Out & About

» Out & About in Granada

Granada is often touted as “the place of dreams,” and for many that simple statement has become a reality upon their visit.  Granada is packed with museums, incredible restaurants, delicious tapas, fragrant gardens, and much more.

When visiting Granada, one must plan to spend a number of days visiting the many sights.  A typical visit includes trips to Alcaicería, the main squares, the Alhambra, the Generalife, and the Albaicín district. There are activities for young and old, so everyone will be thrilled with a visit to this classic Spanish town.

Churches & Historical Monuments:

The Albaicín is located on the opposite hillside to the Alhambra.  The Albaicín dates back to the Moors.  A tourist will enjoy strolling through the narrow, cobbled streets, as he or she seeks out some of the main attractions. Look for the Museo Arqueológico, El Bañuelo, and Iglesia de Santa Ana in this section of Granada.

Alhambra is a fortress built during the Nasrid Dynasty.  The Nasrid rulers erected this area using inexpensive materials to give an impression that their rule was ending.  Their intentions were to trick invaders.  Among the highlights of the Alhambra:

• Palacio del Partal’s archways and pavilion are believed to be the oldest buildings in all of the Alhambra.
• Patio de Arraynes is a fabricated pond that is surrounded by bushes.
• Patio de los Leones is a large outdoor patio whose main feature is an extensive water feature that sits on a dozen marble lion statues.
• Sala de los Abencerrajes is a famed banquet hall where historians believe a number of Boabdil’s competitors were assassinated.
• Salón de Embajadores is a 14th century throne room with large stained glass windows. Images on the ceiling represent the seven heavens.

Capilla Real, known as the Royal Chapel, dates back to 1506 when famed builder Enrique de Egas began construction. Construction took fifteen years and embraced many elaborate touches such as marble statues of Fernando and Isabel, paintings by Botticelli, and a reja (artistic altar enclosure) designed by Maestro Bartolomé de Jaén. The interior crypt houses the bodies of Fernando and Isabel.

Casa de los Tiros is a Mudéjar palace that was built during the 16th century.  The palace is open to visitors Tuesday (2:30 pm to 8:30 pm), Wednesday through to Saturday (9:00 am to 8:30 pm), and Sunday (9:00 am to 2:30 pm).

In the early 1500s, the first architectural plans for Granada’s Cathedral were drawn.  Enrique de Egas began planning an elaborate Gothic cathedral and Renaissance expert Diego de Siloé completed the building.  The large dome is worth viewing, but many flock to the Cathedral to view the 16th century stained glass portrait of Juan del Campo’s “The Passion.”

The 11th century Arab baths, El Bañuelo, are open to the public from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Tuesday through to Saturday. Those with an interest in the area’s history will want to make time to see these ancient baths.

• Palacio del Partal’s archways and pavilion are believed to be the oldest buildings in all of the Alhambra.
• The Escalera del Agua is a beautiful water feature. A series of rock stairs are covered in flowing water.
• The Patio de la Acequia is an oriental garden that encompasses a narrow pool. High-powered water pumps force the water to spray high above ground level before plummeting back into the pool.
• Legend has it that the Patio de los Cipreses and its pools were the location of Zoraya, Sultan Abu-l-Hasan’s wife, and the chief of the Abencerrajes’ romantic trysts.
• Patio del Generalife is a huge garden filled with a geometric pool and plenty of fragrant flowers.
• Visitors to the country estate would lodge their horses in the Patio de Polo. Though not as impressive as some of the gardens and water features, the patio does offer a look into history.

The 16th century Iglesia de Santa Ana is an imposing brick church built in the Mudéjar style. The coffered ceilings and large portal are two important architectural features.

Monasterio de la Cartuja is located on the outskirts of Granada. This 16th century monastery features an artistic, Baroque cupola.

The Palacio de la Madraza is a former Arab University that later became the city hall. Today, the Palacio is slated for renovations before opening to the public. The exterior, especially the blue and gold archway, is popular with budding photographers.

