2023-04-19 02:27:31
When you think of a city break in Andalusia, Seville or Málaga certainly come to mind. Both cities stand for magnificent architecture, long nights, lots of culture and Spanish temperament.
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And you get all of that just an hour and a half from Malaga in a much quieter city. Reasons for a (perfect) city trip to Granada.
1. No city that drives you insane
City breaks allow us to dive deep into a part of the country’s culture in a short time. But then we often allow ourselves to be rushed by the stress of the big city. Granada is pure therapy.
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The city gives you the feeling of slowing down and letting everything go by at walking pace. Stop sometimes, engage reverse gear or do the same lap several times.
But: Actually, the comparison with the car is wrong, because you can visit the most important things in Granada on foot. And despite the manageable size with around 240,000 inhabitants, there is something to discover around every corner.
2. The picturesque streets
What would a city trip be without food for your social media channels or grandma’s photo album for Christmas? For Granada you need to free up space on your camera or phone. The best way to combine sightseeing, education and photography is on a walking tour with a local.
A detour to the old Moorish quarter of Albaicín is a must. And, promised, while strolling through the streets, your finger sticks to the shutter release.
There is still nothing going on in front of the Café 4 Gatos, in the evening night owls enjoy a cool drink.
© Source: Nathalie Schwertner
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And of course you will discover the most beautiful corners when you deviate from the usual tourist paths. Anyone who makes it to the top of the labyrinth of alleys can recreate the typical Granada postcard motif from the Mirador de San Nicolás.
This small square is hidden between the residential buildings a few levels below the prominent Mirador de San Nicolás. Young people hang out here, there is a suspicious smell in the air.
© Source: Nathalie Schwertner
3. The cultural mix
Two other reasons for Granada are the fusion of different cultures and the contrasts in general. Muslim kingdom under Moorish rule meets European Renaissance under Spanish crown. Hipster cafés line up with traditional shops, the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada clash with the lush green of the palm trees. Something from all worlds.
On the highest level in the Albaicín district, a stone’s throw from the Mirador de San Nicolás, the Great Mosque (Mezquita Mayor de Granada) was opened in 2003 for Muslims returning to Granada. The guide says: The most Instagrammable corner of the city.
© Source: Nathalie Schwertner
Travel back in time at the city’s oldest Arab bath, the 11th-century Hamam El Bañuelo (Calle Carrera del Darro, 31). Or you actually go swimming, for example in the Hammam Al Ándalus (Calle Sta. Ana, 16).
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A Spanish café con leche, ground from the Robusta bean, teleports you into the here and now, while in the evening the sundowner with Alhambra beer releases you comfortably into the night.
My tip: Travel to Andalusia at Easter. Then you will witness the Easter processions during Semana Santa. During the holy week, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, hooded figures, so-called Costaleros, parade through the streets surrounded by crowds.
The Nazarenos and Penitentes do penance. Partly barefoot and hooded, they silently accompany the paso through the streets. The pointed hoods have nothing to do with the Ku Klux Klan.
© Source: Nathalie Schwertner
Hollywood star and acting legend Antonio Banderas also mingled with the crowd. Every year, locals rumor has it that he might be carrying the paso (a table-shaped structure with a statue of Mary or a scene of the Cross on it), and if so, in which procession – albeit in his hometown of Málaga.
The eye-catcher of the processions are the pasos, on each of which a scene from the Way of the Cross or the mourning of the Virgin Mary is depicted. The 30 to 250 bearers (Costaleros) lift an immense load.
© Source: Nathalie Schwertner
4. Cockaigne for foodies
In Granada, the tradition of tapas is still lived “as it used to be” in all of Andalusia. A little something to eat is served with every drink – on the house!
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When planning a trip, you will often hear regarding the Diamond Bar (Plaza Nueva, 13) stumbled as the best tapas bar. Established in 1942, the mussels with white wine sauce or Galician-style squid (pulpo á la gallega) are a treat for all seafood lovers.
Snack in Spanish.
© Source: Nathalie Schwertner
Locally produced olive oil is never missing from the dishes, following all Granada is surrounded by olive groves. If you discover a toasted white bread with finely chopped tomatoes, garlic and manchego on the menu, be sure to soak it in the liquid gold. Simple, but incredibly tasty. favorite address: Café 4 Gatos (Placeta Cruz Verde, 6) overlooking the Alhambra.
Do you have a sweet tooth? Then the traditional breakfast of the region will give you a sugar shock in the morning. Churros with melted dark chocolate or the lighter version with coffee.
The most important rule: Always tap nicely. favorite address: Gran Cafe Bib Rambla (Plaza de Bib-Rambla, 3).
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Breakfast is served in a very unpretentious manner. But it does what it promises: taste incredibly good and fill you up.
© Source: Nathalie Schwertner
Less powerful is the small cake Pionono, traditionally made in Santa Fe, a town near Granada. The pastry is rolled up from several thin layers of dough covered with syrup and filled with caramelized cream. Almost every bakery/patisserie and almost every café offers them.
