Granada is one of the largest and most famous cities in the region of Andalusia, renowned for its sunny climate, laid back lifestyle and friendly locals. Granada has a few surprises for visitors though, one of them being its proximity to the Sierra Nevada mountain range where you can practice winter sports six months a year! You can literally swim in the warm sea in the morning and ski on snowy slopes in the afternoon at certain times of year.
Another striking feature of Granada is its stunning Moorish architecture. This Spanish city displays so much beautiful Islamic-influenced architecture that you are constantly reminded of how close it is to North Africa. The Moors settled in Granada in 711 and established a town which would grow and prosper over the years to come. In 1238 Mohammed ben Nasar founded the Nasrid dynasty which went from strength to strength, crowning 20 kings until the Catholic Monarchs, King Ferdin and Queen Isabella crushed King Boabdil in 1492, banishing the Islams from the territory. By the time this happened though, Granada had already been peppered with spectacular architecture such as the Alhambra, today a World Heritage Site and one of the most visited tourist attractions in Spain today, and Generalife as well as the Albayzin neighbourhood.
Its interesting mixed cultural history makes Granada an exciting place to visit and a place of great importance in the history of Spain. There is plenty that’s modern in Granada too though as it is an important university city with a big student population. Here you can visit festivals such as the International Dance and Music festival, the Hocus Pocus magic festival and the wonderful Jazz festival. Another great attraction to this city in southern Spain is its food: cured hams, gazpacho and all kinds of tapas, and what’s more, it’s really cheap!
To find budget accommodation in Granada look for B&B’s or hostels or treat yourself to accommodation with a view to remember in one of the many hotels near to the Alhambra and wake up every morning feeling like you are on an exotic film set. You can’t come to Granada and not see the Alhambra, it’s true, but there is a lot more to Granada than just this monument though so just ask the receptionist at your hotel for some local tips and find out what it is about this stunning Andalusian city that has people coming back for more.