Granada
“I do not know what to call this land upon which I stand. If what is beneath my feet is paradise, then what is the Alhambra? Heaven?”
Granada
Many people say that if you see only one city in Spain it should be Granada. As Federico García Lorca , the Granadino poet once said, “What effort it takes for the light to leave Granada! It weaves between the cypresses or conceals itself under water.”
The city of Granada bewitches visitors with its history and monuments, the most notable being the magnificent Moorish Palace, The Alhambra and the gardens of Generalife.
In the city centre can be found the cathedral built by Ferdinand and Isabella of Castile, whilst clustered around the cathedral are the myriad of streets which draw you into the old Arab silk market.
Its extensive cultural calendar includes a whole range of festivals and traditions; two of the most exciting times to visit Granada are at Easter for Semana Santa, and in early June for Corpus Christi, when processions are abundant, music is widely available and the city is in fiesta.
A Day in Granada
Granada is truly an Aladdin’s cave of Moorish treasures. From the delightful winding streets of the Albaicín, the Islamic Quarter nestled beneath the Alhambra, to the imposing Renaissance Cathedral and Royal Chapel, where the bodies of King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile are interred, there is much to experience here.
A morning tracing city’s heritage through its intricate architecture is an excellent way to discover what Granada has to offer.
Follow this with a visit to one of the city’s hammams, an Arab hot steam bath and massage, all within the confines of mesmerising Arab decor.
Indulge in a lazy lunch at one of the many traditional restaurants before visiting the imposing Alhambra Palace, the views from which are spectacular.
Finish the day by spending the evening relaxing at one of the many tapas bars in the Plaza Mirador de San Nicolás, listening to live Spanish guitar while watching the sun gently set over the palace.
The Sierra Nevada
Protecting the Costa Tropical from the cold northerly winds, the Sierra Nevada is the second highest mountain range in Europe, boasting the highest peaks at more than 3000 metres on the Peninsula. With snow on its peaks for most of the year, the uninhabited, rugged wilderness of the Sierra Nevada National Park offers exciting climbing and mountaineering opportunities, along with the thriving ski resort of Sol y Nieve (Sun & Snow). It is the most southerly ski resort in Europe, and despite being small in comparison to other European resorts, it hosted the 1996 world ski championships.
At the foothills of the Sierra Nevada can be found the villages of The Alpujarras, an area famous throughout Spain because of its unique mini-ecology. Constant watering of its terraced farmlands by the melting snow from the Sierra Nevada results in an abundance of greenery which stands in dramatic contrast to the arid foothills below.
It is also a region extremely popular with hikers due to its attractive valleys revealing beautiful whitewashed villages with their distinctive Berber architecture. The terraced clusters of off-white box-shaped houses with flat clay roofs, still commonly seen in the Riff and Atlas mountains of Morocco today, are a constant reminder of the struggle endured by Spain’s Moorish community during the fifteenth century.
Why Granada?
What does Granada City, and indeed The Province of Granada at large, have to offer? Well, the list is as diverse and varied as it full, but some of the top reasons to consider are:
- The Alhambra – The jewel in the crown of Granada. This stunningly impressive display of Moorish architecture is truly a sight to behold.
- Granada City – An energetic city that effortlessly combines halcyon Islamic architecture with traditional Spanish values. The variety of Arab inspired street life, family run cafes, and traditional flamenco clubs leaves visitors spoilt for choice.
- The Science Park – Andalucía’s first interactive museum that engages the curious minds of adults and children alike.
- Tapas – The very essence of Spain, and still served free with drinks in the province of Granada.
- Heladerías – Located in the heart of Granada city, there are a plethora of ice cream parlours offers beautifully presented, exotic flavours of ice cream that are wholly irresistible.
- Las Alpujarras – The rustic white-washed villages nestled at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, home to dreamers, artists, free-spirited and creative individuals of all nationalities.
- Ron Montero – A fascinating guide to the history of rum production on the Costa Tropical, which includes a generous tasting session.