Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Cityscape on Camera: Granada & Ronda, Spain

Next stop(s) on my European Extravaganza recap: Granada and Ronda, two beautiful towns in the Andalusian region of southern Spain. Seville, which I recapped two weeks ago, is the capital of this region.

Granada is most famous for being the home of the Alhambra (which is where all but a few of the photos below were taken). We also shared a memorable night with Jose, a local gentleman who insisted on showing us the local bar scene. Before you jump to any conclusions, let's just say Jose told me he was sixty ... and then laughed. Because he was definitely older than that. Also, he spoke zero English, so my siblings and I got really good at our conversational Spanish that evening. (Or at least we felt like we were really good from all the vodka-tonics he kept feeding us.) Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of that night (just videos haha), but I had to share that story. Meeting locals is definitely the best way to party!

Alhambra palace on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life
Alhambra palace at night on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life
Walking down from the Alhambra on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life
Flowers at the Alhambra on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life
Inside the Alhambra on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life
Beautiful ceiling at the Alhambra on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life
View from the Alhambra on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life
Alhambra bell tower on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life
Intricate walls of the Alhambra on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life
Intricate carved ceilings at the Alhambra on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life
Beautiful Alhambra ceiling on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life
Lush Alhambra courtyard on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life
Beautiful Alhambra courtyard and garden on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life
View of the Alhambra from within the gardens on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life
Alhambra courtyard on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life
Street in Granada, Spain, on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life
Granada fountain at night on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life
In front of the Alhambra on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life

Although the Alhambra is definitely more well known than the Alcazar palace in Seville, I think I liked the Alcazar better. For those of you who saw my photos of the Alcazar two weeks ago (or have visited these places in person!), I'm curious to know: Which do you think is prettier?

Ronda is one of the "white villages" of Andalusia, and the most famous in the Malaga province. Its main attraction is the Plaza de Toros, one of the oldest bullrings in Spain (and the world). We stopped by for just an evening after our time in Granada before catching a train from Ronda to Madrid. Be sure to check back next Tuesday for more about Madrid. :)

White buildings in Ronda on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life
Bull statue at Plaza de Toros in Ronda on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life
Plaza de Toros brochure on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life
Horses at Ronda riding school on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life
Horse stables at Ronda riding school on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life
Plaza de Toros bullring on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life
Walking down a street in Ronda on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life
La Casa Del Rey Moro on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life
Ronda at twilight on Semi-Charmed Kind of Life

Link up with your travel stories and/or tips below! I only ask that you include my button and/or link back to my site. :) Have a wonderful week!





9 comments:

Anna said...

These pictures have me drooling with wanderlust--thanks for sharing!!

www.chasingyoung.com

Unknown said...

Okay, that is totally like Sophie's choice--they are both so beautiful! I am jealous you were able to visit those lovely cities. I only made it to Cordoba and basically wanted to move to southern Spain and live out my life in the orange orchards and basking in the sun. Can't wait to read more!

Jenn @ Lost in the Right Direction said...

Spain is such a beautiful country! I hope to be able to see more of it some day!

Anonymous said...

Such a wonderful post!
I LOVED Granada. I actually stayed in a cave house while I was there, it was the coolest experience.
It's so hard to choose between La Alhambra & Alcalzar. From the cave we stayed in, we had a great view of La Alhambra, and it held such a powerful presence, it was amazing!

Anonymous said...
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Britta Marie said...

its hard to choose between the alcazar and the alhambra!! i love everything in southern spain haha i miss it all the time!

Patty said...

Loved both, but if I could only do one, I'd choose the Alcazar.

Irene said...

Lovely photos, Megan!
I've been to both Granada and Ronda and I can say that both are utterly beautiful - like most sights in Andalusia. Still, I've never been inside the Alhambra and I think this is something that really needs to be changed :)

Have a great week! x

Donna said...

Oh wow! I have a lot of the same pictures from my visit to Spain. I think I'm with you in that the Alcazar was prettier. I think I loved Seville most over the other cities I visited, it seemed more like my idea of what Spain should be like. I did find Ronda to be interesting and a little different.