Rose Thuy's Guidebook for Granada
Sightseeing
The Alhambra is a superb collection of buildings and gardens. The poplar groves are dense there, and provide pleasant shade and coolness, enhanced by the abundant water features and streams.
It was the largest political and aristocratic center of the Muslim West. The palace enclosure is made up of rectangular courtyards of great beauty, with numerous fountains, not forgetting the Nasrid buildings where the kings and their servants lived. The oldest building is the Alcazaba. One of the most important constructions is the watchtower, which offers a spectacular panorama of the Alhambra. The courtyard of the Lions and its fountain form one of the most beautiful ensembles of the enclosure.
Alhambra is the top tourist destination in the whole of Spain, with thousands of people pouring through its halls and gardens each and every day.
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Alhambra
s/n C. Real de la AlhambraThe Alhambra is a superb collection of buildings and gardens. The poplar groves are dense there, and provide pleasant shade and coolness, enhanced by the abundant water features and streams.
It was the largest political and aristocratic center of the Muslim West. The palace enclosure is made up of rectangular courtyards of great beauty, with numerous fountains, not forgetting the Nasrid buildings where the kings and their servants lived. The oldest building is the Alcazaba. One of the most important constructions is the watchtower, which offers a spectacular panorama of the Alhambra. The courtyard of the Lions and its fountain form one of the most beautiful ensembles of the enclosure.
Alhambra is the top tourist destination in the whole of Spain, with thousands of people pouring through its halls and gardens each and every day.
One of the most popular hilltop lookouts in Spain offers incredible views of the city of Granada, the Alhambra and the mountainous landscape beyond.
The Mirador San Nicolás is a hilltop plaza at one of the highest points of the Albaicín, Granada’s old Moorish quarter. This well-known lookout point provides panoramic views of the city, the magnificent Alhambra fortress-palace, the Vega de Granada (Meadows of Granada) and the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
This is a place to linger, so take your time to appreciate the views. Most visitors to Granada come here at least once, so you may have to wait a few minutes before you get the best viewing spots. These are by the small stone wall that faces the palace and mountains.
When you’ve finished admiring the sights, enjoy the plaza’s lively atmosphere. Street musicians and performers often perform here at the very least you’ll find someone playing some gentle flamenco on a guitar. Pack a picnic, sample some tapas in a nearby bar or treat yourself to a meal in one of the many restaurants, which offer unforgettable views.
After you’ve taken in the views, check out the local crafts and souvenirs at the artisan stalls. Visit the 16th-century Church of St. Nicolás at the rear of the plaza. Another religious site to look at is the shrine to San Cecilio, Granada’s patron saint. A Christian missionary in the 1st century and the city’s first bishop, his chapel sits in a narrow, cobbled street called Callejon de San Cecilio.
The Mirador San Nicolás is popular at all times of the day whatever the season. For the best photographs visit at sunset when the sun dips below the mountains and the Alhambra is illuminated in golden light on al-Sabika Hill. Do keep an eye on your belongings, as pickpockets are known to take advantage of those captivated by the views.
The nicest way to get to Mirador San Nicolás, is to walk along the winding cobblestone streets that lead from the Albaicín. A steady walk at a causal pace takes about 15-20 minutes. Alternatively, take the a bus from Plaza Nueva and enjoy the bumpy twisty ride to the top.
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Mirador San Nicolás
2 Plaza Mirador de San NicolásOne of the most popular hilltop lookouts in Spain offers incredible views of the city of Granada, the Alhambra and the mountainous landscape beyond.
The Mirador San Nicolás is a hilltop plaza at one of the highest points of the Albaicín, Granada’s old Moorish quarter. This well-known lookout point provides panoramic views of the city, the magnificent Alhambra fortress-palace, the Vega de Granada (Meadows of Granada) and the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
This is a place to linger, so take your time to appreciate the views. Most visitors to Granada come here at least once, so you may have to wait a few minutes before you get the best viewing spots. These are by the small stone wall that faces the palace and mountains.
When you’ve finished admiring the sights, enjoy the plaza’s lively atmosphere. Street musicians and performers often perform here at the very least you’ll find someone playing some gentle flamenco on a guitar. Pack a picnic, sample some tapas in a nearby bar or treat yourself to a meal in one of the many restaurants, which offer unforgettable views.
