At the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains is the amazing and beautiful city of Granada. It’s only 30 minutes drive down from the ski resort, and it’s full of history, beautiful buildings and lots of shops!
The most famous monument in Granada is, of course, the Alhambra fortress and palace complex. During the reign of the Moors, Granada was a kingdom in its own right, and the Alhambra was home to royalty, along with their courtesans and slaves. It was also a formidable military garrison. Built between the 13th and the 15th centuries, the palace consists of a variety of architectural styles from different periods with some very intricate and awe-inspiring designs on the interior, particularly the elaborately carved plaster ceilings.
Inevitably, the Alhambra attracts a very large number of visitors, so advance booking is strongly recommended.
Beyond the main complex are the extensive Generalife gardens, immaculately laid out and lovingly kept. You can spend hours strolling through this stunning setting backed by the immense snow-capped peaks of Sierra Nevada.
Another evocative feature of Granada’s ancient history is the old Moorish quarter, the Albayzin. Its labyrinthine cobbled streets gradually wind their way up the side of the Darro Valley opposite the Alhambra, leading out to a large balcony at St. Nicholas Church. From there you can snap away to your heart’s content at the picture-postcard views of the Alhambra backed by Sierra Nevada in all its snowy glory.
Granada city centre has a very lively and friendly atmosphere. A network of long narrow streets fill the centre with numerous shops, bars, plazas and historical buildings.
A visit to the cathedral is a must and well worth the small entrance fee.
Granada is Spain’s tapas capital. The area around Plaza Nueva is full of tapas bars that are humming with activity each evening from around 8pm onwards. For every drink you purchase, your waiter will serve you a different tapa. After three or four drinks you won´t need to eat anything more!
For more specific information on Granada, we are happy to recommend LoveGranada which has a large amount of information for visitors.