When you have a few holidays, the UK weather pushes you away, and you found out a good-timed flight to southern Spain can cost as low as £40. Everything looks promising. Pack a bag. Let me introduce you to our 5-day trip to Málaga and Granada, Spain.
Fly to Málaga, Aim at Granada
To be honest, we’ve never heard of Málaga before, but only Granada, because of the most famous historical landmark, the Alhambra. Most people visit Granada from Seville, Córdoba or Málaga, because international flights don’t fly to Granada directly.
Luckily, Ryanair flies from Bristol to Málaga at an unbeatable price – £109 for 2 people with 2 small bags and 1 checked-in bag for a round trip. It gave us a HUGE nudge to visit these two old cities.
Go to Granada from Málaga by Bus (plus Cut-Cost Tips)
Forget about the train. At this time of writing, there is no direct train from Málaga to Granada. The most convenient and cost-effective way to travel is by bus.
The operating bus company is called alsa (owned by National Express). From Málaga to Granada, it takes around 1 hr 45 mins and costs €8-13 per person.
Cut-Cost Tips – Remember to register as an Alsa Plus member (free), to waive the booking fee and get a 15% off coupon after registration. Keep in mind that the coupon email may arrive a day later than your registration.
The bus journey was fine and on time, but there is no toilet on the bus, so be prepared for that.
Where to Stay
In each city, we stayed in a high-rated yet (relatively) budget-friendly hotel. Both are in a very convenient location where the main tourist attractions are within walking distance.
Hotel Brö in Málaga
The room was tidy and clean, with a daily refilled FREE mini bar, which included sparkling water, mineral water, beer, juice and coke. Breakfast was more like a continental style, while the only hot food you can enjoy is toast. But they do offer fresh tomato and avocado, so you can make your own gorgeous sandwich.
They have a roof pool too, but we couldn’t enjoy it due to cold weather.
Hotel Posada del Toro in Granada
What I love about this inn is that you can stay in a typical old Spanish building with a wonderful inner-yard. Everything was old-styled in a lovely way. While checking-in, we were given a half iPhone-sized plastic room number tag with a key, a paper map, and a slip of paper where the Wi-Fi was written on.
To visit this 13th century-built city, an old inn like this, is a good match in my opinion, isn’t it?
The Most Impressive Thing to Do in Málaga
This was the first time that we didn’t visit any museums or cathedrals. Don’t get me wrong, they are great! But when the sky is blue, we prefer staying outside to enjoy every bit of the precious sun.
Besides, walking along the beach and promenade in Málaga is very relaxing and beautiful. Less crowd and noise, only the peaceful sea, freely flying seagulls, pink and orange-ish sky, and the right companion.
The Most Impressive Thing to Do in Granada
Surprisingly, to us, the most impressive thing to do in Granada is not to visit the Alhambra, but to see the Alhambra view from Mirador de San Nicolás.
We passed through these narrow alleys in the Albaicín residential area, slowly climbed up a hill to enjoy this picturesque scenery. I especially love the snowy capped Sierra Nevada as a backdrop to the Alhambra.
This place, Mirador de San Nicolás, is always full of people who want to capture the whole view of the Alhambra, particularly in sunset. Somebody was playing guitar, somebody was enjoying wok-roasted chestnuts, and somebody (including us) was visiting the church next to it because the sunset was half an hour away, and they couldn’t get anywhere to sit.
San Nícolas Church
This church is quite…contemporary? And I seldom see Jesus and his disciples not white (actually, that’s the correct one according to evidence). Worth a visit.
Our Málaga and Granada 5-Day Trip Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Málaga airport at afternoon → Check-in Hotel Brö → Lunch at La Peregrina Centro → City centre → Promenade → Beach → Xmas market and light show nearby the Promenade → Dinner at Restaurante Divinno
Day 2
Morning Roam around at city centre → Lunch at Uvedoble Taberna → Alcazaba → Enjoy sunset at Mirador de Gibralfaro → Dinner at Restaurante Vegetariano Cañadú
Note: Alcazaba and the nearby castle, Gibralfaro castle, are 2 different monuments. When you buy a ticket, you get to choose to visit one of them or both. Keep in mind that they are not connected inside. Pay attention to their closing time and how much time is required to walk from Alcazaba to the castle, or vice versa. But the good news is the ticket valid for 48 hours. So, even if you miss one, you may get to visit the other the next day.
Day 3
Check-out hotel → Bus ride to Granada → Check-in Hotel Posada del Toro → Lunch at El Nopal → City centre → Enjoy sunset at Mirador de San Nicolás → City centre → Dinner at Palacio Andaluz Restaurante Almona
Day 4
Alhambra Gereneralife → Alcazaba → Quick lunch (Pizza and sandwich) in Alhambra → Nasrid Palace → Short rest in hotel → Shopping at City centre → Dinner at Atelier Casa de Comidas
Day 5
Mercado Dulces típicos Granada → Last minute shopping → Check-out hotel → Bus ride to Málaga airport
In the following blog posts, I’ll write about how to plan visiting the Alhambra (plus where to eat), and of course, my favourite part – Málaga and Granada restaurants review.
