🇪🇸 Granada

Stage 16 Cordoba —> Granada 208 KM (Total 4131KM)

The Alhambra of Granada is an absolute must-have on our wish list. I have seen the Alhambra briefly 30 years ago and it has left a lasting impression on me. It is a significant Arab citadel and is located on the Sabikah Hill in front of Granada. Together with the Generalife (the gardens in front of the Alhambra), it is one of the most important examples of Moorish architecture and Islamic art. Since 1984, the Alhambra has been a World Heritage Site and one of the most visited tourist attractions in Europe.

We searched the internet for information about visiting the Alhambra and initially ended up on provider websites that wanted to sell overpriced package deals (entrance ticket & guided tour). Upon closer inspection, the affordable offers were only guided tours without the necessary entrance ticket. Guided tours including entrance ticket are only offered as individual tours for €235 per person!!! After some searching, we found the official website of the Alhambra and found out that the entrance tickets are sold out for the next 2 months.

Nevertheless, we still drive to Granada because our gut tells us that we will somehow get hold of the entrance tickets. We hope that we can buy entrance tickets early in the morning at the ticket counter - but at our campsite, we find out that this is not possible.

We call the information line of the Alhambra and the lady gives us the tip to try at the ticket booking platform shortly after 12:00 am 🕛. At this time, any cancellations for the next day are processed by the server and then released.

At 12:00 am 🕛 we try it, but unfortunately we only get tickets for the gardens of the Alhambra - the general tickets, which allow you to see everything, are not available. But we are glad that we managed to get tickets at all.

We have to enter all personal data, including the passport number, when booking - once for the ticket buyer and then again for each ticket user individually. During the visit, the data is checked at various control stations at random. This prevents the tickets from being sold on the black market. After what feels like half an hour, we have finally entered all the data 🙄.

Shortly before going to sleep 😴, I have a gut feeling and check the booking platform again, and I see that the general tickets for the next day are now available for purchase. Suddenly I am wide awake again & quickly enter all personal data again, this time for the top tickets - at just before 1:30 am 🕜 the purchase is complete for a total of €29.70 😜 and we feel like lottery winners 💰💴 🌟😊😊😊👍. While others have to wait up to 3 months, we managed to get tickets 7 hours in advance 👍👍👍.

After a short night, we take a taxi 🚖 and arrive at the Alhambra at 8:00 am 🕗. The gates open at 8:30 am 🕣 and we get a really good audio guide in German.

We spend 9 hours exploring all the sights and afterwards we are so exhausted that we plan to spend the next day completely relaxing by the pool.

Our conclusion: The Alhambra is a sight that everyone should see at least once in their life, if they have the opportunity and happen to be nearby 😂😂😊😉.