During our trip to Spain, we spent two days visiting Granada. Granada is a beautiful city located in southern Spain, surrounded by the stunning Sierra Nevada mountains. It’s famous for its rich history, diverse culture, and charming atmosphere. One of its most famous attractions is the Alhambra Palace, but it is also know for its Tapas culture and Flamenco.
Day 1
We arrived in the morning by train from Madrid and headed strait to our hotel to check in. While in Granada, we stayed at Hospes Palacia de los Patos (Design Hotels). It was a great choice for us. It’s a nice hotel in a good location.
Looking for a good way to explore the city, we opted for a Segway tour of Sacromonte and Albaicin. We opted fora private tour since it was our first time on Segways and didn’t want the added stress of having to keep up with others. The tour was about 2 hours long and allowed us to explore much more of the city than we would have been able to walking.
Granada is quite hilly so it was a fun experience. Our guide did say to us that if you can navigate your way around by Segway in Granada most everywhere else would be easy. By the end of the tour we weren’t quite experts, but were pretty comfortable navigating the hills.
First, we toured Sacromonte. It’s a neighborhood known for its unique cave homes carved into the hillsides. These caves have been lived-in for centuries, particularly by the Romani people (Gypsies), and are a significant to Granada’s culture.
Sacromonte
Sacromonte is also famous for its flamenco performances, which often take place in the caves, adding to the area’s vibrant and artistic atmosphere. From this neighborhood you get stunning views of the Alhambra and the city of Granada, making it a popular destination for tourists.
Albaicin
Then we visited Albaicin. Another historic neighborhood known for its narrow winding streets, traditional Moorish architecture, and stunning views of the Alhambra palace. This UNESCO World Heritage site is characterized by its whitewashed houses, beautiful squares, and charming cafes. The Albaicin was once the Moorish quarter of Granada and still retains much of its medieval Moorish atmosphere.
After the tour, we had worked up an appetite so our guide recommended Los Manueles for lunch. The server told us that they were known for their croquetas so we tried those and a few more recommended dishes. Everything was good but the best part of the lunch was the salad. It had the best warm walnuts that I have ever had.
Once done, we walked back to the hotel and decided to head to the spa to take advantage of their relaxation pool. We headed down for a soak and were pleased to discover that we were the only ones there. After spending about an hour there, we felt very rejuvenated.
Late afternoon we headed back out to explore and find something to snack on. We stumbled upon a cheesecake shop and had to check it out. La Tarta de la Madre de Cris had many cheesecakes to chose from but we opted for a slice of the traditional Basque cheesecake. It was delicious! What is Basque cheesecake? It originated in a small bar in the small coastal town of San Sebastián, Spain, has no crust and looks burnt from the exterior.
Flamenco
That evening, we headed to a Flamenco Show in one of Sacromonte’s caves. It was a very nice evening so we walked over. We booked the El Templo del Flamenco’s Flamenco Show in a Cave.
This was a very unique and enjoyable experience. The performers we so passionate and talented. A highly recommended activity! As we walked back, we decided to stopping for a cocktail and tapas at a small bar in one of the squares before heading back to the hotel for the night.
Day 2
After an early morning breakfast at Esmeralda near the hotel before heading to the The Alhambra.
The Alhambra
The highlight of our stay was definitely our visit to The Alhambra. Its an exquisite palace that showcases the grandeur of Moorish art and architecture. It’s one of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture and one of the best-preserved palaces of the historic Islamic world. Built between 1238 and 1358 it’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Alhambra is a beautiful and historic and there is a lot to say about our visit, but since this post is about visiting Granada and not just visiting the Alhambra, we’ll keep it short-ish.
To visit the Alhambra you need to buy tickets in advance. You can either do it directly or book a tour. We opted to explore on our own directly from the official Alhambra website. If you are planning to visit, you need to reserve your tickets in advance. Unlike most attractions, you can’t just arrive at the Alhambra entrance and buy a ticket without a great risk of disappointment. The Nasrid Palace only allows 300 people a every half hour, so you have to pick a specific time for your entry.
On the day of your visit, remember to bring your passport or ID, you’ll need it to enter.
The Alhambra is a beautiful and historic palace complex with much to see. Here’s a list of the main attractions:
- Nasrid Palaces: These are the main palaces within the Alhambra, where the rulers lived and conducted official business. They are known for their intricate tile work, carved stucco, and beautiful courtyards. The most famous palaces include:
- Palace of the Lions (Palacio de los Leones): Named for its central courtyard with a fountain supported by twelve lion statues.
- Palace of the Myrtles (Palacio de los Arrayanes): Features a large reflective pool surrounded by myrtle bushes.
- Alcazaba: This is the fortress part of the Alhambra. It’s the oldest section and includes defensive towers and walls. It was used for military purposes and offers stunning views of Granada from its watchtowers.
- Generalife: This is the summer palace and gardens of the Alhambra, located on a hillside nearby. The gardens are famous for their beautiful landscaping, fountains, and peaceful atmosphere. It was a retreat for the kings to escape the formalities of court life.
- Charles V Palace (Palacio de Carlos V): Built by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V in the 16th century, this Renaissance-style palace contrasts with the Moorish architecture of the rest of the Alhambra. It houses museums, including the Alhambra Museum and the Fine Arts Museum.
- Comares Tower (Torre de Comares): This is the tallest tower in the Alhambra and contains the Hall of the Ambassadors, where the sultans held their most important meetings. It overlooks the city and the surrounding countryside.
- The Medina: This area was once a bustling city within the Alhambra walls, home to workshops, houses, and baths. Today, it contains ruins and archaeological remains from its past inhabitants.
- Gate of Justice (Puerta de la Justicia): This imposing gate served as the main entrance to the Alhambra. It’s a large, impressive structure with an archway and intricate decorations.
Each of these attractions plays a part in the rich history and beauty of the Alhambra, making it a fascinating place to visit.
After our visit, we decided to walk back to the city center since walking down the hill is much easier than up the hill. We stopped at Artesanos De Granada an espresso bar with great pastries and got to try Granada’s traditional dessert, the pionono. It looks like a mushroom but deliciously sweet.
Tapas culture
In the afternoon, while exploring more of Granada, we stumbled on a little market. There we bought some beautiful hand crafted pottery to take home. We always try to find something original to bring home from each location we visit. Finding this market was a happy accident. Hungry and ready to rest our legs, we found a great place to sit, people watch, enjoy some wine and again tapas.
Fun fact: The Tapas culture of Granada is second to none. While you can order tapas all over Spain, Granada is one of the only cities left that still offer it for free if you order a drink.
Later, we headed back to the hotel for a early bed time since we headed to Seville early the next morning.
Our time visiting Granada was pretty short but a perfect blend of history, culture, and great food. Whether you’re a history buff or just looking for an unforgettable experience, we believe that Granada has something for everyone.
Finally, if you are planning a trip to Spain, here are some posts that might interest you:
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Great white sneakers that you can wear with a pair of jeans, pants or a dress. Perfect for travel!
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