“Granada is the most precious treasure of Spain, a reserve of flavours, smells and passion”.
Victor Hugo.Let’s face it, the first visit to Granada would not be complete without a visit to Spain’s most visited tourist attraction: the magnificent Alhambra Palace. It is a gigantic historic palace full of vestiges of Moorish and Catholic culture. Inside, beautiful decorations are attributed to Yusuf I.
When you visit the Alhambra, you have to consider UNESCO's quota in terms of several visitors: only a limited number of visitors can enter the Alhambra per day. Therefore, those who wish to visit by chance may not be allowed to do so, so it is better to book in advance. There is also much to see around the Alhambra, as nature and its surroundings and the outdoor structure, are worth visiting, with views of the Sierra Nevada and the Córdoba Plain.
Next to the Alhambra, the palace and gardens of the Generalife and the Albaicín district belong to UNESCO. The Generalife was the summer palace and the manor of the Nasrid sultans of Granada. The Generalife was originally connected to the Alhambra by a covered corridor on the canyon that now separates these parts. The Generalife is one of the oldest Moorish gardens.
The Albaicín is built on a hill in Granada, which housed the primitive nucleus of Elvira's ancient city. Its appearance of white houses and narrow streets, not conducive to traffic, has changed little since Moorish times.
But Granada has a lot more, like the Mirador de San Nicolás where you can find a full panoramic view of the Alhambra, Sierra Nevada, the city and the Vega de Granada.
Since Bill Clinton visited him in 1997 and said he has seen “the most beautiful sunset in the world”, he has become a famous and popular place for tourists.
Another beautiful neighbourhood, the Sacromonte, is known as the Gypsy neighbourhood. Visitors come at night to this hill in Granada in search of songs and dances. The premises located along the road of Sacromonte, on the hill, offer dramatic flamenco shows. The cave museum Sacromonte retains homes dug in the rock. In the Sacromonte abbey, there are remains and a panoramic view of the city. Hiking and cycling trails lead to the mountains.
Granada is also known for its prestigious university: Universidad de Granada. It hosts around 80,000 students and also has campuses in Ceuta and Melilla (Morocco). It is one of Spain's most important student cities, with Salamanca, Burgos and Santiago de Compostela. It is also a fact when there are students. There is a great nightlife. So, whether you are a student, tourist or resident, Granada has a lot to offer you!