If you were to ask a seasoned traveller what is the one must see place while on holiday in Spain, they would almost certainly say the Alhambra Palace in Granada.
For nearly 800 years when the Moors ruled a large part of the Iberian Peninsula, the different nationalities coexisted with a mutual respect for each other’s culture and beliefs.
While the rest of Europe was mired in the Dark Ages following the decline of the Roman Empire, Moorish Spain flourished as the new rulers made advancements in mathematics, astronomy, art, and agriculture.
Nothing symbolizes this period of history more than the red fortress of Alhambra. Originally constructed in AD 899 on the remains of Roman fortifications and later rebuilt in the mid-13th century by Granada’s Nasrid rulers the Alhambra is a lasting testament to the multicultural society of Moorish Spain.
Today the Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage site that attracts upwards of 6,000 tourists per day to marvel at its architecture and manicured gardens.
Depending on the time of year tickets can be hard to come by, so make sure you buy your tickets in advance before making any other plans. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting the official Alhambra website where a general admission ticket for the palace and gardens can be bought for 14€.
To get to the Alhambra from Nerja you can use the friendly reliable service of Nerja Taxis to drop you off directly outside the palace saving you much time travelling & leaving you more time for your day out. An economical way, for those that may enjoy the longer ride on public transport however, is to travel by bus. Non-stop buses depart Nerja daily at 06:30 and 09:30 and return at 14:30 and 16:45 giving you plenty of time to visit the Alhambra and do some sightseeing in Granada. The journey to Granada takes between two and three hours depending on which bus you catch for a fare of around 10€.
When you arrive at the Granada Bus Station you can catch the number 3 or 33 buses getting off at the top of Gran Via. Alternatively, you can take the Alhambra minibus from the bus station directly to the palace gates or a taxi.
