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Sightseeing Overview
The Alhambra, the fairy-tale palace-fortress of Granada’s old Moorish rulers, perched on a hill overlooking the city center, is the stuff of dreams and a place people travel for days to see. But there is much more to Granada than the Alhambra.

No one should miss the Albaicín, the old Moorish quarter of narrow, winding streets and aged mosques-turned-churches, on a separate hill with fabulous views of the Alhambra; or the gorgeous gothic Capilla Real, resting place of the famous catholic monarchs, Fernando and Isabel, down in the city center.

Next to the Capilla Real stands a fine cathedral dating back to 1521, and further west are two monasteries, the Monasterio de San Jerónimo and the Monasterio de la Cartuja, featuring spectacular gothic, Renaissance and baroque sculpture.

Literature fans will love Huerta de San Vicente, the home of Granada’s great playwright and poet Federico García Lorca, southwest of the center.

Tourist Information
Oficina de Información Turística del Patronato Provincial
Plaza Mariana Pineda 10
Tel: 958 247 128.
Website: www.turgranada.es

Passes
The Bono Turístico (City Pass) gives admission to several major sights, including the Alhambra, cathedral, Capilla Real and La Cartuja and San Jerónimo monasteries, plus nine rides on city buses, a 24-hour pass on the City Sightseeing Granada bus, and discounts at some hotels and restaurants. It’s worth getting if you’re going to stay in Granada a few days.

You can buy the Bono at the Alhambra and Capilla Real ticket offices, at Caja Granada bank, Plaza Isabel La Católica 6; by telephone (with credit card) on 902 100 095; or online at http://caja.caja-granada.es.

Key Attractions:

Alhambra and Generalife
Moorish architecture and sculpture reached their peak of delicacy and elegance in the fabulous hilltop palace of Granada’s 13th to 15th century rulers, the Alhambra. It’s adjoined by beautiful, fountain-strewn, formal gardens, part of which is known as the Generalife. Important: due to very high demand, you should book your Alhambra admission tickets at least one week in advance (tel: 902 888 001; website: www.alhambra-tickets.es).

Real de la Alhambra
Tel: 902 441 221.
Website: www.alhambra-patronato.es
Admission charge.

Albaicín
The hill facing the Alhambra, which survived as a bustling Moorish quarter for several decades after the Christian reconquest of Granada in 1492, is a picturesque and atmospheric maze of narrow, twisting streets. You’ll come upon quaint plazas, beautiful old cármenes (large houses with walled gardens), old churches (most of them former mosques), medieval walls and arches and fabulous views, especially from the Mirador San Nicolás viewpoint.

Capilla Real (Royal Chapel) and Cathedral
The Capilla Real was commissioned by Granada’s Christian conquerors, Fernando and Isabel, as their own burial place. Completed in 1521, it’s a gorgeous gothic building, with the grand Cathedral, in combined gothic and Renaissance styles, next door.

Calle Oficios 3
Tel: 958 229 239.
Admission charge.

Monasterio de San Jerónimo
The church in this 16th century monastery is a riot of colorfully painted sculpture.

Calle Rector López Argüeta 9
Tel: 958 279 337.
Admission charge.

Monasterio de La Cartuja
The sacristy and sanctuary in the monastery church here are a high point of ultra-effusive Spanish late baroque with their highly elaborate and colorful sculpture and design.

Paseo de la Cartuja
Tel: 958 201 932.
Admission charge.

Further Distractions:

Huerta de San Vicente
The summer home of Granada’s great, beloved and tragic writer Federico Garcia Lorca (author of the plays Blood Wedding, The House of Bernarda Alba and Barren) is preserved as it was in the days before he was arrested and assassinated in 1936 at the start of the Spanish Civil War. Exhibitions on Lorca’s life and work are displayed.

Calle Virgen Blanca
Tel: 958 258 466.
Website: www.huertadesanvicente.com

Parque de las Ciencias
Granada’s most visited museum is this modern, interactive science park - genuinely fun for grown-ups as well as kids.

Avenida del Mediterráneo
Tel: 958 131 900.
Website: www.parqueciencias.com

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