Granada Area Guide

Granada is situated in the eastern part of Andalucia in southern Spain. It offers a diverse landscape and climate with a warm coastal area, the extensive and fertile Genil plain and the colder mountainous regions with the Mulhacén, which is the highest peak on the Spanish peninsula and the Sierra Nevada Ski Resort.

The historic city of Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains at the confluences of the Darro and Genil rivers. It is the last Moorish capital in Iberia with some fantastic Christian Renaissance treasures and palaces including the Alhambra Palace which is regarded as being one of the 10 architectural wonders of the world.

The Albaicin is the ancient Arab-Jewish quarter which stands on a hilltop facing the Alhambra Palace. It is a honeycomb of cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, plazas and historic buildings. The area of El Sacromonte which overlooks the city from the north is famous for its caves where Granada's large gypsy community once lived but they are now used to host flamenco shows for international tourists.

The new part of the city is situated on a plain crossed by the Gran Vía de Colón and Calle de los Reyes Católicos where the Cathedral can be found.

It will take you about three hours to walk around Granada taking in most of the sights. We have provided a step by step guide to all the Granada local attractions telling you where to start the tour and making sure that you do not miss anything.

 

There are more than 50 ancient white villages southeast of Granada city in the foothills of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada known as the Alpujarras. They are surrounded by terraced farmland and lush vegetation that is irrigated by the melting snows from the mountains above. To find out more information about the fortified villages to the west please read our guide to villages in Granada.

 

Situated at the foot of Sierra Nevada Mountains, between the Rivers Darro and Genil, Granada is one of the most fascinating cities in eastern Andalucia and a beautiful area to play golf in. To find out about the best courses visit our Granada golf guide.

 

In Granada you will find some excellent restaurants making the most of local produce from the nearby sea and mountains. Some are in fabulous locations with stunning views of the floodlit Alhambra at night. For details of recommended places to eat visit our restaurant guide to Granada.

 

You can purchase a number famous craft products from Granada. There is a wide range of shops in the streets of Granada traditional stores to exclusive boutiques to shopping centres and street markets. We have written a Granada shopping guide and Granada market guide to help you find your way around.

 

If you are planning to explore the area outside of the city centre and play some golf or go to some of the more out of the way beaches then you might consider hiring a car. There are a number of car hire firms based at Granada Airport who will be pleased to have a vehicle awaiting your arrival. This also cuts down on transfer costs for you and your family.

We also provide information on sporting and leisure amenities in Granada including a Granada Area Guide which includes the best Granada Shops, Granada Markets, Golf Courses in Granada, the beautiful Villages of Granada, recommended Granada Restaurants and Granada Local Attractions.