Finally, La Alhambra!
Just like the Mezquita de Córdoba, La Alhambra is an architectural landmark where I've had to memorize site plans and images for exams, and being able to see it in person was an opportunity I knew I had to grab.
Alhambra tickets are timed tickets that one should reserve, so that you either go in the morning 8-2, or afternoon, 2-6 in the colder months, 2-8 in the warmer months. And in the morning or afternoon sessions, you sign up for a time slot to see the Nasrid Palaces. You must enter the Nasrid Palaces in the half-hour time slot you reserve. I reserved my ticket the Thursday before I went, and Saturday tickets were already sold out while the only available times on Sunday were the first time slot, 8:30am, and the afternoon time slots.
I decided I would go for the 8:30 ticket, even though I'd be getting into Granada late the night before. I figured that I would want to see the whole site at a relaxed pace, and I'm glad I got this early morning ticket. I ended up staying on site for 5 hours, and I'm one who usually sees sights rather quickly!
Plus at this time slot, you still get some chances to see the Nasrid Palaces with relatively few people!
The famous Patio de los Leones, which I remember from my architectural history exams. In just a few minutes this view would be totally crowded with other tourists.
You learn that water is a very important feature in Alhambra, and it's used as a recurrent feature in different guises throughout the complex.
I really liked the different bath houses in Alhambra. They really had a romantic feeling about them.
All of the bath houses are lit from geometric cutouts in vaulted ceilings.
