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Granada: A Guide to the History & Culture
Granada is one of the most charismatic cities in Spain. It is best known for the incredible Alhambra palace, which dominates the historic center from its privileged hilltop position.
But the whole city is steeped in history and has been shaped by diverse cultural influences for over two thousand years.
Find out more about the fascinating history and culture of Granada in our guide to the city.
The Alhambra Palace dominates Granada. Perched on a hill overlooking the city, it is a majestic complex of buildings and fortifications, which contain some of the most spectacular architecture in all of Spain.
The Alhambra was the last stronghold of the Muslim rulers of Al-Andalus. When it was besieged and captured in the year 1492 by the neighbouring Christian kingdoms, it marked the end of nearly 800 years of Islamic rule in Spain.
The palace complex was originally constructed in the 9th century, at a time when Al-Andalus was emerging as one of the most powerful states in the world (And if you would like more information about this period - check out our guides to Seville and Cordoba). For the first few centuries of its existence though, the Alhambra was small and often uninhabited. It was not until the middle of the 13th century that it began to take its current form as a glorious palace complex, complete with stunning gardens.
It was re-built at this time by the Nasrid dynasty, who had been pushed further south and east, following the conquests of Toledo, Seville and Cordoba by the Christian kings of Castile. The Nasrids fully intended for the Alhambra and Granada to be an enduring capital for their emirate. It was to be a stronghold which would serve as a base to help them to reconquer Spain (supported by their muslim allies from across the Mediterranean in North Africa).
With this in mind, the Alhambra was both heavily fortified, but also incredibly opulent - aiming to showcase the skill and superiority of Islamic architecture and culture. It was important for the Nasrids to project an image of power and prosperity in order to attract support and to halt the advance of the Christian kings; and the palace was also undoubtedly a vanity project - an attempt to create a paradise on earth.
The inside of the Alhambra is characterized by its intricate plasterwork, incredible symmetry, beautiful arches and ornate gardens. At the heart of the complex is the Nasrid Palace, which, as the name suggests, was the living quarters of the emir, his family and closest associates. The intricate Arabesque stucco combines with high quality woodwork to produce walls and features which dazzle with their textures and 3 dimensional shapes.
The palace is also filled with fine sculptures, including the fountain of the lions. Like many rulers throughout history, the Nasrids identified themselves with lions to project an image of power and strength. The twelve marble sculptures formed part of a fountain, with water spraying out from the mouth of a different lion each hour. Elsewhere in the palace, the Hall of the Ambassadors was an opulent room designed to welcome important visitors, aiming to both impress and intimidate them into supporting the Nasrids. While the large dining room is dominated by a huge golden honeycomb roof, which reflected the light to create impressive patterns.
Visually it is a stunning complex at first glance, but there is even more to it than meets the eye. The palace was designed using advanced mathematical techniques that allowed an unprecedently high level of engineering. Much of the Alhambra complex is in perfect symmetry. The patterns and plasterwork are consistent mirror images; while the height and the width of the walls are in exact proportion throughout the palace. It is designed to be as aesthetically perfect as possible; even random looking geometric shapes were selected to complement those adjacent or opposite to them.
The construction of the Alhambra also involved cutting edge engineering. Situated on top of a hill in one of the most arid parts of Europe, it was not an easy task to supply the palace with adequate water. And yet the whole complex was filled with fountains, pools, running hot and cold water. Cascading water was even a permanent feature of the palace and the Generalife gardens - designed to provide a pleasant and relaxing background noise.
All this could only be achieved through the construction of a complex system of aqueducts, hydraulic pumps, water towers and storage tanks. The abundance of water features throughout the site is something that was unusual and highly impressive to 14th century visitors. Due to the technical complexity and cost of building and maintaining such water systems, it was a real status symbol that projected the scientific advancement and riches of the Nasrid emirate.
So, the inside of the Alhambra was very much designed to be as close to paradise mere mortals could imagine. It was similar in some ways to other palace cities in Andalucia and elsewhere in the Islamic world, but the aim of the Alhambra was to better them all. The Nasrids didn't want to build just any old stunning palace; they wanted to create artistic perfection.
By contrast, from the outside, the Alhambra was designed with functionality in mind. It had a relatively austere appearance, and the priority was on building thick and strong walls that could protect the city from attack. The Emirate of Granada was the last bastion of Muslim rule in Spain and, at the time when the Alhambra was built, the Nasrids were certainly on the back foot. They may have had long term ambitions to reconquer Spain, but they were sensible enough to realize that there was a very good chance that they would come under attack first.
