Private Excursion: Moorish Treasures of the Alhambra
Behold the beauty and grace of Moorish architecture and design at the Alhambra, a renowned citadel overlooking Granada and the spectacular Spanish countryside.
Behold the beauty and grace of Moorish architecture and design at the Alhambra, a renowned citadel overlooking Granada and the spectacular Spanish countryside.
This wonderful excursion gives you two full days to experience the magnificent Moorish kingdom of Granada, including a thorough exploration of the stunning Alhambra.
At Hammam al Ándalus in a beautifully renovated space designed to capture the spirit of ancient Arab baths, you can experience water as a connection to divinity, purity and wisdom as the Spanish Moors did centuries ago. Elegant Moorish design elements and flickering candlelight set the tone as you move between cool, warm and hot baths. Allow yourself to be transported to a different time and place as you sip nourishing teas, inhale the aromatic scents and listen to the soft ambient music.
Your two-day adventure begins in Málaga with a visit to the 14th-century Gibralfaro Castle, perched on a hill offering panoramic views. You will then journey to the magnificent Moorish kingdom of Granada, where your exploration begins in the labyrinthine streets of the district of Albaycin, part of the UNESCO World Heritage site comprising all of medieval Granada. You will walk to the Palace Dar al-Horra, nicknamed the Little Alhambra for elements in common with the grand palace that is your ultimate destination.
Málaga is home to two of Spain's most important museums: the Picasso Museum and the Automobile and Fashion Museum. This experience lets you explore both, but with an exceptional twist: you will travel to each in a classic car. Your private chauffeur will transport you to the Picasso Museum to explore the artist’s masterworks in painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics and other modes. In this remarkable museum in the town where Picasso was born, sip a glass of cava during a private reception on an exclusive terrace typically closed to the public.
As you jaunt along the radiant Costa del Sol from Málaga and climb into the forested hills, you will soon come upon one of the gleaming whitewashed villages for which the region of Andalusia is renowned. Mijas is a lovely example of a typical Andalusian town with a charming medieval village and remains of a Moorish castle, while it also boasts all the virtues of a modern Mediterranean getaway. Stroll past buildings adorned with pretty iron balconies and brilliant flowers spilling over the walls.
Wine and chocolate make a delectable pairing at Los Patios de Beatas in the heart of Málaga’s historic center. In the wine cellar housed in a renovated historic building, compare four different wines ranging from a muscat to a vintage port. Then taste a selection of chocolate truffles in flavors such as passion fruit, violet and tequila, which will take you around the world with Creole, Dominican and African cocoas.
Your nearly five-mile walk along El Caminito del Rey will take you to some of the region’s most breathtaking scenery. You will traverse precipitous gorges, dramatic canyons and picturesque valleys in an exceptional natural environment that has been a mute witness to millions of years of history. In a seemingly impossible feat, wooden walkways and bridges are pinned to sheer cliffs offering unparalleled views of the river over 300 feet below and the towering rockface overhead.
Arriving in the ancient town of Granada, your eye will be drawn immediately to the Alhambra, a stunning Moorish citadel positioned on a hill above the city. Set against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains, the 8th-century fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the only preserved imperial city from Spain’s Islamic period.
Discover curated experiences designed to ensure each moment ashore is uniquely rewarding. No matter which you choose, each excursion has been created to provide an exceptional travel experience. For those who prefer the freedom and flexibility of independent travel, the Concierge Ashore can transform tours into a private experience or craft an entire bespoke event just for you.