In sunny Andalucia much of Granada's interest lies in its crossover of Muslim and Christian culture - lending the city a vibe that's partly European but also partly African. Many people visit Granada on their way down to Morocco, the southern resort of Marbella or the small towns and villages in the Sierra Nevada mountains, and it contains the ideal tourist combination of things to see in the day and a host of good bars and restaurants for the evening.
Things to see and do:
- The Alhambra - this Moorish palace is considered to be one of the ten wonders of the world. It's also the most visited monument in Spain so turn up early (or buy in advance) to avoid queues!
- Pedro Alarcon and Plaza Nueva are the places to head for bars and nightlife. You'll often find jazz or flamenco bands playing in the livelier bars, whereas the smaller ones house loyal locals and a taste of everyday Granada.
- The Albaicin - this is the old Arabic part of town and is particularly recommended to those travelling down to Morocco, as a taster of non-European culture. You'll find this area on the hill opposite the Alhambra – needless to say it offers great views of the city.
Getting there:
Granada's airport isn't international so you'll have to first fly to Madrid or Barcelona and then transfer on an internal flight; or alternatively fly to an airport closer to the city such as Almeria or Malaga and then travel on by car, bus or train.
Location and weather:
Granada is in Andalucia, the southernmost province of Spain, so it gets very hot in the summer. For warm but not stifling weather the best times to visit are spring and autumn.
Top tip:
However hot it may be, visitors should remember to take a scarf, T-shirt, sarong or light cardigan with you when you're visiting churches to cover the shoulders for modesty and respect.
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