Granada, Spain

I was in Spain, just south of Granada on the Costa del Sol with a few days available.... so a friend and I decided to head to the city of Granada!

Omio the bus company were very easy and I booked everything online before leaving home!

I bused from Malaga's main bus station and it took just 1 hr 30mins to get to Granada's transport hub. I did have a little 'siesta' on the bus as I sat soaking up the sunshine but as we drove through beautiful mountains I found the views too good to miss!

View from bus journey Malaga to Granada

Bus stations are always miles out of the centre so I took a taxi to the hotel to save time. I did laugh as a local said to me 'You must be from England, as you are waiting in a queue..' nobody queues they just jump infront of you, open the car door and jump in, so it took me a little longer than it should to get in a car...I was being polite, and too English!

We stayed at a very easy located and I thought economical hotel - Boutique Hotel Luna Granada Centro.

Our first night we found a rooftop bar at the Eurostars San Anton Hotel, with a great terrace with views of the Alhambra, Cathedral of Granada and Sierra Nevada. Perfect start to the trip!

Dinner we came across a table outside, I know its early in the season but with a jacket on it was warm enough to be outside... Pimienta Rosa had a lovely atmosphere on a Wednesday evening and we thought the food was delicious.

This was a really tasty aubergine dish roasted in a salty, brown sugar almost caramelised flavour.

Thursday we were up early ready to get to the Alhambra, with a cup of coffee of course on the way! We decided to walk, which was beautiful heading into the old town and up along the river. Most people come to Granada to visit the incredible Alhambra Palace and gardens that sit high above the city. It sells out weeks in advance and I was so pleased the friend I travelled with, bought us tickets weeks ago! We met some Americans that have arrived to be told that the Palace is all booked now 3rd April until the 10th May! They were seriously disappointed. We used the company 'Get your Guide'.

Cost was about £45 each and was really worthwhile.

The Alhambra, is the most important and captivating monument in Muslim Spain and one of the most-visited attractions in Spain. The Alhambra shows the heritage of the Nasrid dynasty, which you can discover as you explore the Alcazaba, the Comares Palace, and the Generalife gardens.

We met our guide at the Alhambra for this three hour tour. The tour started by visiting the walled citadel, the first vestiges before it became the seat of the Nasrid emirs of Granada.

We then visited Alcazaba, the oldest area of the Alhambra and military area. We discovered the impressive Torres Bermejas. Then visited the heart of the Alhambra, the Nasrid Palaces. Moorish-style patios, and the royal quarter. Our guide was really very knowledgeable and revealed all the history and legends of how opulent palaces were built for Islamic rulers. I really enjoyed the Generalife Gardens, the resting place of the Kings of the city. The architecture and decorations were incredible and the gardens were just beginning to bloom for Spring.

We walked down from the Alhambra and headed back up to the Albaicin area. The Albaicin is Granada's oldest Arab quarter, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located on a hill overlooking the Alhambra. Narrow streets with little white washed houses, and the shops and restaurants as we got deeper in were very Turkish or Moroccan, such a great atmosphere!

Explored the area walking, getting slightly lost among the narrow cobbled streets, squares and white houses. back through the little streets could have been in Morocco as the shops and restaurants have a very Arabic feel.

We stumbled upon the restaurant Huerto de Juan Ranas boasting the best views of the Alhambra, and Sierra Nevada. It really was such a great find and perfect timing for a well earned glass of wine!

Crossing the road this is where everyone was.... locals, a young musician strumming his guitar, it had such a relaxed vibe as we all enjoyed watching the sunset at the Mirador de San Nicolas.

Dinner that night was back, close to our hotel at Puerta del Carmen. We sat outside and the seafood was again really good!

The next day we got up a little later and headed for a lazy brunch at El Huerto San Anton. We had a great day or walking up to Sacromonte, lots of shopping and enjoying the Albaicin area.