House of Shots

Interesting sites, the sights of Granada and the hills where the Alhambra, Albaicin, Sacromonte are located, are located within walking distance from the historical center, Plaza Nueva, and the Cathedral. Not every tourist is ready to climb to the observation deck of St. Nicholas or the Alhambra. How to use public transport in Granada.

How to get to the Alhambra

From pl. Isabel la Católoca (plaza Isabel la Católoca) minibus C3 leaves for the Alhambra every 8 minutes. Boarding is carried out through the front door, fare is paid to the driver, 1.40 €. Travel time is approximately 7-12 minutes. If you are not late for the Nasrid palaces, you have enough time before visiting them, then it is better to start the tour from the Generalife Gardens (the gardens will take about 1 hour). Ost. “La Alhambra, la taquilla, Generalife.” It may also happen that you have little time before entering the palaces. You should get off at the next stop - "Palacio de Carlos V" (Palacio de Carlos V) and hurry.

Bus C1 Albaicin
Bus C32 Alhambra

From hotel, restaurant ask to call a taxi. Cost approximately 5-10 €.

After visiting the Alhambra, you can go down to the center along the fortress wall along the alley leading down. You will pass through the Garnet Gate along the street. Cuesta Gomérez to New Square.

Albaicin How to get to the observation deck of St. Nicholas

From the New Square (Plaza Nueva), the Cathedral (Catedral) there is a minibus C1. The driver calls the stop: “Plaza San Nicolas.” As a rule, most passengers get off. The traditional route runs through Paseo de los Nrisres and Cuesta del Chapis. On holidays, when there are many tourists, it runs in a different direction - st. Gran Via de Colón, Real de Cartuja.

Bus stops C1 for Albaycín
Bus stops C3 Alhambra

Granada Taxi

In the historical center, parking is located in New Square, near the El Corte Ingles supermarket. The situation is this: you can stop what is happening. Determine in which direction according to the movement of cars the destination is located, so that the car does not have to turn around (extra path, narrow streets). Cars with a green light, the inscription LIBRE (free). If you stop in the middle of the road, try to sit down quickly so as not to delay traffic. Payment by meter, tariff on weekends and holidays is more expensive. Call a taxi, phone 958 280 262. There is no UBER system.

If you don’t know Spanish, I advise you to write the names of stops, hotels, restaurants, and attractions on a piece of paper in Spanish in advance. Show it to the driver and say: “Por favor.” They will understand you and additionally remind you that you need to leave. The people of Andalusia are welcoming and friendly.

How to get to the gypsy quarter of Sacromonte, Sacromonte Abbey

From Plaza Nueva there is a minibus C2. Departures every 20 minutes (exactly, 20 minutes and 40). Route: Paseo de los Trisres, Cuesta del Chapis, then turns into the gypsy quarter of Sacromonte. You should use C2 to travel to the caves where flamenco performances take place: Los Tarantos, La Rocio, Venta el Gallo. The Abbey of Saromonte is located further - Camino Abadia del Sacromonte. The return journey from the Abbey can be done on foot or by bus (the stop where we got off earlier). A trip further along the gorge of the mountain river Darro Camino de Beas, it will be a short excursion.

Granada train station

The railway is located about one and a half kilometers from the square. Isabel la Católica (plaza Isabel la Católica) at Avenida de Andaluces (Av. de Andaluces, 20)

How to get there. The LAC shuttle bus goes from the Palacio de Congresos (Biolon Violón stop). The route goes along: Paseo del Violón, Calle Acera del Darro, Calle Reyes Católicos, Gran Vía de Cólon, Avenida de la Constitucion Constitución), to pl. La Caleta (plaza La Caleta). Tickets must be purchased from ticket machines at stops; tickets are not sold at LAC. The fare is 1.40 €.

Bus LAC
LAC ticket machine

Transfer to another route without payment (transbordo) is maintained for 60 minutes, only when transferring to another line. Discount It does not work LAC line. SN1 also goes to the railway station. Drives through the streets of the historical center: Acera del Darro, calle Reyes Católicos, Gran Vía de Colon, Avenida de la Constitución.

Granada Airport

For those arriving by plane, a bus leaves from the airport to the city after each arriving flight. Exit the airport baggage claim hall to the right (side door). Ticket price 3€ (2.99€), payment to the driver.

There is a daily bus service to the airport from the Palacio de Congresos.

You can use a taxi. The approximate cost of the trip is from 28 to 33 euros. The price depends on where your hotel is located. Please note that payment is not by meter. Drivers have a special fare table. Check in advance.

Taxi in Granada
Bus timetable from Granada to the airport

Granada Bus Station How to get to the hotel

The bus station in Granada is located remotely from the historical center, at Carretera de Jaén. It is easier to get to your place of residence if you take a taxi. There is a parking lot at the exit from the bus station. You need to take the first unoccupied taxi with a green light, this is the order. Tell the hotel name to the driver or show your reservation paper. Price - up to 10 €. You can check the length of the route in advance on Google. You pay according to the meter, no need to leave a tip.

Two buses depart from the bus station.

• SN1 May be of interest to tourists who stay in hotels in the central streets of Acera del Darro, calle Reyes Católicos, Gran Vía de Colón, Avenida de la Constitución .
• SN2 runs along the street. Camino de Ronda (calle Camino de Ronda)

If you haven't found the answer you need about how to get around in Granada, you can write [email protected]. If possible, I will definitely answer you.

This is also interesting:

Of all the cities in Europe that I have visited, without a doubt, it left the strongest impression on me. What compares to walking through the narrow and charming streets of the old Arab quarter of Albaicin on a quiet May evening, when the air is clear and cool and the locals come out of their houses to sit on the terrace of some small cafe? What could be tastier than the sweet magdalenas bought in one of the Granada monasteries using a simple device at the gate of the monastery, which allows you to make a purchase without visual contact between the nun and the buyer? What could be more pleasant than communicating with the residents of Granada, who, in their cordiality and friendliness, are perhaps superior to the inhabitants of any other city in Spain? In my opinion, nothing.