The western part of the Alhambra was the Alcazaba, which served a defensive purpose. Arms were stored here and soldiers were stationed ready to rebel any assault. It was also ideally located, towering over the flat plains to the west of Granada, which was the likely direction from which an attack would come.
From a defensive point of view, the Alhambra was a qualified success for the Nasrids. The Emirate of Granada was able to retain its independence for the best part of two centuries, allowing several generations of rulers to enjoy living in their Paradise on Earth. In truth though, it wasn't the strong walls of the Alhambra that preserved their freedom, but rather it was due to political manoeuvring.
The Nasrids played on the long standing rivalry between the Christian kingdoms of Castile and Aragon. They allied with one side and then the other, as the two Christian kingdoms descended into a long conflict. With their neighbours distracted, the Nasrids even sometimes took advantage to reclaim some territory of their own.
It was all a delicate balancing act, and it highlights the complexity of politics in Medieval Spain. It was not simply a case of Muslims against Christians as it is sometimes presented. Kings, emirs and Caliphs regularly allied with rulers of different religions if it helped them against a political rival or to quell an uprising. Indeed, many Christian kings were even related to Muslim emirs, following centuries of political intermarriages between the states.
In the late 15th century though, the Nasrids luck ran out. The marriage of Queen Isabella of Castille to King Ferdinand of Aragon formally united the Christian rulers in Spain. The Nasrids could no longer play divide and rule, and it wasn't long before Ferdinand and Isabella (known as the Catholic Monarchs due to their religious credentials) set their sights on ending Muslim rule in Spain.
In the year 1490 they besieged the Alhambra palace. Pope Alexander VI (himself from Xativa in Eastern Spain) declared the mission to be a 'Crusade', promising that the sins would be absolved of those who took part in the attempts to take Granada. This saw knights and soldiers flocking to Andalucia from all over Western Europe, looking to get their share of the glory, and to secure themselves a place in heaven.
Faced with insurmountable odds and running low on supplies, the last Nasrid emir - Muhammad XII (or Boabdil) signed a surrender treaty in 1492. The Alhambra was never taken by force. Ultimately, the keys to the city were simply handed over to the Catholic Monarchs.
Ferdinand and Isabella wasted no time in making themselves feel at home. They preferred the luxurious Alhambra to some of their previous residences in Seville and Cordoba, and they spent a year living inside, on a kind of extended honeymoon. During their stay, they devised grand plans to continue their 'Crusade' into North Africa.
As a further attempt to homogenize religion in Spain, it was from the Alhambra that the monarchs issued an infamous decree of 1492 which insisted that all Jews in Spain either convert to Christianity or leave. A few decades later, following a rebellion in the mountain villages around Granada, a similar decree forced all Muslims to convert or leave Spain. All carried out under the watchful eye of the Inquisition. These acts formally ended over 800 years of Muslim and Jewish presence in Spain; a period which did so much to define the unique culture of the region.
The Alhambra continued to be a royal residence for centuries after its conquest by the Catholic monarchs. Most famously of all, their grandson - the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V - started building a dazzling new palace within the complex that still stands today, although it was never actually completed.
Charles, who inherited the religious zeal of his grandparents, didn't have much time to relax in paradise. He spent most of his rule fighting against supporters of protestant reformers such as Martin Luther, as well as trying to deal with the powerful Ottoman Empire under Suleiman the Magnificent.
It may sometimes seem as though Granada is just about the Alhambra. And, well, if you only have one day in the city then you absolutely should spend most of your time there, as it's one of the most spectacular and unique buildings in the world. However, there is also a lot else to see in the city, not least the stunning
Albayzin district.
Situated to the north of the Alhambra, this is a hilly maze of narrow streets, alleyways, staircases and whitewashed buildings. It was the part of Granada where ordinary people lived under Muslim rule - those not considered important enough to be allowed inside the Alhambra. It can be hard work at time exploring the district, due to the steep gradients and cobbled surfaces, but it's worth the effort. The Albayzin is a really magical place steeped in tradition. Muslim, Christian and Jewish populations lived side by side here as Granada became a populous town in the late Middle Ages.
Today in the Albayzin you can visit the 11th century Arabic bath complex at El Bañuelo, and can pass through the imposing Elvira Gate - the historic entrance to the old town. Most of all though, we recommend wandering the streets and enjoying the tranquility of the district which is dotted with Bohemian cafes and tapas bars. The lively Mirador de San Nicolas is also worth a visit; it is often frequented by buskers, making for a nice atmosphere; and it offers the finest view in the city of the Alhambra complex.
