Sights of Granada
Alcazaba de la Alhambra
Climb the steps to the Torre de la Vela (Watchtower) for some magnificent views of the city and the fertile plain beyond. This is the oldest part of the Alhambra complex, built on the highest point of the hill to defend the royal family and house their army. The original construction had 24 towers altogether, but only a few remain. You can still see the military bathhouses, wells, stores and living quarters as well as some attractive gardens of a later date, the Jardines de los Ardaves.
Museo de Bellas Artes
Even though it's located on the Alhambra hill, you don't have to be visiting the Alhambra complex to come in here. In fact, it's better if you make a totally separate visit because this gallery has nothing to do with the Moorish presence in Granada at all. What you see is a great display of paintings and sculpture with Christian religious themes created by local artists like Alonso Cano, Diego de Silo and Pedro de Mena during the 16th and 17th centuries. The last rooms show some minor paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Palacio de Carlos V
This magnificent Renaissance palace has two museums worth visiting either before or after the rest of the Alhambra complex. The ground floor Alhambra Museum displays a wonderful collection of furniture, paintings, ceramics and coins from the Nasrid period. The Fine Art Museum upstairs contains some excellent religious paintings and sculpture from the 16th and 17th centuries along with some of David Roberts' 19th-century watercolours. The palace itself dates from a later period than the neighbouring Moorish palaces. It was built by Pedro Machuca, a former pupil of Michelangelo, for Emperor Carlos V in 1527. The central courtyard now acts as an atmospheric venue for orchestras and theatre companies during the International Music and Dance Festival.
Mirador de San Nicolás
The views over the Alhambra and the Generalife Gardens with the Sierra Nevada mountains in the background are unforgettable. You get access to the rest of the atmospheric old Moorish quarter of the Albayzín from this point as well. The shrine dedicated to Granada's patron saint, San Cecilio, is just 100m away, along Callejón de San Cecilio.
Plaza de Bib-Rambla
This attractive square is filled with stalls selling all manner of colourful flowers, plants and ornamental trees. It's also lined with cafes and restaurants where you can sit outside and enjoy the atmosphere. You'll find lots of trendy fashion retailers in the square and surrounding streets, like Los Muñecos. It's easy to get to some of the most interesting historic sights from here. The nearest is the old Moorish silk market, or Alcaicería, and next door to that are the Cathedral, Royal Chapel and Arab University.
Sierra Nevada
This mountain chain offers great skiing in winter and abundant wildlife in spring and summer. Spain's largest ski resort is here, just 35km (40min) from the city. It has all the facilities you need for a week's holiday or a simple day trip. There's skiing from December to April and lots of sunny weather, too. In fact, Granada is bidding for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Natural Park status means the wildlife is protected. Come up in late spring and summer and you'll see a rich variety of wild flowers and butterflies along with bird life and wild mountain goats. There's a high-altitude fitness-training centre here with fantastic facilities. In summer, you can trek up to the highest peak in mainland Spain, Mulhacen (3479m).
Costa Tropical
You'll find some nice beaches and lovely rocky coves along the province's 60km coastline. There's good swimming, scuba-diving and water-skiing to be had. This is where the locals go on holiday and consequently the prices are lower and the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly rather than totally commercial. On your way, you'll see sugar cane, avocados, mangos, bananas and custard apples growing. That's how it got its name. Try the fresh fish and the tropical fruit salads.
Climb the steps to the Torre de la Vela (Watchtower) for some magnificent views of the city and the fertile plain beyond. This is the oldest part of the Alhambra complex, built on the highest point of the hill to defend the royal family and house their army. The original construction had 24 towers altogether, but only a few remain. You can still see the military bathhouses, wells, stores and living quarters as well as some attractive gardens of a later date, the Jardines de los Ardaves.
Museo de Bellas Artes
Even though it's located on the Alhambra hill, you don't have to be visiting the Alhambra complex to come in here. In fact, it's better if you make a totally separate visit because this gallery has nothing to do with the Moorish presence in Granada at all. What you see is a great display of paintings and sculpture with Christian religious themes created by local artists like Alonso Cano, Diego de Silo and Pedro de Mena during the 16th and 17th centuries. The last rooms show some minor paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Palacio de Carlos V
This magnificent Renaissance palace has two museums worth visiting either before or after the rest of the Alhambra complex. The ground floor Alhambra Museum displays a wonderful collection of furniture, paintings, ceramics and coins from the Nasrid period. The Fine Art Museum upstairs contains some excellent religious paintings and sculpture from the 16th and 17th centuries along with some of David Roberts' 19th-century watercolours. The palace itself dates from a later period than the neighbouring Moorish palaces. It was built by Pedro Machuca, a former pupil of Michelangelo, for Emperor Carlos V in 1527. The central courtyard now acts as an atmospheric venue for orchestras and theatre companies during the International Music and Dance Festival.
Mirador de San Nicolás
The views over the Alhambra and the Generalife Gardens with the Sierra Nevada mountains in the background are unforgettable. You get access to the rest of the atmospheric old Moorish quarter of the Albayzín from this point as well. The shrine dedicated to Granada's patron saint, San Cecilio, is just 100m away, along Callejón de San Cecilio.
Plaza de Bib-Rambla
This attractive square is filled with stalls selling all manner of colourful flowers, plants and ornamental trees. It's also lined with cafes and restaurants where you can sit outside and enjoy the atmosphere. You'll find lots of trendy fashion retailers in the square and surrounding streets, like Los Muñecos. It's easy to get to some of the most interesting historic sights from here. The nearest is the old Moorish silk market, or Alcaicería, and next door to that are the Cathedral, Royal Chapel and Arab University.
Sierra Nevada
This mountain chain offers great skiing in winter and abundant wildlife in spring and summer. Spain's largest ski resort is here, just 35km (40min) from the city. It has all the facilities you need for a week's holiday or a simple day trip. There's skiing from December to April and lots of sunny weather, too. In fact, Granada is bidding for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Natural Park status means the wildlife is protected. Come up in late spring and summer and you'll see a rich variety of wild flowers and butterflies along with bird life and wild mountain goats. There's a high-altitude fitness-training centre here with fantastic facilities. In summer, you can trek up to the highest peak in mainland Spain, Mulhacen (3479m).
Costa Tropical
You'll find some nice beaches and lovely rocky coves along the province's 60km coastline. There's good swimming, scuba-diving and water-skiing to be had. This is where the locals go on holiday and consequently the prices are lower and the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly rather than totally commercial. On your way, you'll see sugar cane, avocados, mangos, bananas and custard apples growing. That's how it got its name. Try the fresh fish and the tropical fruit salads.