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The city of Granada, one of the best tourist destinations in Spain
The most beautiful places to discover the most beautiful city in Andalusia
At the foot of the mountain known as Sierra Nevada, lies the majestic city of Granada, which attracts millions of tourists each year.
Granada was during the Arab domination in Spain, the capital of the Muslim kingdoms from the 13th century until 1492, when the Catholic Monarchs took control of this city.
The beauty of its ancient architecture is remarkable, which places it among the best tourist destinations in Spain. Some of the places you can visit in this city are considered by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
The essential places you should visit in Granada
1. The Alhambra
It is the most visited monument in all of Spain, and it was also declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
The Alhambra is the most iconic place in all Granada, with its Nasrid palaces, gardens, old mosques, its wall, and the majestic Sierra Nevada in the background.
This complex was built in the 9th century as a military fortress, until in the 13th century the Nasrid king Mohamed I decided to use this fortress as his royal palace.
However, it would be in the fourteenth century when it would acquire the grandeur and majesty that we can appreciate today.
Among the essential visits to the Alhambra, you must visit:
The High Gardens of the Generalife.
The Courtyard of the Cypress of the Sultana.
The Arab Baths of the Mosque.
The Convent of San Francisco.
As a curious fact, the Alhambra can be visited at night, and if you do the night visit, you will not regret it, since the play of lights inside will create an incomparable atmosphere.
2. Granada Cathedral
The waste of lavishness that you will find inside this magnanimous Spanish cathedral is one of the unmissable visits in the city of Granada.
Once you enter this temple, you will feel that you are in a heavenly work.
On the outside, the façade belongs to the Spanish Renaissance period, with its columns crowned with arches, which despite showing great beauty and elegance; they look quite sober when compared to the magical beauty of their interior.
Inside the cathedral you will find incredible stained glass windows, domes adorned with majestic paintings, the organ, marble columns, and wonderful sculptures.
In addition to this, you can visit the tombs of the Catholic Monarchs who recovered Granada for Catholicism: Isabel I of Castile "La Católica", and Fernando II of Aragón.
3. Palace of Charles V
As in the present times, many tourists and visitors fall in love with the roads of Granada, as well as with the Alhambra.
In the 16th century, King Carlos V, owner of a large number of territories around the world, wanted to have his court and residence in this city, in order to admire the Alhambra.
The square shape of this palace acquires greater scope with a central circular patio, which together with its height of 17 meters, gave the Palace of Carlos V, the renowned title of the best building of the Spanish Renaissance.
Today, two important museums of the city of Granada operates inside:
The Alhambra Museum : where you will find a journey through the history of the Muslim occupation in Spain, which lasted nearly seven centuries.
The Museum of Fine Arts of Granada: a place where sculptures, paintings, and other pieces, dedicated to various artists of the city, stand out in their exhibitions, religious art.
The Palace of Carlos V could be included in your visit to the Alhambra, since both buildings communicate with each other.
4. Albaicin neighborhood
The magical cobbled streets of this neighborhood, and the Arab aspect along with that of other cultures; They give El Albaicín a unique touch of great beauty, which has made it be considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Located in front of the Alhambra, it was during the time of the Muslims, a very prosperous place where there were palaces and beautiful mosques.
Nowadays, the vestiges of numerous civilizations that have populated the Spanish soil can be seen; such as the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Visigoths, or the stages that go from the reconquest of the Catholic Monarchs to the present.
It is a place that you cannot miss when traveling to Granada, and an unforgettable walk, in which you will appreciate:
El Bañuelo, or the 11th century Arab bath.
The Church of Saint Nicholas.
The Paseo de los Tristes, with its beautiful streets.
The Palace of Dar al-Horra, the only Muslim palace still standing in Granada.
5. Calle Navas
Calle Navas is one of the busiest places for tourism in Granada.
It is a place where you will find some of the best places to enjoy Andalusian cuisine.
Several of the most emblematic bars in the city and places to enjoy "tapas" are located here.
In a tour of narrow streets, but full of great beauty.
If you are wondering what kind of food you can get on Calle Navas, the answer is fish and shellfish, since they are the main stars of most of the dishes that you will taste in this important tourist site.
Without a doubt, it is one of the essential stops that you must make if you come to the city of Granada.
6. San Nicolas viewpoint
The Albaicín neighborhood contains one of the jewels of Granada that no one can miss, as it offers the best views of the entire city.
The views of the Albaicín neighborhood and the Sierra Nevada could contain a greater charm, if you decide to visit the San Nicolás viewpoint shortly before sunset, or just before sunrise.
The San Nicolás viewpoint is one of the essential visits in the city of Granada.
7. The Generalife Palace
The Generalife Palace, built by the Nasrid kings who ruled Granada from the 13th century to 1492, is considered by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
The creation of this palace and its gardens was intended to be a place of rest for the Muslim sultans; adorned with ornamental gardens, where, in turn, there were several orchards to supply the Alhambra and this palace.
Despite the changes that the gardens have undergone, they can still be appreciated in this important Granada palace.
The visit to this beautiful tourist place can be alternated with that of the Alhambra, since they communicate; or visit in a particular way without going through it.
8. Elvira Gate
The old cities of the Middle Ages had architectural defense systems, which could be used to prevent invasions, if necessary.
It was common in those times, that an important city that housed important characters, such as kings, had a gateway to those domains.
The Elvira gate was the entrance to the Muslim city of Granada, located in the Plaza del Triunfo, which today gives access to the historic center of the city.
In its surroundings you can enjoy excellent restaurants and wineries, where you will taste the gastronomy of the city, or relax with a good drink.
9. Carmen of the Martyrs
The gardens and orchards that can be found in this place, together with the beauty and imposing views of the Alhambra and the city, have made it be considered the best carmen in Granada.
The "carmen" is an Arabic term, which was used to designate typical houses with gardens, where the physical construction of the home was balanced with the green spaces that it should have.
For its part, it is said that it is the Carmen of the Mártires, because the Spanish tradition tells us that it was in this place, where the dungeons that contained the Christians captured during the Spanish reconquest war worked.
This space is a wonderful green lung of the city, where you will appreciate the orchards with medicinal plants, European-style gardens and a Nasrid patio.
10. Granada Tourist Train
If you want to get to know the city from the comfort of public transport, the Granada Tourist Train is the best option for you.
At a speed of only 25 kilometers per hour, and a journey that lasts approximately two hours; the Tourist Train of Granada, will take you through the most emblematic places of the city.
The historic center, the Alhambra, the Albaicín and Sacromonte neighborhoods, as well as passing through the Granada Cathedral and the Mirador de San Nicolás.
There are thirteen stations to get to know the city, with Wi-Fi coverage and panoramic views, one of the best options to get to know and see Granada.
