14. Alhambra

What is the Alhambra?

The Alhambra is a large palace complex in Granada. It is the embodiment of southern Spanish history, where Muslim and Christian architecture and culture meet. It was originally built by the Nasrid dynasty, the last Muslim rulers on the Iberian peninsula, who controlled Granada from 1232 until 1492. In that year, the Reconquista concluded with the capture of Granada by the Catholic monarchy and the Alhambra became the royal court of Isabella and Ferdinand.

What is the Alhambra like?

It's a beautiful place with a fascinating history. I highly recommend paying for a guided tour, as the history is quite complex and there's a huge amount of detail that you would likely miss without an expert guide. 

Where is the Alhambra?

Granada, Spain

When did we go?

March 2026

How did we get there? 

We flew to Malaga airport and then caught a bus to Granada. The bus takes around 2 hours and they go regularly. 

Worth noting: 

Granada is a fantastic city. As well as the Alhambra, it also has a number of neighbourhoods that are not to be missed. These include the gypsy area of Sacromonte, where you can visit the cave dwellings that were in use until the 1960s and see/hear flamenco. The Albaicín is the area that was populated by the Moriscos (Muslims who converted to Christianity) after the arrival of the Catholic monarchs in the 15th century. 

What was the Alhambra's place in the 2015 edition of the Lonely Planet Ultimate Travel List?

It was at number 9 in the 2015 edition. It dropped 5 places. 

Does the Alhambra deserve its place in the 2020 Lonely Planet Ultimate Travel List?

Yes but I'm not sure I would put it quite so high. It's fantastic and totally deserving of a place in the top 100 but better than the Pyramids? I'm not convinced.

73. La Sagrada Familia

What is the Sagrada Familia? 

It's a cathedral unlike any other. It was started in 1882, but when Antoni Gaudi, the architect that created many of Barcelona's sights, took over it became his personal interpretation of what a Gothic church should look like. The spires are the most striking thing about it - when it is completed, it should have 18 of them representing the 12 Apostles, the Virgin Mary, the four Evangelists and, tallest of all, Jesus Christ. It also has three facades representing the Nativity, the Passion, and the Glory (the last one hasn't been built yet).

What's the Sagrada Familia like? 

Sagrada Familia is incredible. It's completely different to any other church, both in style and structure, but also in the intricacy of the story-telling in the facades - you could stand there all day working out what is what. 

Where is the Sagrada Familia? 

Barcelona, Spain 

When did we go?

June 2014 

How did we get there? 

We spent 3 days in Barcelona having flown from London. La Sagrada Familia is very central, so easy to find. The queues are long though, so do what you can to fast track. We also went to Camp Nou, home of Barcelona FC (removed from the 2020 edition).

Worth noting: 

It's not finished and is still a building site. The spires and main church are due to be finished in 2026 in time for the centennial of Gaudi's death, but decorative work will continue.

Where was Sagrada Familia on the 2015 Lonely Planet Ultimate Travelist? 

16. It dropped 57 places in the 2020 edition.

Does the Sagrada Familia deserve its place on the Lonely Planet Top 500? 

It definitely deserves a place in the top 100, so I'm happy with it.
 

Camp Nou

What is it: It's a football stadium that holds 99,354 people, making it the second largest football stadium in the world (the largest is in North Korea). It opened in 1957 and is home to FC Barcelona. 
What's it like: The club's motto is "Més que un club" (more than a club) and the ground does indeed feel like more than a stadium - it's home to thousands of Barca fans. 
Where: Barcelona, Spain  
When: June 2014
How: We got a hop-on/hop-off bus out to Camp Nou from the city centre. We had booked tickets for the tour in advance. We had also been to Sagrada Familia.
Worth noting: There's a nice terrace overlooking the pitch for drinks after your tour. 

Place in the 2015 edition: 470
Did it deserve to lose its place in the top 500: No. If you had to pick one stadium for the top 500, Camp Nou would probably be it. 

Museo Guggenheim

What is it: It's a museum of modern art in Bilbao, designed by Frank Gehry and made from stone, glass and titanium. It opened in 1997. The Basque government had approached the Guggenheim Foundation offering to fund the building of the museum in the rundown port of Bilbao if the Foundation would manage the art and the exhibitions. 
What's it like: The building is extremely impressive. It has been described as "the greatest building of our time" and was almost universally loved by the public and critics alike. Most people say the best view of it is from the river (and I definitely recommend a boat trip to see it) but you get the full effect of the 'ship' from the road above. 
Where: Bilbao, Spain
When: September 2019
How: I flew to Bilbao and walked to the museum from the city centre - it's a short walk.
Worth noting: It is shut on Mondays. Unfortunately I only discovered this when I got to the museum, on a Monday. However, there are several major artworks outside the building and the building itself is worth hours of admiration.

Place in the 2015 edition: 318
Did it deserve to lose its place in the top 500: No.