Granada

Granada is situated at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, Spain’s highest mountain range. The city is about 70kms from the coast, meaning that it is possible to go skiing and sunbathe on the beach in the same day. It is a student city with many people coming from outside to study and it is therefore awash with different cultures, although most people living here are Spanish. Granada is a perfect mix of culture, tranquility and entertainment, making it a wonderful holiday destination all year round.

Towering above the city is the main attraction of Granada, the Alhambra. This is considered by some to be one of the 10 wonders of the world. The Alhambra is a massive castle created over many centuries and consisting of beautiful gardens, high walls for protection and extravagant palaces. It was home to many Arabic Sultans who once ruled the province.

Granada has many beautiful churches, museums, a cathedral and the Monastery of La Cartuja. Located on the hill opposite the Alhambra, the Albaicín is the old Arabic quarter. It is characterised by white washed houses on cobbled streets. It still retains a strong Arabic feel and wherever you look, there is almost always a stunning view of the Alhambra.

A short drive outside the main city centre will take you to the monastery of Sacromonte. Gypsies arrived here about 600 years ago and one of the places where they congregated was in the caves of the Sacromonte. Today, the gypsies descendants put on flamenco shows for tourists, which are a favourite with many visitors.

An hour’s drive from Granada will take you to the beautiful bays of Salobrena. With its golden beaches, it is a perfect place to relax and sunbathe.

There are two main areas full of bars in Granada. Pedro Alarcón attracts a young set of people aged between 18 and 22, while the areas around Plaza Nueva and Calle Elvira are popular with older people.

Granada Airport is situated in Santa Fe, about 16kms west of Granada. It is a modern airport with good facilities. It mainly handles national flights to Madrid and Barcelona, but also offers a daily international flight to London Stanstead.