DESTINATION REPORT
GRANADA, SPAIN
A jewel of Andalusia, most visitors come to Granada to see
the Alhambra Palace, built by
the Nasrid Dynasty in the eleventh through the fifteenth centuries, before the
kingdom fell to the "Catholic Kings" of Spain in 1492. The Alhambra and the adjacent barrios of the
Albaycin and Sacromonte merit as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Palace has
the finest examples of Mudejar architecture still extant in 
Europe, while the Albaycin and Sacromonte, with their whitewashed houses
and cave dwellings, preserve the character of an Arab neighborhood. Arab
murallas, or city walls crisscross
the landscape, interrupted by magnificent gates with distinctive horseshoe
arches.
Do not simply go to the Alhambra and think that is all there is in Granada. Walk through the Albaycin, visit the Sacromonte Interpretive Center to see the cave dwellings of the gypsies, where flamenco culture breeds, and stroll in the center around Plaza Nueva and the Cathedral. The old Jewish quarter of Realejo also deserves a stroll, with many beautiful churches and plazas, and a good selection of restaurants--this is the up-and-coming historic neighborhood of the city.
Granada has a number of excellent dining opportunities, and remains the center of tapa culture in Spain, surpassing even Seville. Try the many bars, cafes, and restaurants around Plaza Nueva and off of the adjacent Calle Elvira.
Hotels and Accommodations
Alhambra Vistas Vacation Rentals: Apartment rentals in the Albaycin, with views of the Alhambra and Sierra Nevada mountains.
Alhambra Palace Hotel: one of our favorites in
the world, though dine elsewhere
Parador of Granada: the best location of all, actually inside the palace complex; reserve far in advance
Cooking School
Granada Cooking School: Daily classes and more intensive 3- and 4-day programs