If you climb high enough through the Albayzin you will eventually arrive at the district of Sacromonte. This beautiful neighbourhood is the traditional home of the Romani people, who settled in the region following the Christian conquest of the city.
Many of the historic houses here are built into the rock and are effectively caves. They were home to people on the fringes of society: the Romani, as well as Jews and Muslims who were no longer welcome in the Albayzin following the activity of the Inquisition. The residents would carry out their business from these claustrophobic dwellings; often making artisanal products for sale at local markets.
At the Sacromonte Caves Museum you can visit several of the caves to see the unusual way in which people lived here.
Granada cathedral was constructed in the early 16th century, soon after the Christian conquest of the city.
The large building is in a mixture of Renaissance and Baroque styles, which contrasts with the predominantly Gothic style of most cathedrals in Spain.
The cathedral was constructed in the center of the old Muslim medina, on top of the old mosque, as a way of emphasizing the changing status of Granada. The Catholic rulers of Spain were keen not only to convert Spain's Muslims and Jews to Christianity, but also had grand designs to continue their crusade into Africa.
The plans for domination of the Mediterranean never came to fruition though, for a variety of reasons. Firstly, the emergence of a strong Ottoman Empire helped to push back against Christian expansionism.
Secondly, Christianity became embroiled in its own acrimonious split between the Catholics and the Protestants. The kings of Spain in the 16th and 17th century were from the Habsburg dynasty and were heavily involved in the politics of Central Europe, distracting them from their offensive against their Muslim neighbours in Africa.
Perhaps most significantly of all though, a better option for expansion simply came along.
A few miles to the west of Granada is the small town of Santa Fe. This was the place from which Ferdinand and Isabella carried out the final siege of Granada, with Santa Fe constructed on top of the military camp. In the year 1492, just after the Nasrids were handing over the keys to the Alhambra, a visitor showed up in Santa Fe, requesting an audience with the monarchs.
The man was Christopher Columbus, and he was looking for authorization and sponsorship for his planned voyage across the Atlantic. He had promised to find a western route to the Indies, which would allow Spain to steal a march on their Portuguese rivals.
Many naval experts advised Queen Isabella to reject the proposals by Columbus, claiming that he had hugely underestimated the circumference of the earth. But, following the conquest of Granada, Isabella felt that God was on her side and would bring success, so she signed an agreement with Columbus.
Known as the Capitulaciones de Santa Fe, these authorized the voyage, and gave Columbus the title of admiral. Columbus was also permitted to keep 10% of all riches obtained from the voyage.
As it transpired, the critics of Columbus proved to be correct. He had badly mis-calculated the circumference of the earth, and had nowhere near enough provisions to make it to Eastern Asia. But, of course, in late 1492, he stumbled across the Americas instead.
Suddenly a whole new world had opened up before the Spanish crown; a world of huge amounts of gold, silver and near infinite resources. Faced with the prospect of these enormous riches, the idea of a tough religious war in North Africa suddenly didn't look quite so appealing.
Granada is undoubtedly the tapas capital of Spain. If you order a drink in one of the many great bars or bodegas around the city, you can expect to receive a complementary bite to eat. In many places you can choose your
tapas from a large menu, with options ranging from a small plate of chipirones up to a pretty sizeable sandwich or burger.
If you are hungry after a day walking around the hilly streets of Granada, you can also order larger plates or raciones.
Granada is also home to a blossoming craft beer scene, with local breweries such as Menos Lobos and Lanchar producing excellent beers. The larger Alhambra brewery also produces the iconic Reserva 1925 beer, which you will see locals throughout the city drinking, from its distinctive green bottle.
Looming ominously over Granada to the south, it is difficult to miss the Sierra Nevada National Park. This natural area is home to the highest mountain peaks in Europe outside of the Alps, and provide the iconic backdrop for photos of the Alhambra.
If you are spending a few days in Granada, it is well worth taking a trip out to admire the beautiful natural scenery. In winter you can go skiing, while the rest of the year is great for hiking.
The Sierra Nevada is also popular with cyclists, who want to test themselves on its challenging slopes. There is a road running all the way to the Veleta peak at nearly 3,400m (11,200 ft) altitude, which makes it by far the highest paved road in Europe.
