First Blog: Alhambra Palace World Heritage Site: Top Tips to Plan Your Visit

by Mar 16, 2016Alhambra Palace, Europe, Spain22 comments

Hot air balloon ride over the Alhambra in Granada Spain

Instead of a magic carpet ride, you can float over Granada in a hot-air balloon

Well, you don’t know what we can find. Why don’t you come with me on a magic carpet ride (Steppenwolf’s Magic Carpet Ride)

Do you like your job? Have you ever dreamed of ditching it, even if you like it? I did. Now I am a travel blogger and this is my first blog.

These are my photos (except where otherwise noted). You can click on any photo to enlarge it. Click the X in the top right of the photo to return to the blog.

Where to go first? To a place I have wanted to visit for a very long time: The Alhambra in Granada in southern Spain. I wanted to go to the Alhambra because this is where M.C. Escher got his inspiration for his life’s work. I wanted to see his elixir. I convinced my sister to come with me. it was easy! I just sang a line from the Beatles:

The magical mystery tour is waiting to take you away

Our magical mystery tour started when we awoke to see a hot-air balloon drifting by our window.

Up, up and away in my beautiful, my beautiful balloon.

This scene just seemed to shout that we were ready for a grand adventure at the Alhambra.

If this was your new adventure as a travel blogger, would you:

a) Take the picture and sing Dionne Warwick’s Up Up and Away;

Or

b) Book a balloon ride;

Alhambra view from St Nicholas in Granada Spain
The Alhambra Palaces: The Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a very popular tourist destination. It is stunningly beautiful. It was built by the Moors to be paradise on earth; a place of physical and spiritual beauty. The magic in the monumental complex of palaces and gardens is created by symmetry between air and water, light and shadows, full and empty spaces.
We experienced the intense emotion that the Moors created as soon as we entered the Alhambra Woods that surround the palaces. We felt very content and very happy.
Lion Courtyard in the Alhambra in Granada Spain
The Lion Courtyard: Water is the core of the Alhambra: the symbol of life in a desert. The Courtyard of the Lions is an oasis surrounded by palm trees in the form of 124 intricately carved marble columns. The splendour of the Courtyard reflects an exuberant fusion of Persian, Christian and Jewish influences. The Lion Fountain is the centre of the oasis, where 12 majestic marble lions, representing the 12 tribes of Israel, support an alabaster basin. Controlling water for pleasure was new when the fountain was constructed in the 14th century. This was a magnificent display of wealth and technology. The fountain concealed an innovative water circulation system designed around a massive hydraulic system that brought water through a series of channels and aqueducts from a mountain river six kilometres away in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
The Lion Courtyard is a treasure trove for mathematicians and architects, who debate whether the courtyard and its columns were designed in accordance with the golden ratio or in accordance with a ratio derived from square roots and irrational numbers. In any event, it is clear that principles of mathematics created beauty, harmony and serenity.
Lion Courtyard setting for John Singer Sargent Alhambra painting
John Singer Sargent painting of the Lion Courtyard in the Alhambra in Granada Spain
I took this photo of the portico in the Lion Courtyard. John Singer Sargent, best known for his portraits, painted this wonderful picture of the Lion Courtyard, now held in a private collection. If I had seen the painting before visiting the Alhambra, I would have tried to line up my photo to be exactly like the painting.
Court of Myrtles reflecting pool in the Alhambra in Granada Spain
The Court of the Myrtles: A spectacular reflecting pool forms the centrepiece of the Court of the Myrtles. The reflections in the pool emulate a desert mirage. The myrtle hedge is clipped to hand-height. Brushing the myrtle releases a wonderful scent. (However, signs ask visitors not to touch the hedge).
This is a picture of water! I took the picture by standing directly over the reflecting pool. The upside-down tourist on the right is a clue that this is a photo of the reflection. The reflection shows an overbearing brick castle in the background. This is the palace of Charles V, erected after the Moors were expelled in 1492.
Court of Myrtles in Civilization V in the Alhambra in Granada Spain
Civilization V: Gods & Kings: This is a painting of the Court of Myrtles that is featured in the strategy game, Civilization V.
Hall of Two Sisters in the Alhambra in Granada Spain
The Hall of Two Sisters: The Hall of Two Sisters is incredibly beautiful. I wanted to lie on my back to get a better picture of the cupola of prisms, but it was too crowded. (should have done it anyway!) This picture is the best I could get.
Hall of Two Sisters in the Alhambra in Granada Spain
The Hall of Two Sisters shows the intricacy of the artwork on the floors, walls, windows and ceilings.
Exit from the Alhambra Palace to Generalife in Granada Spain
We saw room after room with stunning decorations, unlike anything I have ever seen before. I was so very happy that this was the destination for my first blog. I could have spent many more hours in the palaces, but we had no time to linger. Our entrance tickets gave us a four-hour window to visit both the Alhambra and the magnificent gardens of Generalife.
Getting Alhambra Tickets 

