Have you heard of this city once? Maybe it reminds you of some important cultural monuments you might have seen on the internet. Granada is located in the south of Spain, close to popular cities such as Seville or Málaga. The city of Granada has a rich cultural heritage and that is one of the reasons why tourism is so important for this Andalusian city. Make sure you visit this place at least once in your live, because when you’ve seen the Alhambra, among others, you will understand why so many people visit this city!
What to do in Granada, Spain
Prepare yourself for one of the most beautiful cities of Spain: Granada. There are so many cultural visits you could make, but for sure, these are the 5 most important.
1. Exploring “La Alhambra”
You’ve must have heard of this place once – it is a large palace complex from the time of the Moors (an Arab population), who ruled Spain in the sixteenth century. The Alhambra is the most visited building of Spain with 2.5 million visitors a year – and for a reason! It is an impressive complex surrounded by nature that gives you stunning views and so many other things to see; palaces, towers, halls and patios… Look at the picture below, of course it wouldn’t surprise you that is has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, right?
To visit this magnificent palace you need entrance tickets. It exists of different parts, a few are free to visit but the 4 most important areas aren’t. Due to the amount of visitors each day, we advise you to buy your tickets well before you leave for Spain.
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2. Discover Generalife
Generalife is a palace and one of the oldest existing Moorish gardens belonging to the Alhambra. It was built in the thirteenth century and includes a long pond bordered by flower beds, fountains, colonnades and pavilions, and also the Garden of the Sultan. If you are going to visit the Alhambra, you should also visit this unique palace and its gardens. You’ll be amazed by its beauty.
You’ll also need tickets to visit Generalife since it is one of the most important parts of Alhambra. This will cost you 14,00 euros more or less, with also entrance to the Alhambra.
3. Walk through the streets of Albaicin
The district of Albaicin is considered one of the best districts of the city of Granada. It is located on a hill, on the other side of the Alhambra. This is the best place to get lost in narrow streets surrounded by white houses with cute gardens. Also here you’ll find many places of interest that remind us of the Islamic origin of the city. The area is also surrounded by defensive walls in order to protect the district when the Ziridic King Zawi lived here.
Important places to visit are the Santa Ana church, the Arab bath, El Mirador de San Nicolás or the Royal Chancellery.
4. Visit the Cathedral of Granada
The Cathedral of Granada cannot be missed either when you are visiting this part of Spain. It is a Roman Catholic church built by Queen Isabella and a masterpiece of the Spanish Renaissance style. The building is huge with impressive facades and an incredible interior. Its altar is amazing and it has several chapels. In addition, it is the 4th biggest cathedral in the world!
5. Skiing? Yes, skiing in Sierra Nevada!
Granada is located right next to sierra nevada, the highest peak in Spain and a beautiful ski resort. If you are planning to stay a while longer in Granada or in the area, we recommend you to visit Sierra Nevada, especially when you love winter sports. You cannot miss to visit this place. Due to the climate and the height differences, you’ll find here exclusive plant species. Besides that, well the picture below says enough, it’s an amazing place for skiing. And since it is located just next to the Mediterranean Sea, sun is guaranteed!
These were the 5 things we recommend you to do when visiting the city of Granada in southern Spain. Yes, the Alhambra is the most important place to visit, but the whole city is full of Arab jewels waiting for you to be discovered. When are you going?