Motril: The Alhambra & Granada Day Trip

Motril is a small port on Spain’s Costa Tropical, and let’s be honest — the reason your ship stops here is Granada. The legendary Alhambra palace sits about 70 minutes inland, and with a late departure (often 11:59 PM), you have an entire day and evening to explore one of Spain’s most magical cities. Just one critical rule: pre-book your Alhambra tickets months in advance. This is not optional. They sell out every single day.

Port Overview

Location: Motril is a small coastal town on Spain’s southern coast (Costa Tropical) Getting to Granada: Bus (70 min, €6-8 one way from Motril bus station), taxi (€80-100 one way), or ship excursion Currency: Euro (€) Language: Spanish — limited English outside tourist areas in Granada Getting Around: In Granada: walking (city centre is compact but hilly), local buses, taxis Typical Port Hours: 10:00 AM - 11:59 PM (the late departure is a huge bonus — use it!) WiFi: Free WiFi in cafés in both Motril and Granada Safety: Very safe. Granada’s narrow Albaicín streets can be quiet at night — stick to well-lit areas

Free vs. Paid

Free Activities

Albaicín neighbourhood (Granada) — UNESCO World Heritage site. White-washed streets climbing up a hill opposite the Alhambra, with the most photogenic views in all of Spain
Mirador de San Nicolás (Granada) — THE viewpoint for the Alhambra with the Sierra Nevada mountains behind. Arrive at sunset if your late departure allows it. Free and unforgettable
Free tapas in Granada — This is Granada’s most famous tradition: order a drink (beer, wine, tinto de verano) and you get a FREE tapa with it. Every round, a different tapa. This is real and it’s amazing
Calle Navas tapas street (Granada) — The best tapas street in Granada, lined with bars that compete to give you the best free tapa
Sacromonte (Granada) — The cave-dwelling neighbourhood above the Albaicín. Whitewashed cave houses built into the hillside, home to Granada’s Roma community and flamenco tradition
Granada Cathedral exterior — Impressive Renaissance cathedral in the city centre
Playa de Poniente (Motril) — If you stay in Motril, this is the town beach. Sandy and uncrowded
Motril old town — Small but pleasant to wander if you’re not going to Granada

Paid Experiences

Alhambra & Generalife (Granada) (€14-19)

One of the most visited monuments in the world — a Moorish palace complex that will leave you speechless
PRE-BOOK TICKETS MONTHS IN ADVANCE at alhambra-patronato.es — this sells out every single day, often months ahead. This is CRITICAL
Nasrid Palaces have a timed entry — do not be late or you lose your slot
Generalife gardens are peaceful and beautiful, especially in spring
Allow 3-4 hours for the full complex
Wear comfortable shoes — it’s a lot of walking on uneven ground

Flamenco show in Sacromonte (Granada) (€25-35)

An authentic cave flamenco performance in the neighbourhood where it originated
Evening shows work perfectly with the late ship departure
Book in advance — popular venues fill up. Try Cueva de la Rocío or Venta El Gallo

Granada Cathedral & Royal Chapel (€5 + €5)

The Cathedral is Spain’s second-largest, with a stunning Renaissance interior
The Royal Chapel houses the tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella (who funded Columbus)

Sugar Cane Museum (Motril) (€3)

If staying in Motril, this quirky museum covers the region’s surprising sugar cane history
The Costa Tropical is the only place in Europe where sugar cane grows

Best Strategies

Option A: Granada Day Trip (Recommended)

Get off the ship as early as possible — head to the bus station or pre-arranged taxi
Bus to Granada (~70 min) — the Alsa bus runs from Motril bus station
Alhambra first (pre-booked morning slot) — allow 3-4 hours
Lunch: Walk down to the centre, tapas crawl on Calle Navas. Remember — every drink comes with a FREE tapa!
Afternoon: Albaicín neighbourhood — wander the white-washed streets, climb to Mirador de San Nicolás
Evening (late departure means you can stay!): Sunset from Mirador de San Nicolás, dinner tapas crawl, maybe a flamenco show in Sacromonte
Return bus to Motril — last buses typically run until 10:00-10:30 PM (check schedule!)

Option B: Stay in Motril

Morning: Explore Motril old town, visit the Sugar Cane Museum
Late morning: Head to Playa de Poniente for beach time
Lunch: Fresh fish at a beachfront restaurant
Afternoon: Relax, explore the Costa Tropical coastline
Evening: Dinner in Motril, return to ship

Option C: Split Day

Morning: Quick Motril beach visit
Afternoon bus to Granada — skip the Alhambra (if you couldn’t get tickets), head straight to the Albaicín and tapas
Evening: Sunset at Mirador de San Nicolás, tapas dinner, flamenco
Late bus back to Motril

Sample Day

Full Granada Day (Alhambra + Tapas + Sunset)

