In the south of Spain, there is a region of Andalusia, and surrounded by the majestic mountains Sierra Nevada is a Granada – a city in which history lives. Until the end of the 15th century, it remained the last center of the Muslim culture of the Pyrenee Peninsula.
They come here not only because of the amazing fusion of cultures, but also for the sake of rest in old authentic bars, fastened sweet wine and hiking in the mountains. We tell you what to see in Granad and the environs.
Entrance rules
Russians will need a passport with a Schengen visa. Now Spain is considered one of the most loyal European countries in terms of requirements for documents. The visa fee is 80 euros for an adult (about 5 800 rubles*).
How to get
There are no direct flights from Russia. First, from Moscow you need to fly to Istanbul or Dubai, and from there to Barcelona or Madrid. You can get to Granada by plane by internal airlines, by train or bus. The cost of tickets starts from 120,000 rubles* in both directions.
Where to stop
Hotel Inglaterra (Assessment 8.8) – a small hotel in the city center, to the main attractions about five minutes on foot. The night in a standard room costs from 5,500 rubles*.
Allegro Granada by Barceló (Assessment 8.6) – a hotel with a swimming pool on the roof. The cost of the standard number starts at 7,000 rubles*.
Hotel Boutique Puerta de las Granadas (Assessment 8.7)-a boutique hotel with panoramic windows to the floor located in the city center. The night in a standard room costs from 14,400 rubles*.
Parador de Granada (Assessment 8.8) – a hotel in the building of the monastery of the 15th century on the territory of the Alhambra Palace. The night will cost at least 31,800 rubles*.
What to see
Palace Alhambra
This majestic Moorish castle was built in the 13th century of red stone (by the way, the name, translated from Arabic, means “red”). During the day, depending on the position of the sun, the color of the walls changes to pink.
Alhambra stands at the top of the hill. Green gardens with orange trees spread out on the territory, from which a view of Granada opens. Inside the palace you will find the walls trimmed with tiles. On the whole castle, the courtyards with fountains are hidden – if you get tired of wandering around the halls, you can relax here and refresh yourself on a hot day.
The palace is open from 8:30 a.m. to 20 pm, but on some days night excursions are conducted here. The entrance ticket costs 14 euros (about 1,250 rubles*).
Alhambra is located on the outskirts of the city, walking from the center of Granada about 30 minutes uphill. You can also get to it on city buses C30 or C32, the trip takes 10 minutes.
Palace Generalife
It is located near the Alhambra castle in a 15 -minute walk. Generalife was the summer palace of the rulers of the Nasrid dynasty, it is a cluster of buildings and many gardens between them. Now it is a real oasis in the sunny Granada. It is believed that the Moorish gardens are best preserved in Spain.
Generalife green areas are designed like the courtyards of castles. To the left and right of the main paths are rectangular pavilions. Inside the massive stone walls, fountains, a large pool and a rosary fit.
Cathedral of Granada
It was built on the site of the former large mosque in an attempt to eradicate the Islamic heritage. The Cathedral is a sign example of the architecture of the Renaissance.
Inside, he is no less beautiful than outside – in the interior there is gilding gold and stained -glass windows, and an abundance of stone arches and columns is impressive. The entrance ticket costs 5 euros (about 450 rubles*), visitors are given a free audio guide. The cathedral is open every day from 10 a.m. to 18 pm, on Sundays from 15 hours.
Royal Chapel
The tomb of the Catholic kings (or, as it is also called, the chapel of the 16th century adjoins the Granada Cathedral. Despite such a close neighborhood, it is difficult to call them an architectural ensemble. If the cathedral is the standard of the Renaissance, then the chapel is built in an ascetic Gothic style.
A museum of painting of Spanish, Italian and Flemish artists works with the chapel. This collection began to gather Queen Isabella, who was buried in the tomb. The works of Botticelli and other famous creators are exhibited here. The entrance ticket to the museum and chapel costs 4 euros (about 350 rubles*), they work with a break for siesta.
Mercado la alcaicería market
Right around the corner from the cathedral you will see a narrow lane, at the end of which there is a traditional Moroccan market, where carpets and silk shawls are sold. There are many restaurants with national dishes nearby.
