Granada Holidays

Set at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, Granada is truly the jewel in the crown of Andalusia and a perfect starting point for mountain holidays. Granada is served by Federico Garcia Lorca airport, which is a mere 15km from the city and has good rail and road links to the rest of Andalusia. One cannot mention Granada without speaking about the Alhambra palace. This elegant Moorish palace is one of Spain’s and Granada’s most important cultural attractions, and a visit to Granada would not be complete without seeing it. Built in the 14^th century for the last Muslim emir, the architecture is a prime example of intricate arabesque design and together with the gardens and water features make this a truly breath-taking place to visit.

 

Surrounding the Alhambra is the old Moorish medina; a series of spellbinding climbing streets and alleys called the Albaicin. These streets lead to the plaza de San Nicolas, which gives unparalleled views of the Alhambra and in the background the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The plaza is always full of locals and tourists alike taking in the ambience that gives Granada its truly romantic reputation. With a visit in the later stages of the afternoon you may be lucky enough to enjoy an impromptu flamenco concert by one of Granada’s many local performers who make the dramatic backdrop of the Sierra Nevada Mountains their stage.

 

Granada has a wide variety of restaurants and bars dotted around the centre, serving a wide variety of Andalusian, Iberian and European cuisine. A multitude of activities for the cultural tourist include the Gothic Cathedral of Santa Maria de la encarnacion, located in the centre of the city, and the Museo parque de las Ciencias. When tiring of Granada’s endless cultural attractions, a short bus ride away is the Sierra Nevada mountain range, where during the winter months the traveller seeking an activity holiday can ski or snow board, or during the summer months hike, cycle and bird watch. All this contributes to Granada’s fantastic reputation and makes it a destination that you cannot afford to miss when choosing your next mountain holiday.