Granada, Andalucia

Granada - Overview:

Granada is a lively, beautiful and historic city, enjoying a magnificent setting beneath the snow-clad peaks of mainland Spain's highest mountain range, the mighty Sierra Nevada. The centre of Granada has a Gothic Cathedral, numerous museums, squares with open air cafes, tapas bars and many interesting shops.

The city of Granada is overlooked by one of Europe's most exciting, sensual and romantic monuments - the Alhambra palace. Concealed within its walls are some of the most beautiful and intricate Moorish architecture and magnificent gardens.

On the hill opposite the Alhambra is the Albaicin, a fascinating old Moorish quarter or medina. Its fascinating labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets wind between squares and ancient whitewashed houses with secluded inner gardens, known as carmenes.

The Plaza de San Nicolas, at the highest point of the Albaicin, is famous for its magnificent view of the Moorish palace and the Sacromonte hill, which overlooks the city from the North, is famous for its cave dwellings, and was once the home of Granada's large gypsy community.

Granada - History:

Ancient Granada was first settled by pre-historic native tribes and was known as Ilbyr. The Jews are said to have been one of the first peoples to settle in Spain, even before the Romans. When the Romans colonised southern Spain, they built their own city here and called it Illibris. The Arabs later invaded the peninsula in the 8th century and gave it its current name of Granada.

The ancient name Granada is believed to have derived from the meaning great castle, after the Roman fortress which once stood on the Albaicin Hill. When the Moors came here, the town was largely inhabited by Jews, and they called it Garnat-al-Yahud - Granada of the Jews.

Granada was the last Muslim city to fall to the Christians in 1492, at the hands of Queen Isabel of Castile and her husband Ferdinand of Aragon.

Granada - Alhambra:

The fabulous Alhambra is a series of palaces and gardens built under the Nazari Dynasty in the 14th Century. This mighty collection of buildings includes the summer palace called Generalife, with its fountains and gardens. The Alhambra stands at the foot of Spain's highest mountain range, the Sierra Nevada, and looks the city below across the fertile plain of Granada.

At the centre of the Alhambra stands the massive Palace of Charles V, an outstanding example of Spanish Renaissance architecture. Other major Christian monuments found in the city are the Cathedral, including the Royal Chapel where Isabel and Ferdinand lie buried, the Monastery of La Cartuja and many churches built by Moorish craftsmen after the Reconquest, in Granada's unique mudejar style.

Granada - Our holiday accommodation and service:

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So, if you're looking for an activity holiday walking, cycling and trekking; exploring Spain's fascinating villages, towns and historic cities such as Granada or the Sierra Nevada mountains; fancy a spot of sailing, SCUBA diving, wind surfing, swimming, sunbathing or relaxing on great beaches (much of Spain's south coast is also ideal for a spot of winter sun); or you just want to simply escape the tourist masses with a privately owned apartment, cottage or villa with a pool, call our holiday team today. We can also assist you with flights to Spain, ferry travel and holiday car hire.