Garden Carmen de Los Martires
CASA CARMEN – So in Granad they call traditional houses with a fenced garden. There are many of them, but the most famous, large and affordable for tourists is Carmen de Los Martires. Many CASA Carmen are private houses or a kind of museums that open only for events. The house in Carmen de Los Martires is also closed to visit, but anyone can wander around the gardens and hide in their shade on a hot day.
Royal monasteries
Monasterio de San Jeronimo is the first Catholic Monastery of Granada. Inside, a sacristy is installed, which is called one of the best examples of the architecture of Spanish Baroque. The entrance ticket costs 4 euros (about 350 rubles*), you can go to the courtyard with orange trees for free.
Monasterio de la Cartuja was founded in the XI century by a closed religious Order of the Roman Catholic Church. Local monks who took the vow of silence lead the Spartan lifestyle. The interior of the monastery is described as a “bright explosion of an ornament” – this is a mixture of marble carved parts and painting in the style of Renaissance with a rich stucco on the ceiling. The entrance ticket costs 5 euros (about 450 rubles*).
Monuments of Andalusia
There are four Moorish attractions in Granada: two of them are located near the Alhambra Palace, others are in another part of the city. The first – El Bañuelo is Arab baths that survived after the Christian reconcist.
The second attraction is Corral del Carbón, the restored building of the XIV century, where works of art dedicated to Granade are exhibited.
The third is Palacio Dar Al-Horra. This is a small palace near Placeeta de San Miguel Bajo. If you go upstairs, you can enjoy the view of both Mirador de San Cristóbal, and on the ALHAMBRA palace.
The latter is Casa árabe de Horno del Oro. This is the Moorish house with a small patio, inside the medieval life are presented inside, and exhibitions are held in some halls.
To visit all locations, you need to purchase a single entrance ticket, it costs 7 euros (about 630 rubles*). But there is a life hack: on Sundays, almost all places input are free.
Albaicín district
He spread out on the slope of the hill, which goes straight to the Alhambra palace, from where a chic view of Granada and the mountains surrounding it opens. All houses located in the maze of narrow streets are painted white, and in the doorways there are pots with flowers.
It is interesting not only to roam among bizarre buildings – the very path is breathtaking here. If you follow the center of Granada, you will walk along the stone embankment, on the prayer streets with neat bridges and go up to the hill – all this with the view of the Alhambra Palace on the one hand and a bright city on the other.
There are several viewing platforms in the center of the district: Mirador De San Nicolás and Miraador Placeeta de Carvajales. If you are ready to go up the steps, go up to the chapel Ermita de San Miguel Alto. This is the highest overview point of Granada, from where the view opens not only the city and the ALHAMBRA Palace, but also the Albaicín area itself.
Sacromonte area
This is a former gypsy quarter east of the historical center of Granada. There is a legend that it was here that the famous Spanish dance of Flmenko originated, which is accompanied by songs and playing the guitar.
The main attraction of the district is the Cuevas del Sacromonte Museum. These are several man-made caves adapted for housing and outbuildings, repeating those in which gypsies once lived. Now the bright concerts of Flmenko are taking place inside.
For those who love architecture and history, Abadía del Sacromonte is standing near a hill nearby. On the territory of the old monastery, underground chapels are preserved and a museum works, where you will be told about the history of the region.
The village of Isnahar
An hour from Granada by car or bus is an authentic village of Isnahar. It is located on a mountain overlooking a beautiful valley, olive grove and lake. This is one of the famous “white villages of Andalusia” or Pueblos Blancos. They are so called because all the buildings are painted white. Isnahar is famous for its floral festivals, which are held here every summer.
The village is also known for local products: olives, tangerines and wine. Do not pass by home restaurants, where you will be happy to treat you to local cuisine dishes.
Sierra Nevada
This is the third in height of the Mountain Array of Europe, it is here that the top of Mulasen is located – the highest on the Pyrenee peninsula.
Sierra Nevada National Park is located 20 km south of Granada. Here are equipped with pedestrian routes and bike paths, from which you can admire views of the mountains covered with snow and meet wild animals – hares, roe deer and foxes. In addition, many historical monuments have been preserved on the territory of the National Park. For example, the Tablata Bridge and Lankharon Castle.
*Prices are relevant at the time of publication.
