Andalusia in the south of Spain has several beautiful cities, Granada is the fourth largest city in Andalusia after Seville, Malaga and Cordoba. Centuries ago, it was the capital of the taifa of Granada and the kingdom of Granada. The taifa Grenada was an emirate (taifa) and had an independent period from 1013 to 1145. It is a fact that different people reigned in Granada and that the Moors left behind many beautiful buildings and neighborhoods like Albaicín.
“Granada is the most precious treasure of Spain, a reserve of flavors, smells and passion”.
Victor Hugo.
Let’s face it, a first visit to Granada would not be complete without a visit to Spain’s most visited tourist attraction: the magnificent Alhambra Palace. It is a gigantic historic palace full of vestiges of Moorish and Catholic culture. Inside, beautiful decorations are attributed to Yusuf I.
When you visit the Alhambra you have to take into account the quota set by UNESCO in terms of number of visitors: only a limited number of visitors can enter the Alhambra per day. Therefore, those who wish to visit by chance may not be allowed to do so so it is better to book in advance. There is also much to see around the Alhambra, as nature and its surroundings, as well as the outdoor structure, are worth visiting, with views of the Sierra Nevada and the Córdoba Plain.
Next to the Alhambra also the palace and gardens of the Generalife and the Albaicín district belong to UNESCO. The Generalife was the summer palace and the manor of the Nasrid sultans of Granada. The Generalife was originally connected to the Alhambra by a covered corridor on the canyon that now separates these parts. The Generalife is one of the oldest Moorish gardens.
The Albaicín is built on a hill in Granada, which housed the primitive nucleus of the ancient city of Elvira. Its appearance of white houses and narrow streets, not conducive to traffic, has changed little since Moorish times.
But Granada has a lot more, like the Mirador de San Nicolás where you can find a full panoramic view of the Alhambra, Sierra Nevada, the city and the Vega de Granada.
Since Bill Clinton visited him in 1997 and said he has seen “the most beautiful sunset in the world”, he has become a popular and popular place for tourists.
Another beautiful neighborhood, the Sacromonte is known as the Gypsy neighborhood. Visitors come at night to this hill in Granada in search of songs and dances. The premises located along the road of Sacromonte, on the hill, offer dramatic flamenco shows. The cave museum Sacromonte retains homes dug in the rock. In the Sacromonte abbey, there are remains and a panoramic view of the city. Hiking and cycling trails lead to the mountains.
Granada is also known for its prestigious university: Universidad de Granada. It hosts around 80,000 students and also has campuses in Ceuta and Melilla (Morocco). It is one of the most important student cities of Spain, with Salamanca, Burgos and Santiago de Compostela. It is also a fact when there are students there is a great nightlife. So, whether you are a student, tourist or resident, Granada has a lot to offer you.
