Granada, Spain and the Alhambra Palace

I'm so looking forward to this trip, especially as we haven't been away for three years! We'll only be in Granada for three and a half days (we fly out on the Mon and return on the Fri), so there'll be a lot to cram in by the looks of things.

Having read all your posts, I think we'll probably be fully occupied just exploring Granada itself with all its fascinating sights - and sites! A friend had suggested going on a tour taking us outside the area, which I'm sure would be lovely if we had more time, but I'd rather spend the time exploring the uniqueness of the city.

I've not come across anyone who was disappointed with their visit and the lady in Waterstones, who served me with the guide book, was practically orgasmic when she described her visit!! - and then the man who was in the queue behind me got started . . . Well, I had to go outside for some fresh air

Victoria's book The Return also explains the culture of flamenco, and how Franco banned it, as it was a symbol of defiance against his dictatorship.

We travelled there by train from Madrid, which was great- then took a good bus to Malaga and flew back from there. Our next trip will also go via Malaga, then train to Cordoba, train to Seville, and back. A great way to travel and first class was not much more than normal ticket.

The Alhambra is glorious, Granada is a vibrant city, great shoe shops.

We went to a Flamenco performance at the Alhambra one summer evening last year. The performance was excellent, but watching it in the heat of a Spanish summer evening, surrounded by huge groups of extended (Spanish) families made it even better.

Have a great visit

We stayed in Nerja a few years ago and went by car through the mountains to Granada. The Alhambra was wonderful. Im particularly loved all the water running down in little rivulets (man-made). It was so calm and green after the rather brown and dusty mountains. We had our two teenagers with us, well they were then, they also loved the place. I would love to go back one day.

Thank you all for such useful posts & for your link Grannyknot

It certainly sounds a wonderful place and it's somewhere I've always hoped to visit. It's always good to hear from people who've actually visited, rather than rely on guide books etc, as Real People think about the little - but very important - things, such as comfy shoes etc!

We had a fantastic road trip last year doing the triangle of Sevilla, Cordoba and Granada, I loved them all. The Alhambra is as described by TerriBull. I especially liked the summer garden (the Generalife), and the Court of Lions. Take your most comfortable pair of walking shoes!

In Granada, our hotel was in the Albayacin and that was an interesting area, with lots going on at night and with great views of the Alhambra.

www.lovegranada.com/places/realejo/ - the old Jewish Quarter is worth a wander round.

I took my DD there on a school half term some years ago. The cathedral is the burial place of Ferdinand and Isabella, who were the parents of Catherine of Aragon - Henry VIII's first wife. Their tombs are side by side in a sort of side chapel and worth a visit. I was explaining to DD who they were and the connection to Henry and suddenly noticed the room had fallen silent and everyone was listening!

The Alhambra is stunning and the adjacent gardens - the Generalife gardens should not be missed. It is a memorable place to visit but usually crawling with coach trips.

Yes I went there a few years ago, it's a beautiful tranquil place, lovely gardens and wonderful Moorish architecture with the stunning backdrop of I think the Sierra Nevada Mountains, in the background. It's good you have your tickets for the Palace MiniMouse, because when we first tried to visit it, we didn't know that you have to pre book these.

We didn't spend a lot of time in the actual city as we were only there for the day, although I do remember having a lovely meal in the main square. I am sure you will have time to enjoy the city as well as the Alhambra. There is a cathedral, which was either built during the reign of Isabella and Ferdinand, or possibly they are buried there, I can't remember, we didn't visit it because we didn't have time. I imagine the Alhambra will be far more interesting.

Have a lovely time.

We just loved the Alhambra, and it is great you are going off peak. Perhaps you could read Victoria Hislop's 'The Return' to give you an idea of the history of the gipsy quarter on the hill behind.

The Alhambra is lovely. It's good you have pre-booked tickets because, from what I remember, if you get them on the day you have to wait around to go in.

The Arab and Moorish quarter of Granada is worth seeing. I think there's a small bus that can take you up there. There's an area quite high up where you can look across towards the Alhambra with the surrounding mountains in the distance.