Welcome to The Alhambra Painting Experience
... a five-day painting holiday that combines guided painting sessions, cultural history, and companionship in the wonderful setting of Granada in Andalucia, Spain.
The aim of this holiday experience is simply to bring people together who share a common interest in art, culture and travel, whatever your chosen medium or level, to draw and paint the inspirational Alhambra of Granada.
A carefully planned itinerary has been designed for the "independent traveller", that is for those who wish to choose how they travel and where they stay, and how much they wish to participate in the sessions on the itinerary.
Your host would be Daniel Fermor-Smith, an English artist who has lived in Granada since 2005.
Follow in the footsteps of famous painters through the ages, from Roberts to Matisse, Sorolla and Sargent to name but a few, who have been drawn to Granada to paint the Alhambra.
(Picture right: Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida "The Hall of the Ambassadors" (Alhambra). 1909.
For more examples of Alhambra paintings (1886 - 1913) see Eclectic Light Company website.
For some history of the Alhambra you can look at the official Alhambra website.
The Itinerary
The five-day itinerary has been carefully conceived to allow you to produce a striking picture - or study pictures - of the Alhambra from two great vantage points: The Bermejas Towers from the south, and two venues from the north side. Between these two main sessions is a visit to the Alhambra itself, as well as much discussion about its history,practical painting/drawing sessions and an intaglio drypoint printing session. The idea being that the second time you come to paint the Alhambra you will have formed a real understanding - and therefore connection with it.
The itinerary has been carefully designed to give maximum flexibility for the participant. This means that whether you are a beginner who simply wants to "have-a-go" and enjoy the company of like-minded people, or someone who is intent on producing some serious work, or just somewhere in between, you can adapt the itinerary to suit yourself.
Venues and painting examples...
Here are some venues and paintings from those venues...
Intaglio handprint session
As part of the itinerary you have the option to do an intaglio drypoint handprint of the Alhambra, or indeed any subject you would like.
More photos of our venues:
Here are some photographs of some of the wonderful venues featured in the 5-day Alhambra Painting Experience.
Hi, I'm Daniel Fermor-Smith, and I will be with you every step of the way to offer guidance and tuition in your bid to capture the magic of the Alhambra in whatever medium you choose to use. I have lived here in this magical city since the summer of 2005, having first lived in Málaga for a couple of years. For more or my back story and examples of my work you can see my website: www.dfspaintings.com
My job is not only to guide, inform and give tuition when requested, but to facilitate the social sessions on the itinerary.
For examples of my Alhambra Paintings
I very much look forward to welcoming you to Granada for what would be a fantastic painting experience!
A few words from our first clients...
In November 2025 marked the inaugural experience and I had the pleasure to welcome Marta and Veronika to Granada.
Martha Toth: It was a fantastic week, we gained a lot of experience and a new technique. Daniel, the artist from Granada, put together a high-quality and meaningful program, I heartily recommend it if you want to get to know Granada through an artistic lens.
Veronika Simon: I had a great week here, I learned a lot. Thank you for the opportunity, I would gladly recommend this course to others!
Getting to Granada and accommodation
You can fly directly to Granada airport from some cities in the UK, but there are many more flight options if you fly to Malaga airport. You can get a coach direct to Granada from Malaga airport, the journey time being between one and a half hour to two hours.
As for accommodation, there are many hotels, apartments and airbnb options in Granada with a range of prices.
I am always at hand to advise you as best I can on any travel or accommodation options so please don't hesitate to ask.
Dates 2025-26:
The Alhambra Painting Experience takes place once a month (*for group bookings additional dates can be arranged).
2025 dates:
October 20th - 24th
November 24th - 28th
2026 dates:
January 19th - 23rd
February 23rd - 27th
March 23rd - 27th
April 20th - 24th
May 18th - 22nd
June 22nd - 26th
September 21st - 25th
October 26th - 30th
November 23rd - 27th
Price, contact & reservations
The Alhambra Painting Experience is aimed at the independent traveller, that is someone who prefers to make their own travel arrangements. The 5-day itinerary itself has a price of 200 gbp or 220 euros, and includes:
1. The daily itinerary: all the sessions featured in bold on the itinerary (*excluding the price of Alhambra tickets, intaglio print session (price 20 euros) and the cost of food and drinks ).
2. Painting/drawing tuition and guidance.
3. Travel/accommodation advice.
4. Accompanying you on your visit to the Alhambra..
5. Guided tour of the Rodriguez Acosta Foundation.
*The minimum group size is 4, and the maximum 8. The Alhambra Painting itinerary is available throughout the year except for July and August. For more information on what exactly is included, as well as dates please email me, Daniel, at: alhambrapainting@gmail.com
Or if you prefer you can speak to me by phone on: (0034) 958 88 95 61 (landline)
English and Spanish spoken.
I very much look forward to hearing from you, Daniel.
Contact
Telephone: +34 958 88 95 61
E-mail: alhambrapainting@gmail.com