“Nothing in life is worse than being blind in Granada.” These words, from Mexican poet Francisco A. de Icaza, sit in a tile near the city’s Cathedral and aptly describe the captivating magic of the city. The world of places to see and things to do in Granada has charmed many travelers. Beginning life as an Iberian settlement, Granada was taken from the Visigoth’s in 711 by the Moors. It remained under Moorish control for seven centuries and was the last Muslim stronghold in the Iberian Peninsula. When King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel completed the Reconquista of Spain and expelled the Moors, Boabdil, the Emir, is said to have shed a tear at all he had lost. Federico Garcia Lorca, some 400 odd years later, too mourned the victory, believing Granada to have lost something central to its identity on that day. Read more
Serving as the city’s brooding backdrop, the Sierra Nevada is the answer to the question, “what to do in Granada?” Come snow or shine, the gentle slopes of this mountain range, which extends 75 kilometers east to west, offers up a whole heap of outdoorsy fun. Sierra is a great, affordable alternative to the pricier Alpine resorts that will satisfy the needs of skiers of all levels. Sierra Nevada is not just a paradise for winter sports. It offers everything from mountain peaks to wooded rolling hills, olive groves and verdant valleys peppered with typical Pueblos Blancos (Moorish whitewashed villages). Let's go
Of all the places to visit in Granada, the Alhambra takes the top spot. It is the centerpiece of the city and Spain’s most visited attraction. In short, you haven’t done any sightseeing in Granada until you’ve been to the Alhambra. Perched atop Sabika Hill, the Red Castle appears all the more striking with the rugged, brooding peaks of the Sierra Nevada as it’s backdrop. What began life as a citadel, with the arrival of the Moors was transformed into a fortified palace complex and is now one of the finest Islamic buildings in all of Europe. Inside exists a world that demonstrates the glamour, wealth, and sophistication of the Nasrid dynasty. Let's go
If you’re in Granada and feeling a little bit peckish, when you pull up to tapas bar don’t make the mistake of asking for a menu, you’ll stick out like a sore thumb. You see, Granada is still one of the few places in Spain that adheres to the original practice of tapas. This is to say they come free with the booze. That’s right, forget about what to see in Granada, its tapas time. With each glass of wine you order, a fresh plate of something delicious will be brought to you. Often, as the Copas de vino stack up, the tapas get more substantial. You could see yourself enjoying everything from manchego, tortilla and anchovies, to calamari. Let's go