Granada, A City Full of History
Written: Feb 07 '02 (Updated Feb 07 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A lot to see
Cons: Hot during the summer
The Bottom Line: If you are going to Southern Spain, Granada is worth a stop.
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| BryRrose's Full Review: Granada |
I have had the great fortune to visit Granada twice. My sister moved to Spain almost ten years ago and fell in love with a wonderful man from Granada. She moved to live with him and to be close to his family.
My first visit was in June of 1996 and I stayed for almost two weeks. The weather was unseasonable cool during my visit. I remember my sister telling me how strange the weather was; that is was usually scorching during the summer months.
My second visit to Spain was in June of 2000 and I stayed for six weeks. Most of my time was spent in Granada seeing the sites. I learned during this visit what my sister meant by scorching during the summer months. The sun, at times, was a blistering 106 degrees and you didn't get much relief at night.
Places to See
There is a lot to do in Granada, from shopping to site seeing. Granada is full of history, and is best known for its Alhambra.
ALHAMBRA & GENERALIFE
The Alhambra is Granada's Castle. It was built when the Nasrid dynasty ruled Granada in the 13th century. The Alhambra sits on the hills overlooking the city of Granada with the Sierra Nevada Mountains draped in the background.
There was a period when the Alhambra was left unoccupied. It wasn't until the 1970's (I believe) that is was restored and Granada began giving tours of this elaborate structure.
Basically, you will be seeing elaborate structures and beautiful gardens and patios.
Alongside the Alhambra is the Generalife, this was the country estate of the King. The Generalife is full of beautiful gardens and patios.
When visiting the Alhambra and Generalife it is best to buy your tickets in advance. We purchased our tickets in town at a bank, but you can purchase tickets at the main gate of the Alhambra.
THE CATHEDRAL
The Cathedral is located in downtown Granada. Visitors can pay a small admission to enter and see elaborate works of art, stained glass, and tapestry. A must see is the beautiful church organs that sits in the middle of the Cathedral.
There are many churches that you can visit throughout the city and pay a small fee to enter. No reservations are required and the wait to get inside is usually minimal.
ALBACIN
The Albacin is definitely worth a visit. It is the area of white houses around the Alhambra known as the old Moorish quarters. The streets to the Albacin zig zag around and climb up the hill toward the Alhambra. Alot of the streets are very narrow and some can only be accessed by walking. There is a great plaza in the center of the Albacin that is perfect for seeing and taking pictures of the Alhambra.
Getting Around the City
Traffic in Granada is very congested and there are a lot of crazy drivers. If you do not know the city, you might end up going down the wrong way on a one way street. There are also a lot of motorcycle or moped riders that like to zip in and out of traffic. Pedestrians beware.
I recommend either walking or taking the bus around town. The bus system is easy to follow and they run quiet frequently.
There is a lot to do and a lot to see in Granada. I recommend getting a map of the city and doing a section at a time. I have only listed a few of the places that I feel are a must see.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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BryRrose
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Location: California
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"If I live another day, Make mine a Chardonnay!"
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