A little history

This city was the last Muslim stronghold in Spain, but even after its capture by Spanish troops in 1492, it retained its unique Arab flavor. The oriental charm and charm of this place inspired Washington Irving to write the famous “Legends of the Alhambra”, and our compatriot Mikhail Svetlov to compose one of the main hits of the 30s of the last century - the song “Grenada, Grenada, My Grenada!” The English traveler Henry Morton recalled that there was an “African glow” over this city, and in the distance “the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada” could be seen.

You can get to the city center either by taxi (about 25-30 EUR) or by bus No. 245 (3 EUR). The stop is located next to the terminal building, to the right of the exit through which passengers from just landed flights pass. The bus ride to the final stop at the Palais des Congrès (a large convention center south of the city center) takes about 50 minutes. The bus runs every hour and usually arrives right when the plane arrives. It makes several stops in the city center, including Gran Via de Colon (opposite the cathedral).

By train

In my opinion, traveling to Granada by train has both its advantages and disadvantages. As advantages, I would include the picturesque route along which the train goes, the convenient location of the station almost in the very center of the city (although in my case this was rather a disadvantage, since I lived on the outskirts) and a small store of Russian products nearby (for those who an attack of nostalgia will begin on the road).

A serious drawback is the ticket prices, which, as a rule, exceed the cost of the plane (for example, a ticket from Madrid will cost about 60 EUR with a travel time of about 4 hours). There are daily trains connecting Granada with Seville (3.5 hours, about 30 EUR), Almeria (2.5 hours, about 20 EUR) and Barcelona (7 hours, about 80 EUR).

By bus

Most often, I used intercity buses to travel from Granada to one of the surrounding cities. Alsa buses provide regular services to most cities in Spain. Naturally, large settlements in Andalusia are among the most popular destinations. For example, between Granada and Madrid there are at least 20 bus services daily (5 hours travel time, 20 EUR); There are about 15 flights to Seville (3.5 hours, 16-18 EUR), to Cordoba - about 8 per day (3 hours, 15 EUR).

The bus station is located on the outskirts of the city. Walking distance to the center (cathedral) will take about 40 minutes; If you walk away from the station, you will be going downhill most of the way, and in good weather it will be nice to stretch your legs after the bus ride. An alternative is taxis, the parking lot of which is located directly opposite the station building. The cost of a trip to the center is 8-10 EUR.

By car

A car is a good alternative to traveling by bus. located at the intersection of two major motorways: A44 and A92. The first one goes from Motril, passes near Granada, and continues to Jaen. By the second one you can get to Granada from Antequera or from Guadix. Those traveling on the A92 will need to turn onto the A44 at Juncaril and drive a few kilometers south to reach Granada.

Clue:

Granada - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 1

Kazan 1

Samara 2

Ekaterinburg 3

Novosibirsk 5

Vladivostok 8

When is the season? When is the best time to go

Prices in restaurants depend on the level of the establishment; a business lunch in a decent place in the city center costs from 10 to 15 EUR and includes two courses, dessert and a drink. Getting around the city by taxi is a convenient way to get from one point to another; a trip around the central part of Granada will cost around 10 EUR.

Clue:

Cost of food, accommodation, transportation and other things

Currency: Euro, € US Dollar, $ Russian Ruble, Rub

Main attractions. What to see

The main attraction of Granada is the Alhambra, a former Moorish fortress overlooking the city. Currently, it consists of a whole complex of palaces, fortifications and gardens. You will need a whole day to leisurely walk around the entire Alhambra and visit the famous Generalife Gardens adjacent to it. More detailed information about the Alhambra is presented in the “Museums” section.

In the historical center, the Granada Cathedral and several churches and monasteries of the 16th-17th centuries deserve attention. The former Arab district of Albaycín stands apart - one of the most unique places in the city. Despite its Arabic appearance, this part of Granada hides several charming monasteries, some of which offer delicious sweets made by nuns (for example, the monastery of Santa Isabel la Real, at 15 Calle Santa Isabel la Real). I have always been attracted not by the sweets themselves, but by the original mechanism through which the purchase is made; its meaning is that the nun saleswoman and the buyer do not see each other.

To save on entrance fees, I would recommend purchasing a Bono Turístico card, which allows you to visit the main attractions, 1 sightseeing trip on the tourist “train” and 5 trips on city buses. Bono Turístico can be purchased online or in the Corte Inglés shopping center, located on Carrera de la Vírgen, 20-22. The cost of the card is 33.50 EUR.

Top 5

• Alhambra. Ancient Muslim fortress and palace of the emirs of Granada until 1492; later - one of the residences of the Spanish monarchs. A magnificent example of Moorish architecture.
• Generalife Gardens. The park, laid out by the emirs of Granada, is adjacent to the Alhambra. Most tourists visit the Generalife on the same day as the Alhambra. I would advise you to follow their example, because the Generalife gardens are a logical continuation of the palace complex in the Alhambra.

• Cathedral. Built in the 16th century. The interior is decorated with white marble, as a result of which the cathedral from the inside produces a very bright and almost airy impression. Ferdinand and Isabella, one of the most famous rulers of Spain, under whom the liberation of the country from Muslims was completed and the conquest of America began, are buried in the Royal Chapel next to the cathedral.

• Monastery of San Jeronimo. An example of Renaissance architecture from the 16th century. The altar part of the temple and the charming monastery courtyard are noteworthy.

• Abbey of Sacromonte. Strictly speaking, it is located outside the city limits. Some of the monastery's premises are located in caves. The village of Sacromonte is famous for its cave houses, which form an integral part of the character of this Granada suburb.

