Granada, the city of the thousand castles!

For quite a long time, I kept listening to my friends mumbling and telling stories about their trip to Granada two years ago, in which of course I couldn’t unfortunately go! I can admit that it was quite annoying that I couldn’t participate in those conversations and sooner or later I started feeling jealous and regretting not joining them! (Especially when I saw their pictures online, yeah the city looks magic even on photos…!). Two years later, I am here to present and write about the amazing city of Granada; YES, I finally managed to visit it this past summer and it was indeed breathtaking!

They say that If there is a city that truly evokes the essence of Spain, that city is Granada. A cross-roads of civilizations since time immemorial and in an unparalleled location, Granada is a vibrant, friendly and lively metropolis that is full of culture.

Some background geographical knowledge; Granada, capital of the province of the same name, is in south-eastern Spain, in the autonomous region of Andalusia. Traditionally, it was the capital of High Andalusia, or eastern Andalusia, which comprised the provinces of Jaén, Granada and Almería, as opposed to Lower Andalusia or western Andalusia. In addition to being the traditional capital, Granada is the judicial capital of Andalusia, as the home of the High Court of Justice of the autonomous region.

Granada today; Elegant yet edgy, grandiose but gritty, monumental but marked by pockets of stirring graffiti, 21st-century Granada is anything but straightforward. Instead, this sometimes stunning, sometimes ugly city set spectacularly in the crook of the Sierra Nevada is an enigmatic place where – if the mood is right – you sense you might find something that you’ve long been looking for. A free tapa, perhaps? An inspirational piece of street art? A flamenco performance that finally unmasks the intangible spirit of duende?

Tapas; Everybody knows about tapas, but what you might not be aware of is just much a part of everyday life it is in Andalusia, where it originated. From about 1pm to 4pm and around 9pn to midnight you can head into a bar in Granada, order a beer or glass of wine and enjoy a free tapa picked from a menu as part of the deal. From the outside many of these joints will look a little run-down or poky, but don’t be deterred as the less touristy bars are often the best. Tapas can include anything from olives and Jamon serrano to patatas bravas, small panini sandwiches and deep-fried calamari.

Planning to visit Granada? Here’s a list with a few must-see monuments and places! PS. I wouldn’t recommend visiting the city during summer; omg it is extremely hot! I’d say September, October, well whenever you have the chance… go for it!!

Alhambra and its Generalife gardens

Generalife, 18009 Granada, Spain

Basílica San Juan de Díos

Calle San Juan de Dios, 15, 18001 Granada, Ισπανία

Capilla Real

Calle Oficios, s/n, 18001 Granada, Spain

Granada's Cathedral

Calle Gran Vía de Colón, 5, 18001 Granada, Ισπανία

Alcaiceria's Great Bazaar

C. Alcaiceria, 1, 18001 Granada, Spain

Sacromonte, the city's traditional neighborhood

Calle Fuentecilla, 15, 18010 Granada, Spain

Albayzin, the Arab quarter, Unesco's site

Carril de San Miguel, 3, 18010 Granada, Spain

Free tapas in La Bella y La Bestia

Calle Cárcel Baja, 14, 18010 Granada, Ισπανία

Flamenco nights in Tetería Nazarí

Calle Calderería Vieja, 13, 18010 Granada, Ισπανία