10:15 AM: Off the ship, taxi or bus to Granada
11:30 AM: Arrive Granada, head to the Alhambra (pre-booked 12:00 PM Nasrid Palaces slot)
12:00 PM: Nasrid Palaces (timed entry — don’t be late!)
1:30 PM: Generalife gardens
2:30 PM: Walk down to city centre
3:00 PM: Tapas lunch on Calle Navas — order drinks, get free tapas
4:30 PM: Granada Cathedral (exterior or quick interior visit)
5:00 PM: Walk up to the Albaicín
6:00 PM: Wander Albaicín streets, discover hidden plazas
7:00 PM: Mirador de San Nicolás — watch the Alhambra glow at sunset
8:00 PM: Dinner tapas crawl (more free tapas with drinks!)
9:30 PM: Optional flamenco show in Sacromonte
10:15 PM: Bus back to Motril (check last bus time!)
11:30 PM: Return to ship

Relaxed Granada Day (No Alhambra)

10:30 AM: Bus to Granada
12:00 PM: Arrive, walk to Plaza Nueva
12:30 PM: Walk up to the Albaicín neighbourhood
1:30 PM: Mirador de San Nicolás — Alhambra views
2:00 PM: Tapas lunch on Calle Navas (free tapas!)
3:30 PM: Sacromonte — cave houses, views
5:00 PM: Granada Cathedral, city centre shopping
6:30 PM: Evening tapas crawl — different bars, different tapas
8:00 PM: Dinner at a traditional restaurant
9:30 PM: Bus back to Motril
11:00 PM: Return to ship

Practical Tips

What to Bring

Very comfortable walking shoes — Granada is STEEP. The Albaicín and Alhambra involve serious uphill walking on cobblestones and uneven paths. This is not optional
Sunscreen and hat — Andalusia is hot, especially in summer. The Alhambra has some shade but the Albaicín is exposed
Water bottle — Stay hydrated, especially on the hills
Pre-booked Alhambra tickets on your phone — Screenshot them. WiFi can be spotty at the entrance
Cash (€20-30) — Some tapas bars in Granada are cash-only, especially the traditional ones

Getting to Granada

Bus (Alsa) — Most practical option. ~70 minutes, €6-8 each way. Runs from Motril bus station (short taxi from port)
Taxi — ~€80-100 each way. Split with other passengers to save money. Can negotiate round trip
Ship excursion — Convenient but expensive and usually gives less free time
Check return bus times — The last bus from Granada to Motril is critical. Miss it and you’ll need an expensive taxi

Alhambra Booking (CRITICAL)

Book at alhambra-patronato.es — the official site
Book 2-3 months in advance — tickets sell out, especially for the Nasrid Palaces
Nasrid Palaces have a timed entry — if your slot is 12:00 PM, you must enter between 12:00 and 12:30 PM. Late = no entry
General admission includes the Alcazaba, Generalife, and Nasrid Palaces
Without Nasrid Palaces tickets, you can still visit the Alcazaba fortress and Generalife gardens (€7) — still beautiful but you miss the best part
If tickets are sold out, the Albaicín and free tapas make Granada worth the trip regardless

Food & Drink

Free tapas — Granada’s greatest tradition. Order a beer (€2-3), get a free tapa. Move to the next bar, order another drink, get a different tapa. Repeat. You can eat a full meal this way
Calle Navas — The best street for free tapas. Bar after bar, each competing with bigger and better tapas
Tinto de verano — Red wine mixed with lemon soda. Cheaper and more refreshing than sangria. The summer drink of Andalusia
Plato alpujarreño — A hearty plate of fried egg, morcilla (blood sausage), ham, potatoes, and peppers. Mountain food from the nearby Alpujarras
Piononos — Small pastries from nearby Santa Fe, soaked in syrup and topped with cream. Granada’s signature sweet
Habas con jamón — Broad beans cooked with ham. A classic Granadan tapa
Tortilla del Sacromonte — An omelette unique to Granada, traditionally made with brains and other offal (modern versions are less adventurous)
Fresh fish in Motril — If staying in Motril, the beachfront restaurants serve excellent grilled fish

Don’t Miss

The Alhambra — If you pre-booked, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Nasrid Palaces are breathtaking
Free tapas on Calle Navas — Order drinks, eat free tapas. This is not a myth — it’s the best food deal in Europe
Mirador de San Nicolás — The Alhambra view at sunset is one of the most beautiful sights in Spain
Albaicín neighbourhood — UNESCO-listed white-washed streets with incredible atmosphere
The late departure — Don’t waste it! Stay for sunset and evening tapas in Granada
Flamenco in Sacromonte — An authentic cave performance if your schedule allows

Skip If Short on Time

Motril town (pleasant but not why you’re here — go to Granada)
Granada Science Park (interesting but not when you have the Alhambra)
Shopping in Granada centre (focus on experiences, not souvenirs)
Albaicín during midday heat (go in late afternoon/evening instead)
The Alhambra without pre-booked tickets (you’ll be turned away from the Nasrid Palaces)

Motril is the gateway to one of the most magical days you’ll have on any cruise. The Alhambra is a wonder, the free tapas tradition is real and glorious, and that late departure means you can watch the sunset paint the Alhambra gold from the Mirador de San Nicolás. Just book those tickets in advance. Seriously. Do it now.

Motril Cruise Port Guide: The Alhambra & Granada Day Trip