Buy your tickets before you go.
Get your tickets before you book your flight!
Tickets are sold through ticketmaster.
Here are useful links:
http://www.alhambradegranada.org/en/
http://www.ticketmaster.es/en/recintos/la-alhambra-de-granada/

My plan was to be super-organized for this trip, so I went to the ticketmaster site for Spain three weeks before our departure, only to discover that advance tickets were ALL SOLD OUT for the entire two weeks of our trip. PANIC ATTACK.

Tickets for Alhambra are allotted in a number of ways:

  • Advance sales through ticketmaster
  • Advance sales through Granada City Pass
  • Advance sales through tour companies
  • At the gate on the day you wish to attend.

Do not travel to Granada with the hopes of getting a ticket on the day you wish to visit.
We met someone who lined up at 6: a.m. for two days in a row, hoping to get tickets…..He did not get tickets.

Here is the solution that worked for us:
 We bought a three-day City Pass for Granada. A timed entrance for the Alhambra is included in the Pass. Even for dates that were sold out through ticketmaster, there were times available through the City Pass. It cost more to get our tickets but at least we had tickets. We got to Granada the day before our timed visit for the Alhambra. We went to City Hall to pick up our City Passes. This site describes what you get with a Granada City Pass.
http://www.lovegranada.com/granada/city-pass/
You can purchase a City Pass online. The site to buy is buried in the description and it is not linked. Here is the site:
bonoturistico.caja-granada.es
The site is in Spanish. There is a dropdown menu in the top right corner where you can switch to English.

You are allotted a four-hour window to visit the Alhambra and Generalife. It is a lot to absorb in one session. On my next trip, I will buy tickets for two successive days and visit the palaces on one day and the gardens on the following day.

This is the end of my first blog. If you like my blog, please use your email to sign up so that you will automatically receive a new post every Friday morning. Please forward the blog to anyone you know who may be interested in my blog. Many thanks.

Next blog: The Magnificent Gardens of Generalife

Rose Ann MacGillivray

Rose Ann MacGillivray

World Heritage Traveller at BoomerVoice.ca
I love visiting World Heritage Sites, celebrating the world’s most fascinating places and cultures, and most of all, having fun on a trip. Join me on the road to fun and fascinating places. Thanks for reading – and remember to add your e-mail below for updates!
Rose Ann MacGillivray

Latest posts by Rose Ann MacGillivray (see all)

22 Comments

  1. Ben on March 16, 2016 at 11:12 pm

    I’m honoured to be your first commenter! Love the blog and what you’re doing. Definitely makes me want to visit and take the hot air balloon for a ride!

    Reply
    • Rose Ann on March 25, 2016 at 4:15 pm

      Thank you to my coach! I would never have gotten this far without you.

      Reply
  2. Jayne on March 17, 2016 at 2:30 am

    Love your pictures RoseAnn. Thanks for the tour! I look forward to your next blog. Cheers,

    Reply
    • Rose Ann on March 25, 2016 at 4:16 pm

      Thanks. Looking forward to seeing you when you are back from Florida. But don’t come home too soon…..ice storm yesterday

      Reply
  3. Michael on March 18, 2016 at 1:45 am

    Great blog – photos and commentary. Looking forward to lots more.

    Reply
    • Rose Ann on March 25, 2016 at 4:18 pm

      Thanks! Looking forward to a trip to Ottawa to see World Heritage Sites

      Reply
  4. Maureen on March 18, 2016 at 9:22 pm

    Love it – Fabulous pictures, fun text and very useful information (along with links) to make your trip planning easier!

    Reply
    • Rose Ann on March 25, 2016 at 4:19 pm

      Thanks. See you when you are back from your adventures.

