With its citadel-topped capital city, strikingly rugged coastline, world heritage sites and majestic mountain range, this province will charm you anew at every turn.
Experience centuries of rich multicultural influence when you explore the province of Granada in the eastern reaches of Andalusia. Granada’s superb architecture marks the region’s history as a Moorish stronghold and a Christian kingdom, with cities dotted with medieval relics and palatial monuments. Popular with Spanish vacationers, Granada’s coastline features resort villages nestled between the Sierra Nevada mountain range and the Mediterranean Sea.
Trace Granada’s fascinating history as you explore its beautifully preserved buildings. The Albayzín district in the provincial capital city of Granada represents the region’s medieval Moorish identity and is overlooked by the Alhambra complex. Discover the grandeur of Alhambra’s Alcazaba fortress, its stunning palaces and the gardens of the Generalife.
In downtown Granada, the winding streets open up into spacious plazas and grand boulevards. Check out one of the largest cathedrals in Spain, La Catedral de Granada, and marvel at its brightly colored Renaissance interior. Other significant Roman Catholic monuments can be found at the Royal Chapel of Granada and in the city of Guadix.
Discover the province’s cultural prestige when you see the Baroque paintings of Juan Sánchez Cotán in the Cartuja Monastery. Admire abstract expressionist artworks at Centro José Guerrero or visit the Federico Garcia Lorca Museum to see exhibits dedicated to the poet in his former home. The atmospheric tapas bars that line the streets are ideal for enjoying a relaxing drink and a bite to eat.
Make your way to the province’s scenic coastline, Costa Tropical. Check out the resort towns of Almuñecar, Salobreña and La Herradura to experience unhurried Spanish beaches with a beautiful mountain backdrop. This mountain range, the Sierra Nevada, is home to Europe’s southernmost ski resort and mainland Spain’s tallest peak, Mount Mulhacen. You can also explore a network of hiking and biking trails in the Alpujarras and the Lecrin Valley in summer.
Granada’s historic downtown areas are best explored on foot. Fly into the airport in Málaga, which is approximately 2 hours’ drive from the city of Granada by bus. Consider using buses and trains to travel from Madrid, Seville and Cordoba they are inexpensive and a great way to get to know the landscape.
With a laid-back ambiance and monumental sights, Granada is the perfect region to peer into Spain’s past.