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

You can try national Spanish cuisine in Granada in most restaurants (except, of course, restaurants serving national cuisine from other countries, although even in a Mexican establishment in the center of Granada I saw people ordering “Tortilla Española”). Good restaurants are concentrated in the city center; in unpretentious cafes on the outskirts of Granada you can try tapas, which will be no worse than in expensive pretentious places in the Gran Via area. At the same time, not every cafe on the outskirts will serve you paella or some delicious dishes. In many cheap cafes and bars in Granada, the ancient custom of throwing dirty napkins on the floor persists, as a result of which the appearance of such an establishment can be intimidating to someone not familiar with Andalusian traditions. However, napkins littering the floor are an indicator of the authenticity and quality of the bar; Feel free to go to such a place and order beer and the same tapas as the locals.

If you like to cook for yourself, there are numerous supermarkets at your disposal. In the center of Granada, at Carrera de la Virgen, 20-22, there is a large shopping center Corte Inglés, on the ground floor of which there is a supermarket with a wide range of products (including cheeses, jamon, vegetables and fruits). I always bought spices for cooking from the merchants standing near the wall of the cathedral, on Carcel Baja Street. A 3-minute walk from them is the St. Augustine Market (Mercado San Agustín), in Plaza de San Agustín.

Granada has a large number of cafes and restaurants, the general features of which I have already described in the “Food” section. Listing absolutely all the establishments that exist in Granada would require writing an entire encyclopedia. In this section I will mention only a few places that deserve attention.

• Poë, Calle Verónica de la Magdelena 40. Open from 20:00 until closing (tapas until 00:30). Tapas bar with free snacks to go with your wine. The tapas are quite good, but a little small in size.
• Bella and Bestia. A chain of tapas bars in Granada (for example, on the Darro River embankment). Large and tasty tapas, one of the best places of this type. The only drawback is that it can be difficult to find a free table.
• Café Fútbol, ​​Plaza de Mariana Pineda 6. A restaurant famous for its delicious desserts and sweets.
• La Blanca Paloma, street Reyes Catolicos, 48. Cozy cafe with a large selection of desserts.
• El Aguador, Plaza Romanilla 12. Local restaurant with a large selection of dishes. Prices are slightly higher than the city average (average bill 20-25 EUR). Great service, delicious paella.
• 4 Gatos, Placeta de la Cruz Verde, 6. Small cafe in the Albaicin area. Budget prices, great place for breakfast. Opens in the evenings only from Wednesday to Saturday.

Budget

• Dulcimena, calle Molinos, 19.
• La Taberna de Kafka, calle Huete, 2.
• Bakery Street, plaza Romanilla, 5.
• Grazie Mille, calle Gran Capitán, 15.
• La Pajuana, calle Virgen del Rosario, 12.

Mid-level

• El Asturiano, calle Jardines, 9.
• Lebowski Bistrot, calle Varela, 11.
• El Mercader, calle Imprenta, 2.
• Legado Andalusi, plaza Bib, 2.
• La Nonna (pizzeria), calle Doctor Fleming, 13.

Expensive

• Alacena de San Nicolás, calle San Nicolás, 3.
• Alvaro Arriaga, avenida de las Ciencias, 2.
• Los Santanderinos, calle Albahaca, 1.
• Damasqueros, calle Damasqueros, 3.
• La Fábula, calle San Antón, 28.

Holidays

Safety. What to watch out for

How to get around the city

Most companies require online car reservations. Another common requirement is that rent must be paid by credit card (debit cards may not be accepted). To make a reservation you must present a passport, bank card and driver's license.

In addition to a car, you can rent a moped or scooter. There are several companies in the city that provide this type of service (Motorcity Rent, Rent & Move).

If you still decide to move around the city by car (which, as I already wrote, is not the best decision), remember that a number of streets in the city center are closed to private vehicles (including Gran Via). Large posters warn about this at the entrance to the “restricted zone.” For this reason, you should not unconditionally trust the navigator when planning a route through the center (which I had the “pleasure” to verify from my own sad experience). Taxis, buses and people who live or work in the area have the right to enter Gran Via, so do not try to follow a car with Granada license plates in order to find a shorter and more convenient route through the center.

Granada - holidays with children

A trip to Granada will, of course, leave an unforgettable experience for children, not to mention the fact that getting to know the main attractions will significantly broaden their horizons and help develop an interest in history and art.

Among the places where you can go with children (besides the Alhambra with its Arab fortress), I would note the Park of Sciences (Parque de las Ciencias), located on Avenue de la Ciencia, s/n. It is a museum that tells about the main achievements of modern science and technology in an entertaining and entertaining way. The Park has a planetarium and regularly hosts various events for children. Ticket price is 7 EUR for adults and 6 EUR for children.

In the vicinity of Granada, next to the ski resort in the Sierra Nevada, is the botanical garden Hoya de Pedraza. It is located on the A395 highway, at an altitude of 1900 meters. The journey by car from Granada takes about 40 minutes.

Another place designed for children is the water park, which I already wrote about above.

Ski holiday

Located 40 kilometers from Granada, the ski resort in Sierra Nevada attracts ski and snowboard enthusiasts from all over the world. You can get to the resort by car. For information on how to get to the resort in the Sierra Nevada, see the section “What to see in the surrounding area.”

You can ski or snowboard in the Sierra Nevada from late November to April. The resort is located at an altitude of 2 to 3 kilometers. There are slopes here not only for beginners (like me), but also for experienced skiers. The downside is that it gets crowded on weekends and during the Christmas holidays. The trails are open in March and April, but there is little snow on them in the spring, so it is better to ski in the Sierra Nevada in winter.

Ski passes

Ski passes to the Sierra Nevada ski resort can be purchased online on the website. If you purchase online before the season starts, you can get a discount.

