Travel guide Granada, Andalucía

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With this brief but concise definition could be summed up very well what is seen when visiting the Spanish city, the cradle of culture that recalls us to other times and civilizations and perfect compendium of tradition and modernity. And for you to get caught under the charm of Granada, here we will explain and show you what to see when you visit this sublime city.

In Granada you will find great reminiscence and culture of the times when the city was an Islamic kingdom and therefore we'll find the most fantastic and impressive buildings of that era. And this is not trivial at all, because Granada was set under the muslim influence and allows us to observe in all its magnificence and splendor that was the Al-Andalus (well known to the territory of the peninsula under Muslim power in middle age) in splendourous times. We must not forget that Granada was the capital of Moorish kingdom from the year 1238 until 1492 when the city was taken by the Catholic kings, throughout this period makes Granada a unique place to see what was once that area of Spain.

The second thing to say about Granada is that as in most places, the type of tourism that we can live is varied. But in Granada you can be even more surprised if for example, you have been for several days visiting the area of Andalusia, its coasts , its people, really a very open way of life at night, the relaxed atmosphere and the parties. From the classic festivity as San Juan in June, with bonfires on the beach, music and fireworks, to the perennial lively nightlife. Granada is a young capital (the university town of the area), and therefore provides marcha at night (and what is important at a good price). There are plenty of tapas bars and pubs very cheap (for example, Pedro Antonio de Alarcón street frequented by young people) and nearby the Gran Via and Plaza Nueva, close to the Alhambra, bars to a more adult audience (and more money). In Granada not lost one iota of this lively and cheerful character of Andalusia but we can enjoy even more, if possible, a high-quality cultural tourism and even if we like the snow tourism, great for practicing this white winter sport.

Granada has been updated much in a few years, what has become the city in a quality tourist destination but nevertheless at the same time we keep finding tradition. Must be seen (and must be mentioned in the first place) the Alhambra palace, the imposing complex built integrated with the existing nature and the Generalife, which is the villa garden (lots of options at the entrance, about 12 € ). This monumental group, which is the heritage of mankind and was town, fortress and palace of the kings of the Nazari dynasty, is the first inescapable visit that we should make. At this, the most beautiful architectural complex of taht time, we consider probably  you will get lost in their gardens and fall in love with Granada.

Two tips to make the visit: Without a doubt this place is the most visited Granada and such is the influx that often no tickets on sale for the same day and must be purchased with weeks in advance, it is vital to ask prior to go and to purchase online.

As is usual in the Tourist Club and to help you not to miss anything, we leave the official link (www.alhambra-tickets.es) to check options, prices and even book tickets online.

The second recommendation is how to reach it and eat in the area. If we do not drive and do not want to go by bus or to take a pleasant and easy walk, a taxi can also be affordable to to go to the complex. However if after an exhausting tour we want to eat, regain strength into the area, evidently as anywhere in the world you can find a vast range of cuisine, but that does not mean economic or quality. You better get away a little off the tourist route and certainly eat well at the best price and most importantly, much better quality (ah, remember you usually get a free "tapa" when you ask for a drink like a caña of beer or even a chato (glass) of wine, very typical Andalusian). Near the Alhambra, Campo del Principe in Realejo there are many bars where you can choose excelent andalusian tapas.

As has been said if we like the snow (skiing, snowboarding or climbing peaks like Mulhacén and Veleta), we should not miss the Sierra Nevada area, but if we do not like sliding on the white blanket of snow, we can go shopping in the heart of the city (buying handicrafts such as inlaid wood objects with the technique of "taraceado" and ceramics and clothing and perfume of prestigious firms, which are present in Granada), visit the specially charming neighbourhoods of Albaicín and Sacromonte or if it is summer time, we probably would like to take a dip in the beaches of the Costa Tropical. With an ideal climate, an average temperature of about 20 degrees and more than 320 days of sunshine a year, the Costa Tropical extends along the coast of the province of Granada (in between the Costa del Sol and Almeria) and is an attraction for thousands of tourists visiting Granada and can not resist a dip in the warm, clear waters of these villages, beaches and coves that make up the Costa Tropical.

So far, this has been a brief summary of the most impressive sightseeings of Granada. However, while you're certainly willing to stay more days to tour the city,  just search for accommodation in our comprehensive list of hotels in Granada, will let you lose yourself in this city with so many stories to tell you.

Here we list booking.com recommended hotels in Granada, sorted by district

Albayzin | Beiro | Centro | Chana | Genil | Norte | Ronda | Zaidin |

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