Day Excursions from Nerja to Granada

Magic_Moments

Can anyone help us. we are going on holiday to Nerja in November for a week and our flights are on a Wednesday.We want to take an English speaking excursions to Granada to see the palace but the only trips we can find from Nerja all depart on a Wednesday. does anyone know of a Tour company that does day excursions from Nerja to Granada on any other day of the week.We have e mailed the local tourist office but after 6 days still no reply.

ponymad_3

I have copied across from a TA forum but think Campolady won t mind...
Personally I would prefer to tour the Alhambra at my own pace - time in the Palace/Grounds is often very rushed on organised excursions.



You can go to Granada by bus from Nerja. The only services suitable for a day excursion leave Nerja at 06.30 (arrive Granada 09.00) and 09.45 (arrive 12.00). Return fare is €17 per person. Best buses back leave Granada at 17.30 (arrive Nerja at 20.05) and 20.00 (arrive 22.00). See www.alsa.es for full details.



The bus station in Granada is slightly outside the city centre so worth taking a taxi from there to the Alhambra - cost about €10.



However, it is debatable whether you would get tickets for the Alhambra at such short notice.as these tend to get booked up weeks in advance. See what is available at www.alhambra-tickets.es

You can prebook the bus tickets at the kiask when you get to Nerja if you prefer

And do make sure you get the Alhambra tickets well in advance they really sell out even in Nov.!

Voyager2002

Even if you can't get Alhambra tickets, Granada is still worth a visit. So are Sevilla, and Cordoba...

Tuesday_Tenor

I've been to the Alhambra twice; once while staying in Granada for a few days, when we bought a ticket we could use over 2 days, and once on an organised day-tour from Nerja. (Well I was actually staying in nearby Maro, but it WAS the Nerja tourist trip).

The Alhambra does get really crowded. I understand, as the others say, that you now do need to book in advance.

It's also really wonderful. Just when you think there can't be any more carved patterns to invent (no depictions of animals/humans allowed), there ARE more carved patterns...

A) I'd certainly never go there on an organised tour again. It was very rushed; you have to stay with the group. It was hard to choose to linger anywhere, which is sometimes the only way to see something between the almost constant tourist groups. Most of our group didn't even get into the Generalife Gardens (one of the main reasons for going!) as we were told there wasn't time. Having been before, and being quicker than most of the group, we did manage to sneak in for 10 minutes just before the coach left. Fifteen years earlier I'd spent HOURS in the gardens; picnic, reading, peoplewatching, in one of the most beautiful places in the world. I've promised myself I'll go back for another PROPER visit!

I'd even have some reservations about doing a 'non-organised' day trip from Nerja, simply because there's so much to fit into one day and the best time is to be there before ALL the rest of the tourists. If you think you could get the 6.30 a.m. bus, I think I'd go on that, but not otherwise. You WILL need to use the taxi in Granada to save time, but cost-wise all the transport wouldn't be more than the organised tour, I'm sure.

C) The best way is to stay in Granada for a few days, then you can do justice to all the different parts of the the Alhambra, visit the cathedral (I was very moved by the simple coffins of the mighty monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella; we are all dust, in the end), see the cave dwellings, generally enjoy the rest of the old city. But that'll have to be a different holiday ...

Hope that helps a bit.

Tuesday_Tenor

I googled
Nerja Granada tours

I think I found the one you looked at. Thought it was Fridays as well as Wednesdays, but then realised Friday was only up to end of Otober. And E70 per person!

There ARE other options, such as the following which sounds much more civilised. At E160 per trip it's more expensive for two people, but for 3 or more would actually be cheaper than the other one.

http://www.sheilaspanishwalk.com/tour-nerja-granada.html

Didn't check the rest of the hits ... over to you ...

2010

We went on a Granada tour and basically it was a visit to the town and the cathedral and then on to the Alambra Palace.
As metioned above you could do it under your own steam by local bus and far cheaper.

*Robin*

OP, first thing is to check the link Ponymad gave you, and see if you can get tickets at such short notice.
If by some miracle you can, then your best bet would be to get to Granada the day before and find yourself a hostel.

ponymad_3

I would be surprised if you cannot get tickets myself for November... The other option I forgot to mention is hire a car, its a very easy drive up to Granada now , check www.viamichelin.com for a route map. There is an Alhambra carpark and it is very clearly signposted off the main road. You do not drive into the centre of Granada. It would then be a stroll down into town and there is a mini bus which takes you back up the Alhambra from the centre.

If you do want to stay overnight, which would def be my preference you should get a room at the Hotel Alixares almost opposite the carpark(you get a reduced ticket if you stay) and then you could see the Alhambra in the morning by far the best time before the tour buses arrive as mentioned above. The hotel is fine for an overnight stay. As a bonus you would then get to vosot the tapas bars in Grananda which are excellent!

makedoandmendsmallholder

I used to live in Granada, and went to the Alhambra a few times. If you are looking to go on a tight budget, taking the early public bus and then using public city buses to get around is the cheapest. Many buses from the bus station go into the centre of town, from which you can either catch a public minibus, number 30, up to the alhambra or it is a very pleasant 15 min uphill walk. I would recomend going in the morning. When you book tickets you get a time slot to look round the palace but then can explore the other areas, generalife etc, as you like. I would definately recommend going to the old town, the albaycin (I used to live there), it is a world heritage site, and although a bit run down has the best views of the city and Alhambra.

The best way to book tickets for the alhambra is from the servicaixa website.

One word of warning, other than people working in tourism and unlike in costal areas, not many people speak good english in Granada, especially the in the old town.

I hope this helps.