Yesterday we visited the main attraction of Granada: the Alhambra Castle and Palace. The palace was built by the Moors in the 1250s to the end of the 14th century and consists of gardens and buildings from the last Islamic dynasty in Spain. It is interesting to walk around the grounds, which are quite large and located on a hill with great views of both Granada and the Sierra Nevada.
Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
Share
ShareAlhambra
The Alhambra is a uniquely preserved building of Western Islamic architecture, and was one of the last Moorish strongholds to resist Christianity. Today, the Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the Generalife gardens and the Albiacin neighbourhood of Granada.
The Alcazaba, first mentioned in 889, is the oldest part of the Alhambra. The current castle was built under Muhammad I al-Ghalib and has been restored several times. We don't really know what to make of this place.
Many love it but it didn't really stick and not even the old town which is charming but there is something missing. Maybe the simplicity and reminders of North Africa make it a bit boring and it feels like just stone just because. This didn't really resonate with us.
The Nasrid palaces
The Nasrid palaces consist of a series of courtyards and rooms within a simple fortified wall. The finest courtyards here are called the Myrtle Court and the Lion Court. Yusuf I (1333-1353) and his son Mohammad V (1353-1391) are responsible for most of the buildings in the palace that remain today.
Long queues
A minus for all the queuing though! We arrived at 12 o'clock and were only let in at 14:00. For one of the buildings, we had a ticket that granted entry only at 16:30... In addition, there was a lot of queuing and an uncountable display of the tickets. in on the site itself. We can't even imagine what it's like in the summer! If you plan to go here, we recommend buying a ticket in advance or being here very early.
A trip to Nerja in winter: sun, adventure and magical views?
Guest writer: Miss Lopez Hello dear travellers! I want to share with you my amazing winter trip to...
Catalan food - we've tested and cooked it
Last night we were invited to a gourmet experience by the Tourist Board of Catalonia. This kind of press conference...
10 things to do in Benidorm - from cava to permobile
Here are 10 things to do in Benidorm, on the Costa Blanca in Spain....
Quick visit to Torrevieja - Scandinavia's Spain
We had actually intended to make a slightly longer stop in Torrevieja, and perhaps meet both bloggers...
Tough journey to Barcelona - and on board the Freedom of the Seas!
After Robin's party, we didn't sleep for many hours, and then it was time to go...
At the camping shop during siesta times in Spain
Today we checked out of the campsite in Granada and looked for a camping shop we had been told about. We...
Christmas Eve on the move - and gas problems
We woke up on Christmas Eve morning with an empty fridge and a desire to travel. So off we went...
Spain vs Portugal - what is it like to go on holiday?
Now we've spent about a month in Portugal and about a month and a half in...
Torre del Mar - Spain's beautiful south coast
Torre del Mar is a pleasant little town on the south coast of Spain. There is a long...
Boquerones - Spanish-style anchovies
We have tried to cook boquerones, anchovies or sardines the Spanish way. As you may know...
Rainy at Tarifa - Camping Valdevaqueros
Now we've moved to the Valdevaqueros campsite on the coast, a mile north of Tarifa in the south of...
Spain's most beautiful beach - and 6 more beaches
Of all the beaches we've seen in Spain so far, this has to be Spain's most beautiful beach. It...
Palma for Foodies - hot food destination in Mallorca
Guest writer: Mia Ulin The hottest food destination you can travel to right now is Palma de Mallorca....
Camping in Tarragona - on a Spanish sandy beach
Today we have found a campsite in Tarragona in Spain. The campsite is really nice and is ...
Tarifa in Spain - Europe's southernmost point
Today we visited the southernmost point of Europe, which is located in Tarifa, Spain. From here it is...
Maria Luisa Park in Seville, Spain
If you ever visit Seville, don't miss the Parque de Maria Luisa. In some...
El Templo del Sol - Naturist Camping Deluxe
After a hectic festival week and a week in the pouring rain, we felt a little more luxurious and...
A few relaxing days in Mallorca with a visit to a vineyard
Writer: Jonathan Gharbi de Maré Here are some ideas for a short holiday in Spain...
Tuesday meeting with Swedes in Benidorm
Every Tuesday evening, Norwegians and Swedes meet in Benidorm at the El Raco campsite, in the campsite's restaurant. We live...
Beautiful Ibiza - which we must visit
Beautiful Ibiza has grown up. The party island that all young people went to in the 60s and 70s has...
5 differences between Mallorca and the rest of Spain
Today we present a guest post Majorca and Spain as a whole are very popular holiday destinations, not least...
Granada on the Sierra Nevada in Spain
Today we've been looking around the Spanish city of Granada, located at the foot of the...
Inner peace in the Sierra de Madrid - Kadampa Buddhist Centre in Mataelpino
Guest Writer: Miss Lopez Sierra de Madrid, a peaceful and beautiful place that welcomes the Kadampa Buddhist Centre in...