After you’ve taken in the views, check out the local crafts and souvenirs at the artisan stalls. Visit the 16th-century Church of St. Nicolás at the rear of the plaza. Another religious site to look at is the shrine to San Cecilio, Granada’s patron saint. A Christian missionary in the 1st century and the city’s first bishop, his chapel sits in a narrow, cobbled street called Callejon de San Cecilio.
The Mirador San Nicolás is popular at all times of the day whatever the season. For the best photographs visit at sunset when the sun dips below the mountains and the Alhambra is illuminated in golden light on al-Sabika Hill. Do keep an eye on your belongings, as pickpockets are known to take advantage of those captivated by the views.
The nicest way to get to Mirador San Nicolás, is to walk along the winding cobblestone streets that lead from the Albaicín. A steady walk at a causal pace takes about 15-20 minutes. Alternatively, take the a bus from Plaza Nueva and enjoy the bumpy twisty ride to the top.
The palatial summer retreat of the Alhambra is one of the world’s great gardens and a fascinating window into the lives and loves of Granada’s Moorish rulers.
Palacio de Generalife was a royal summer retreat within the Alhambra, a magnificent fortress that housed the sultans who ruled Granada until 1492. This soothing sanctuary of pools, courtyards, flower borders, mazes, topiaries and walkways is considered one of the world’s great gardens and continues to influence garden design today.
The main building is a 14th-century palace where the sultans used to relax with their harems. Tour its rooms and courtyards and then step out into the palace’s main attraction, its gardens. Enjoy a stroll in the Patio de la Acequia (Water-Garden Courtyard) among myrtle bushes, cypresses and orange trees. The focal point is a long pool surrounded by water jets that make a series of arches over it.
Enter the Patio de los Cipreses (Court of the Cypresses) a walled garden where the Sultana Zoraya is believed to have met her lover. See the trunk of a 700-year-old cypress where they are said to have enjoyed their trysts. Delight in the sight and sounds of the ponds, pools and fountains and inhale the heady scents of hundreds of colorful plant species. Pass through archways that have been created from tall cypress hedges.
To reach the upper gardens walk up the stone steps of the Water Stairway. As you do so, look to your left and right to the place where handrails should be. You’ll see channels cut into the stone where water can flow. Amble along the Promenade of the Oleanders, a shaded pathway covered by oleanders that runs along the top of the wall dividing the gardens.
Although part of the Alhambra, the Palacio Generalife is separate from the main complex. It can be reached on foot from downtown Granada or by bus. For drivers thereis free parking. The attraction is open daily and several ticket options are available depending on whether you want to see all of the Alhambra or just the palace. Check out the Alhambra’s official website for details.
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Generalife
The palatial summer retreat of the Alhambra is one of the world’s great gardens and a fascinating window into the lives and loves of Granada’s Moorish rulers.
Palacio de Generalife was a royal summer retreat within the Alhambra, a magnificent fortress that housed the sultans who ruled Granada until 1492. This soothing sanctuary of pools, courtyards, flower borders, mazes, topiaries and walkways is considered one of the world’s great gardens and continues to influence garden design today.
The main building is a 14th-century palace where the sultans used to relax with their harems. Tour its rooms and courtyards and then step out into the palace’s main attraction, its gardens. Enjoy a stroll in the Patio de la Acequia (Water-Garden Courtyard) among myrtle bushes, cypresses and orange trees. The focal point is a long pool surrounded by water jets that make a series of arches over it.
Enter the Patio de los Cipreses (Court of the Cypresses) a walled garden where the Sultana Zoraya is believed to have met her lover. See the trunk of a 700-year-old cypress where they are said to have enjoyed their trysts. Delight in the sight and sounds of the ponds, pools and fountains and inhale the heady scents of hundreds of colorful plant species. Pass through archways that have been created from tall cypress hedges.
To reach the upper gardens walk up the stone steps of the Water Stairway. As you do so, look to your left and right to the place where handrails should be. You’ll see channels cut into the stone where water can flow. Amble along the Promenade of the Oleanders, a shaded pathway covered by oleanders that runs along the top of the wall dividing the gardens.
Although part of the Alhambra, the Palacio Generalife is separate from the main complex. It can be reached on foot from downtown Granada or by bus. For drivers thereis free parking. The attraction is open daily and several ticket options are available depending on whether you want to see all of the Alhambra or just the palace. Check out the Alhambra’s official website for details.