Prices vary depending on the day you buy the ski pass for. A ski pass for an adult for 1 day costs from 35 to 47 EUR, for a week - from 187 to 258 EUR (prices for the 2016/2017 season). Prices are highest on the weekends and two weeks after Christmas; the lowest are in the second half of April.

In addition to purchasing online, you can purchase ski passes at the resort itself, in Pradogliano, in the Plaza de Andalucía. The ticket office is open from 08:30 to 16:30. In addition, ski passes can also be purchased at the reception of some hotels in the resort.

Trails

The altitude difference on the ski slopes in the Sierra Nevada is 1200 meters, from 2100 meters above sea level to 3300. There are 124 slopes with a total length of 106 kilometers. Of these trails, 19 are green, 41 are blue, 50 are red, 7 are black and 7 are snowpark types. The general direction of the routes is to the northwest.

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Anything to add?

So, you are going to Andalusia. And you go there not only to swim and sunbathe, but also to see wonderful Spanish cities - first of all, Granada, Seville and Cordoba. Each of these cities has a primary attraction, we all know them: the Cathedral in Seville, the Alhambra in Granada and the Mezquita in Cordoba. But besides these super-sites, Andalusia has a lot of interesting things.

The best time to visit Andalusia for excursion purposes is April and October. In October you can still swim, but the sea is already cool, about 20 degrees.

Step 1 to achieving your goal is to decide on air tickets to Malaga and accommodation. If you travel independently and are able to plan your vacation well in advance, buy air tickets in advance.

You can order a transfer from the airport in advance through

If you have missed time and there are no tickets or hotels at an affordable price, you can buy a package tour to one of the resort towns on the Costa del Sol and make radial trips from there.

Unfortunately, the holiday season on the Costa del Sol ends in October and charter programs cease.

Trains from Malaga to Fuengirola

There are two commuter train lines departing from Malaga: C-1 (along the coast) and C-2 (short line to Alora).

The C-1 line we are interested in comes from Malaga before Fuengirola through resort towns Torremolinos And Benalmadena. Electric trains (in Spanish - “cercanias”) start running at about half past six in the morning and end at half past eleven at night, the interval is about 20 minutes.

The final station of commuter trains is located in the very center of Malaga, next to the shopping center El Corte Inglés. From here you can walk to all the attractions of Malaga.

However, if you are traveling to other Andalusian cities and need to change trains or buses, you need to get off at the penultimate station, Malaga Maria Zambrano ( Maria Zambrano). The train arrives on an underground track (like in the subway), you need to go up and go left. Next to the commuter train terminal there is a long-distance train terminal and ticket office. To go to the bus station, you need to pass the long-distance train terminal and go through the entire building (following along the long side of the station). After leaving the railway station building, cross the road, and in front of you will be the bus station.

The schedule of trains and trains is available on the website http://www.renfe.com/, which will become one of the main ones for you while preparing for your trip.

RENFE(Red Nacional de Ferrocarriles Españoles) - "National Railway Network of Spain." If on a city map you see a rectangle with the inscription “RENFE”, know that this is a railway station.

The train schedule is here: http://www.renfe.com/viajeros/cercanias/malaga/index.html

In addition to trains, you can easily get to Malaga by bus from each resort village. Transport links are convenient, buses run frequently.

Buying train tickets from Malaga, RENFE

Tickets to other cities in Andalusia can be purchased at home on the Internet, but if you do not want to be bound by rigid boundaries and like to act according to the situation, you can easily buy tickets on the spot, in Malaga. Preferably within a day. However, at home on the Internet, still do some preparatory work, namely: look at the schedule, choose the appropriate option and prepare notes for purchasing tickets.

We go to our favorite renfe.com

We press the “Comprar” button and a schedule opens, where we can navigate prices and times.

So, we see that trains with the letters MD go from Malaga to Seville in 2 hours 37 minutes. If we take a one-way ticket only (“ida”), it will cost 23-20, if a round-trip ticket (“ida y vuelta”), then 18-55, a total of 37-10.

AVANT or AVE trains cover this distance 40 minutes faster, but also cost almost twice as much.

Having roughly decided on the train, prepare notes, for example:

07/12/2017, 2 billetos par Sevilla, 9-15

At the box office, you simply give the cashier the prepared note and money and receive a ticket.

The process of purchasing train tickets is as follows. At the Malaga train station, you enter the ticket sales area, where ticket sales officers sit in a row along the wall, each seat with its own number. You print out a ticket at the machine (watch what the locals do: which machine they approach and which button they press). Your queue number will be written on the ticket. After that, wait until your number lights up on the board and go to the indicated cash desk. You hand the cashier a note and money and pick up your ticket.

It is better to go to Granada by bus - by train you need to change at Bombadilla station. See the bus schedule on alsa.es:

You can buy a ticket at the station or at special Alsa kiosks. When we arrived by bus in Malaga, at the final stop (a little further ahead) we saw such a kiosk, where we bought tickets for the next day to Granada (at 8 a.m.) and back (at 6 p.m.).

Torremolinos, Hotel Tropicana

Torremolinos- the closest village to Malaga. We lived in the Tropicana 4* hotel. This is already the outskirts of Torremolinos, which ends near the Puerto Marina pleasure boat pier, smoothly flowing into the next village - Benalmadena.

The hotel is good, located on the first line. The room is small. The food is tasty and varied. There is a supermarket nearby, and next to the hotel there is a small store that sells local wine, fruit, as well as souvenirs and small things for tourists. Below the windows is the Paseo Maritimo promenade with shops and cafes along the edges, along which you can walk to the center of the village.

The bus stop (on Avenida Carlota Alessandri) is a 5-minute walk. To the train – uphill about 15-20 minutes. The nearest station to the hotel is Montemar Alto. At the reception you need to take a map of the village and ask the hotel employee to mark the bus stop and railway station on it.

Malaga, how to get there and what to see

We got to Malaga by bus number 110. Travel time is about 20 minutes. The cost is about 2 euros.

