sounds very special!
Can anyone advise if 1 to 1.5 hours is enough time to get our luggage from our hotel (Shine Alybazin) and get to the train station in time for a train with pre-purchased tickets?
Jul 9th, 2016, 05:55 AM
#11
we didn't book to see the Nasrid palaces at night, but decided when we got there we'd try to get in and perhaps because it was November, or perhaps because we were lucky, we got in and loved it.
one of the advantages is that they let in far fewer people so you can actually see things without the crowds which makes it a much better experience.
We didn't get an extra ticket for the Generalife but made sure that we were there by 2pm and could stay as long as we liked. Our daytime ticket for the Nasrid palaces was for about 10.30 - we got there about 8am, had breakfast in the cafe at the front, and found that we had seen enough of the main section by 2pm. There are a couple of cafes within the site as well as the parador where you can eat - we just had a snack at the kiosk but if you wanted more, getting an afternoon ticket might be a good idea.
one of the advantages is that they let in far fewer people so you can actually see things without the crowds which makes it a much better experience.
We didn't get an extra ticket for the Generalife but made sure that we were there by 2pm and could stay as long as we liked. Our daytime ticket for the Nasrid palaces was for about 10.30 - we got there about 8am, had breakfast in the cafe at the front, and found that we had seen enough of the main section by 2pm. There are a couple of cafes within the site as well as the parador where you can eat - we just had a snack at the kiosk but if you wanted more, getting an afternoon ticket might be a good idea.
Jul 16th, 2016, 10:58 PM
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And if you are in Granada on a Thursday, you should go to the Peña la Platería for flamenco from 10pm. The oldest existing flamenco club in Spain, and you can get experiences like this, Alba Heredia mentioned above is dancing a few days ago, and the setting couldn't be better:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGhyLLfylOM
About Peña la Platería in Granada: http://www.laplateria.org.es/
https://www.facebook.com/plateriaflamenco
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGhyLLfylOM
About Peña la Platería in Granada: http://www.laplateria.org.es/
https://www.facebook.com/plateriaflamenco
Jul 17th, 2016, 02:43 AM
#14
We visited Alhambra in February - we had afternoon tickets and a 3pm Nasrid Palace time slot.
At the front desk of our hotel (Guadeloupe) they assured us we could enter anytime via the Justice Gates before the 2pm time on the ticket and wander the grounds, enter Charles V Palace and the museums, visit the Garden of the Partal, go to the Parador, etc, but that we would not be able to enter the Alcazar until 2pm.
Indeed that was true. We had a leisurely walk down to the Justice Gates and enjoyed time at the Parador (bar lunch menu is nice), the museums, etc and presented ourselves at the Alcazar at 2pm to enter with our afternoon tickets.
At the front desk of our hotel (Guadeloupe) they assured us we could enter anytime via the Justice Gates before the 2pm time on the ticket and wander the grounds, enter Charles V Palace and the museums, visit the Garden of the Partal, go to the Parador, etc, but that we would not be able to enter the Alcazar until 2pm.
Indeed that was true. We had a leisurely walk down to the Justice Gates and enjoyed time at the Parador (bar lunch menu is nice), the museums, etc and presented ourselves at the Alcazar at 2pm to enter with our afternoon tickets.
