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.
Alhambra
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.

Desert landscape in Spain
Today we drove through a desert landscape in Spain. It's barren and mountainous and barely...
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...
Boquerones - Spanish-style anchovies
We have tried to cook boquerones, anchovies or sardines the Spanish way. As you may know...
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...
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....
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...
Guest of the Week: Annika Elwing, expatriate in Spain
During a Spanish course in Spain, Annika Elwing fell in love with music teacher Jesús. Annika stayed in Spain...
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...
Exploring Spanish culture: a trip you'll never forget
Today we present a guest article Travelling is something that most people enjoy doing....
Mancor de la Vall in Mallorca - holidays in a rented house
Guest writer: Pernilla Mallorca is an island that many people have visited and that I have returned to several times....
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...
Pata negra and Spanish meatballs
We are not very impressed with the food in Spain, at least not in general. Of course, we understand...
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...
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...
Las Fallas festival in Valencia - party in Spain
If you're ever in the neighbourhood of Valencia in March, don't miss out on...
The hunt for LPG in Spain
Firstly, a big THANK YOU to all you wonderful readers who have shared your experiences...
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...
Santiago de Compostela - a pilgrimage to the soul
Guest Writer: Miss Lopez Not long ago, I walked the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, and...
Best destinations in Madrid
Today we present a guest article During the winter months, many Swedes want to head south....
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...
Mallorca's hidden gems
In partnership with interhome Mallorca is one of the most popular destinations in the Mediterranean, and it is...
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 ...
Tapas: a flavourful journey through Spain
Guest Writer: Miss Lopez Spain, a country associated with sun, sand and a passionate way of...
Costa del Sol - and what do we do all day?
Now we have reached the Costa del Sol, the Spanish sunshine coast! We feel like standing...
Football trip to Barcelona - and a city weekend in one
In collaboration with fotbollsresan.se Have you considered a football trip to Barcelona? The lively...
10 things to do in Benidorm - from cava to permobile
Here are 10 things to do in Benidorm, on the Costa Blanca in Spain....
Zarautz in Spain - Gran camping with a panoramic view
Today the sun is shining on Gran camping Zarautz in Spain. We took a walk down to the beach...
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...
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...
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...

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