The bus terminus is located almost in the center of Malaga. Walking a little forward from it, on the other side of the street you will see a monument to a fish peddler with baskets. Stand face to face with the fish peddler, and on your right hand will be tourism office.

At the office, pick up a free map of Malaga, as well as the bus timetable №35 , on which you can climb to the Gibralfaro fortress. Ask to mark the nearest stop for this bus on the map.

The bus doesn't go often. Bus schedule No. 35 at that time (2012): 9-40 on business days, 10-20 on business days, 11-00, 11-45, 12-35, 13-25, 14-10, 16-10 on weekends, 16-50, 17-35, 18-15, 19-00.

If you come to Malaga on Sunday, remember that entry to the Alcazaba and Gibralfaro is free after 2 hours, so it’s better to leave their exploration for the second half of the day, and start exploring the city’s attractions from the cathedral.

Don't rely on English. A few prepared phrases in Spanish can help you out a lot. For example:

Dadme, por favor, un mapa de la ciudad- Please give me a map of the city

Necesito el mapa del centro histórico– I need a map of the historical center

Donde est á la parada del autobús número treinta y cinco ?– Where is the stop for bus number 35?

Muestre en el mapa, por favor– Show me on the map, please

Donde esta (where) la estación de tren (station)? el museo (museum)? la cathedral (cathedral)? etc.

The main thing is to convey to the Spaniard what you need, and then they will show you on a map or with gestures. Before the trip, I studied Spanish for three months on the way to work (a thin paperback book “Spanish in 90 days” by Gonzalez, Alimova). As a result, my rudimentary knowledge of Spanish helped us a lot on the trip.

You will also need another useful phrase “ Desayuno temprano" [desayno temprano], which means "early breakfast." The fact is that breakfast in hotels starts at 7-30 or 8-00. If you are going on an excursion, you need to go to the reception in advance in the evening and order an early breakfast, indicate the room number and the time you will arrive, for example, at 6-30.

Granada, local transport

From Malaga to Granada the bus takes 2 hours. Having left Malaga at 8 am, we arrived in Granada at 10 am.

From the station to the historical center there are buses No. 3, 33.

In the city center, minibus No. 30 may be useful to you. The stop is opposite the cathedral. If you stand with your back to the cathedral, the minibus that arrives will take you to the Alhambra. If you cross Gran Via and face the cathedral, you can take the same minibus number 30 to Albacina or Sacromonte. Thus, this minibus connects the three main hills of Granada and the city center.

Near the Church of St. Anna there is a tourism office where you can get good maps of Granada, Cordoba, and Seville for free.
If you want to save time and effort and avoid queues at museum ticket offices, book Granada Card.
The Granada Card includes tickets to Granada's top attractions (including all Alhambra sites) and public transport. There is also a Card for children aged 3 to 11 years, which includes the same package as the cards for adults.

How to book tickets to the Alhambra

Now the most important thing is how to get to the Alhambra.

Organized with excursion

The easiest way is to take a tour at the hotel. Then you are guaranteed to get there without any hassle. The cost of the excursion is 75 euros without lunch and 82 euros with lunch.

I’m not a big fan of solving organizational issues, and before the trip I hesitated whether to simply buy an excursion to Granada. In the end, we were glad that we went on our own: we had a good walk in the Alhambra and managed to see a lot in the city itself. However, those who chose the excursion tour, I think, were also pleased that they avoided headaches (how to get there, where to get tickets). They were comfortably transported to Granada, accompanied by the stories of the guide, and spent the same 4 hours in the Alhambra as we did. Only we barely saw the city, and it cost twice as much. In general, the choice is yours.

Book yourself

If you want to travel to Granada on your own, you will need to book tickets in advance on the official website of the Alhambra https://www.alhambradegranada.org/

On the site in the upper right corner you can select a language, including - hurray! - Russian.

The site is very clear. In the “Ticket sales” section you will find detailed information about opening hours, types of excursions and prices.

There you can also go to the ticket seller’s website - https://tickets.alhambra-patronato.es/en/ (this site already has only two languages: Spanish and English) and select the desired option. The most common option is a day visit. Alhambra General— includes inspection of all Alhambra sites open to the public and costs 14 euros (as of February 2018) + a small surcharge for booking.

Using Granada-card or Alhambra-card

If you realize it at the very last moment and there are no more tickets for the required dates, you can buy Granada card which I mentioned above. In addition to the Alhambra itself, it includes visits to other attractions of Granada and travel by public transport.

The Granada Card costs 49 euros - significantly more expensive than a regular visit to the Alhambra, so don’t delay booking your tickets, buy in advance.

Seville, how to get there and what to see

Seville can be reached by bus or train.

Fast AVANT trains reach Seville in 1-55 (fare 42-00), and slow MD trains in 2-45 (fare 23-20). It is more profitable to take round-trip tickets (“ida y vuelta”) - then the one-way cost is 40% cheaper. Unfortunately, we could not take advantage of this benefit, since we drove from Seville to Cordoba, and from Cordoba we returned to Malaga.

On the train (about half an hour after departure) you will pass the impressive El Chorro gorge with steep walls and the so-called. The "Royal Road", which is a narrow metal platform running along a rock wall. A very impressive spectacle. It is better to sit on the left side.

In Seville, leaving the station, you need to go through the station area, cross the intermediate road, and there will be a bus stop there. Buses 27 and 32 go to the city center (we stand with our backs to the railway station). Go to “placa de la Encarnación”.

We moved around the historical center on foot; all attractions are within walking distance. You can't cover everything in a day. What I would change in our program is to sacrifice a boat trip on Guadalquivir. Instead, I would take a walk in the evening to Plaza Espanya so that the next day I could “get the rest” (the Santa Cruz quarter and the “House of Pilate”) and leave early for Cordoba. This, of course, assumes a strict schedule and a very cursory examination of the main attractions.

