Impressive scenery
as from the Tales of a Thousand and One Nights.
Fantastic views, quiet places and narrow streets. Discovering the
Albayzin hill is a must for any visitor of the historic Nazarí
capital.
"Dale limosna, mujer, que no hay en la vida nada como la pena
de ser ciego en Granada".
(Give him alms, there is no no more awful fate than to be blind in
Granada)
Line of the poet Francisco Alarcón de Icaza
The lively and merry mood of the city on the feet of the Sierra
Nevada mountains is legendary. The fertile plateau ("Vega")
and snow covered summits, a tiny river and the mightily Moorish
heritage characterize its life. 240,000 people inhabit the capital
of the province, today the seat of an important university.
Alhambra: the most important monument of the Arab
period in Spain. Inside among other things: Nazarí Palaces,
the Court of the Lions, the Court of the Myrtles, the Alcazaba fortress,
various towers and the Renaissance Palace of Charles V. with the
Museum of Fine Arts. Generalife - garden and summer residence of
the Nazarí kings during the 14th century. Small ponds, water
fountains and the scent of flowers make a fairy tale atmosphere.
Cathedral: sacred church, planned in Gothic style
but finished during Renaissance. Close to the cathedral is the Capilla
Real - late Gothic period. Inside, the tomb of the Catholic Monarchs
Isabel (Elisabeth) of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragón.
Plaza Bib-Rambla: large square in front of the
Cathedral.
Plaza Nueva: with the court Chancillería
and the Santa Ana Church in Mudéjar style. From here the
walkway Carrera del Darro - leads up the Darro river, passes the
Arab Baths ("El Bañuelo"), an Archaeological Museum
and the San Pedro Church. Albayzin - the white, Moorish quarter,
a jewel of world architecture, small narrow streets and the Mirador
(view point) San Nicolás. Worth seeing: El Salvador Church
and the convent Santa Isabel la Real.
Monasterio de San Jerónimo: Renaissance
style convent Santos Justo y Pastor, San Juan de Dios - Baroque
style churches located in the quarter close to the San Jerónimo
monastery.
Cartuja: convent of the Carthusian monks from
the 17th century in pure Baroque style and a magnificent Sacristy.
Sacromonte: traditional gypsy quarter with cave
dwellings. Located outside the city.
Tapas bars Many possibilities on the Plaza Nueva and all over the
city.
Restaurants Excellent regional food and also influences of the Arab
kitchen.
Leisure Music, theater and exhibitions: Centro Cultural Manuel da
Falla Theater events: Teatro Alhambra Open air presentation: Corral
del Carbón Interactive museum with astronomical observatory:
Parque de las Ciencias.
Handicraft shops: Alcaicería, former silk market place in the
Zacatín street Fashion shops close to the Cathedral Antique
objects and guitars: Elvira street and Cuesta de Gomeréz.
Excursions:
Sierra Nevada: National park and winter sport resort. Skiing
can be practiced until may. (local road GR-420 to the "Sol y
Nieve" station).
Las Alpujarras: the last refuge of the Moors. Mountain villages
Pampaneira, Bubión, Capileira and Trevélez in the southeast
of Granada. On the way lies the mineral spring Lanjarón.
On the trails of Federico García Lorca - Museum Lorca:
Calle de la Virgen Blanca and an excursion to Fuente Vaqueros with
the birth place of the most important Spanish poet of the 20th century
(17kms/11 miles west).
Other interesting information:
- www.andalusia-web.com
- Congress Centre
- Tourist information: Corral del Carbón Plaza Mariana Pineda
10 (Centre).
- Traffic connections Airport (13km / 8 miles) on the N-342: Mainly
domestic flights.
- Trains (RENFE) to Málaga, Seville, Almería, Algeciras,
Madrid; Regional trains.
- Motorways to Jaén/Madrid, Sevilla/Málaga, Murcia/Alicante;
National roads to Córdoba, Motril (CostaTropical).
- Accommodation More than 100 hotels and hostelries of different categories
and prices.