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The
scenery
in
Granada
province
is
breathtaking
to say
the
least.
On the
southern
side
lies
103
kilometres
of
Mediterranean
coastline
called
the
Costa
Tropical
that
offers
golden
sand
beaches,
sheltered
coves
and
steep
cliffs.
Here
all
manners
of
water
sports
can be
had.
On the
lush,
green
coastal
plain
lies
some
of the
most
fertile
land
in
Spain
that
produces
a wide
range
of
exotic
fruits
such
as
kiwi
and
mango.
Inland,
the
terrain
becomes
more
dramatic
and
steeper
as you
approach
the
snow-capped
mountains
of the
Sierra
Nevada
and
the
magic
city
of
Granada
itself.
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Granada
city,
within
Andalucia,
is
127km
from
Malaga
and
254km
from
Gibraltar.
It is
located
at the
foot
of the
Sierra
Nevada.
Granada
has
been
voted
the
most
beautiful
city
to
visit
by
many
tourists.
Within
the
town
lie so
many
places
of
interest,
you
will
never
see
them
all.
Most
of
them
are of
Moorish
origins.
The
most
impressive
is the
Alhambra
and
Generalife
Gardens
(pictured
top
right),
which
is one
of the
most
important
places
to see
on the
Costa
del
Sol. |
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Sight-seeing
in the
city
is
best
on
foot
but a
taxi
may be
in
order
for
some
places.
Car
parking
is a
nightmare
as
there
are
few
car
parks
and
the
traffic
system
is
hard
work.
A good
place
to
park
is at
the
Alhambra.
Then
walk
into
the
old
city.
There
is
never
a good
time
to
drive
through
Granada.
As you
wander
the
network
of
streets,
there
is not
one
that
doesn't
have
some
kind
of
monument
or
impressive
building
to
look
at.
Pictured
left
is the
bullring
which
is
located
some
distance
from
the
old
centre. |
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The
Cathedral
(pictured
right),
built
in
1523
by
order
of
Queen
Isabel.
It was
designed
in
Gothic
style
and
completed
in
renaissance
style
by
1704.
It
contains
many
important
sculptures
and
paintings.
The
tower
houses
the
cathedral
museum.
Visit
the
Royal
Chapel
within
to see
the
Royal
tombs.
Without
doubt
this
magnificent
structure
is one
of the
finest
in the
world. |
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One of
the
best
walks
around
the
city,
taking
in
many
buildings,
begins
at the
Town
Hall
in
Plaza
del
Carmen
and
meanders
along
Reyes
Catolicos,
past
the
Cathedral
and on
to the
Alhambra,
finishing
at the
Abbey
of
Sacremonte.
We
walked
most
of
this
route
within
two
hours.
The
town
hall
stands
on the
site
of the
former
Carmelite
Convent.On
the
route,
take
in El
Banuelo
which
are
the
11th
century
baths,
Casa
de los
Pisa,
now a
museum,
the
Convent
of
Santa
Catalina
and
the
Church
of San
Pedro
and
San
Pablo
at
which
point
you
will
see
the
Alhambra
on
your
right,
over
the
Rio
Darro.
Continue
your
walk
towards
the
gypsy
quarter
of
Sacremonte.
Here
you
will
see
some
of the
best
flamenco
shows
in
Andalucia. |
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To get
the
most
from
Granada,
a
guide
book
is a
must.
These
can be
bought
from
most
shops
and a
good
one
will
cost
about
4€.
The
city
is
divided
into
sectors
and
each
has to
be
explored
on its
own.
Granada
has a
wealth
to
offer
the
visitor
in
terms
of
history
and
culture,
for no
matter
the
time
of
day,
the
city
is
alive.
Be
aware
though
when
wandering
the
streets,
there
are
many
dubious
individuals
attempting
to
tempt
you to
part
with
money,
from
shoe
shines
to
gypsies
selling
'lucky
heather'. |
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When
it
comes
to
celebrations,
Granada
has
its
fair
share
and
one
such
is the
anniversary
of the
surrender
of
Granada
in
1492
which
is
celebrated
on Jan
2nd
with a
giant
fiesta.
In
March
and
April
there
are
colourful
processions.
May
and
June
there
are
festivities
and
bull-fights.
June
and
July
features
nearly
3
weeks
of
classical
concerts
and
ballets,
open-air.
See
our
holiday
dates
section
for
more.
Today,
Granada
is
home
to the
third
largest
university
and is
one of
the
most
important
commercial
cities
in
Spain.
Shopping:
Granada
is
well
known
for
its
tulle
embroidery,
lace
and
ceramics,
copper
work
and
marquetry,
carpets,
rugs
and
guitars.
On the
site
of the
old
Arab
silk
market,
behind
the
Cathedral
stands
the
alcaiceria,
a
modern
medina
of
souvenirs
and
trinkets.
From
Granada,
explore
the
ancient
city
of
Guadix
with
its
unique
cave
houses
and
Baza. |
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