Neighborhoods
Situated beneath the Alhambra is Granada’s main square, a spacious public plaza known for its cafés, bars and views which span the city’s rich history.
Historic buildings, pavement café’s and a position in the heart of the old city make Plaza Nueva a popular place for visitors and locals alike. The name may translate as “New Plaza” but the square is in fact one of the oldest in the city. It was built in the 16th century to cover up part of the River Darro and create more space.
Take a good look at the plaza and some of its buildings. On the north side is the Real Chancilleria (Royal Chancery) that was built at the same time as the square and served as a law court and prison. Today, this grand building with its Baroque and Renaissance façade is the headquarters of the High Court of Andalusia.
Walk across the plaza and step inside the Iglesia de San Gil y Santa Ana. The 16th-century church was built on the site of a former mosque and features several chapels and religious sculptures and paintings. The church’s bell tower was converted from the mosque’s minaret.
Granada is well known throughout Spain for the quality and variety of its tapas dishes, the appetizers served with beer and wine. Sample some of the regional tapas in one of the square’s many bars and cafés. Take a seat at an outdoor terrace and enjoy the views up the hill to the Alhambra, the Moorish palace-fortress that dominates Granada’s skyline. Opposite the Alhambra you’ll see part of the old Moorish quarter, the Albaicin.
The plaza is a good starting off point to explore the Carrera del Darro, one of the most photographed streets in the city. The scenic cobblestone thoroughfare leads off the square and runs parallel to the Darro River. It passes centuries-old palaces, churches and homes and is crossed by stone bridges. Another road leading out from the square is the Cuesta de Gomerez that goes all the way up to the Alhambra.
Plaza Nueva is in the center of the old city, a 5-minute walk from the cathedral and a 30-minute walk from the Alhambra.
Plaza Nueva
Plaza NuevaSituated beneath the Alhambra is Granada’s main square, a spacious public plaza known for its cafés, bars and views which span the city’s rich history.
Historic buildings, pavement café’s and a position in the heart of the old city make Plaza Nueva a popular place for visitors and locals alike. The name may translate as “New Plaza” but the square is in fact one of the oldest in the city. It was built in the 16th century to cover up part of the River Darro and create more space.
Take a good look at the plaza and some of its buildings. On the north side is the Real Chancilleria (Royal Chancery) that was built at the same time as the square and served as a law court and prison. Today, this grand building with its Baroque and Renaissance façade is the headquarters of the High Court of Andalusia.
Walk across the plaza and step inside the Iglesia de San Gil y Santa Ana. The 16th-century church was built on the site of a former mosque and features several chapels and religious sculptures and paintings. The church’s bell tower was converted from the mosque’s minaret.
Granada is well known throughout Spain for the quality and variety of its tapas dishes, the appetizers served with beer and wine. Sample some of the regional tapas in one of the square’s many bars and cafés. Take a seat at an outdoor terrace and enjoy the views up the hill to the Alhambra, the Moorish palace-fortress that dominates Granada’s skyline. Opposite the Alhambra you’ll see part of the old Moorish quarter, the Albaicin.
The plaza is a good starting off point to explore the Carrera del Darro, one of the most photographed streets in the city. The scenic cobblestone thoroughfare leads off the square and runs parallel to the Darro River. It passes centuries-old palaces, churches and homes and is crossed by stone bridges. Another road leading out from the square is the Cuesta de Gomerez that goes all the way up to the Alhambra.
Plaza Nueva is in the center of the old city, a 5-minute walk from the cathedral and a 30-minute walk from the Alhambra.
Food scene
Plaza de San Nicolás
Plaza de San NicolásYou can find some nice restaurants in this area
Plaza Nueva
Plaza NuevaThere are many restaurants in this area. It’s more crowded than in Plaza San Nicolas
Porady dla podróżnych
Poruszanie się po okolicy
Bus travel is very convenient
An ordinary bus ticket costs 1.40 euros. If you buy a travel card (Credibus) the bus trip would cost you between 0,83 and 0,87 euros, the price of the trip and travel money you'll receive on your travel card will depend on the type of card you buy (5, 10 or 20 euros).
You can buy bus tickets and buy/recharge 5, 10, 20 euros travel cards from the bus driver or by paying at ticket vending machines that are located at some of the city bus stops. With a CrediBus you are entitled to make free transfers to other urban buses within 60 minutes of first boarding.