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This ancient Spanish city with unusual and interesting architecture surprisingly combines the achievements of modernity, ancient beauty and breathtaking landscapes. All the sights of Granada in one way or another tell about the glorious two thousand years of history and what the people managed to achieve during this time. Walking along the city streets leaves a strong impression on any tourist, no matter how experienced he is in travel. So, what to see in Granada for those who came here for the first time?
What to see in Granada in the first place
Each tourist has a different concept of interesting places. We offer a list of the best attractions in Granada according to people with completely different interests, passions, wealth and amount of free time.
1. Alhambra
Panorama of the Alhambra against the backdrop of the snow-capped mountains of the Sierra Nevada
Truly, when describing the sights of Granada, this one is impossible to miss. Everything is wonderful in the Alhambra: both the location on the top of the cliff and the rich content of the complex. It includes palaces, a fortress and gardens of rulers. The buildings have a stunning view against the backdrop of rock massifs and forest thickets. The reviews note magnificent terraces with graceful arches, wonderful fountains, ponds, cozy courtyards. Everywhere the eye stops at bright mosaics, carved ornaments made on stone and wood, beautiful ceramic tiles. This place is one of those places that you just need to visit.
Official site: http://www.alhambra-patronato
2. Albaicín quarter< /h3>
Albaycin quarter with Moorish buildings on a hill above the Lower City
The Moorish Quarter, part of the list of UNESCO sites, is spread out on a hill. It is known for its many ancient settlements: old Moorish houses (“carmen”), ancient baths with capitals and domes, workshops and shops. If you need souvenirs, here you can buy products made by local craftsmen. Very colorful and memorable place. It is thanks to such objects that come to see from all over the world that hotels in Granada are never empty.
3. Sacromonte
Cave houses descend in terraces from all the hillsides of the Sacromonte quarter
Another original quarter, this time a gypsy one. Don't know what to see Granada in 1 day, when time is running out and there are still few impressions? Come here! Some caves in Sacromonte are worth something! An interesting fact: it was the Spanish gypsies who settled here who gave the world the legendary sparkling flamenco. Today, bright impressive shows are arranged in the crevices on the hill. The cave-museum is dedicated to Gypsy culture and life here. All of Granada is overlooked from the hill, including the red walls of the Alhambra.
4. Granada Cathedral
The Cathedral of Granada is a symbol of the victory of Christianity in Spain
The main cathedral of the city fully justifies its status both with its exterior and interior decoration, completely studded with gilding. Going here on a trip, be sure to look here. You will be fascinated by the carved columns reaching upwards, the paintings by eminent artists, the beauty and sound of the two organs. Thanks to the huge stained-glass windows and high vaults, the cathedral is always flooded with light. To the side of the cathedral is the Royal Chapel.
5. Basilica of Saint John of God
Sculpture of St. John of God on the facade of the church
The Spaniards never spared money for the arrangement of holy places. Listing the main attractions of Granada briefly, it is worth remembering this basilica. Built in the Baroque style, it is generously decorated with gold and silver, decorated with beautiful altars, mirrors on the walls, and picturesque paintings. Don't let the massive austere façade fool you – the inside of the temple is very beautiful.
Feel the atmosphere of Granada in this beautiful video!
6. Sacromonte Abbey
View of the Benedictine monastery on the “Holy Mountain”
The abbey is located on the top of the mountain of the same name, and only guides in Granada will be able to tell the most unusual story of this object. Travelers are advised to visit the museum here, on the territory. The most valuable exhibit in it, in addition to paintings and sculptures, is the oldest map of Grenada in the world. The abbey also includes a church, under which the ancient catacombs are located.
Official website: http://abadiasacromonte.org/home
7. Saint Jerome Monastery
Renaissance features of the Royal Monastery of Saint Jerome
After the Spaniards conquered the city from the Moors at the end of the 15th century, they aggressively began to Christianize the conquered territories. We advise you to see this monastery in Granada, which was built first. The interior impresses with an altar of enormous dimensions, lavishly decorated with relief images throughout the wall. The courtyard is also beautiful. The style of construction is late Gothic, with the inclusion of maritime motifs.
8. Carthusian Monastery
Inner courtyard and orange garden of the Carthusian monastery
The monastery is on the outskirts, but don't let the distance scare you – it's worth it. Despite the striking disparity between the modesty of the facade and the rich interior decoration, we recommend visiting this monastery. The interior is a true example of the Spanish Baroque. A bench is installed along the wall, sitting on it, you can admire the internal painting of the domes, sculptures. Interesting collection of paintings. In some places, multi-colored marble was used in the decoration. No photography inside.
