UKC

Going to Spain in June and hoping to visit the Alhambra. Does anyone have any useful suggestions or advice about parking. Alternatively is there any sort of Park and Ride?

Thanks

In reply to FesteringSore:

went there around 5 years ago, no problems at all with parking. Great place to visit.

In reply to FesteringSore:

You really need to book tickets in advance or you certainly won't get in at that time of the year. Parking is not a problem.

A visit is highly recommended.

In reply to FesteringSore:

We went about 3 years ago. We arrived just before opening time, bought tickets with a credit card at the machine and got straight in.

It's very well served by buses.

Spent all morning there and it only got chockers for the last hour or so.

I'd check it still works this way though?

In reply to FesteringSore:

Like rocky57 said, book tickets in advance, you usually can't just show up and enter on the same day as they allow only a certain number of visitors a day. Parking right outside, way more parking available than that needed to accommodate the number of visitors they allow per day. Brilliant climbing shop (Sherpa Granada) near by to complete the day too :p

In reply to FesteringSore:

As others have said - definitely book in advance, no problems with parking. We enjoyed the generalife most - highly recommended. Definitely one to visit.
Enjoy!
Paul

In reply to FesteringSore: if you are staying for a couple of nights, you can walk up the hill on the opposite side (through the Turkish/Arab quarter) and watch the sunset over the Alhambra

In reply to All: Thanks for all the info

In reply to FesteringSore:

Get there at the crack of dawn to get ahead of the crowds, (and the heat)

In reply to FesteringSore:

Walked right passed in the early nineties, didn't seem 'busy'. I know that doesn't help much. Didn't tell the girlfriend that it existed, let alone a world heritage site,(we were young free living things at the time).

Walked straight into the Sierra Nevada and left it all behind us.
Then walked straight into an ear-bashing and an 'unbelieveable' moody wig out when she eventually realised.

Ho-hum.... Tail between the legs....my legs!

In reply to FesteringSore:

If you're staying in Granada, you can generally buy tickets in advance at most high street banks. Tickets are sold with an 'entry' time slot -- but there is no limit to the time you can spend there. Go early to avoid the heat (particularly in the summer months) we went in mid march and it was pleasant shirtsleeves weather at midday -- though I've also been told that an evening visit is well worthwhile.

Prices are not particularly cheap -- but it's worth every penny

We stayed at a hotel on the outskirts of the city, and would drive to the nearest bus stop - about a mile away - then use the buses. Cheap, clean and very reliable.

Loads to do and see in Granada apart from the Alhambra. We would definitely go again

In reply to FesteringSore:

You must book in advance, we didn't and we couldn't get in at the last moment. Had an interesting walk around the outside though (steep hills, so hot walking!)

We camped just north of Granada at Beas de Granada (you can rent a cabin if you don't have a tent)and caught the local bus into the city, which saves the hassle of driving in the city and looking for parking. The Spanish bus service is great and cheap.

The camp site manager will do bookings for Alhambra (which we found out too late!)

There is sport climbing and great walking in the adjoining Sierra de Huetor, in these mountains to the north of the city, if you are interested in the Spanish Civil War there are also preserved Nationlist Trenches there from the investment of the Republican held city.

In reply to FesteringSore:

Went last year. Only dry day we had that week and left the mountain bikes for a day. Day well spent - it's incredible.

We parked in one of the large car parks nearby and walked down the hill to the town for lunch - that's worth a few hours.

As for tickets - yes try and book in advance but if you don't ignore the queues and use the ticket machines in the building on the right. for some reason machines seem to be overlooked by all the tourists....

and I I always like to say when in historic buildings - it would make a cracking Wetherspoons - almost got thrown of of York Minster for saying that too loudly.

In reply to FesteringSore:

Parking is easy, but we did get a bit lost getting there due to the satnav leading us into a scary vortex of one way streets, unhelpful signs and wildly gesticulating traffic police. Leave plenty of time.

In reply to Gone:
+1 to that. add in major roadworks and driving in granada was a somewhat harrowing experience

you can get into the site (which is huge) without ticket; the ticket is needed for the 3 controlled areas, the alcazar, generalife and nasrid palaces. the timed entry is to the nasrid palaces section. allow a full day, there is a lot to see...

you can book the tickets in advance online, then collect from any ATM in granada (?spain)- then breeze past the queues...

In reply to FesteringSore:

If you get the time, do the walk around the old town on the other side of the valley, with plenty of coffee/cerveza/food stops (which is interesting if you're in to old buildings etc), then do the Alhambra. If you can dump the car for the day, the bus system is good, but getting around on foot was pleasant, but there looked like loads of parking at the entrance. Fantastic place and the story of the restoration is fascinating (if you're in to old stuff!) - a lot of the stuff you're seeing is restored or rebuilt, some of it paid for by the replica of the Generalife they built in the UAE.