After a sweaty sleep, yep it does cool down outside but still pretty warm inside, we were up at 7.30am to get ready for the Alhambra. We popped across the road to get some brekky, toast with jam and a fresh OJ (so cheap and easy to get fresh OJ in Spain) and I gave mum the choice of walking up to the Alhambra or getting a taxi. Initially it was a taxi but then she chose to walk. After about 5mins she was regretting it as it is a pretty steep walk. Luckily, because we collected our tickets yesterday we were able to enter by the Puerta de la Justica which is only half way up the hill and we avoided the masses at the main entrance.

We wandered around Palacio de Carlos V, a square building when you look at it from the outside but once you get inside, a perfect circle of colums. Nice being there early because there wasn't hoards of people just yet. Checked out the museum before getting in line for Palacios Nazaries which is the most spectacular building. It's too hard to explain, the pictures will have to do the talking. They really were incredible with their shapes and geometry and colour and also knowing how to build so the breeze wafts through and keeps the rooms cool even when it is stinking hot outside. We spent almost 1.5hrs making our way through and then you watch these guided tours just whiz through. The poor people must not really get a chance to enjoy it.

We then made our way through the Generalife, which is the gardens full of blooms, pathways, fountains, trees and coolness in the shade. The summer palace for the emir is also here, very different to what we just saw in the other palaces. Really was just as good as I remembered it from 10 years ago (less the stress of worrying if they would sell out of tickets before we got to the front of the line) and I'm glad mum enjoyed it.

Caught the bus down the hill and headed to the tavern (Bodegas Castaneda) I tried to get in for dinner last night. Luckily we were able to get a seat and we enjoyed a platter full of cheeses, pate and hams with bread. No wonder they are still so busy after all these years because it was as good as I remembered, if not better.

Back to the hotel to get changed and we headed off to the traditional Hamman. We both had 30min relaxing massages before enjoying the different pools for 60mins. Mum kept to the warm pool while I almost fell asleep in the hot pool before chilling off in the cold (freezing) pool. The only problem was when it was all over, the change rooms were so hot, you didn't feel very refreshed when you left, just hot and sweaty once more. It was actually cooler outside in the shade and that is saying something.

After some souvenir shopping, we headed up to Mirador San Nicolas where everyone goes to see the view looking over at the Alhambra. The church bell tower has been restored so I paid the 2 euro to climb up for even better views while mum went and found a seat in one of the restaurants and ordered some sangria.

We finished off the evening back in town with a small meal before heading back to pack and even though we were hoping for an early night, once again it has not happened. The day light just confuses your whole body clock and before you know it, it is midnight.