To the obligatory list of Seville attractions: the Cathedral, the Giralda, the Alcazar, Plaza de España - I would also add the “House of Pilate”. And, perhaps, I would leave it for last - for the most pleasant aftertaste.

Cordoba, how to get to the center from the station

The city is colorful and unique, and we, of course, are wrong that we spent only half a day on it. These half days fit Mezquita And Alcazar with its wonderful gardens - at a completely comfortable pace. There was not enough idle wandering around the city, looking into different corners. And it’s very pleasant to walk along it.

For holidaymakers on the Costa del Sol, this city is easily and conveniently accessible. Trains from Malaga to Cordoba run frequently and travel time is about an hour.

From the station you can get to the center by bus, or you can walk in 15 minutes by yourself. From the station building you need to cross the wide street Avenida de America and follow it to the park area - Jardines de la Agricultura. Turn right and walk for 10 minutes along the boulevard, turn left and now you are in the labyrinths of the old city.

In one day you can visit all the most interesting places in Cordoba.

Granada, Seville and Cordoba are the main tourist destinations in Andalusia. Besides them, there are many other interesting places in the area. First of all, this is -

Rhonda

The ancient city of Ronda, located in the mountains, is divided into two parts by a deep, narrow gorge, and this very circumstance makes it extraordinary and attractive. Parts of the city are connected by bridges. You can go down to the very bottom of the abyss, you can get close to the edge - photographs from any angle turn out to be very impressive.

The city has several churches and a monastery, a bullfighting museum, and Mandragon Palace - the former residence of Catholic kings and the current ethnographic museum. In the Palace of the Moorish King (or Casa del Rey Moro) there is a passage carved into the rock that leads to the bottom of the gorge.

You can get from Malaga to Ronda by bus from Los Amarillos or Portillo (schedule on the websites http://losamarillos.autobusing.com/ or http://portillo.avanzabus.com/). Travel time is two and a half hours. The cost is around 10 euros. The road is mountainous, serpentine, some complained of motion sickness.

Tangier and Gibraltar, excursions from the Costa del Sol

While relaxing on the Costa del Sol, you can simultaneously, as if by the way, visit two more states - Morocco And Great Britain. The only thing you need for this is to be the holder of a Schengen multiple visa, with which you can enter the Schengen zone multiple times.

In both cases, I recommend taking advantage of organized excursions so as not to bother with paperwork for admission to another country and not to unknowingly miss out on some annoying little detail. Although it is quite possible to go to Tangier on your own. To do this, you need to take a regular bus or car to the city. Tariff- the southernmost point of Europe, and from there ferries depart to Tangier every hour. You can buy a tour directly at the port ticket office, it cost about 50 euros, but most likely it is conducted in English.

How to get to Granada

Granada is one of the richest cities in Andalusia, which has retained its authenticity and atmosphere. Many of the city's architectural sites, including the famous Alhambra Palace and the ancient Albasiín quarter, are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In addition, Granada is another striking example of how different architectural styles from Gothic and Renaissance to Moorish motifs can “coexist” in one place, and this is directly connected with the eventful history of the city, because it was here that the Emirate of Granada was based for many years and it was here that all the most striking events of the Reconquista took place.

Granada is located 130 km from Malaga and 420 km from Madrid. It is in these cities that there are international airports where, among other things, flights from Russia land. You can get to Granada from Malaga and Madrid by train or bus.

How to get from Madrid to Granada

Madrid is considered one of the main air hubs in Spain, a large number of regular flights from Russia land here, in addition, Madrid is connected to other cities in Spain by a developed network of railway, bus and road routes, which is why flying to Madrid is considered one of the best starting points to . The distance between Madrid and Granada is about 420 km, but the developed transport infrastructure of Spain allows you to cover this distance in just a few hours.

By public transport

You can get to Granada by high-speed trains through Seville or Antequera, and the second option is considered faster in time and takes about 4 hours. Trains run every two hours throughout the day. Trains depart from Madrid Puerta de Atocha Airport. You can check the schedule in advance at the railway service .

A trip from Madrid to Granada by bus will take about 5 hours on direct routes without transfers. Buses run every half hour to hour, and transportation is carried out by bus companies Eurolines (up to 25 flights per day) and Nexcon (up to 6 times per day).

By rented car

The distance between Madrid and Granada is considerable, about 420 km, however, the cities are connected in a straight line by highways A4 and A44 through Jaén; you can get from one point to another by car in about 4 hours. By the way, Jaen also deserves the attention of tourists due to its architecture and picturesque views. For those who decide to travel by car, there are many rental offices open in Madrid; you can even rent a car at the Barajas airport of arrival. Price is low in the country, and the roads in Spain have high-quality coverage, so traveling by car from one city to another can be very easy.

SnippyHolloW/Granada

How to get from Malaga to Granada

Traveling to Granada from Malaga will take much less time than from Madrid, since the distance between the cities is only 130 km. Malaga is a convenient starting point for trips along the Costa del Sol and for trips around the area, incl. to Granada, Ronda and the Sierra Nevada National Park. You can get to Granada from Malaga by train or bus.

By public transport

All trains from Malaga to Granada have a short transfer. This may be a transfer in Antequera (more often) or Pedrera, and the travel time will be approximately 2 to 3 hours depending on the type of train (both high-speed AVE, ARC, ZUG, and regional IR run along the route) . Trains start running from 7.30 am, the last train leaves at 20.15. You can check the schedule at the railway service .

Bus services between Malaga and Granada are considered more frequent. You can leave both from Malaga airport and from the main bus station. Travel time will take about 1 hour 45 minutes from the airport and about 55 minutes from the bus station. Flights are operated by bus carriers Nex Continental and Movelia. Buses start running from 7 am, the last flight leaves at 20.00.