As a snack you can treat yourself to candied almonds. You can try them in the display of Sabor a España (Carrera del Darro, 49) right on the Darro River.
A sweet refreshment for in between.
© Source: Nathalie Schwertner
If you still have space in your stomach, you can visit the San Agustín Market Hall (Plaza de San Agustín, S/N). There are numerous local gourmet products – above all the air-dried ham from the region. And it is also suitable as a souvenir.
Restaurant tip: Im Morayma viewpoint (Calle Pianista García Carrillo, 2) the cuisine is a bit more upscale, as are the prices. But you have a direct view of the Alhambra – even from the toilet!
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5. The liveliness of a historical city
You think that Granada is only for tiring walks with a full stomach? Not even close. When the sun goes down, the city really revs up. As in many southern European countries, the bars only fill up following dark. People enjoy vino, discuss loudly and gesticulate wildly with tapas in their hands. Laugh, celebrate, live. And you in the middle.
Granada is a historic tourist destination by day and a vibrant university city by night. The classic evening program begins with a tapas crawl tour. A drink, a free tapa, move on.
Strengthened, you should head to Sacromonte, the traditional neighborhood of the Gitanos, the Roma population in Granada. The next long-cherished tradition is waiting for you there: Flamenco. Along the Camino de Sacromonte, women dance gracefully in their opulent robes in hidden caves, while the musicians set the beat. It is advisable to buy tickets in advance. Many accommodations offer a shuttle service to the caves.
Infected by dance fever, you can party through Granada’s balmy summer nights in clubs: the largest and most famous is this Mae West (Centro Comercial Neptuno, C/Arabial, s/n) south of the center.
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6. The Alhambra: Very close to the Orient
You don’t have to be a history nerd or an art connoisseur to be captivated by the Alhambra. The approximately 13-hectare facility looks like a city within a city. The “Red Fortress” (derived from the Arabic “qasr al-hamra”) is enthroned on the Sabikah hill above Granada.
For orientation: The Alhambra can be roughly divided into four areas, namely the Palacio de Generalife outside the fortress walls, the Medina, the Nasrid Palaces (also Palacios Nacaríes) and the Alcazaba.
© Source: Nathalie Schwertner
Many tourists come only because of her – more than two million people want to see the legacy of the Moorish settlers every year. The Moors, primarily from the North African countries of Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco, conquered the Iberian Peninsula from the eighth century.
The so-called Nasrids ruled, Granada remained the last bastion of the Muslim rulers in Europe until 1492 (now something should be ringing for you). Islamic art has remained until today: ceramics, knotted carpets, gold and glitter and detailed decorations on facades.
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Is too much history for you? Don’t worry, the pretty gardens, the magnificent palaces and the monumental fortifications will distract you and ensure you some snaps.
The Palacio de Generalife was to become the most beautiful country estate far and wide. The resort was once separate from the rest of the Alhambra. It was to be used as a garden and for growing vegetables and fruit.
© Source: Nathalie Schwertner
Tip: reserve tickets for the Alhambra as early as possible. These are sometimes sold out weeks or even months in advance. Depending on the season, the Unesco World Heritage Site caps the maximum number of visitors at around 6,000 to 7,000 people a day.
You can get tickets via the official site the Alhambra. The prices start at five euros, you pay a maximum of 17 euros. In the case of the offers, you should read carefully in advance which buildings you will be granted access to.
Because the jewel of the Alhambra, the Nasrid Palaces, is only included with certain tickets – timeslots are also allocated for the visit, which you must adhere to. The most coveted ticket is certainly the “Alhambra General”, the all-inclusive offer. For the complete tour you need at least three hours and sturdy, comfortable shoes.
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If this is out of stock, you can also get tickets from external (reputable!) providers, such as Get Your Guide. Most of the time you have to pay more.
It takes regarding 20 minutes to walk from Paseo de los Tristes or Plaza del Realejo. No matter which way you choose, depending on the pace, both replace leg and butt training. Buses C3 and C4 go up from Isabel La Católica Square, there is also the tourist train “Granada City Tour‘, a hop-on hop-off bus.
Tips for trips around Granada
Even if Granada is an all-rounder, Andalusia is simply ideal for a road trip. Therefore, you should also make time for excursions outside of the city.
- Sierra Nevada: Hike or bike through the highest mountain range in mainland Spain and the southernmost ski area in Europe. The highest peak, the Mulhacén, measures 3,481 meters.
- Alpujarras: On the southern slope of the Sierra Nevada, between gorges and terraced fields, the white facades of the small villages stand out. The former Moorish settlements are reminiscent of the Atlas Mountains in Morocco.
- Do you prefer sea air? Then visit the 12,000-inhabitant town of Salobreña. It is a good example of the many all-white towns in Andalucia.
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