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 Alhambra
and Generalife Gardens Half-Day Trip from Granada Online Reservations Discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Alhambra and Generalife Gardens on this fascinating morning tour. Escorted by your local guide, you'll explore beyond the beautiful Moorish architecture to learn the history of one of the most visited attractions in the world. Your visit begins in the Alhambra, whose construction began in the 11th century on the red hill known as Assabika which overlooks Granada. The Alcazaba fortress was the first structure to be built, followed by the royal palace and residence of members of the court. You will visit the most important halls and courtyards of the Alhambra. |
These include the Alcazaba fortress, the Serrallo, the Patio of los Arrayanes (Myrtle Courtyard), the Hall of la Barca, the Salon of the Embajadores (Ambassadors Hall), the Patio de los Leones (Lions Courtyard), the Hall of the Abencerrajes, the Royal Baths and the Palace of Charles V.
Continuing to the Generalife Gardens, next to the Alhambra, you'll visit the retreat of leisure and recreation for the Moorish kings of Granada.
The beautiful gardens feature abundant and varied flora and stunning water features. Your visit includes two further courtyards, the Patio de la Acequia and the Patio de la Sultana.
Advance bookings are strongly recommended, as access to the Alhambra is strictly limited to a certain number of visitors each day.
Granada
City Hop-on Hop-off Tour
Online Reservations
Explore one of the most beautiful cities in Spain with this 24 hour ticket. See the main sights of Granada as you hop-on and hop-off at 40 conveniently located stops around the city. With great views from the top of the bus, strategically placed stops and an interesting commentary, this truly is the best way to see the sights of Granada.
You can hop-on and off as many times as you like aboard this open-top double-decker bus. The route takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. The buses departs every 30-40 minutes from each stop. Tickets are valid for 24 hours from first use.
The city of Granada has been shaped by the hills, where the old districts in the Albaicin and the Alhambra were founded, brimming with steep, narrow streets, beautiful nooks and crannies, and marvelous landscapes.
The new part of the city is situated on the plain, crisscrossed by the large arteries of Gran Via de Colon and Calle de los Reyes Catolicos, and where the busy streets around the Cathedral are found.
Main highlights include the Cathedral, Acera de Darro, Alhambra, Palaco de Congresos and the Museo Federico G'Lorca.
Historical
Granada Sightseeing Tour
Online Reservations
Immerse yourself in Granada's rich history on this informative sightseeing tour of the city as you meander through the old quarter of Albaycin, visit the Royal chapel and cathedral and admire the breathtaking views of Alhambra, Granada and Sierra Navada from the vantage point at the Mirador de San Nicholas.
Your tour begins by visiting the Royal Chapel commissioned by the Catholic Monarchs and built in flamboyant Gothic style.
Here you will find the mausoleums of Isabel and Ferdinand and their children Phillip "The Beautiful" and Joan "The Mad". The cathedral stands next to the chapel and is considered as the first renaissance church in Spain.
Continue along Gran Via passing the Gardens of Triunfo and Hospital Real, to reach the Carthusian Monastery, a Baroque masterpiece which began construction in 1505 and spanned over three centuries, highlighting the Sanctum Sanctorum (Holy of Holies) and the Sacristy.
Your journey will continue to the old Moorish Quarter of the Albaycin where you can wander the narrow streets before reaching the Mirador de San Nicholas.
From here, you can experience the beauty of the Alhambra, Granada and the Sierra Nevada, followed by a visit to the Sacromonte, a typical and ancient quarter of cave dwellings, where the Gypsy population live. You will visit one of the most representative caves where refreshments will be served.
Private
Tour: Historical Granada
Online Reservations
Immerse yourself in Granada's rich history on this informative Private sightseeing tour of the city as you meander through the old quarter of Albaycin, visit the Royal chapel and cathedral and admire the breathtaking views of Alhambra, Granada and Sierra Navada from the vantage point at the Mirador de San Nicholas.
Your tour begins by visiting the Royal Chapel commissioned by the Catholic Monarchs and built in flamboyant Gothic style. Here you will find the mausoleums of Isabel and Ferdinand and their children Phillip "The Beautiful" and Joan "The Mad". The cathedral stands next to the chapel and is considered as the first renaissance church in Spain.
Continue along Gran Via passing the Gardens of Triunfo and Hospital Real, to reach the Carthusian Monastery, a Baroque masterpiece which began construction in 1505 and spanned over three centuries, highlighting the Sanctum Sanctorum (Holy of Holies) and the Sacristy.
Your journey will continue to the old Moorish Quarter of the Albaycin where you can wander the narrow streets before reaching the Mirador de San Nicholas.
From here, you can experience the beauty of the Alhambra, Granada and the Sierra Nevada, followed by a visit to the Sacromonte, a typical and ancient quarter of cave dwellings, where the Gypsy population live. You will visit one of the most representative caves where refreshments will be served.
Las
Alpujarras Day Trip from Granada
Online Reservations
Visit the unspoiled natural beauty of Las Alpujarras. An area of stunning natural beauty with a delightful climate, Las Alpujarras is dominated by the magnificent rugged peaks of Spain's highest mountain range, the Sierra Nevada.
Enjoy lunch at Bubion to Capileira perched above the marvelous Ravine of Poqueira.
Pass through Lanjaron, a famous medicinal spa town where you will visit the Water Museum; Orgiva, center of the Alpujarra region and a series of picturesque villages and hamlets such as Caratunas, Pampaneira, Pitres, Portugos with its natural spring and Trevelez, the highest village in Spain.
