Granada’s history goes back to prehistoric times and was known as Ilbyr before it was renamed Illibris by the Romans.  After the Arabs invaded Iberia in the 8th century they gave it the name Granada  and some say the name means Granada of the jews, however others say it means pomegranate after the fruit.

One of it’s most famous monuments is The Alhambra Palace, a combination of fortress, city and palaces built during the Nazari Dynasty in the 14th century.  It has become a must-see destination for travellers from all over the world and is the second biggest tourist attraction in Europe after the Vatican. The summer palace called Generalife is particularly stunning with it’s beautiful gardens and water-features standing against the breathtaking backdrop of the Siera Nevada mountains.

Granada city is full of ancient buildings and momuments.  The Emperor Charles V built a massive Spanish renaissance palace in the 16th century which still stands to-day. Other Christian monuments in the city include the Cathedral where the Royal Chapel houses the burial site of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella.

The hill facing the Alhambra is called the Albaicin and is a myriad of narrow streets with  tiny fronted houses opening onto secluded inner courtyard gardens called “carmenes”.  At it’s highest point the Albaicin opens up to a magnificent view of the Alhambra at a place called The Plaza de San Nicholas, which is a much visited location. 

Overlooking the city from the north is the Sacromonte hill which has cave-dwellings that were once the homes of the city’s gypsy population.  When the Moors came to Granada it was largely inhabited by Jewish settlers that were rumoured to be one of the first peoples to settle in Spain even before the Romans.

Granada has a lively nightlife with tapas bars, many fine restuarants and thriving commercial district which, attracts thousands of visitors every year, all year round.  Granada is only 40 minutes from the Costa Tropical coastline with it’s beautiful warm climate and beach-life and 30 minutes from the ski-slopes of the Sierra Nevada, the best of both worlds all in one place! 

Written by K. Hill