Why Stay in Granada?
Granada is one of Spain's most mesmerising cities, dominated by the Alhambra — a Moorish palace-fortress complex of such intricate beauty that it has been called the closest thing to paradise on Earth. The city sits at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, with its Arabic heritage visible in the whitewashed Albaicín quarter, the hammams, and the tetería (tea house) culture.
Hotels in the Albaicín — the ancient Moorish quarter cascading down the hill opposite the Alhambra — offer the most atmospheric stays, many in converted carmenes (traditional houses with enclosed gardens). The views from Albaicín terraces towards the Alhambra, with the snow-capped Sierra Nevada behind, comprise one of Spain's most iconic panoramas, particularly at sunset from the Mirador de San Nicolás.
The Alhambra itself is the reason most visitors come to Granada, and its scale and beauty exceed expectations. The Nasrid Palaces with their impossibly delicate stucco work and the Generalife gardens with their water features are artistic triumphs of the Islamic world. Hotels on the Alhambra hill, including the parador within the grounds, offer proximity to the monument.
Granada's food culture includes a wonderful tradition of free tapas served with every drink — unique among major Spanish cities. The Sacromonte neighbourhood's cave dwellings host authentic flamenco shows, raw and passionate in ways that tourist shows in Seville cannot replicate. The university town's student population gives Granada a youthful, vibrant nightlife.