Thoughts from my Camino Frances Journey- Day 36 (Day 2 of Part 3 Granada)
Date: June 17, 2025 Tuesday
Where did I begin today?
Granada -> Alhambra and Generalife
Where will I stay this evening?
Hotel Casa Palacio Pilar del Toro
How far have I come?
Sooooo many stairs and lots of walking around palace grounds
I woke up at 7am and caught the C32 bus at 7:44 to arrive at the Alhambra by 8am. Once the main doors opened at 8:30, I went straight to Nasrid Palaces for my 9am ticket time. Since it’s so old and fragile, only a limited number of people are let in to this section of the palace at pre-chosen times. Absolutely stunning architecture: mosaics, archways, water features and more. A picture truly is worth a thousand words and I took so many pictures!
I exited the Nasrid Palace and saw the Partal Palace which was very tranquil. I passed through some of the gardens but decided to circle back later on. I didn’t have a firm plan, just tried to follow the map in the most efficient way possible to see as much as I could.
Next, I went to Alcazaba. The direct sun was so hot even in the morning so I wanted to go before the heat became unbearable. This section probably had the best views overlooking the city of Granada and the surrounding hills.
Went to the Palace of Carlos V next which was a much later architectural style. At this point in the day, I was becoming a bit hungry so stopped for a lunch break and got a frozen lemon drink that tasted very refreshing. Then I went to the baths and St. Mary of Alhambra church.
I went back to the Partal Palace Gardens and walked Paseo de las Torres (Walk of the Tower) to Generalife which was quite far.
After walking through Generalife with its beautiful water features, I went up the Escalera del Agua (Water Stairway) and sat in gardens enjoying the view of Alhambra.
I then followed the downhill path from Alhambra back into town. It was incredibly hot by this point and I was grateful I still had increased stamina from walking the Camino or I would have been exhausted. I arrived back at my hotel by 3pm, took a cold shower washed the dress I’d worn all day.
After relaxing for a bit, I visited the Granada Cathedral (2nd largest in all of Spain). Then I visited another teahouse, Sirio Casstillo de Aleppo for tea and dessert. The workers were kind and gave me a small decorative mirror with my tea. Then I walked to El Bañuelo but the lady working the front desk suggested coming back tomorrow to see all 4 places included on the ticket (El Bañuelo closed at 8:30pm and it was after 7pm now).
Not sure if stairs made the hills better or worse
Albaicín
I walked up the winding, cobbled steps through Albaicín, the oldest neighborhood in Granada. I once again thanked my experience with steep hills on the Camino since I had already spent most of the day walking and didn’t feel fatigued. At the top, I reached El Balcon de San Nicolas and ordered cold water (my phone overheated in 100ºF weather) first. I had spinach & mushroom croquettes for dinner with another sangria to wash it down.
Dinner with a view
I sat there appreciating the view until 8pm then went to Plaza de San Nicolas and spent around forty minutes watching the golden hour view of Alhambra and taking photos.
Plaza de San Nicolas
Alhambra at golden hour
I can see why Plaza de San Nicolas is a popular photo spot in the evening
Nearly sunset, I walked back to hotel and took yet another cold shower. I thought I could handle heat being from Florida, but I had spent almost the entire day outside and the weather here was something else. I went to the empty lobby/restaurant to journal. The courtyard looked beautiful and the sounds of music and the fountain made it a peaceful atmosphere to write in. I went to bed at 10pm.
Journaling in the hotel courtyard