If you prefer more leisurely cycling, you can head to the west of Granada, in the direction of Santa Fé. Off road cycle routes lead all the way out of the city, away from the traffic, and the flat plains and rolling olive groves in this region are a lot of fun to ride.
These are just a few of our favourite highlights in Granada, with a huge focus on the magnificant Alhambra complex. There is so much more to discover though, both here and in the surrounding region of Andalucia. Check out our guides to Seville and Cordoba to find out even more.
Or come and join us on either our guided or self-guided cycling holidays to the region, to witness it all first hand!
But the whole city is steeped in history and has been shaped by diverse cultural influences for over two thousand years.
Find out more about the fascinating history and culture of Granada in our guide to the city.
The Alhambra Palace
The Alhambra was the last stronghold of the Muslim rulers of Al-Andalus. When it was besieged and captured in the year 1492 by the neighbouring Christian kingdoms, it marked the end of nearly 800 years of Islamic rule in Spain.
The palace complex was originally constructed in the 9th century, at a time when Al-Andalus was emerging as one of the most powerful states in the world (And if you would like more information about this period - check out our guides to Seville and Cordoba). For the first few centuries of its existence though, the Alhambra was small and often uninhabited. It was not until the middle of the 13th century that it began to take its current form as a glorious palace complex, complete with stunning gardens.
It was re-built at this time by the Nasrid dynasty, who had been pushed further south and east, following the conquests of Toledo, Seville and Cordoba by the Christian kings of Castile. The Nasrids fully intended for the Alhambra and Granada to be an enduring capital for their emirate. It was to be a stronghold which would serve as a base to help them to reconquer Spain (supported by their muslim allies from across the Mediterranean in North Africa).
With this in mind, the Alhambra was both heavily fortified, but also incredibly opulent - aiming to showcase the skill and superiority of Islamic architecture and culture. It was important for the Nasrids to project an image of power and prosperity in order to attract support and to halt the advance of the Christian kings; and the palace was also undoubtedly a vanity project - an attempt to create a paradise on earth.
The Lion's Fountain
The inside of the Alhambra is characterized by its intricate plasterwork, incredible symmetry, beautiful arches and ornate gardens. At the heart of the complex is the Nasrid Palace, which, as the name suggests, was the living quarters of the emir, his family and closest associates. The intricate Arabesque stucco combines with high quality woodwork to produce walls and features which dazzle with their textures and 3 dimensional shapes.
The palace is also filled with fine sculptures, including the fountain of the lions. Like many rulers throughout history, the Nasrids identified themselves with lions to project an image of power and strength. The twelve marble sculptures formed part of a fountain, with water spraying out from the mouth of a different lion each hour. Elsewhere in the palace, the Hall of the Ambassadors was an opulent room designed to welcome important visitors, aiming to both impress and intimidate them into supporting the Nasrids. While the large dining room is dominated by a huge golden honeycomb roof, which reflected the light to create impressive patterns.
Visually it is a stunning complex at first glance, but there is even more to it than meets the eye. The palace was designed using advanced mathematical techniques that allowed an unprecedently high level of engineering. Much of the Alhambra complex is in perfect symmetry. The patterns and plasterwork are consistent mirror images; while the height and the width of the walls are in exact proportion throughout the palace. It is designed to be as aesthetically perfect as possible; even random looking geometric shapes were selected to complement those adjacent or opposite to them.
Generalife Gardens
The construction of the Alhambra also involved cutting edge engineering. Situated on top of a hill in one of the most arid parts of Europe, it was not an easy task to supply the palace with adequate water. And yet the whole complex was filled with fountains, pools, running hot and cold water. Cascading water was even a permanent feature of the palace and the Generalife gardens - designed to provide a pleasant and relaxing background noise.
All this could only be achieved through the construction of a complex system of aqueducts, hydraulic pumps, water towers and storage tanks. The abundance of water features throughout the site is something that was unusual and highly impressive to 14th century visitors. Due to the technical complexity and cost of building and maintaining such water systems, it was a real status symbol that projected the scientific advancement and riches of the Nasrid emirate.
So, the inside of the Alhambra was very much designed to be as close to paradise mere mortals could imagine. It was similar in some ways to other palace cities in Andalucia and elsewhere in the Islamic world, but the aim of the Alhambra was to better them all. The Nasrids didn't want to build just any old stunning palace; they wanted to create artistic perfection.
