Granada

Granada is a city in southern Spain known for its Moorish architecture, tapas culture, and mountain setting. The Alhambra, a palace complex with Islamic design, overlooks the old town. In the Albaicín quarter, you'll find narrow streets with whitewashed houses and small plazas. The caves of Sacromonte host flamenco performances. Many bars serve complimentary tapas with drinks, and you can see the Sierra Nevada mountains in the distance.

Exploring the Alhambra

The Alhambra is Granada's most visited attraction and a UNESCO World Heritage site. This hilltop complex includes palaces, courtyards, and gardens. The Nasrid Palaces display Islamic architecture with detailed tilework, carved stucco, and water features. The Generalife gardens have fountains and flowerbeds. Book your tickets well in advance, as the Alhambra limits daily visitors. A full visit takes about 3-4 hours.

Wandering the Albaicín

The Albaicín is Granada's old Moorish quarter, with narrow cobblestone streets and traditional whitewashed houses. As you explore this neighborhood, you'll come across small squares, churches, and parts of the old city walls. Go to the Mirador de San Nicolás for a view of the Alhambra with the Sierra Nevada mountains behind it. This viewpoint is busy at sunset when the light shines on the Alhambra.

Discovering Sacromonte

Sacromonte has cave dwellings carved into the hillside. Many of these caves now host flamenco shows. The Sacromonte Museum provides information about the area's history and the Roma community that has lived there for a long time. You can stay in one of the cave hotels in this district for an unusual experience.

Granada's Tapas Culture

In Granada, you often get a free tapa when you order a drink. Many people go bar-hopping in the evening to try different dishes. You can taste local foods like habas con jamón (broad beans with ham) or berenjenas con miel (fried eggplant with honey). The areas around Plaza Nueva and Calle Navas have many tapas bars. You'll find old taverns serving traditional food and modern places offering creative dishes.

Visiting the Cathedral and Royal Chapel

Granada's Renaissance cathedral was built where the city's main mosque used to be. It has a large facade and a bright interior. Next door, the Royal Chapel has the tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella, who conquered Granada from the Moors in 1492. In the sacristy, you can see their personal items, including Isabella's crown and scepter.

Relaxing in Arab Baths

You can experience Granada's Moorish past by visiting one of the city's hammams or Arab baths. El Bañuelo, from the 11th century, is an original bathhouse you can tour. Modern hammams like Hammam Al Andalus offer bathing rituals and massages. You can usually choose from hot, warm, and cold pools, steam rooms, and optional treatments like exfoliating scrubs or aromatherapy massages.

Getting Around Granada

You can explore Granada's city center on foot, but be ready for some steep streets, especially in the Albaicín. For longer distances or to reach viewpoints, you can use the city's bus network. The red tourist train takes you to the main sights and is useful if you don't have much time. You can find taxis easily, but they can't drive on some of the narrow streets in the old town.