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Lucky us have 18 days in Mijas Pueblo May/June at a friends house. We have been once before but it was last minute and didnt get to the Alhambra as tickets were sold out. Slightly less of a rush this year but still need to book asap to get a ticket for early June.
We plan to just go for entry tickets as oppose to a tour but hope to spend all day there. What should we absolutely see and should I book a tour or is it just as enjoyable without?Â
Recommendations appreciated
I've been three times without doing a tour and enjoyed each visit, we just bimbled around all day*. It's over 20 years since I've been so can't really offer any advice.
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*The first visit was more of a tour of the toilets of the Alhambra due to a decidedly upset stomach. I think I spent more time looking at the map to ensure I knew where the nearest toilet was than actually looking at the views and architecture 😳.
I've visited twice. Second time much better with a tour you learn a lot more.
One of my most favourite places in the world.
Tours are worthwhile if you really want to learn about the place. Whether or not you are doing a tour, make sure you book a good few days beforehand to ensure you get tickets
Parking and public transport are both really good
Early morning visits work well, before it gets too hot and busy, but May/June this shouldn't be a problem.
Make sure you take you passport, you need ID
Allow loads of time, it is not a pace to rush around
Don't forget to spend time in Granada itself as well, come back for a second day. A stroll around Sacromonte is time well spent.
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I didn't do a tour and it was amazing. Just go round everything and take a million photos. I'd be tempted to do a tour next time though to get a deeper understanding of the place. Grandada is heaven. Avoid the tourist restaurants near the Alhambra and go out to the locals restaurants for amazing free tapas.Â
Remember the time on the ticket is the time you get to go into the Nasrid Palace and if you miss your slot you are not getting in. Mrs S booked for 0930 and we assumed this was the time of general admission - wrong!
If you wander through the backstreets to Mirador de San Nicolas you get a great view across a small valley to the Alhambra - link below
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https://maps.app.goo.gl/NzAtJa3hCD3yrd29A
If you are booking ahead - and you need to (well in advance) - buy ONLY from the Alhambra's official website, and make sure that your tour is for the entire palace and gardens. There are lots of sites that seem like you are buying full tickets, but will take your money for just a visit to the grounds.
As for food and stuff, visit the locals markets rather than the tourist stuff.
Lots of really helpful advice. Thanks. There will be three of us and it is almost 2 hours away by car. Public transport is great but not from the village to Granada so we will be leaving early, driving and hopefully get a full day. Decision on tour or not to be taken by Mrs Surfer later once she has read this 🙂
It was more than a decade ago but we used their audio guide gadgets and didn’t feel need for a human guide, but that suited us well with three kids around. If kid free, I prefer a proper tour guide.
I've driven there a few times and its dead easy. Parking is good and not too expensive.Â
Buy the board game, you can play Alhambra in Alhambra.
I've played Carcassonne in Carcassone and pool in Poole, and am looking forward to visiting Lesbos.Â
Not sure if the on-site food situation has improved? We took sandwiches last time for the whole day mooching around, even after Revuelto de Morcilla for breakfast.
Mirador de San Nicolas is worth walking to on the way out - likely busy mind. As above - from there into town the restaurants are touristy - though your car is prob back up at the top car park.Â
(Apparently they do hold back tickets for the next day, but you'll have to ring at midnight to have any chance to get them).
Take your time through Nasrid Palaces.
I first went when it was still just a few hundred pesetas to get in, just walked up to the old man on the door, paid, and then walked in. Place was deserted apart from hundreds of stray cats.
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Incredible place.
I was going to say enjoy a Bradford curry but I realise now that you mean the other Alhambra...
Ha! We visited Bradford yesterday after not having been back for many years. And we passed the Alhambra (where we saw Hair in the 1970s) on the way to the Karachi for a trusty meat & spinach which was as good as ever.
I first went when it was still just a few hundred pesetas to get in
You paid to get in? I don't remembr that in 1987.
I had procrastinated for a bit and when I checked the official site for tickets, the ones we wanted were sold out for our dates. I happened to check again as I browsed the site the next day and they were available so I booked them. Maybe they do release them in batches. Just a tip for anyone trying to arrange a visit.
As mentioned above don't do what I did queue for an hour in 40 degree heat then get turned away for not having my passport!
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If you're staying in Mijas Pueblo and this floats your boat the Mezquita in Cordoba is also worth a visit.
When I went there about 10 years ago a bloke outside with a portable griddle hot plate made me the best chicken shawarma I've ever had. Chicken and bread all cooked then folded and toasted again on the plate. I've considered going back just so see if he's still there