Sarajevo or bust – first stop Granada

I’m writing this on day two of my 2024 summer road trip with Lottie. We’re off to an inauspicious start at an Ibis hotel in a dusty corner of a shopping mall near the ring-road. Not quite what you expect when you visit a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Still, it’s fairly cheap, comfortable and was easy to get to from the motorway. Things can only improve. The same goes for the weather, because the skies are leaden.

First day’s drive

I had an easy run to Granada from Santa Luzia, enlivened only by my discovery of a special vending machine in the ladies loo at a roadside cafe.

Thoughts: (a) so this is what they mean by ladies’ rest room in Andalusia – and (b) that’s cheap!

Sightseeing – ditch the dog

I looked at ways to get to central Granada with Lottie. Dogs aren’t allowed on buses unless they’re small and in a carrier. Uber Pet works here, but it’s expensive and Lottie probably wouldn’t enjoy trailing round the sights in any case.

The most dog-friendly idea I could come up with was to give her a good walk and then leave her in the hotel room while I explored the city centre. And this led to my best discovery in Granada…

A perfect urban park

Lo and behold, there’s a strip of parkland 10 minutes walk from the hotel with a secure area for the dogs to run around and an agility course if they feel like showing off.

You’re supposed to jump *through* the hoop, Lottie

In the evening it’s very social with dogs playing and owners sitting. All the dogs rush over excitedly to greet new arrivals.

Lottie thinks it looks like doggy day care and suspects me of planning to leave her, so stays close by my side.

The park also has a little bar selling Alhambra beer. In Granada, you get a free mini-tapa with a drink.

Delicious Alhambra beer and a slightly sweaty slice of cheese in the park

Enjoying Granada

Once I’d entertained Lottie in the park, I didn’t feel too guilty about leaving her to head off into the centre. Bolt hasn’t arrived in Granada and FreeNow couldn’t find me a ride. Uber worked straight away but was expensive. The city taxi back to the hotel was half the price.

I had a lovely time wandering around the old town as it wasn’t too hot. Though I feel the photos would look better with some blue sky.

Carrera del Darro , overlooked by the Alhambra

Granada has a Moorish feel, but all the bazaars were selling was expensive tourist tat.

When I’d done enough sightseeing, I wandered around the tapas bars of Plaza de Santa Ana and Plaza Nueva, finally sampling some gambas pil pil that were a bit posher and dearer than in the park.