Granada and Alhambra Palace

The Alhambra Palace in Andalusia's hillside city of Granada evokes thoughts of nobility and chivalry. It is a cornerstone of Spain's sometimes turbulent yet dynamic past. For all this, two previous visits had left me a little underwhelmed and I did not know why. It was then with some trepidation I embarked on a third visit, 15 years after last which was by some coincidence 15 years from my first.
The travelling public courtesy of the many helpful websites had suggested a nearby one star hotel as one to consider. Plain, simple, clean and comfortable. So it was that the Hotel Albero was booked. http://www.hotelalbero.com/ It delivered on all the qualities described and was inexpensive too. Not only that but a neighbouring restaurant provided a fabulous meal even if it was about the cost of the hotel room.
Once at the Palace I recalled why it might not have been the enchanting place I expected those 15 years ago. I had a toddler in tow and the need to use a buggy restricted movement around the monument. Not this time.

The Alhambra is not exactly a palace in the sense of a royal home. It is a small walled town of several palaces the most important of which are the Moorish Nasrid (Palacios Nazaríes). A booking system exists to control the numbers so it is best to book your place in advance. It is said to be especially busy in the summer months. The Palaces and their gardens are absolutely delightful. Most impressive of all are the waterways and fountains as the builders of the Alhambra came up with a novel way to divert a nearby stream. It not only gave the Palace its water supply but also decorative features which helps the Alhambra stand out from many of its European neighbours.

Away from the Nasrid Palaces the Alhambra has magnificent fortifications and towers which can be explored. They offer magnificent views over the city of Granada and beyond and it becomes evident why those who chose to build their fortress here selected this precise spot. It commands a dominating position which can be seen from the moment of arrival in the city. A clever diversion around the Granada ring road adds a few kilometres to the journey but delivers travellers promptly to their destination. A number of reasonably priced restaurants are available just outside the palace and close to the car and coach parks.



From this my third visit I would recommend a visit to the Alhambra Palace and would make these observations:
Book early to avoid disappointment at the Nasrid Palaces.
Try not visit with young children, you can not visit it all with a buggy.
Go to the Palace as early as you can to avoid the inevitable surge of visitors from the innumerable coach parties that arrive from mid-morning onwards.
Entrance to the Alhambra is restricted to morning or afternoon visits so make sure you choose carefully the time of day to suit you.
Morning is best and enjoy one of the best monuments Spain has to offer the world.