Granada – Alhambra, Generalife and Moorish cityscape

The Alhambra is currently the only surviving palace city from the Islamic period. Before it was declared a monument in 1870, it was a palace city, a Christian royal residence, the captaincy general of the Kingdom of Granada and a military fortress. In terms of architecture and decorative design, the Alhambra is considered an outstanding example of Nasrid art.

Its history is therefore reflected not only in its original function as a palace city, but also in its later uses as a Christian royal residence, captaincy general and military fortress. Its classification as an example of Nasrid art encompasses both the architecture and the decorative design.

Culture

The residential district of Albayzín preserves a rich heritage of Moorish urban planning and architecture. Buildings from the Nasrid period and structures of Christian tradition coexist harmoniously there. The Generalife garden and its kitchen gardens are among the few surviving medieval areas of agricultural productivity. A visit to the Generalife includes the gardens and the palace. This visit includes the Acequia Courtyard, the Sultana Courtyard and the Water Stairway.

At the Generalife, the palace, gardens and kitchen gardens are combined within the same visit. The Acequia Courtyard, Sultana Courtyard and Water Stairway are among the explicitly mentioned areas. The kitchen gardens also preserve a medieval connection to agricultural productivity.

Access to the Alcazaba includes the Torre de la Vela. From there, visitors can enjoy views of the city of Granada and the distinctive Albayzín district.

The Torre de la Vela is a specific viewpoint included in access to the Alcazaba. From there, the view extends over Granada and Albayzín, whose Moorish urban planning and architecture have been preserved in the residential district.

History

Medicine, law and mathematics were taught at the Madraza. The Abadía del Sacromonte complex includes the Santas Cuevas and the seminary. This complex also includes the Lead Books and relics of the disciples of the Apostle Santiago.

The historical sites cover different areas: the Madraza represents the teaching of medicine, law and mathematics. In Sacromonte, the abbey includes not only the Santas Cuevas and the seminary, but also the Lead Books and the relics of the disciples of the Apostle Santiago.

Museums and exhibitions

The Museo Cuevas del Sacromonte reconstructs the history of the cave residents. It also reconstructs their ways of life and customs. The museum includes a cave dwelling, a cave stable and a cave kitchen, illustrating everyday life in the area.

The three reconstructed areas reveal different aspects of this everyday life: the cave dwelling, cave stable and cave kitchen are all part of the museum. In addition to the rooms, the ways of life and customs of the cave residents, as well as their history, are also reconstructed.

The Parque de las Ciencias offers activities and exhibitions year-round from Tuesday to Sunday. These offerings are aimed at all age groups and target audiences.

The Parque de las Ciencias therefore offers both activities and exhibitions. The year-round period and opening from Tuesday to Sunday are among the stated features of the museum’s offerings.

City life

Granada has a strong tapas tradition in which every drink is accompanied by a small snack. Sacromonte is the center of Granada’s flamenco- and jondo-influenced scene; organized performances take place there every day.

The local food culture thus includes the pairing of a drink with a small snack. At the same time, the flamenco- and jondo-influenced scene shapes life in Sacromonte; the organized performances there take place daily.

From Plaza Nueva, the picturesque and frequently photographed Carrera del Darro follows the Darro River. Palaces, churches, monasteries and charming hotels line both sides of the route.

The Carrera del Darro connects Plaza Nueva with the course of the Darro River. Along this frequently photographed route, different historic and urban elements stand side by side on both sides: palaces, churches, monasteries and charming hotels.

Another destination page is Romilla.

More destination pages: Baúl, Moclin, Gorafe, Cijuela.

For the higher-level travel overview: Granada.

More about the destination

Relevant information for planning your trip:

Motril: beaches, port and the Costa Tropical near Granada, Granada: Alhambra, Albaicín and practical travel tips, Province of Granada: city, Sierra Nevada and Costa Tropical.