By taxi

Another option for getting from Malaga to Granada is a taxi. Its convenience lies in the fact that you can travel around the clock, while trains and buses run along the route only during the daytime. Travel time by taxi will take approximately 1 hour 40 minutes. You can order a taxi directly at Malaga airport at the information desk in the arrivals terminal, or in advance via the Internet on the transfer order website .

By rented car

Traveling from Malaga to Granada is quite convenient by private car, and you can rent a car for the trip both in Malaga itself and at the arrival airport. You can get from Malaga to Granada in 1.5 hours along the A92 highway, which passes through picturesque natural places and small towns that you will meet along the way. is considered one of the cheapest in Spain, and coupled with good quality roads, this type of transportation has an advantage over public transport.

Angel Escartin Casas/Granada

Granada Hotels

You should choose a hotel in Granada either in the center (close to the Alhambra) or in the ancient Albasiín district if you want to become immersed in the history of the city. It is in these areas that you can find the largest number of hotel offers. By settling in the city center or in the Albasiina area, you can save on public transport, because... The attractions here are concentrated within walking distance of each other.

Eurostars Washington Irving, 5 stars

The hotel is conveniently located relative to Granada's main attraction - the Alhambra, just a few hundred meters away, within walking distance. In addition, Granada Cathedral and the central Plaza Mayor square are also nearby. Guests have access to an outdoor swimming pool and sun terrace. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. The hotel's services also include outdoor parking, a 24-hour front desk, a library, a gym, laundry services, and a business center.

The hotel offers single and double standard rooms, as well as junior suites. All rooms have air conditioning, hairdryer, safe, TV, telephone. Buffet breakfast may be included in the price or may be paid additionally depending on the room type.

The hotel receives the highest ratings from guests for comfort, cleanliness, location and quality of Wi-Fi provided. Check-in is from 14.00, check-out is until 12.00. You can find out more about availability and hotel costs for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com.

Alhambra Palace, 4 stars

The hotel was named for its location next to the main attraction of the city - the Alhambra. The famous Albasic area is also within walking distance. For the convenience of guests, there is a bus stop next to the hotel if necessary to travel around the city.

The hotel rooms have a themed interior. Rooms offer views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In the rooms you can find a telephone, satellite TV, safe, air conditioning, hairdryer, minibar, free Wi-Fi. Breakfast, depending on the type of room, can be included in the price or paid separately. The hotel houses a restaurant and bar with an outdoor terrace with views of the Alhambra and the mountains. Private paid parking is available nearby.

Most of all, hotel guests rated its location and cleanliness of the rooms. Check-in at the hotel is from 14.00, check-out is until 12.00. You can find out more about availability and hotel costs for specific dates on the booking websiteBooking.com.

Suites Gran Via 44, 4 stars

The hotel is located in the city centre, close to public transport links with direct buses to the Alhambra and Albaciña. Granada Cathedral and the Royal Chapel are within walking distance of the hotel. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage and paid private parking.

Hotel guests can choose a room from standard, superior and premier suites. The suites are equipped like apartments. The rooms have a balcony, TV, safe, air conditioning, iron, hairdryer, minibar, microwave, kettle. Breakfast, depending on the type of room, is included in the price or paid additionally.

The hotel received the highest ratings for the cleanliness and comfort of the rooms, professionalism of the staff and location. Check-in is from 14.00, check-out is until 12.00. You can find out more about availability and hotel costs for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com.

Santa Isabel La Real, 3 stars

The hotel is located in a historical building in the Albasiín area. The hotel's windows offer views of both the Alhambra and the picturesque streets of the Old Town. The hotel also features a sun terrace and a cool patio. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout Santa Isabel La Real. Paid public parking is available nearby (reservations are required due to limited spaces).

All hotel rooms are divided into standard, classic, superior and deluxe. The hotel has a small number of rooms, and in the rooms you can find air conditioning, TV, telephone, minibar, safe, hairdryer and work desk. Breakfast is included in the room price. The rooms are designed in classic Andalusian style. The hotel offers luggage storage and a 24-hour front desk.

The hotel received the highest marks for the professionalism of the staff, the cleanliness of the rooms and its location relative to the main tourist sites. Check-in is possible from 14.00, check-out until 12.00. You can find out more about availability and hotel costs for specific dates on the booking website Booking.com.

Granada Five Senses Rooms & Suites, 3 stars

The hotel is located in the central part of the city, close to the Cathedral and public transport stops. The historic Albaciín district can be reached on foot, and the Alhambra can be reached by bus. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool and lounge area. Paid public parking is available nearby (reservation required). Guests are also offered luggage storage, a 24-hour information desk, and a tour desk. In addition, the hotel benefits from the presence of a spa area.

All hotel rooms are divided into double, triple, family and junior suites. The rooms have everything you need: telephone, TV, safe, air conditioning, hairdryer. Most rooms include breakfast (except for special offers). Free Wi-Fi can be found throughout the hotel.

The hotel received the best reviews from guests for its location, professionalism of the staff and cleanliness of the rooms. Check-in is from 12.00, check-out is until 12.00. You can find out more about availability and hotel costs for specific dates on the booking websiteBooking.com.

Renata Martins/Granada Landscapes

Sights of Granada

Granada, like Seville, is a popular tourist center where Moorish heritage, Gothic and Renaissance are mixed in architecture and life. Numerous cultural sites attract the attention of tourists who visit Granada every year, and interest in the city has not waned for many years. Moorish palaces here coexist with Catholic cathedrals, and ancient Muslim quarters with classical Renaissance forms. It is these contrasts, coexisting in one place, that make Granada such a popular destination among tourists around the world.

On the list of Granada attractions worth visiting, the Alhambra is definitely number one. The Alhambra was once the residence of the ruling Muslim Nasrid dynasty; its construction dates back to the early 13th century. Today, this architectural ensemble is a museum of Islamic architecture and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Inside the Alcazaba fortress you can find preserved towers and squares, the Nasrid Palace, consisting of a whole complex of buildings, a church built on the site of a mosque during the Reconquista, as well as orange orchards. The architectural and park complex is open to visitors.

