With its' Moorish influences still prominent across the city, highly reasonable cost of living, an abundance of great tapas bars and seemingly no end to fun and excitement, Granada really is the ultimate destination for travelers and tourists looking to have a great experience that won't cost them the earth.
Granada is home to a wide variety of restaurants. The roots of a lot of the gastronomy here lie in Moorish hands, with influences taken from Arabic dishes. As well as the many tapas bars which, traditionally, serve free tapas with every drink ordered, there is a huge selection of restaurants serving delicious food!
We've put together a top ten list - if you're short of time in Granada and you can't decide where to go and what to see in this historic city, just follow our tips. Explore the city's rich cultural, religious and architectural past and enjoy some extra musical, literary and scientific delights.
The Granada Carnival, along with those of the provincial towns, are among the least publicised, but they do take place. The festival usually lasts about a week in the provincial capital and starts well after Shrove Tuesday. It includes the usual singing contests that are held in theatres and other venues. There is also plenty of activity in the streets of Granada (a city that is famous for its "tapa" appetisers that accompany drinks at no extra charge), including a parade.
Located on the street of the same name, the church and hospital of San Juan de Dios are beautiful Baroque buildings well worth a visit and easily accesible, just off the Gran Vía.
The monastery was originally founded in Santa Fé by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella during the reconquest of Granada. Following this success it was relocated to the city centre. Construction of this Renaissance Roman Catholic monastery and church began in 1504 and 1519 respectively.
Most of the main high street names- Zara, Pull and Bear, H&M- can be found on Calle Reyes Católicos, which is perpendicular with Gran Vía de Colón. There are also several stores on the adjoining Calle Recogidas. If you are looking for more unique pieces then don't miss the individual boutiques in the the quaint old streets of the city's historic quarter, particularly the Alcaiceria or Great Bazaar.
Andalucia is not alone in its quest for the convenience of large out-of-town shopping centres or commercial centres ( centros comerciales) . Over the past five years shopping centres in Andalucia have become increasingly prevalent and in Andalucia today they form an integral part of most peoples’ shopping experience.
Processions take place throughout the province along with Passion Plays as well. There is one more special claim to fame by the provincial capital in that no where else in Andalucia can you experience Semana Santa with the Alhambra in the background.
A guide to the Sierra Nevada, the only ski resort in Andalucia, is located at Pradollano in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, about 30 km south east of Granada city.
When you visit a new city, or even one you already know, it's always interesting to find out about famous people associated with the place you're going to, from local authors and artists, to celebrities who have been there, foreigners who settled in the city and made it their home.
Granada is renowned for its amazing tapas and for being one of the few places left in Spain where you can order a drink and be given a free tapa with it. The city is full of tapas bars, from the ones that are known only by locals, to the ones that are favoured by the international tourist. Here is our list of some of the best tapas bars across the city.
Granada Airport, situated in the area known as "Vega del Genil" or plains of the River Genil 16 km west of the city of Granada and 106 km south of the city of Jaen. It traditionally handled national flights to Madrid and Barcelona but recently has expanded with a number of international flights from low cost airlines. The first recorded flight at the Santa Fe location was in 1911 to celebrate Corpus Cristi.
Granada's excellent science museum is located just two kilometres (or a 15-minute walk) south of the centre of the city on Avenida del Mediterráneo, opposite the Convention Centre. Probably the most stimulating museum for children in Andalucia, although be warned that large, noisy school groups come in term-time, from Tuesday to Friday.
The historical city and student town of Granada has six main districts: The Realejo, The Cartuja, Bib-Rambla, Sacromonte, Albaicin and Zaidin. The Albaicin is the Moorish area of the city and the oldest part of Granada. It offers stunning views of the Alhambra from its hillside as it sits directly opposite the Moorish Palace. You won't find a more atmospheric place to stay in Granada than in the Albaicin.
