LODGING
RECOMMENDATIONS
If you are looking for a place to stay, here are our hotel recommendations:
HOTEL
Hotel Palacio de los Patos
C. Solarillo de Gracia, 1, Centro, 18002 Granada, España.
HOTEL
NH Victoria Granada
Puerta Real de España, 3, Centro, 18005 Granada, España.
HOTEL
Áurea Catedral Granada
C. Cárcel Baja, 11-13, Centro, 18010 Granada, España.
HOTEL
Hotel 1800 Casa Granada
C. Benalua, 11, Albaicín, 18010 Granada, España.
WHILE IN GRANADA
The Alhambra
The first thing you have to do is book your Alhambra tickets. They do sell out, and quickly. If you know you are coming to our wedding please take a second to book them as soon as you know when you will be in the city! This is the official website.
But is it really worth doing? YES. No questions.
Gideon did find out the hard way that once you go past the main gate into the garden toilets are scarce. It is significantly less enjoyable with a full bladder, so make sure you take advantage of the toilets before you go into the palaces.
One thing about us is that we love baths. We love water. We love to soak. Adore a spa day. Therefore, a Hammam is one of our favourite things to do in Spain! A Hammam is a series of baths meant as a moment of relaxation and cleansing of the spirit. They often also come in packages with massages and facials.
These ones are lovely, and we will absolutely be going there and recommend a visit. You’re on holiday!
Other Travel Tips from us:
For the best food, go 10-15 min walk away from the most touristy areas.
Sunblock. Lots of it. Spain in June is, who would have guessed, hot! And I bet you don’t want tan lines for your wedding outfit.
Tipping culture in Spain is minimal as waiters have a good wage—it is customary to put a few euro coins down after paying the bill.
On waiters, don’t be surprised if they are not overly talkative! Their idea of good service is being efficient.
Don’t know where to go for breakfast? Many bars are open for breakfast and serve a coffee and a ´Tostada’ for a few euro.
TRAVEL IDEAS
Flying from London or Northern Ireland?
I’M GOING STRAIGHT TO THE WEDDING
Your best airport is Málaga! You can book a coach for around €15 which will take you from Terminal 3 to the Bus Station in Granada. The journey lasts about two hours.
I want a longer trip before the wedding!
Want to get to know Andalucia?
Consider flying to Seville and renting a car! This is one of our all-time favourite holidays.
Land in Sevilla, and get lost in the narrow, cobbled streets. When we last visited we left our phones in our accommodation for an authentic experience… Gideon remarked that morning that with the advent of the smart phone, it is almost impossible to get lost anymore and that this was a real shame. Later that day, he wanted to explore on his own and, once he entered the labyrinth of back streets and alleys around the cathedral, his wish was quickly granted. Mercifully, everyone was so friendly and were able to guide him back to the Cathedral where Isabela was waiting for him… considering calling the police since he was over an hour late!
The Alcázar, is worth doing—but Isabela wouldn’t pick it over the Alhambra if you are only visiting one.
A flamenco show is a must somewhere in the trip, and Seville is a great option. In our trip we did this one and it was fantastic.
La Plaza de España is another must.
Make your way down to Cadiz—known as the Silver Teacup of Spain—a cool hour south. No word of lie, Isabela’s favourite city in the world! Watch the sunset in the sea, walk around the charming streets, and breathe in a slower pace of life.
Promise you will try the Cazón en Adobo, which you can find in most local shops. If it is open, go to the market. And, heat permitting, walk around the perimeter of the city gazing at the sea. The streets are narrow though. Best to park in one of the car parks in the perimeter. If the heat gets too much, just nap in the park.
Cadiz is also a 30 min drive to one of Isabela’s family’s favourite restaurant in the universe, El Cuartel del Mar. We will personally guarantee the best cheesecake you will ever have, plus stunning views, the freshest of ingredients, excellent cocktails, and an unforgettable experience.
Now off you go to Ronda—it is less than two hours from either Cadiz or Seville, but don´t be fooled, you are going up narrow mountain highways so take your time! It was at Gideon’s insistence we visited Ronda—there really isn’t anywhere like it. And if you won’t take our word for it, you can take it up with Ernest Hemingway and Orson Welles.
Our favourite place for lunch is Las Maravillas—and we recommend the spinach salad. Sounds healthy, but what it has is a healthy chunk of deep-fried goat’s cheese on it.
If bullfighting is your thing, there is an old famous bullfighting ring. Not Isabela’s thing. She sobbed the whole way through the museum.
Málaga, gorgeous Málaga, is around an hour and a half drive from Ronda. A bigger city with a gorgeous shopping street, it comes in clutch when you’re Gideon and you didn’t bring a suit to Isabela’s cousin’s wedding and you’re in desperate need of one. We’re not saying you should wait to buy your outfit for our wedding here… but if disaster strikes…
Excellent ice cream, but I will stay steer clear of the city centre for the best food. Buenavista Gastrobar was one of the best meals we had in Málaga, and in Spain! Isabela is not looking to start any food fights… but the only place you will have proper paella is in in the Autonomous Community of Valencia, where it originates. The chef at Buenavista is actually from the region and will make you a proper paella— So, if you must have it, go here! Yes, she feels strongly about this.
You could choose to leave your car here and then take a coach from ALSA into Granada. Alternatively, Granada is a couple hours’ drive away!
I want a longer trip before the wedding!
I’M LANDING IN MADRID!
You could be in Madrid for as little or as long as you want before either taking a car down to Granada (4 hour drive), a coach (4 hours), or a train (3 hours 20 min).
There are few cities more fun, colourful, dynamic, or with better food.
Into culture? Go to el Padro, the Reina Sofia, or the Thyssen-Bornemisza. We are prone to museum fatigue, so we tend to pick one each time we visit… they a huge, you could be coming back for more for years.
The Parque el Retiro is an Oasis in the city. Gideon has often said it is his favourite part of Madrid, and that it make Regents Park in London look like a sad joke. There was an incident where Isabela was quite hungry, and not in the best mood because of it, and it is a big park… so maybe bring snacks.
Go to the Mercado de San Miguel. Is it touristy? Yes. Do we still like it? Yes.
Fun fact, it is the first place Isabela’s brother Daniel took her out drinking—several Gintonics were consumed (she is told; memory is foggy).
If you’re driving down to Granada you could stop in Toledo or Cordova! But we’ve never been, so you’re on your own for recs.