9. Granada Medrese
Granada Medrese is a palace-university founded in the 14th century
If someone is interested in Moorish art, we will advise what to visit in Granada. It was in this Madrasah that the Academy of Fine Arts found its home, while the changes almost did not affect the prayer hall. Here, stone patterns painted with bright colors, Arabic mosaics and carved wooden ceilings are impressive. Nearby is the royal chapel and the Cathedral, so we recommend that you immediately go there.
Official website: http://www.lovegranada.com
Attractions Granada: what else to visit in Granada
It does not matter for what purpose you went on a trip. Even if you are not going to stay here for a long time, we recommend that before starting it, consider the sights of Granada with photos with names and descriptions on the Internet and listen to your feelings. What object “hooked” you? Photo of which place made you want to get to know it better?
10. Arab baths
A tall stone structure with vaults in the form of domes in an Arab bath
Many excursions in Granada will take you here, to the building of the former hammam. For the Andalusian Moors, water played a vital role, so they treated it sacredly. Surprisingly, the building erected in the 11th century has been preserved in its original form. True, there is no water here, and there are only a few rooms, but people come here to look at the magnificent Moorish architecture, in particular, the decoration. There are plasma interactive panels on the walls that tell about the history of this place.
Official website: http://www.lovegranada.com
11. Caravanserai Corral del Carbon
Courtyard surrounded by galleries, into the caravan -barn Corral del Carbon
It is also called the Coal Yard. In tourist reviews, it is described as an old building that was once an inn for merchants. Today, tourists are greeted by a surprisingly beautiful arch with stucco, in the form of which the main entrance is made. Through the vestibule, topped with a dome, you can get into the courtyard. Three floors of the building are equipped with galleries with stone columns.
Official website: http://www.lovegranada.com/
12. Science Park
Science Park – modern museum and experiment site Jose Jiménez López
By right, this park can be called a landmark of Spain. The authors of the project managed to construct an organic natural ecosystem with a comfortable layout of the landscape. It is convenient for visitors to view animals, birds (some of them live in open nature) and inhabitants of the underwater fauna. The museums presented on the territory are equipped with interactive exhibits, a planetarium operates. The variety of expositions is striking: it is interesting to look at modern robots and old steam engines, collections of butterflies and shells and man-made accidents, a museum of toxicermy and a show with birds. Workshops and temporary exhibitions are held here.
Official website: http://www.parqueciencias.com
13. Generalife Gardens
A long pool surrounded by flower beds, fountains and colonnades in the gardens of the Generalife
Do you want to see how, tired of the bustle of the city, the Mauritanian rulers rested? Actually, visitors attribute a high rating to the gardens, since the residence itself is very modest. But a walk in the garden will surely impress anyone: bright fruit trees, beautiful fountains of the oriental type, rare flowers, shady courtyards where you can sit on a bench, enjoying the magnificence blooming around. On the territory of the gardens there is a stage where concerts are held. Thanks to the large number of plantings, it is always cool here.
Official website: http://www.alhambra-patronato
14. Mirador de San observation deck -Nicolas
A beautiful view of the Alhambra fortress from the Mirador de San Nicolás viewpoint
We will also advise you where to go in Granada and admire the views of the largest architectural sights of the city. From here you have a magnificent view of the Generalife and the Alhambra, which rise on a neighboring hill. The site is surrounded by old walls along the perimeter, from which it is convenient to view the surroundings. It is better to go here by transport, because. walking up will be too long and difficult, especially in the heat.
15. Coal yard
Inner open courtyard with a well surrounded by galleries in a 14th century inn -JvL-
A couple of minutes walk from the Cathedral of Granada, the route passes through the Coalyard, the only inn in Spain that has remained untouched for centuries. It was erected in the 14th century during the Nasrid era and at that time was in the possession of Muslims. A market was located in the yard, merchants stopped here, and later the yard was sold at an auction and began to be used for standing coal miners – hence its name. Then the inn repeatedly changed owners, and at the beginning of the last century it came into the possession of the state, was repeatedly restored – the last time it was quite recently, in 2006. The courtyard has a square shape and is surrounded by 3-storey galleries; the interior of the internal halls is now equipped for office space. In addition, performances, conferences and flamenco performances are regularly held here.
