Discover Granada

First impressions of Granada

Granada is one of the most romantic cities in Spain — a hot, dramatic Andalusian town tucked into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, with the snow-capped mountains rising behind, the historic Albayzín Moorish quarter cascading down a hillside, and one of the most extraordinary buildings ever constructed dominating the centre. The Alhambra palace complex — the last great work of Moorish Iberia, built by the Nasrid dynasty between the 13th and 15th centuries and one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture anywhere in the world — spreads across a long forested ridge above the city, with the dazzling Nasrid Palaces (the Court of the Lions and the Court of the Myrtles are the most photographed spaces in Spain), the ruined Alcazaba fortress, the elegant Generalife summer palace and water gardens, and Charles V's stark Renaissance palace from the early 16th century. Book Alhambra tickets months in advance — they sell out reliably. Below, the medieval Albayzín district (UNESCO-listed, the best-preserved Moorish urban quarter in Spain) is a labyrinth of cobbled lanes; the panoramic Mirador de San Nicolás at the top gives the iconic sunset view back to the Alhambra and the Sierra Nevada beyond. Don't miss the historic Sacromonte cave dwellings (with flamenco zambra performances), the spectacular Royal Chapel where Isabella and Ferdinand are buried, and the famous Granada tradition of free tapas with every drink ordered.