Reviewed on Sep. 13, 2020
Reviewed on Feb. 17, 2020
Reviewed on Jan. 28, 2020
The medieval architecture, mountain backdrop and thriving food and art scenes of this Spanish city offer a magical combination of culture and natural beauty. Granada offers visitors a blend of old and new with dynamic culinary and arts scenes, ancient buildings and beautiful mountains.
The city’s famed architecture is a major draw for many visitors. Start your tour in the streets of the Albaycin, the city’s old Muslim district, where you can admire centuries-old mosques and churches. Visit the Baroque-style Cartuja Monastery where you’ll find paintings by Juan Sánchez Cotán, a Spanish Baroque painter best known for his still lifes.
Art lovers will also appreciate the collection of paintings by acclaimed abstract expressionist artist José Guerrero held at the Centro José Guerrero. To learn more about another famous native, visit the nearby Federico Garcia Lorca Museum (Casa Museo Federico Garcia Lorca de Valderrubio). This museum celebrates the life of one Granada’s most famous poets and was once his home.
Younger visitors to Granada will enjoy the interactive exhibits, planetarium and butterfly garden at the Science Park (Parque de las Ciencias).
Along with an appreciation for art, Granada also places importance on its culinary scene. Many city establishments serve small plates of tapas for free when you buy a drink. Find many such tapas bars on Calle Panaderos, which leads off Plaza Larga, and Calle Elvira.
Granada sits along the Genil River, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The mountains provide attractions in both summer and winter. The highest peak is Mulhacen, which measures 11,411 feet (3,478 meters). Go trekking in the summer when the valleys offer a cooler climate to the Andalusian heat that nearby Cordoba and Seville experience. A ski resort, which hosted the FIS Alpine World Ski Championship in 1996, opens in the winter months.
Granada’s narrow and winding streets make driving in the city difficult. Getting around is easiest on foot as the major attractions are closely grouped. Alternatively, catch the red and white Alhambra Bus; this service stops at most of the places you’ll want to visit.