Granada
Although competition from neighbouring cities like Córdoba and Sevilla is fierce, Granada is the absolute top destination in Andalusia province. The main reason for this is the mighty and spectacular Alhambra which dates back to the 9th century and is Granada’s primary attraction. In fact, the Alhambra is the most visited site of entire Spain. The Alhambra complex consists of several fascinating fortresses, palaces, gardens and temples, which are located quaintly on the hills of Granada. You could spend an entire day here exploring the site and imagining how life here must have been centuries ago. The most interesting site here is the palace of the Nasrid Dynasty, which is truly magnificent.
As the grandeur of the Alhambra captures the main attention of any visitor there is one thing you should definitely not forget - and that is to also discover the rest of Granada, which would make a top destination even without the Alhambra. The city is uniquely located with both the Meditteranean coast ánd the ever snowcapped peaks of the Sierra Nevada in its near vecinity. The Moorish influences are the most noticeable in Granada as it was the first city to be conquered during the Moorish invasion - in which almost the entire peninsula was placed under Moorish rule - and the last one to return under Spanish rule during the reconquista, almost 800 years later.
Given the large student population there is a lively atmosphere and there’s always something going on. Enjoy a refreshing ‘tinto de verano’ while tasting some of Spain’s best tapas in one of Granada’s many bars and restaurants. Also afterwards there are plenty of opportunities to have a good time. Flamengo performances are held regularly and Granada may be one of the best places to catch a performance.
When visiting Granada make sure to visit the nearby historical town of Ronda. If you are looking to recover from Granada’s high temperatures you could make a trip to the lovely beach town Nerja which is only an hour and a half away.
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