Alcazaba Fortress
By contrast, from the outside, the Alhambra was designed with functionality in mind. It had a relatively austere appearance, and the priority was on building thick and strong walls that could protect the city from attack. The Emirate of Granada was the last bastion of Muslim rule in Spain and, at the time when the Alhambra was built, the Nasrids were certainly on the back foot. They may have had long term ambitions to reconquer Spain, but they were sensible enough to realize that there was a very good chance that they would come under attack first.
The western part of the Alhambra was the Alcazaba, which served a defensive purpose. Arms were stored here and soldiers were stationed ready to rebel any assault. It was also ideally located, towering over the flat plains to the west of Granada, which was the likely direction from which an attack would come.
From a defensive point of view, the Alhambra was a qualified success for the Nasrids. The Emirate of Granada was able to retain its independence for the best part of two centuries, allowing several generations of rulers to enjoy living in their Paradise on Earth. In truth though, it wasn't the strong walls of the Alhambra that preserved their freedom, but rather it was due to political manoeuvring.
The Nasrids played on the long standing rivalry between the Christian kingdoms of Castile and Aragon. They allied with one side and then the other, as the two Christian kingdoms descended into a long conflict. With their neighbours distracted, the Nasrids even sometimes took advantage to reclaim some territory of their own.
It was all a delicate balancing act, and it highlights the complexity of politics in Medieval Spain. It was not simply a case of Muslims against Christians as it is sometimes presented. Kings, emirs and Caliphs regularly allied with rulers of different religions if it helped them against a political rival or to quell an uprising. Indeed, many Christian kings were even related to Muslim emirs, following centuries of political intermarriages between the states.
Palace of Charles V
In the late 15th century though, the Nasrids luck ran out. The marriage of Queen Isabella of Castille to King Ferdinand of Aragon formally united the Christian rulers in Spain. The Nasrids could no longer play divide and rule, and it wasn't long before Ferdinand and Isabella (known as the Catholic Monarchs due to their religious credentials) set their sights on ending Muslim rule in Spain.
In the year 1490 they besieged the Alhambra palace. Pope Alexander VI (himself from Xativa in Eastern Spain) declared the mission to be a 'Crusade', promising that the sins would be absolved of those who took part in the attempts to take Granada. This saw knights and soldiers flocking to Andalucia from all over Western Europe, looking to get their share of the glory, and to secure themselves a place in heaven.
Faced with insurmountable odds and running low on supplies, the last Nasrid emir - Muhammad XII (or Boabdil) signed a surrender treaty in 1492. The Alhambra was never taken by force. Ultimately, the keys to the city were simply handed over to the Catholic Monarchs.
Ferdinand and Isabella wasted no time in making themselves feel at home. They preferred the luxurious Alhambra to some of their previous residences in Seville and Cordoba, and they spent a year living inside, on a kind of extended honeymoon. During their stay, they devised grand plans to continue their 'Crusade' into North Africa.
As a further attempt to homogenize religion in Spain, it was from the Alhambra that the monarchs issued an infamous decree of 1492 which insisted that all Jews in Spain either convert to Christianity or leave. A few decades later, following a rebellion in the mountain villages around Granada, a similar decree forced all Muslims to convert or leave Spain. All carried out under the watchful eye of the Inquisition. These acts formally ended over 800 years of Muslim and Jewish presence in Spain; a period which did so much to define the unique culture of the region.
The Alhambra continued to be a royal residence for centuries after its conquest by the Catholic monarchs. Most famously of all, their grandson - the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V - started building a dazzling new palace within the complex that still stands today, although it was never actually completed.
Charles, who inherited the religious zeal of his grandparents, didn't have much time to relax in paradise. He spent most of his rule fighting against supporters of protestant reformers such as Martin Luther, as well as trying to deal with the powerful Ottoman Empire under Suleiman the Magnificent.
Albayzin District
Situated to the north of the Alhambra, this is a hilly maze of narrow streets, alleyways, staircases and whitewashed buildings. It was the part of Granada where ordinary people lived under Muslim rule - those not considered important enough to be allowed inside the Alhambra. It can be hard work at time exploring the district, due to the steep gradients and cobbled surfaces, but it's worth the effort. The Albayzin is a really magical place steeped in tradition. Muslim, Christian and Jewish populations lived side by side here as Granada became a populous town in the late Middle Ages.