Peniscola, Spain - for the holiday worshipper
Finally there was enough of a break in the rain that we could go outside the motorhome and...
Plan your golf holiday to Málaga
Today we present a guest article Málaga is a destination that really has it all for golf enthusiasts. With...
Cruise around the Canary Islands - a week in the sun with MSC Opera
Guest writer: Björn Erik Gustavsson A cruise holiday can seem paradoxical. Most of the time you find yourself...
Easter in Spain - a mighty display!
Easter in Spain is very different from Easter in Sweden. Easter is celebrated for the same religious reason as...
Exciting trips to Madrid: a family connection to the Matador costumes
Guest writer: Miss Lopez Did you know that I always go to Madrid several times a year regardless of...
Roquetas de Mar - Spanish south coast
Now we have come to Roquetas de Mar, located on the Spanish coast just west of...
The marina of Aguadulce in southern Spain
Not far from Roquetas de Mar is Aguadulce, with its beautiful marina. We took a trip...
You might also like:
Things to do in Dessau - 14 tips for the Bauhaus city
Rammelsberg Mine - a Unesco World Heritage Site in Goslar
Things to do on Öland - 25 sights and experiences
Visiting Gammelstad Church Town in Luleå - a Unesco World Heritage Site
Samarkand Registan - a world heritage site in Uzbekistan
Visiting Hälsingland Farms - 7 Unesco World Heritage Farms
English (UK) 
Svenska 
Deutsch 
Suomi 
Polski
Isabel says:
Looks really nice but hard to wait :/
How long do you plan to spend on your trip?
26 February 2015 - 10:23
Marina says:
Wonderful! Longing to return, Andalusia is so beautiful. Do not forget the small white mountain villages such as Ronda or another cool city, Cadiz! Have a great time!
26 February 2015 - 11:09
admin says:
Isabel, we are out for 1 year with our motorhome, travelling around Europe, the coastal route. We started on the west coast of France and are now heading east in Spain.
Marina, we have heard a lot about Ronda and feel we missed that city... Now we are heading east along the Spanish coast!
26 February 2015 - 11:53
Ditte says:
Being there when they open is probably the best and having tickets bought well in advance.
But now the queue was finally paid for. Great!
26 February 2015 - 12:27
Henny says:
But oh so hard with the queues and so many people, it's probably not possible to enjoy and take in the atmosphere then. We visited Granada and the Alhambra in February and have no memory of any queues at all. (selective memory or ....)
26 February 2015 - 12:51
admin says:
Ditte, it's probably best to buy tickets in advance! (Although there may be some queuing inside the area anyway).
Henny, how interesting that you don't remember queues... maybe there have been less queues before? Or just the memory that saves you this boring detail?
😉
26 February 2015 - 14:06
Mr Lars Andersson says:
Hello!
Judging by the pictures, it was well worth the queue.
Great tips to be able to go to.
Goodbye!
Lars
26 February 2015 - 16:56
Ama de casa says:
The first time we were in Granada and at the Alhambra, we had pre-purchased tickets. They were digging up every street in town and there were demonstrations, so we arrived at the entrance about five minutes late. There were virtually no people there at all (November), but even so, it was a no-go. We were not allowed to enter the buildings! Absolutely incredible... We had Maggan with us who fixed it so it worked out, but still! How stupid as ever. If only it had been packed with people???
Besides, you can stay in there for as long as you want, so I don't know...
The other times we've been there, we've bought tickets at the entrance and it's been great - no long queues.
But beautiful, that's what it is
🙂
26 February 2015 - 17:49
Elisabeth says:
We have tickets until tomorrow, Friday!!!
26 February 2015 - 23:12
Marie says:
Oh, beautiful Alhambra! Sad with all the queuing inside, it's never fun to stand & wait.
27 February 2015 - 0:06
admin says:
Lars Andersson, it was worth the queue! But it would have been a better experience without the queue...
Ama de casa, that sounds crazy! But they were really super accurate with the times, we noticed that ...
Elisabeth, didn't know you were coming... sorry we missed you!!! Good that you have tickets!
Marie, it was nice, fortunately after the queue!
🙂
27 February 2015 - 0:24
Marina says:
Wonderful! Now it was not me, but another marina that has been in Ronda, but I will also remember that name, at some point I have planned a trip to this area, but it may be that the queue may be ... (I can always look at your pictures instead 😉 ).
27 February 2015 - 2:59
admin says:
Marina, but oh how silly, I was too fast there... Sorry for the mistake!
😉
27 February 2015 - 8:50
FANTASYDINING-A blog about themed restaurants and travel says:
Oh how beautiful I would like to go there!
01 March 2015 - 10:33