As one of Granada's most visited attractions, the Alhambra has limited capacity and there are long queues during the high tourist season. That is why it is recommended to purchase entrance tickets in advance on the official website of the Alhambra. The complex is open daily from 8.30 to 18.00 in winter and until 20.00 in summer. The cost of a standard ticket is 15.4 euros.

Sharon Mollerus/Alhambra

Granada Cathedral

Granada Cathedral is a symbol of the liberation of Granada from the Moors, the construction of which began in the early 16th century and continued for 2 centuries. The Granada Cathedral combines features of Gothic, classicism and partly rococo. Adjacent to the building is the Royal Chapel, the site of the last abode of the Catholic Monarchs. Not only the appearance of the cathedral deserves attention, but also its interior with majestic white columns, stained glass windows, bas-reliefs, sculptures and other richly decorated interior elements.

The Granada Cathedral is active, but is open to tourists. From Monday to Saturday you can get here from 10 am to 6:30 pm; on Sunday the doors of the cathedral are open from 15:00. Admission is paid, and tickets to the cathedral and chapel are purchased separately.

Nigel’s Europe & beyond/Granada Cathedral

Old quarter of Albasiín

Albaciin is an old city quarter in the Moorish style, which, however, is still residential, despite the fact that it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is built up with low-rise residential buildings in the Moorish style with whitewashed walls and brown roofs; there are also several churches built on the site of a mosque, the ruins of Arab baths, and an archaeological museum. Some tourists who come to Granada want to not only explore the area, but also live in it, and there is an opportunity for this: there are many small, cozy hotels designed for a small number of guests. There are also restaurants designed in traditional Arabic style. The Albasiín quarter is so developed that it is considered a city within a city; it has everything that is necessary for the daily life of local residents.

Roberto/Albaciin

Generalife Palace and Gardens

The Generalife Palace and its adjacent landscaped garden are another example of medieval Islamic architecture in Spain. The palace was once considered the country residence of the ruling Nasrid dynasty, and since then pavilions, columns, pools, bridges and patios have been preserved here. The Generalife gardens contain cypress trees, boxwood, roses and other flowering plants. Incredible landscape ideas were recreated on the territory of the gardens, which are now an independent attraction of Granada.

You can get to the Generalife Palace and Gardens through the Alhambra, since both buildings are connected by a pedestrian bridge. A standard ticket to the Alhambra also includes entrance to the Generalife, i.e. one ticket gives the right to visit both architectural complexes at once.

Charlie Jackson/Generalife Gardens

Among the things worth seeing in Granada, one can separately highlight the palace of Charles V, King of Spain, who lived in the 16th century. Today it houses a museum of fine arts, although this huge complex once served as a royal residence. Inside the palace there is a huge patio (courtyard), as the building has a semicircular shape. The Palace of Charles V is adjacent to the Alhambra and can also be viewed with a single entrance ticket.

gacabo/Palace of Charles V

Abbey of Sacromonte

The Sacromonte area is located a few kilometers from Granada's city walls on the local hills. It is in this area that the abbey of the same name is located, or rather, a Benedictine monastery. The construction of the huge church complex took place in the 16th century. The complex contains the main building, a church and a seminary, and the courtyard is decorated with Tuscan columns. The church is made in the shape of a Latin cross.

You can get to the territory of the abbey and explore it only with an organized excursion, which takes place at a certain time (from 11.00 to 13.00 and from 16.00 to 18.00), entrance is paid. You can get to the abbey by public transport (bus routes No. 30) from the city center.

Jorge Franganillo/Sacromonte area

Excursions in Granada

You can explore the main attractions of Granada with an organized excursion, so offers to get acquainted with such iconic places of the city as the historical center and the ancient Albasiyin quarter. The Cathedral and the Alhambra will also be along the route. The tour lasts 3 hours and is suitable for 1-10 people, conducted in Russian, cost 156 euros. The excursion is on foot, so it is recommended to have comfortable shoes with thick soles (the Albasiín area is paved with large cobblestones).

The Alhambra is considered one of the main attractions of Granada. You can visit it on your own, however, in order not only to see all its beauty, but also to learn about its history, you can visit . The tour includes visiting the Generalife Gardens, the Summer Palace, the Palace of Charles V and the Nasrid Palaces. The walking tour, in Russian, lasts 3 hours, cost 156 euros + 15.4 euros for a ticket to enter the Alhambra. You can find out about interesting walks that take place in other cities of Andalusia on the excursion booking website .

Granada Airport has direct flights from Iberia, Vueling, AirEuropa from Madrid and Barcelona, ​​Gran Canaria and Palma de Mallorca, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Melilla, as well as from some major European cities.
But it’s cheaper to get to Granada from Russia by flights via Malaga or Seville. From Malaga airport to Granada it is only an hour and a half by bus, and from Seville airport - 2 hours. ALSA buses leave almost every hour from the bus stations of Malaga and Seville (www.alsa.es).
Granada Airport is named after Federico García Lorca or "Granada-Jaén". It is located at a distance of 17 km from Granada in Chaucina.
From the airport to the city center you can take a bus. The fare is only 3 euros, and the travel time is about 40 minutes.

By train

Rail services connect Granada with almost all major cities in Spain. The website renfe.es provides up-to-date timetables and the ability to order and purchase tickets online.
For example, the Madrid-Granada train takes about 4.5 hours, and travel costs from 45 euros.

By bus

ALSA's bus network connects Granada with many Spanish cities (www.alsa.es). In 5 hours, the bus reaches Granada from the Madrid Estación Sur bus station, the cost of the trip is from 19 euros. Travel by bus from Malaga to Granada will cost you only 11 euros.