Granada

A city where Europe meets the Islamic world — where the greatest palace ever built stands on a red hill above the city, with the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains behind it.

Things to see & do

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The Alhambra

One of the most spectacular buildings ever constructed — a Moorish palace with impossibly detailed carvings, pools that reflect the sky, and gardens full of fountains and roses. Built in the 13th century.

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Generalife Gardens

The summer palace and gardens beside the Alhambra — terraced gardens with water channels, flowers, and the best view of the red palace walls against the mountains.

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Granada Cathedral

A magnificent Renaissance cathedral built after the Christian reconquest — huge, golden, and filled with light. The royal tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella (who sent Columbus to America) are inside.

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Albaicín Quarter

The ancient Moorish neighbourhood winding up the hillside opposite the Alhambra — white-washed houses, narrow cobbled lanes, and the best sunset view of the palace.

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Flamenco Show

Flamenco — the passionate Spanish dance of stomping feet and swirling skirts — was born in Andalucía. Seeing it live in Granada is an experience you'll never forget.

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Sierra Nevada

Only one place in Europe has a ski resort you can reach in 40 minutes from a city with palm trees: Granada. Ski in the morning, swim in the sea by afternoon.

Food to try

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Free Tapas!

Granada is the only city in Spain where every drink still comes with a free tapa — a local tradition

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Rabo de Toro

Slow-cooked oxtail stew — rich, tender, and warming

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Churros con Chocolate

Fried dough sticks dipped into thick hot chocolate — Granada does them best

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Jamón Ibérico

The finest cured ham in Spain — from acorn-fed pigs in Andalucía's forests

Fun facts about Granada

Granada was the last city in Spain ruled by Muslim kings — the Nasrid dynasty. In 1492, the last Moorish king handed over the keys to the city, ending nearly 800 years of Islamic civilisation in Spain.
The same year, 1492, Queen Isabella of Granada sent Christopher Columbus on his voyage that reached the Americas. Columbus planned his voyage partly in Granada and received his funding here.
The Alhambra's Arabic name means "the red one" — named after the reddish clay of the hill it's built on. The palace walls really do glow red at sunset.
The famous Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca was born near Granada. He wrote some of the most beautiful poetry in the Spanish language — inspired by this city.
Granada is the only city in Europe where you can ski in the morning and reach the Mediterranean coast (only 60 km away) in the afternoon. Extraordinary geography.
Granada invented the tradition of serving free tapas with every drink. In most of Spain you pay for tapas — but in Granada, they still give them free. The tapa gets bigger and better the more you order.