Today in the Albayzin you can visit the 11th century Arabic bath complex at El Bañuelo, and can pass through the imposing Elvira Gate - the historic entrance to the old town. Most of all though, we recommend wandering the streets and enjoying the tranquility of the district which is dotted with Bohemian cafes and tapas bars. The lively Mirador de San Nicolas is also worth a visit; it is often frequented by buskers, making for a nice atmosphere; and it offers the finest view in the city of the Alhambra complex.
A Sacromonte Cave Dwelling
If you climb high enough through the Albayzin you will eventually arrive at the district of Sacromonte. This beautiful neighbourhood is the traditional home of the Romani people, who settled in the region following the Christian conquest of the city.
Many of the historic houses here are built into the rock and are effectively caves. They were home to people on the fringes of society: the Romani, as well as Jews and Muslims who were no longer welcome in the Albayzin following the activity of the Inquisition. The residents would carry out their business from these claustrophobic dwellings; often making artisanal products for sale at local markets.
At the Sacromonte Caves Museum you can visit several of the caves to see the unusual way in which people lived here.
Granada Cathedral & Santa Fe
The cathedral was constructed in the center of the old Muslim medina, on top of the old mosque, as a way of emphasizing the changing status of Granada. The Catholic rulers of Spain were keen not only to convert Spain's Muslims and Jews to Christianity, but also had grand designs to continue their crusade into Africa.
The plans for domination of the Mediterranean never came to fruition though, for a variety of reasons. Firstly, the emergence of a strong Ottoman Empire helped to push back against Christian expansionism.
Secondly, Christianity became embroiled in its own acrimonious split between the Catholics and the Protestants. The kings of Spain in the 16th and 17th century were from the Habsburg dynasty and were heavily involved in the politics of Central Europe, distracting them from their offensive against their Muslim neighbours in Africa.
Perhaps most significantly of all though, a better option for expansion simply came along.
Columbus picking up supplies in the Canary Islands on his first voyage (Tiles from Plaza España - Seville)
A few miles to the west of Granada is the small town of Santa Fe. This was the place from which Ferdinand and Isabella carried out the final siege of Granada, with Santa Fe constructed on top of the military camp. In the year 1492, just after the Nasrids were handing over the keys to the Alhambra, a visitor showed up in Santa Fe, requesting an audience with the monarchs.
The man was Christopher Columbus, and he was looking for authorization and sponsorship for his planned voyage across the Atlantic. He had promised to find a western route to the Indies, which would allow Spain to steal a march on their Portuguese rivals.
Many naval experts advised Queen Isabella to reject the proposals by Columbus, claiming that he had hugely underestimated the circumference of the earth. But, following the conquest of Granada, Isabella felt that God was on her side and would bring success, so she signed an agreement with Columbus.
Known as the Capitulaciones de Santa Fe, these authorized the voyage, and gave Columbus the title of admiral. Columbus was also permitted to keep 10% of all riches obtained from the voyage.
As it transpired, the critics of Columbus proved to be correct. He had badly mis-calculated the circumference of the earth, and had nowhere near enough provisions to make it to Eastern Asia. But, of course, in late 1492, he stumbled across the Americas instead.
Suddenly a whole new world had opened up before the Spanish crown; a world of huge amounts of gold, silver and near infinite resources. Faced with the prospect of these enormous riches, the idea of a tough religious war in North Africa suddenly didn't look quite so appealing.
Tapas in Granada
Granada is also home to a blossoming craft beer scene, with local breweries such as Menos Lobos and Lanchar producing excellent beers. The larger Alhambra brewery also produces the iconic Reserva 1925 beer, which you will see locals throughout the city drinking, from its distinctive green bottle.
Sierra Nevada National Park
If you are spending a few days in Granada, it is well worth taking a trip out to admire the beautiful natural scenery. In winter you can go skiing, while the rest of the year is great for hiking.
The Sierra Nevada is also popular with cyclists, who want to test themselves on its challenging slopes. There is a road running all the way to the Veleta peak at nearly 3,400m (11,200 ft) altitude, which makes it by far the highest paved road in Europe.
If you prefer more leisurely cycling, you can head to the west of Granada, in the direction of Santa Fé. Off road cycle routes lead all the way out of the city, away from the traffic, and the flat plains and rolling olive groves in this region are a lot of fun to ride.
These are just a few of our favourite highlights in Granada, with a huge focus on the magnificant Alhambra complex. There is so much more to discover though, both here and in the surrounding region of Andalucia. Check out our guides to Seville and Cordoba to find out even more.
Or come and join us on either our guided or self-guided cycling holidays to the region, to witness it all first hand!
Our cycling holidays that visit Granada