Granada is the capital of the Granada Province in the Andalucia region of Spain. It is sandwiched between the two hills at the foot of the Sierra Nevada and is separated by the Darro Valley. The Darro River flows through the center of the city thus dividing the hills of Alhambra, Albaycin and Sacromonte. Granada’s climate is mild with clean and healthy air, and cheerful skies.
However, this region offers a rich variety of climate and landscape, from the alpine vegetation of the Sierra Nevada to the tropical coast of Motril, with snow covered mountains that have the best skiing slopes and also rich fertile lands.
A Little Bit of History
Legend says that Granada is named after “Granata”, daughter of Noah of Hercules. The city originated as an Ibero-Celtic settlement before it became a Greek colony.
The View of Alhambra, Granada
Under the Romans the city developed economically. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the city changed hands between the Visigoths and Byzantines.
In 711, the city was conquered by the Moors and with that the region became a Muslim region. The Zirid dynasty ended in 1237. It remained the last stronghold of the Muslims until 1492.
The city experienced great splendor during the 14th century under the reigns of Yusuf I and Muhammad V. The Alhambra and Generalife were built during this time.
The Catholic Monarchs conquered Granada in 1492 and with this began a new era in the history of this unique city.
El Partal Palace Alhambra, Granada
Christian culture was spread through the city with the building of major Christian monuments by Charles V.
The great Baroque works of the 17th and 18th centuries stand proof for the splendor of of this place during this period.
However, the city faced a decline from which it recovered only with the arrival of Washington Irving.
Easter celebration is popular here, when 32 processions take place on the streets that lead to the cathedral.
Some other popular festivals are: Fiesta de la Toma, Reyes Magos, Corpus Christi, Semana Santa, Festival del Albaicin and Nochevieja.
Typical items you can shop in Granada are clothing, rugs, leather goods, tapestries and tea sets.
Where is Granada?
- 125.5 miles/ 202 km from Cordoba, Spain
- 260.3 miles/ 419 km from Madrid, Spain
- 181.4 miles/ 292 km from Cadiz, Spain
- 77.6 miles/ 125 km from Malaga, Spain
- 154.1 miles/ 248 km from Seville, Spain
- 11.3 miles/ 18.3 km from Granada Airport, Spain
- 85.1 miles/ 137 km from Malaga Airport, Spain
- 99.4 miles/ 160 km from Almeria Airport, Spain
Things to See
- Alhambra
Garden of the Alhambra, Granada
- Generalife
- Plaza Nueva
- Cathedral
- Carmen de los Martires
- Cartuja Monastery
- Banuelo
- La Madraza
Beaches
- Calahonda Beach
- Almunecar (some of the popular beaches are: Playa de Cabria, Playa El Pozuelo, Calabajio Beach, Playa El Tesorillo and Playa de la Herradura)
- Salobrena (Playa de la Charca and Playa de la Guardia)
- Motril
- Torrenueva Beach
Excursions
- Sierra Nevada
- Seville
- Albaicin
Every step you take in Granada takes you through Spain’s Moorish and Christian history.
This city was the home of many Arab Sultans and consists of several gardens, palaces and fortifications with optimum interior decoration and architecture that take you back in time into a completely different world. Well worth a visit!
We wish you a fantastic Mediterranean cruise!