On the outskirts of town, Sacromonte houses many restaurants and dance clubs. Sacromonte is a series of gypsy caves that are built into the surrounding hills. You must take in a Flamenco presentation during your visit to Sacromonte.

Dining:

Granada’s cuisine is often typical of Andalusia with a few surprises thrown in. There are dozens of restaurants from which diners can choose. With so many choices, it is helpful to have an idea of the available selections.

• Chikito is located on Plaza del Campillo.  This charming restaurant offers many excellent meals.  Try the Anchovy Salad that is packed with flavor.  The house special codfish is equally impressive.  The restaurant is closed on Wednesdays.
• Situated in the heart of the historic quarter on Plaza Pescadería, Cunini is one of Granada’s finest seafood restaurants. Cunini closes on Sunday evenings and Mondays. Do not miss Zarzuela, a succulent fish stew, or Parrillada, a variety of grilled fish.
• If you are interested in sampling traditional Andalusian cuisine, head to El Claustro on Gran Via Colón. Remojón Granadino (a salad made from potatoes, garlic, and grilled peppers) is a house favorite.
• Fresh game is popular at El Huerto de Juan Ranos. The villa restaurant is located on Callejón de Atarazana, but it does close for the day on Mondays.
• If you want a unique setting for your dining experience, try Casa Juanillo. The restaurant is housed in the gypsy caves in Sacromonte. Traditional fare is served six days a week (closed Sundays).
• Sevilla overlooks the Royal Chapel. In business since the 1930s, Sevilla is popular with celebrities (Anthony Quinn, Cyd Charisse, and Alec Guinness are a sample of patrons.) The restaurant serves traditional Granadino cuisine and closes Sunday nights and Mondays.

Festivals:

The Corpus Cristi Fair is held in May and June. This is the largest festival in the city of Granada. Dancing, bullfights, and horse rides take centre stage in the fun activities.

Festival of the Virgen de la Angustias is held in September. Virgen de las Angustias is the patron saint of Granada. This daylong festival is in honor of the patron saint. Bullfighting is a popular event. Other activities include dancing and parades.

In April, Holy Week is one of Granada’s largest festivals. During Easter week, the Granadinos join one another in a parade to display figures of the Virgin Mary and Christ. Everyone dresses up in traditional costumes and participate in this event.

Museums:

Tuesday through to Sunday, visitors are welcome to visit Casa de Castril, a Renaissance mansion that now houses the Museo Arqueológico. The museum has many artifacts on display from Iberian, Phoenician, and Roman periods.

Palace of Carlos V, located in the Alhambra, contains the La Alhambra Museum. Here you can view Spanish-Arab pottery, ceramics, and other impressive work of art. The museum is open from 9:00 am to 2:30 pm Tuesday through to Saturday.

The Museum of Fine Arts offers displays of paintings and sculptures by some of Spain’s talented artists. The museum is located in Alhambra. Hours vary depending on the season, but the museum is never open on Mondays.

Outdoor Activities:

Children love Aquaola. This huge water park features varying levels of water slides, wave pools, and even a zero gravity simulator. The water park opens in June and closes in September. There is free parking available. The park is open from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm.

The Sierra Nevada Mountains are less than an hour away. The ski season begins in December and ends in April or May usually. Sierra Nevada holds the honor of being the most southern ski area in all of Europe. During the summer months, there are many hiking trails for tourists to explore.

Shopping:

Corral del Carbón is a former courtyard and inn used by history’s merchants. Today the courtyard and surrounding buildings house some of Granada’s finest boutiques and craft shops.

In between your shopping excursions, head to Calle Calderería and visit one of the highly praised Arabic tearooms. Al Sirat is the oldest in the area and offers an impressive array of teas, yogurt drinks, pastries, and gifts.

If you are interested in purchasing Spanish fashions, you will find many clothing stores in Plaza Nueva and Plaza BibRambla. These two areas are home to many boutiques, restaurants, and specialty shops.