Alcazaba | Passports and Poppets

Tags

Alcazaba, Alhambra, Andalusia, Generalife, Granada, San Nicolas, Spain

We awoke at 0900 well rested. We obviously needed the rest. A pan of scrambled eggs and chocolate brioche with pineapple grape juice satisfied everyone. Of course coffee was involved.

Morning coffee

We set out, after applying sunscreen at 1030 ready to hit the cathedral. But our plan was stymied by a religious procession celebrating Granada’s most holy day, corpus Christi.

It was a great experience and we stayed for an hour watching the various nearby villages parade past. Everyone around us explained what was occurring and we were trying very hard to understand in our poor Spanish. But, we understood, somehow – plus they loved the kids.

Sherrie and the kids walking to the cathedral through the old Islamic district

Procession of corpus Christi in Granada

Since the city centre was going to be uncomfortably busy we made alternate plans, picked up our Alhambra tickets and headed up the hill to Mirador San Nicolas.

Sherrie, Isabella, and Aurelia picking up Alhambra tickets

Isabella and Lucas running through the streets

Isabella and Lucas inspecting an old city water source

It is a terrace located nearby the gypsy quarter, the Sacromante, which contains a small plaza and a 16th century church. It is also one of the nicest views in the city and hosts musicians and artists all day.

We hiked up to the top of the church steeple and enjoyed the view, music, and atmosphere.

Sherrie and the kids in the San Nicholas bell tower

View from San Nicolas bell tower

View from San Nicholas bell tower

Plaza San Nicholas

Sherrie and the kids at plaza San Nicolas with the Alhambra in the background

Sergio, Lucas, and Isabella at plaza San Nicholas with the Alhambra in the background

We then ate lunch in a restaurant near the plaza.

Isabella and Lucas with paella tapas

Isabella with eggplant and honey - so good!

Tuna in white wine with onions and almonds

Aurelia feeding the birds

From mirador San Nicholas we took a taxi to the Alhambra. As we had heard that the walk up was rough we decided to take it easy. Seven euros and ten minutes later we were at the Alhambra. Our tickets for the Nazrid palace was not until 1900 which have us four hours to explore. Boy, did we need it.

First we saw the Generalife. A more unofficial palace.

Lucas and Isabella at the Generalife gardens

Sherrie and Aurelia at the Generalife gardens

Lucas and Isabella in the Generalife gardens

A lizard in the Generalife gardens

Sherrie, Lucas, Aurelia, and Isabella in the Generalife palace

Decorative entryway in the Generalife palace

Generalife palace

Generalife palace room

Generalife palace

Lucas and Isabella in the Generalife palace

Lucas taking Isabella's picture in the Generalife palace

The weather was beautiful. Not hot in the sun nor cold in the shade. Perfect. After the Generalife we went to the palace of Carlos V. Not much to see there.

Sergio, Isabella, and Lucas in the palace of Carlos V

We then crossed over to the Alcazaba, the military barracks for the sultan.

Isabella and Lucas at the doorway to the Alcazaba

Alcazaba tower

Sherrie and the kids on the top of the Alcazaba

Sherrie and Lucas walking the old road below the Alcazaba

Lucas attempting to scale the walls. Again we had to intervene to keep Lucas from going to prison 🙂

After the Alcazaba we waited in line for the Nazrid palace, the main attraction. The kids did a great job waiting and making new friends. A particular Korean couple really loved Isabella and loved spending time with her.

Lucas, Aurelia, Isabella, and another kid making friends and waiting in line for the Nazrid palaces

Isabella with the Korean couple and Lucas, who felt left out, on the shoulders of another guy who felt bad for him

We then, finally, got into the Nazrid palace. Having tickets for the end of the day was nice as it was almost empty of people.

It was stunning.

Nazrid palace geometric wall design

Nazrid palace interior room

Nazrid palace ceiling

Nazrid palace geometric wall design

Nazrid palace windows

Nazrid palace water jug shelf

Nazrid palace courtyard

Nazrid palace seven lions fountain

After the palace we took a taxi to plaza nueva for dinner and finished it off with some ice cream. Not a bad day. Everyone was in a great mood. And best of all, no sunburns!