      Reply
  5. Deb on March 20, 2016 at 11:34 am

    Congratulations Rose Ann! What a wonderful first blog. Great choice and fabulous photos. We visited the Alhambra with the boys some years ago. It is truly magical. As you have captured, we were struck by the harmony among the Moors, Jews and Christians. Until the English took over that is. Can’t wait for your next blog!

    Reply
    • Rose Ann on March 25, 2016 at 4:22 pm

      Thanks Deb. I’m happy that I picked the Alhambra for my blog. I think you have visited as many World Heritage Sites as me. Looking forward to getting inspiration from you for future blogs.

      Reply
  6. Jen on March 21, 2016 at 3:39 pm

    Your Blog came to me via Norman’s posting on Linked in. I just sent it to my friends who are traveling with their 2 little girls in that area. Was raving aboutThe Alhambra in Granada and how they must see it with the girls. We were there 15 years ago and it would seem that alot has changed. Thank you for your insights. Jen Tripp

    Reply
    • Rose Ann on March 25, 2016 at 4:23 pm

      Thanks Jen. And thanks for sharing the blog!

      Reply
  7. Doug on March 21, 2016 at 5:15 pm

    Great Blog Rose Ann — Congrats!!

    You inspire me to go to Alhambra. Photos are fantastic.

    For those who want to read more about modern Moorish adventures — albeit south of the Strait of Gibraltar, I recommend “The Caliph’s House: A Year in Casablanca” by Tahir Shah. Kind of like a cross between A Year in Provence and This Old House, set in wonderful Casablanca.

    Reply
    • Rose Ann on March 25, 2016 at 4:29 pm

      Thanks Doug. I read a review of The Caliph’s House. I am packing it for my next trip!

      Reply
  8. Rose Ann on March 21, 2016 at 6:32 pm

    A reader sent me this photo with a comment: This is a photo of a small Alhambra corner I have in my living room: an oil painting of the Alhambra site with the snow covered mountains between it and the Mediterranean: what drew the Arabians there in the first place, year-round relief from the aridity and the sun. The photo also shows a small collection of books that I have on the Alhambra

    Reply
    • Rose Ann on March 25, 2016 at 4:32 pm

      Thanks for sharing the great photo of your wonderful painting. I would love to have it hanging in my living room!

      Reply
  9. Rose Ann on March 21, 2016 at 10:24 pm

    A reader shared information on Loreena McKennit, a Canadian singer and songwriter who recorded a live concert at the Alhambra. The music is great and the DVD has haunting images of the Alhambra

    Reply
    • Rose Ann on March 25, 2016 at 4:33 pm

      Thanks for sharing this great Canadian artist. There is an open-air theatre in Generalife. I would love to see a concert there some day!

      Reply
  10. Pitman on March 25, 2016 at 1:00 pm

    I found your blog through Norm’s LinkedIn notice. Being a curious traveler like most, I thought I would just ‘check it out’. I ended up staying to read every post. Congrats on a fine blog, Rose Ann, an enjoyable mix of fine photos and concise commentary. The downside? Extending the bucket list!

    Reply
    • Rose Ann on March 25, 2016 at 4:36 pm

      Thanks Pitman. Norm says hi. He was suppose to be on the trip with us, but diesel-gate kept him at work! We are going to do the trip again so that he can see it all.

      Reply
  11. Rose Ann on March 30, 2016 at 12:31 pm

    A reader shared this book, published last year:

    ” Granada : A Pomegranate in the Hand of God “, by Steven Nightingale; published in 2015 by Counterpoint, Berkley, California.

    Nightingale, his wife and two children lived for two years researching the work based in the Albayzin just below the Alhambra. It covers the broad historical , socio-cultural backdrop to that whole area, meshing it all with poetry, literature, even the Arabic antrcedents to modern mathematics, geometry. The center portion of the book presents about 20 very representational colour photographs. I was left in awe at its range and depth.

    Reply
    • Rose Ann on March 30, 2016 at 12:41 pm

      Thank you for sharing this book with our readers!

      Steven Nighingale’s page has full reviews of this excellent book, including this extract from The New York Times:

      Even if you have visited Granada and walked the labyrinthine ways of the Albayzín, Nightingale makes you want to go there again, to see it with new eyes.

      This book also received a wonderful review from Tahir Shah, author of The Caliph’s House recommended by Doug in an earlier comment.

      Nighingale’s page also has beautiful photos of Granada.

      Below is a screen shot of his page. Here is the link to his page:

      http://stevennightingale.net/

      Reply

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