16. Bibe Rambla
Fountain and flower stalls in the central square of Spanish Granada Martin Furtschegger
The main city square, which was once the venue for knightly tournaments, and later for Christian holidays and bullfights, is Bib Rambla, Granada. The route for 1 day must certainly include a visit to this iconic part of the city – they often get here during the excursion after visiting the Cathedral. The location of the square has developed historically – the Alkaseria silk market, the Madrasah and the city mosque were located nearby. Over the course of its 5-century history, Bib-Rumble has repeatedly changed its appearance until it acquired its current form. Today, the whole life of Granada revolves around this place, and visiting interesting places in Granada, one way or another, you will find yourself in this square at some point in your journey through the city. On the lower floors of the historical buildings surrounding the square, there are many restaurants, bars, cafes, shops. The center of the square is crowned by the fountain of the Giants of the 17th century with a marble sculpture of Neptune.
17. Royal Chapel
View of the Royal Chapel and the Cathedral in the center of Granada
Marble gravestones of the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella in the tomb of Javi Guerra Hernando
In terms of architectural monuments of antiquity, the ancient ensemble of buildings of the 9th century called the Alhambra is of particular interest. Granada also has another significant monument of particular historical value – this is the Royal Chapel, one of the most important shrines of Granada and all of Spain. The fact is that here are the burial places of two monarchs who played a huge role in the history of Spain – Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon. It is with their names that the completion of the Reconquista is connected. At the beginning of the 16th century, Isabella issued a decree on the construction of a chapel, and some time later a beautiful structure was erected in the flamboyant Gothic style on a foundation in the shape of a Catholic cross. The facade is interesting with the image of Isabella, at the entrance you will find statues of the two patrons of the chapel – John the Baptist and John the Evangelist. The key place inside the chapel is occupied by the tombstones of great monarchs.
Official website: http://capillarealgranada.
18. Bullring
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3-storey bullring in Granada Vitorino m
Despite the fact that the birthplace of spectacular bullfighting is Seville, the sights of Granada also retain the spirit of incendiary fights – one of such places is the Granada bullring. I must say, the history of this competition is rooted in the distant past, when the Iberian Peninsula was inhabited by Iberian tribes. After the completion of the Reconquista, brave warriors who had previously been able to show their strength in battles with the Moors now showed courage by fighting the bull. Over the years, bullfighting has become an official and regulated competition. In Granada, the bullring first opened in 1928 – it was a neo-Mudéjar building, very original and elegant. Today, this is the best place to go to get a taste of excitement and feel the warlike soul of Spain. The three-story arena can hold 14,500 spectators and is set during major Spanish holidays.
19. Rodriguez Acosta Foundation
Massive building from the 30s , gardens, terraces – Rodriguez Acosta Foundation in Granada Pepepitos
While the developed infrastructure of a beach holiday is offered to its guests by sunny Malaga, the sights of Granada keep the richest cultural heritage of Spain. So, against the background of other houses in Granada, the building of the Rodriguez Acosta Foundation stands out, where the works of a talented artist who worked at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries are stored. During a creative crisis, Rodriguez Acosta devotes himself to the construction of a beautiful mansion, which was designed to embody his aesthetic ideals. The internal interiors of the fund are decorated with objects brought from different parts of the world – these are sculptures, drawings, and Greek ceramics. The building is surrounded by a garden with cypresses and reproductions of ancient sculptures. In one of the courtyards, you can even see a reproduction of Psyche, personifying the soul of the poet – it is presented in the form of ruins, which was probably due to the period of the master's creative crisis. From some corners of the garden, wonderful panoramas of the old city of Granada open up.
20. San Vicente Estate
The house of the brilliant poet F. G. Lorca, surrounded by a cozy green garden, in the estate of San Vicente Alimanja
In the city center, the Granada tourist bus stops near the San Vicente Estate, once owned by the great poet of Spain, Garcia Lorca. Here, surrounded by greenery and blooming orchids, the poet spent every summer for 10 years, where he created a number of famous works that became famous throughout the world. From the balcony of his estate, Garcia admired the magnificent landscapes of his city and relaxed with friends. On one of these days, the poet was arrested and subsequently executed. Some of the poet's everyday items have been preserved in the collection of the house-museum – you can see some furniture, including his personal desk and piano, as well as a number of other memorabilia and drawings. Here you can also see an exposition dedicated to the life and work of Lorca. There is also a shop with souvenir paraphernalia – bags, cups, T-shirts and magnets, complemented by books or drawings of the poet.
Official website: http://www.huertadesan
Supplement this list of beauties with the friendliness and hospitality that the people of Granada excel over their counterparts from other Spanish cities, and you will have an ideal option for your next trip. Read also about the sights of Girona and be inspired to travel further in Spain.
