Things To Do In Granada

Granada has a plethora of historical and cultural attractions, mainly left over from the Arab invaders. Its beautiful setting at the foot of the towering Sierra Nevada Mountains is enough of a draw, yet the outstanding architectural wonders at the Alhambra pleasure palace and the Albaicín neighbourhood are its main attractions. Granada also boasts some outstanding cathedrals, monasteries and museums as well as wide, shop-lined boulevards and quiet parks.

Albaicn

The Albaicín is the old Arab Quarter that resides on one of Granada's two hills and is characterised by narrow, winding streets, whitewashed houses and squares and fountains. The Albaicín fell into decline after the Christians drove the Moors out, yet much has been preserved.

Alhambra

One of Spain’s most sought after attractions; the Alhambra is a collection of elegant palaces, squares and gardens contained in one huge fortress that sits on a hill, with the mighty Sierra Nevada Mountains as a backdrop. Most of the 6,000 daily visitors to the Alhambra are stunned by the sheer beauty of the place, where the many palaces, outstanding Generalife gardens and impressive water features are king. La Alhambra is a Unesco World Heritage Site and it gets extremely busy in the summer season, so it is best to get here early in the morning or later in on the afternoon.

Baos Arabes

Older than La Alhambra, the Baños Arabes, which translates as ‘baths of the walnut tree’, are some of the oldest buildings left in Granada and a fine example of Muslim baths in the country. Luckily, the baths escaped destruction by Ferdinand and Isabella during their reign and were thought to be constructed using Visigothic and Roman materials.

Capilla Real

Also known as the Royal Chapel, this is the final resting place of Ferdinand and Isabella, and it is another of Granada’s favourite buildings. The striking edifice features Gothic and Renaissance styles, and was worked on by genius architect, Enrique Egas, whom also had a hand in the building of Granada Cathedral.

Catedral

Like other great and ancient Spanish structures, the Cathedral was a long time in the making – roughly 200 years – with work having begun in 1521. With similar Gothic-Renaissance forms as the Royal Chapel, the Cathedral also boasts a massive main façade featuring four huge buttresses which support three giant arched bays. The interior of the cathedral includes fascinating paintings and carvings by renowned masters.

El Sacromonte

The gypsy caves in the Sacromonte region of Granada have been home to gypsies for centuries, although many were moved to low-cost housing in the city during flooding in the 1960s. Today, tourists flock to the caves to see flamenco cabarets and for the magnificent city views. There are also some fine walks here such as the Vereda de Enmedio cobbled path.

Monasterio de San Jernimo

Although greatly damaged by Napoleon’s men, the Monastery of St Jerónimo - Ferdinand and Isabella’s finest monastery - dates from the 16th century. The monastery has been restored and is one of Granada’s grandest buildings, featuring a magnificent cloister.

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