Granada · Spain
Population - 472,638
Distance from Malaga airport: 54 Miles (87KMS)
Granada was first settled by native tribes in the prehistoric period, and was known as Ilbyr. When the Romans colonised southern Spain, they built their own city here and called it Illibris. The Arabs, invading the peninsula in the 8th century, gave it its current name of Granada, however, The Jews are said to have been one of the first peoples to settle in Spain, even before the Romans. It was the last Muslim city to fall to the Christians in 1492, at the hands of Queen Isabel of Castile and her husband Ferdinand of Aragon.
Granada in Eastern Andalucia which is situated below the mountain of Sierra Nevada, between the Darro and Genil rivers. An impressive Andalusian legacy meets architectural gems from the Renaissance and the most modern facilities, typical of the 21st century.
Nowhere else in Spain can evoke past Islamic glories with such force; the Alhambra is, quite simply, a medeival Moor's idea of paradise, and the most complete surviving example of its kind in the world. The Alhambra is the main draw to Granada still; many visitors stay near the monument, visit it and leave without even venturing into the city. Granada does have the vibrancy and colour of a bustling town with a young population and its roughness, gruffness and edge will appeal to some. Granada's nightlife is probably the best and hippest in Andalucia. Despite the grandino's dour, unfriendly reputation, the city remains one of the few places in Andalucia to maintain the generous tradition of free tapas with every drink in most bars.
Apart from the cathedral and some glorious baroque churches, the heart of the modern city isn't that pretty but it is crowned by two jewels - The Alhambra and The Albaicín district, facing each other over the Gorge of the Darro Valley with the snow packed peaks of the Sierra Nevada as a breathtaking backdrop.
The Alhambra Granada
Alhambra remains one of the most extraordinary and rewarding collections of buildings and gardens on the continent. The Alhambra complex started life in the 11th century as a basic structure of bush coloured walls and fortified towers. Its strategic location on the inaccessible hill of al-Sabikah attracted Mohammed I, the founder of the Nasrid dynasty, who set-up a hydraulic system of aqueducts and cisterns to support an independent township. The most spectacular period of Nasrid architecture came in the 14th century and introduced the Palacio de los Leones and the Palacio de Comares. The Palacio de Carlos V and the Convento de San Francisco are undeniably beautiful in their own right and heighten the Alhambra's sense of history. After Carlos V left in the mid 16th century the whole site gradually fell into ruin and went on to suffer terrible abuse at the hands of Napoleon's troops, who were stationed in Granada in 1812. After the release of Washington Irving's book 'Tales of the Alhambra', put Granada firmly on the tourist map and the Spanish government finally allotted funds for the restoration of the site (this project remains on-going).
The Albaicín
The hillside facing the Alhambra was one of the most densely populated and wealthy areas of Moorish Granada. Its typical carmenes (villa-like house with terraced gardens and patios) and narrow cobbled streets are beautifully preserved. The name Albaicín derives from the name of the Muslims of Baeza who were expelled by the Christians and resettled in Granada in 1227; at its zenith there were over 30 mosques in the district, most of which were converted to Christian churches after the reconquista. Today, the Muslim population of Granada is on the increase again. A large new mosque (Mezquita de Granada) has been built next to the Mirador de San Nicólas, along with an Islamic studies center. The best approach to the district is from Plaza Nueva, following the Carrera del Darro, a cobbled road that flanks the Río Darro. El Bañuelo (Arab Baths) is thought to date from the 11th century, making it the oldest civic building in the city, not to mention the most complete bathhouse preserved in Spain. The baths are accessed through a small house, where the attendant would have lived. For a hands on experience, cross over the bridge to Hammam Baños Arabes and the similar but slightly chaper Aljibe Baños Arabes.
Granada's monuments & points of interest
- The Alhambra
- The Albaicín
- Sacromonte - bordering the Albaicín (gypsy/gitano quarter)
- Cathedral & Capilla Real (Royal Chapel) - Granada's finest Christian building
- Santa Iglesia Catedral Metropolitana de Granada - most sensational and original example of Spanish Renaissance architecture
- Universidad de Granada - founded by Carlos V in 1531 in order to propogate the teaching of Christian doctrine.
- Parque de las Ciencias - futuristic science park celebrating the philosophers, thinkers, engineers and artists of Andalucia
- Archaeological Museum
- Alcaiceria
- Bañuelo
- Campo de Príncipe
- Capilla Real
- Casa de los Pisa
- Corral de Carbón
- Jardines de Triunfo
- Paseo de los Tristes
- Generalife Gardens
Where to eat & drink in Granada
- Cafe Opera
- Cafeteria Carlos
- Cafe Bar Sancho
- Kiosco Enriqueta
- La Teteria del Bañuelo
- La Ermita
- Tendido Uno
- Albahaca
- Ajo Blanco
- Arrayanes
- Bodega Espadafor
- Bodegas Castañeda
- Botanico
- La Brujidera - Casa del Vino
- Carmen de Verde Luna
- Casa Torcuato
- Los Diamantes
- Iberos y Patagónicos
- Kiki San Nicólas
- Mesón El Trillo
- Mirador de Aixa
- El Pozo
- El Rincon de Michael Landon
- La Sabanilla
- Taberna La Opipara
- Las Tinajas
- Tragaluz
Where to stay in Granada
Hotel rooms fill quickly in Granada; always book ahead if possible. If you do turn up without a reservation then head to Plaza de la Trinidad which are crammed with hostales or contact tourist information
- Parador San Francisco - www.parador.es
- Alhambra Palace - www.h-alhambrapalace.es
- Hotel AC Palacio de Santa Paula - www.ac-hotels.com
- Casa de los Migueletes - www.casamigueletes.com
- Catedral Suites - www.catedral-suites.com
- Hotel Casa Morisca - www.hotelcasamorisca.com
- Hotel Plaza Nueva - www.hotelplazanueva.com
- Hotel Casa del Capitel Nazarí - www.hotelcasacapitel.com
- Hostal Venecia
- Hostal Meridiano - www.hostalmeridiano.com
- Casa del Alijarife - www.grandainfo.com/most
- Hotel Alixares - www.hotelsporcel.com
- Santa Ana Apartamentos Turísticos - www.apartamentos-santaana.com
- Cuevas El Abanico - www.el-abanico.com
- Hostal La Ninfa - www.hostallaninfa.net
- Hostal Marquez
- Hostal Arteaga
Granada Nightlife
With a large student population augmented by waves of young travellers. Granada has plenty of life in its nightlife, the heart of Granada clubland is split by Gran Via - the university area below it features mostly small, fashion-conscious music venues and cheap-beer pubs.