Planning 2 days in Granada
 

I would probably have 2 day in Granada. I would be traveling in mid december.
On day 1, I plan to reach by 11 AM by train/bus from Cordoba, and then take an afternoon tour at the palaces. For some reason, the night tour shows timings only on friday and saturday nights, is it there everyday?
Now, I would like to go somewhere out of Granada, if possible.

I also want to be back by 4 PM so I can view the Alhambara from Plaza Nicolas.

Guadix and Castillo Callahora is one I can think of, but do I need a car for the Callahora part?
Otherwise, is Alhama Granada exciting enough? I would be spending 3 days in the Ronda and white villages area.
Any other suggestions would be great.

At that time of year, it is my understanding that the Alhambra does not offer visits every night -- just Fri. and Sat.

I spent a full day at the Alhambra and did not have as much time as I would have liked, and I mean that literally -- I went in with first admission of the day and was there without a break until "last call" for exiting the grounds before closing down in preparation for the night session. And then I returned for the evening visit of the Nasrid Palace, and wish I could have lingered longer than was possible.

And of course, Granada has FAR more than the Alhambra. I could easily have enjoyed more than the 3 nights I gave it, and that's just for the city itself, no where outside of the city.

<i>For some reason, the night tour shows timings only on friday and saturday nights</i>

Yes, as kja noted only Friday and Saturday that time of year. Helpful Fodorites pointed that out to me when I was originally planning to arrive on a Sunday. I adjusted our schedule to arrive Thursday so we could do the Friday night visit.

We also thought the night visit exceptional, and were glad we saved that for last.

Thanks a lot! I was planning to go on a sunday and Cordoba on saturday, I'll reverse it.

As for a trip out, I would like to spend a few days in cities and outdoors alternatively. So any suggestions on trips out would be great, I think I'll just do a short half day trip and spend more time in Granada itself.

Be sure to give Cordoba enough time! Many people visit it as just a day trip; I thought it worth two full and very busy days.

Thanks a lot!
So it seems I have 2 complete days. If I get an afternoon entry into the Alhambara, do I need to finish off seeing the Alhambara and the Generalife gardens in 4 hours?
Or are there separate entries?
And are a few hours in the morning enough to get a taste of the Albayzin area?
Also, which is a better time to go to the alhambara, morning, or afternoon?

"If I get an afternoon entry into the Alhambara, do I need to finish off seeing the Alhambara and the Generalife gardens in 4 hours?"

Basically, yes. You can see the Nasrid Palace on some evenings, but I would strongly encourage you to spend time there during the day, too, as the lighting is so different at night that you won't be able to see the same details. As I understand it, the Generalife is not open in the evening when you will be there.

As noted upthread, I spent a full day, with no breaks, in the Alhambra and was not ready to leave when I was asked to do so just before 6 p.m. So from my perspective, a morning entrance is best, preferably the earliest one you can grab. YMMV.

I spent about a half day in the Albayzin, and would not call my time there leisurely (nor did I want it to be). I also spent a bit of time there one evening -- just enough to see the views of the Alhambra at sunset. Again, YMMV.

In Granada you should also see the massive Cathedral with the Royal Chappel and the graves of Isabel and Fernando, the so called Catholic monarchs. They are arguably among the most important kings and queens in history. And the history of the cathedral and the chappel is intimately linked with the Alhambra history, two sides of the same coin.

The huge Cathedral down in the city center was built for Isabel and Fernando after they took Granada and Alhambra from the last emir of Moorish Spain in 1492 and ordered the expulsion from Spain of all Muslims and Jews. The same year Columbus sailed overseas on a mission from Isabel and "discovered" the New World.

Isabel and Fernando are buried in the adjoining Capilla Real/Royal Chapel together with their daughter Juana la Loca (The mad), her husband Felipe el Hermoso (the beautiful) and their infant son. Few monarchs have had such impact on world history as Isabella (especially she) and Ferdinand. The Cathedral leaves no doubt that they meant business!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isabella_I_of_Castile
Capilla Real: http://granadamap.com/capillareal.htm
http://www.capillarealgranada.com/index.en.html

The Alhambra and the Cathedral are two parts of this same dramatic story. And in this respect the Carlos V (Carlos I in Spain) Palace in Alhambra becomes very important. Extremely powerful Carlos (king of Spain from 1516 and the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire 1519-1556) was the son of Juana la Loca and Felipe el Hermoso and grandson of Isabel and Fernando. It was of huge significance when he in 1527 commisioned the building of a palace worthy a Holy Roman Emperor - very concious of the archictectural ideals of ancient Rome - up at the former Muslim Alhambra.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_Charles_V

Thnks kja and kimhe tremendously.
So if I book the morning slot, say 11 AM, I can enter the complex a little before 11, and stay on till evening?

There seem to be many discussions, but it's all a little confusing, sorry for that.

You will have to leave at about 6 p.m. And as I understand it, if you leave the property <b>at any time</b> after the morning session officially ends, you won't be able to get back in.

I spent 3 nights and 2 full days in Granada one summer, and imo, it was not nearly enough time to see everything I wanted to see in Granada.
I also spent most of a day in Alhambra.

I think once you're in Granada, you definitely won't be bored, and you may be reluctant to leave...

Also I second what kimhe said about visiting the Cathedral and Royal Chapel if you have time. (Sadly I did not have time to see the latter.)

@ BumbleB6: The Royal Chapel is stunning. I hope you get to see it one day.

@kja - I hope I do too!

Thanks a lot! So if I get the morning slot,and perhaps the 12 noon Nasrid palace slot, I can enter at 8, see the Alcabaza, Generalife gardens and palace till 12, and then see the Nasrid palaces. After 2, would I be able to re-enter the Alcabaza or the gardens?
Conversely, if I get the afternoon slot, I wont be able to enter the Alcabaza and Generalife before 2, right?
And yes, I'll make sure I see the cathedral and Royal Chapel.

Please re-read the messages already given. If you get a morning ticket, and you leave after 2, you WILL NOT be able to re-enter unless you have a ticket for the afternoon session. Period. If you have an afternoon ticket, you can NOT enter before 2. Period. If you have a morning ticket and do NOT leave, you can stay as late as 6.

You can NOT enter the Nasrid Palace at any time OTHER THAN the 1/2 hour time slot you select when you book. Once inside, you can stay as long as you like. So to repeat my advice, get the earliest slot for the Nasrid Palace that you can.

Good luck!

Kia is absolutely right. And be sure to arrive with plenty of time to walk to your entrance time for the Nasrid Palace. The Alhambra cam be confusing for entry, at least is was for me. This is akin to visiting Versilles or the Peterhof, it takes a day. There is so much to see and the grounds are spectacular. The Albazyn is beautiful at sunset and if you're a photographer sunset provides wonderful photo opportunities.

The Nasrid Palace should be easily reached within the allotted time from the gate. If you don't know where to go when you enter, ask the gate attendant!

Thanks a lot, that clarifies things very well. I'll be in the complex for the entire day.