Granada, Spain — Where to Go
Granada 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.
The Alhambra well symbolises Granada's story and significance, having been brought to its peak of elegance and splendor in the 14th and 15th centuries when Granada was the flourishing capital of the last Moorish kingdom on the Iberian Peninsula.
Finally, in 1492, the Christian Reconquest reached here too, led by Spain's ‘Catholic Monarchs', Isabel and Fernando, and bringing with it the churches, monasteries and other monuments that also contribute to the city's beauty and atmosphere today.
From their medieval heyday Granada and the Alhambra slipped into centuries of decline, which only started to be reversed by the interest taken in them by 19th-century Romantics such as American writer Washington Irving, author of the celebrated Tales of the Alhambra. The Romantics' interest sparked early tourism here.
Granada Tourist Information
Oficina de Información Turística del Patronato Provincial
Plaza Mariana Pineda 10
Tel: 958 247 126.
Website: www.turgranada.es
Granada Sightseeing
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 ten 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
Granada Sightseeing
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 ten 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 in Granada, Spain
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; www.alhambra-tickets.es). Allow three hours to tour the entire attraction.
Real de la Alhambra
Tel: 902 441 221.
Website: www.alhambra-patronato.es
Opening hours: Daily 0830-2000 (Mar-Oct); daily 0830-1800 (Nov-Feb).
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
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.
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1015-1330 and 1600-1930, Sun 1100-1330 and 1530-1930 (Mar-Aug); Mon-Sat 1015-1330 and 1600-1930, Sun 1100-1330 and 1530-1930 (Sept-Feb).
Admission charge: Y
Disabled access: Y.
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.
Opening hours: Mon-Sun1000-1330 and 1600-1930 (summer); Mon-Sat 1000-1330 and 1500-1830 (winter).
Admission charge: Y.
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.
Opening hours: Opening hours: Mon-Sun 1000-1300 and 1500-1800 (winter); Mon-Sun 1000-1300 and 1600-2000 (summer).
Admission charge: Y.
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
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1000-1430 (Jul-Aug); Tues-Sun 1000-1230 (Sept-Jun); Tues-Sun 1600-1830 (Oct-Mar); Tues-Sun 1700-1930 (Apr-Jun and Sept).
Admission charge: Y.
Parque de las Ciencias
Granada's most visited museum is this modern, interactive science park - genuinely fun for grown-ups as well as kids. Highlights include the Eureka Hall, where visitors can play with a gyroscope, and the epic Planetarium, which opens up the heavens. For younger visitors the key attraction is the Exploration Hall, with plenty of hands-on entertainment for those aged 3-7.
Avenida del Mediterráneo
Tel: 958 131 900.
Website: www.parqueciencias.com
Opening hours: Tues-Sat 1000-1900, Sun 1000-1500.
Admission charge: Y.
