Granada: Spain’s hidden gem
Over the last years, Spain has become a popular tourist destination. With nearly 6000 km of coastline and many historic cities on the interior of the country, Spain has a lot of potential. Most tourists decide to visit Spain major cities, like Barcelona, Madrid or València. But why stop there? If you want to visit something out of the mainstream while enjoying some of the most beautiful citysights in the world, you need to definitely consider visiting Granada.
Your perfect holiday in Granada
Granada is a small city located in the South of Spain. The town is located near Sierra Nevada mountains and it’s only one hour away from the Mediterranean Coast. It is also one of the most ancient towns in Spain with a very rich history. So it does not matter if you are looking for a ski trip, a beach trip or a monument sight trip, Granada offers it all.
However, if you do not wish to move from the capital, the monument sight trip may be the best fitting option for you. Granada is a place where muslim and christian history meets. Some of its monuments do hold the title of World Heritage Site by UNESCO, so they are due to not disappoint.
The Alhambra
Granada’s most emblematic monument is The Alhambra, which holds the title of World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1984. The Alhambra is a city palace of muslim origin and within its domains are the palace and the magnificent gardens of Generalife (which are considered by many a monument on their own).
The Alhambra is an astonishing monument from both the inside and the outside. The architecture of the palace is marvelous while the gardens were created for the recreation of the monarchs, so they are simply on another level.
But if you really want to experience The Alhambra to its fullest, we recommend you choosing the Albaicín neighbourhood for your stay. This moor neighbourhood holds also the title of World Heritage Site compelling some of the most iconic elements of andalusian architecture. However, its most emblematic standpoint are the views it offers of The Alhambra, which are simply otherworldly.
Granada’s Cathedral and the Royal Chapel
Another relevant monument to visit while you stay in Granada would be its Cathedral. Granada’s cathedral is all a history lover could wish for, since it reflects what happens when two different religions meet. The Cathedral of Granada was built on the Renaissance on top of the city’s Great Mosque. Multiple remodeling works have happen on the Cathedral since the XXI century, and although it originally was supposed to be designed under a Gothic style influence, it ended up being in full Renaissance aesthetics.
The Cathedral was commissioned by the king after the conquest of Granada from the muslims. Therefore, one of the key elements it holds are statues of the rulers on its inside.
The Royal Chapel was built on top of what used to be the terrace of the city’s Great Mosque. It was the chosen burial place for the XXI century monarchs. The Chapel’s design is a mixture of both gothic and renaissance elements. Within the Royal Chapel walls we can find numerous works of arts and relics of high religious importance. The Royal Chapel holds the title of Historic Artistic Monument due to all the wonders it contains.
If you wish to stay near these monuments on your visit to Granada, we recommend that you look for a staying place on Downtown Granada. This place is the city’s heart, and although accommodation here can be a little more expensive than the one which can be found in other neighbourhoods of the city, it is well worth the money. It is surrounded by services like cinemas and restaurants and the monuments are within walking distance.
Sacromonte
One of the things Spain visitors want to experience when visiting the country is the whole flamenco’s culture. One of the best places to live this experience to its fullest is Granada’s neighbourhood Sacromonte. After the city was conquest from the muslims, the Romani people moved into Granada and settled on the hills. They occupied caves and created a neighbourhood of their own. This neighbourhood was Sacromonte. When you walk Sacromonte streets you can feel the flamenco. There are a lot of live performances and sometimes you can simply hear the strumming of the guitars as you stroll around.
If you want to get the full flamenco experience that Sacromonte offers, you can book a room in one of the hotels the neighbourhood. But if you are looking for a more genuine approach, you can book a room in the house caves. There are usually night performances, so whatever your choice is, you will not be dissapointed.
Granada Charterhouse
The Charterhouse of Granada is a XVI century monastery, based on what used to originally be a muslim farm. Since its foundation, it has work as monastery of cloistered monks. Although it has very austere looks from the outside, the Charterhouse insides hold many wonders. As you reach the entrance, you are welcomed by an ornate arch, which brings you to a road that leads to the church.
The church’s decorations are anything but modest, with glass doors and decorations made of silver, rare woods and ivory. The church’s tabernacle is one of the finest examples of Spanish baroque art in terms of architecture, sculptures and painting.
The Charterhouse of Granada has some marvelous gardens with a beautiful fountain in the middle, which give this place an ever more peaceful vibes.
The Mosque of Granada
The Mosque of Granada is a XXI century monument. This monument is one of the most recent attempts of Muslim associations to claim their heritage back. The Church of San Salvador was built on top of the Great Mosque of Albayzin. In 1981, muslim associations bought the land near this church. Their goal was to built a Mosque for the Spanish muslim community in one of the spanish cities with a bigger muslim history, and in 2003 their dream came true with the mosque inauguration. The place is open for visits and it serves over 500 believers.
