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Seeing the Alhambra palace sprawling majestically beneath the snow-sprinkled backdrop of the Sierra Nevada's range's peaks is one of Spain’s most enchanting vistas. White sandy beaches welcome you ashore at Motril, and it’s a short jaunt to the legendarily beautiful, sun-soaked setting of Granada - where the famous and lush Moorish palace stands. Fountains sprinkle, archways soar, and intricate mosaics sparkle at the Alhambra - a fairy-tale palace, fortress and treasure of Spain’s Moorish architecture. The best view can be found opposite, at the magical Mirador de San Nicolas viewpoint - but you’ll need your wits about you to find it. The square sits perched amid the steep, historic labyrinth of the Moorish Albaicín district - a fiendishly labyrinthine - and gorgeously authentic quarter. You’ll also find Sacromonte mountain rising opposite, punctuated with cave dwellings. It's here, within these atmospheric caves, where rhythmic claps echo, guitars are stabbed and strummed, and sultry flamenco performances play out by candle-light. They say there’s no such thing as a free lunch, but that’s not entirely the case in Granada - one of the last cities in Spain where you will usually receive a free plate of tapas when ordering. Everything from sandwiches to healthy helpings of carne con salsa – meat in tomato sauce – is dished out accompanying drinks. Enjoy a culinary tour of the city’s many tapas bars before heading back to Motril – no one leaves Granada hungry.
tour 1 Alhambra Palace - Private Evening Visit
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Experience the spectacular beauty and grandeur of the Alhambra Palace during this unforgettable, private evening visit, exclusive to Silversea guests. After an early dinner onboard, depart the pier for the approximately 1.25-hour drive to Granada. Nestled in the shadows of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Granada holds the secrets of ancient Moorish Andalusia. Granada rose to fame when the Moors transferred the seat of their diminishing empire to this charming city. Its most famous site is the Alhambra Palace, a spectacular complex of buildings, courtyards and cupolas that represent the zenith of Moorish architecture. This last capital of the Moors is so impressive that even Catholic conquerors could not bear to destroy it. Upon arrival, take a guided tour inside the Alhambra Palace. Along the way, visit the section known as the Nazaries Palace, which is adorned with intricately carved stucco walls, knotted ceilings, elaborate honeycomb vaulting and beautiful courtyards. You can also step inside the Serallo, the official residence of the Sultan, and Harem, which surrounds the famous Patio de Los Leones with its fountains feeding water through the mouth of 12 lions. There are many other wonderful sights to be seen within the fortress. At the end of your special visit, board the bus and make the approximately 1.25 hrs drive back to the ship.
tour 2 Granada Old Quarter and Private Evening Visit at Alhambra Palace
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After lunch, depart the pier for the approximately 1.25-hour drive to Granada. Nestled in the shadows of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Granada holds the secrets of ancient Moorish Andalusia. Granada rose to fame when the Moors transferred the seat of their diminishing empire to this charming city. Its most famous site is the Alhambra Palace, a spectacular complex of buildings, courtyards and cupolas that represent the zenith of Moorish architecture. This last capital of the Moors is so impressive that even Catholic conquerors could not bear to destroy it.
Upon arrival in Granada, proceed to Sacromonte, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Granada's Old Arab Quarter. Stroll along the labyrinthine of streets and plazas in the historic Albaicin neighbourhood, an UNESCO World Heritage Site where the Moors once resided. Behold the ornate Cathedral and adjacent Royal Chapel, where the remains of Queen Isabella and her husband Ferdinand lie. Proceed for an early dinner and enjoy a selection of local dishes while entertained by a highly-charged, passionate flamenco performance. Through dance, song and guitar music, the seductive gypsy art of flamenco tells an emotional story with themes ranging from love to oppression. Its roots can be traced back more than 200 years, and nowhere is flamenco admired more than in Granada.