You will then continue through Bubion to Capileira perched above the marvelous Ravine of Poqueira where a typical Alpujarreno lunch will be served.
This regions natural beauty is due to the warm climate and abundant supply of water running off the rivers of the Sierra Nevada - making it one of the most fertile valleys in Spain.
The small white hillside villages are filled with houses with flat earthen roofs (terrados) and the terraced farmland reaches over 6,561 feet (2,000 meters).
Optional Private Tour: Las Alpujarras Day Trip from Granada
Muslim
Granada: Alhambra and Arab Bath
Online Reservations
Combine history and indulgence on an unforgettable day in Granada. Spend the morning exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site of The Alhambra, followed by a relaxing afternoon Arab Bath.
In the morning, visit one of the most visited monuments in the world The Alhambra (approximately 2.5 hours). Its construction was started by the founder of the Nasrid Dynasty: Mohammed Ibn Alhamar, in the 16th century, at the red hill known as Assabic, which overlooks Granada .
The fortress or alcazaba was built in first place, and afterwards, the Royal Palace and the highest part of the Alhambra which became the court member residence. Later on, Charles V commissioned a palace to be built at the same site.
You have the afternoon free before making your way to indulge in an Arab bath, where the murmur of water intermingles with masmine notes and mint tea. All senses will sail away in a sea of arches and blue vaults over hexagonal adobe columns.
The Arab bath, apart from its effect on the body and soul by means of weak light and essential oils, has been considered a social meeting center, where business was celebrated and where important daily life questions were discussed.
The hamman offers a new concept of bathing, focused on general body care, keeping the peaceful atmosphere and the simple refinement inherited from Al-Andalus.
You have the option of combining the Arab bath with a massage and aromatherapy.
Sierra
Nevada Day Trip from Granada
Online Reservations
Take a day trip to the south-east of Granada where you'll find the Sierra Nevada massif, home to a large variety of Spain's flora and fauna. Spend a day exploring the rocky massif and escaping the crowds and noise of the city.
Enclaved in the central part of the Penibetic Mountain, the Sierra Nevada massif constitutes the most extensive mountainous area in Spain, with a structure all of its own. Called "Sierra of the Sun" by the Arabs, it houses one of the most diverse range of fauna in Europe.
Sierra Nevada is a rocky massif that forms a clearly distinct geographical unit. It is located to the south-east of the city of Granada and extends along the western end of Almeria.
It offers a sharp contrast between the soft relief of hillocks to other more rugged areas. The tallest peaks on the Peninsula can be found in this Reserve: Mulhacen (3,482 meters) and Veleta (3,392 meters).
The main plant communities dotted over this rocky massif are the holm oak groves, deciduous forests, chestnut trees and Melojo oaks, high mountain groves and padded brushwood on the very highest summits, where the species form a cushion to protect themselves from the winter temperatures and icy winds.
As for fauna, there are invertebrates that are exclusive to this massif, including more than 20 species of butterflies.
On the way back to the hotel you will have the opportunity to sample a local tapas menu.
Optional Private Tour: Sierra Nevada Day Trip from Granada
Seville
Day Trip from Granada
Online Reservations
For many, Andalucia means just one thing: Seville! If you have made the effort to travel to Andalucia, you don't want to miss a day exploring Seville. On the banks of the Guadalquivir River, the Moorish architecture make the city an attractive historical center for Spain.
Who can fail to fall for the charm of this capital city on the banks of the Guadalquivir River, especially when its hundreds of orange trees are in flower and the nights are full of magic.
Now a prosperous hub of commercial and industrial activity and the center of the agricultural region, Seville is steeped in beauty and impressive monuments dating back many centuries.
The Moors are to thank for many marvelous examples of architecture including the gothic Cathedral with the Giralda, an Arabic minaret transformed into a Christian bell tower.
Seville is a historical masterpiece full of Islamic monuments, gardens and flamenco festivals - you can't miss the large Cathedral - look for the weathervane on its top that represents Faith, symbol of this lovely city. Your tour may include stops at the old "gitanos" quarter, the Museum of Fine Arts, Arabic Alcazar (Royal Palace) or the old medieval Jewish quarter.
Optional Private Tour: Seville Day Trip from Granada
Tropical
Coast and Caves of Nerja Day Trip from Granada
Online Reservations
Combine the fascinating history of Nerja and the beautiful scenery of the Tropical Coast on this day trip from Granada. Nerja boasts 10 miles (16 kilometers) of beaches with powdery sand and sparkling clear water.
Its most spectacular attraction is undoubtedly the fascinating Caves of Nerja, where you will find archaeological treasures over 20,000 years old.
The Costa Tropical coast has the perfect climate for growing beautiful tropical fruits including custard apples, papaya, avocado and mangoes. Nearby Motril is a popular area for scuba divers.
Heading towards Malaga, you will come across Salobrena, a village of white houses perched on a hill and crowned by an impressive Islamic Castle from where the panoramic views of the surrounding fertile plain and beaches can be admired.
Stop for lunch in the old quarter of Almunecar and admire the Majuelo Park and the castle of San Miguel before heading to Nerja for the afternoon.
The Caves of Nerja boast extensive grottoes and archaeological remains including a 32 meter central column - the largest in the world.
The caves are a popular venue for concerts and classical music performances.
Optional Private Tour: Tropical Coast and Caves of Nerja Day Trip from Granada