I stayed in Malaga from Saturday to Tuesday, but took a day trip to Granada. This is where the famous Alhambra fortress complex is located, which is one of Spain’s most important historical monuments.
The cheapest solution is to travel with the Alsa bus company. There are several direct services running daily in both directions, and tickets can be booked online at a reasonable price (return ticket was 26 euros). The journey takes 1 hour and 45 minutes.
In Granada, bus number 33 goes from the bus station through the city center, which is worth taking. You need to buy tickets from the driver, and card payment is accepted.
The Puerta de Elvira was the first sight, which is a medieval gate. From here, a good uphill climb leads to the city’s iconic quarter, the Albayzin. The white houses and narrow streets create a wonderful atmosphere; it was a great experience to walk around. Plus, there’s a viewpoint offering a great view of the Alhambra.
From here, I walked up to the fortress (there’s also a good walking path up from the northern side). Make sure to buy your ticket online. I bought the full-price ticket, which gives access to the Alhambra fortress, the Nasrid Palace, and the Generalife gardens. You need to select a specific time slot, which is for entering the palace. You can only enter at this time, while the other two areas can be visited anytime during the day.
I arrived around 11:45 and went to the Generalife gardens first. It’s a very beautiful, well-maintained park with lots of plants and orange trees. And there’s a great view of the fortress and the Albayzin quarter.
I had a 1 PM time slot for the Nasrid Palace. The entry process is quick and precise; there’s no point queuing up much earlier. The palace interior is incredibly beautiful. It’s clear that the rulers who lived here really valued grandeur. Beautifully carved, painted halls, and wonderful open spaces. It’s very similar to the Alcazar in Seville. There are similarly beautiful sections there too.
It took about 45 minutes to walk through, and then I went to the fortress section. Here, the panorama from the towers is the main attraction. From the first tower, you can see Albayzin. The second one is higher up, offering views of Granada’s city center and northern part. The 3rd is the highest and provides the most beautiful view. It’s almost a 360-degree panorama with an excellent view of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. This is Spain’s highest mountain, which was snow-capped. It was strange being in just a t-shirt and sweater while seeing snowy peaks not far away.
I spent more than 3 hours at the Alhambra, and I feel I fully enjoyed the whole complex. I walked down to the city center and had lunch at a riverside bistro.
The old town itself isn’t too exciting. Its central part features the huge cathedral, but besides that, the streets are average. I didn’t spend too much time here, so I walked to the bus station. On the way, I passed by the city’s bullfighting arena, but couldn’t go inside.
Overall, Granada is very beautiful, especially because of the Alhambra and the Albayzin quarter. These give the city its true character. Don’t skip these two parts if you’re visiting Malaga!