Alhambra: Day 5

In the town of Granada, about a five hour drive from Madrid, is the now-famous Alhambra Palace. The Alhambra was named a finalist to the list of the seven new wonders of the world.

Reserve tickets in advance by clicking here. If you don't reserve in advance, there is a chance that the tickets for the palace tour will be sold out.

There are three main locations of the Alhambra: the Palacios de los Nazaries, the Alcazba and the Generalife.

Tickets for the Palacios de los Nazaries are on half hour time slots and if you are late, forget it, you're not getting in. These tickets sell out quickly - sometimes even before the actual day.

However, tickets for the Generalife are typically available all day.

When entering the Alhambra, (unless you have early tickets for the Palacios de los Nazaries) head into the Generalife gardens. The gardens are full of flora and pools and winding walkways that you can get lost in all day.

From here, there are many options to spend your day.  The Alcazba is the oldest part of the Alhambra and has been reconstructed over the ruins of a 9th century castle.

Throughout the rest of the Alhambra area is Moorish baths, a cathedral and the former palace of Alfonso XII.

Inside the Palacios de los Nazaries, you will see exquisite Moorish craftmanship in marble work, tile work and more. Throughout the halls, rooms and courtyards you'll see more marble work and tiling than you ever expected to see, ever.

We visited the Alhambra on a rainy day because we had already booked tickets in advance. However, if you can pick a not rainy day, go for it! While the Alhambra was beautiful, the rain made it dreary and us irritable.

For lunch or dinner, there is a lovely hotel and restaurant right outside the Alhambra called Guadalupe Hotel that has amazing Paella in the restaurant and very delicious coffee and sandwiches on the ground floor bar.