Proceed to the Alhambra Palace for an unforgettable, private evening visit, exclusive to Silversea guests. Upon arrival, take a guided tour inside the Alhambra Palace. Along the way, visit the section known as the Nazaries Palace, which is adorned with intricately carved stucco walls, knotted ceilings, elaborate honeycomb vaulting and beautiful courtyards. You can also step inside the Serallo, the official residence of the Sultan, and Harem, which surrounds the famous Patio de Los Leones with its fountains feeding water through the mouth of 12 lions. There are many other wonderful sights to be seen within the fortress. At the end of your special visit, board the bus and make the approximately 1.25 hrs drive back to the ship.
tour 3 The Village of Nerja and its Caves
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Discover the ancient history and contemporary bustle of Nerja on the Costa del Sol during this half-day (4.5-hour) adventure. Experience the Caves of Nerja, caverns that hold great historical and geological importance with evidence of 4,000 years of human habitation. Embark from the pier and board your coach for the 45-minute drive to the Caves, where humans lived until the Bronze Age. Explore with your guide the hundreds of feet of natural galleries, once forgotten then rediscovered by five friends in 1959. View the amazing collection of huge stalactites and stalagmites in the galleries. Witness the remnants of human activity from 40,000 years ago, including the extraordinary prehistoric cave paintings. See artifacts that include animal bones, shells, hand-hewn tools of stone and bone, and even an ancient human skeleton
Return to your coach for the short drive into the village of Nerja for an hour guided visit. Stroll the cobblestone streets of this former fishing village that has transformed into a coveted vacation locale. Walk among the whitewashed houses resplendent with flowers and take in the Moorish architectural influence. Visit el Balcon de Europa (the Balcony of Europe), the perfect mirador (viewpoint) to see the coastline and mountains. Return to the pier.
tour 4 Las Alpujarras and Jamon Experience
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Explore the beautiful mountains, valleys, gorges and towns of Las Alpujarras during this panoramic, half-day sightseeing excursion. Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately 1.5-hour drive to the region of mountain villages known as Las Alpujarras, or 'The Grasslands'. Here, whitewashed towns cling to the southern flanks of the Sierra Nevada, bisected by deep, sheltered valleys and gorges that run all the way down to the Mediterranean. The Alpujarra area is famous for its unique mini-ecosystem. Its terraced farmlands are constantly watered by the snowmelt from above, creating a high-altitude oasis of greenery dramatically contrasting with the arid foothills below. The cultural interest of the region lies in its fifty-odd villages, which were the last stronghold of the Moors.
A photo stop is made at Lanjarón, a village famous for its natural pure spring waters and spa sites. Next, re-board your coach and drive to Pampaneira Village, which lies approximately 5,000 feet (about 1,524 metres) above sea level. Pampaneira, the 'Land of Vines', has retained its traditional Berber architecture, terraced clusters of grey-white box-shaped houses with flat clay roofs, a style that is still common in the Rif and Atlas mountains of Morocco. Upon arrival at Pampaneira, take walking tour, see the little church and shops selling the traditional rugs. Reboard the bus and drive for 30-minute to Trevelez, the highest village in Spain and famous for its Jamon. Here, visit a ham dryer factory and enjoy a degustation. After a typical "Alpujarreño" lunch, re-board your coach and commence the approximately 1.5-hour drive back to the pier.
tour 5 The Villages of Frigiliana and Nerja
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Visit two beautiful villages on the Costa del Sol in the Andalusian province of Malaga on this half-day (4.5-hour) tour. Embark from the pier and board your coach for the 50-minute drive to Frigiliana, one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. See the traditional whitewashed houses that give it the name "pueblo blanco" or white village. Discover the great historic city center full of Moorish atmosphere in the Mudéjar district, with its steep cobbled alleyways winding past the white houses resplendent with flowers. Take in the stunning views provided by this town elevated on the hills of the Sierra de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Mountains.
Return to your coach for the twenty-minute drive to Nerja, which references the Moorish name for the town, meaning "abundant spring." Discover the coastal town with a long history that includes being a fishing village and now also a coveted vacation spot. Walk the cobblestone streets among the whitewashed houses. See the Aqueduct that is evidence of Roman occupation and predates the Moorish times. Find your way to el Balcon de Europa (the Balcony of Europe) for spectacular views of the coastline and mountains. Enjoy free time to stroll the streets and explore the shops before returning to your coach for the drive back to the pier.