Granada - Home of “A Pearl Set In Emeralds”
What will you do in Granada? There’s as much to do in Granada as you have time and you'll never get chance to be bored!
 You’ll stop at quaint cafes, see bullfights and local dances, visit Gothic Cathedrals lined with shimmering, golden interiors, and paintings by Botticelli and Van der Weyden, you can go shopping in old silk bazaars, now turned into tourist shops, and enjoy some of the finest cuisine in all of Spain, served with beer from the town’s local brewery.
But most importantly, you’ll see the Alhambra, and, just by stepping into this city, you’ll become a part of some of the most important episodes in Western history.
The Alhambra
When you arrive in Granada you’ll see one of the most breathtaking tourist attractions in all of Spain— the Alhambra— once famously called “a pearl set in emeralds.” Its sumptuous Islamic palace and fortress were built by the cultured Moors, and set like jewels in more jewels, in the forested green hills of Granada.
Even visiting Granada is enough to step into the middle of the historic fight that actually spared the Alhambra, but deposed its Moorish rulers.
Here the dramatic battles and final stand took place, as King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella overwhelmed the city and ended 800 years of Moorish rule in 1492 - events that would kick off the next 500 years of Western exploration and expansion into the rest of the world. The Age of the Conquistadors began in the streets upon which you will walk.
See the Alhambra page for more details on this historic site and its beautiful Generalife gardens.
Eat, Drink and Be Merry: Restaurants, Tapas Bars and Moorish Appetisers
For great food be sure to visit El Albaicin, the original part of the city, which dates to the 11th century and has many good bars, cafés and restaurants. Go to the Calle Elvira for their excellent tapas bars. The Albaicin is also a pretty area of the city - whitewashed houses, narrow winding streets, all set on the hillside opposite the Alhambra.
RESTAURANTE SEVILLE - If you want to visit a historic restaurant in Granada, as famous for its clientele and service as its food, you cannot do better than this testament to fine dining. It was opened in 1930 and became a favourite of the famed Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca. The "who’s who" list of diners extends from Brigitte Bardot to Roger Moore, to Bing Crosby and Sir Alec Guinness.
This restaurant is located next to the famous cathedral and features food from the town of Granada and all of Andalucia. Restaurante Seville consistently receives high reviews from guests and restaurant reviewers alike, and its location is also rather stunning. In addition to indoor dining in the Andalucian style, it has an outdoor terrace next to the cathedral, with a Spanish classical guitarist who serenades you and passers by.
Visit the restaurant website for further details:-
http://lingolex.com/sevilla/english.htm
 TAPAS BARS - Among the region's tapas bars, you can’t do better than the equally historic 1910 Bodegas Espanda, a bar that will greet you with both excellent eating and equally fine drink.
Om Khalsum is a tapas bar that you can visit for the treat of enjoying Moorish tapas. Since the region’s history is steeped in Moorish culture, starting with the Alhambra itself, this once-in-a-lifetime experience should be grabbed heartily.
But don’t think typical regional cuisine is all that will be available to you, if you want Indian food, vegetarian food, or to enjoy any number of less well known tapas bars, you’ll be able to eat to your heart's, and stomach’s, content in this land that has been cosmopolitan since before the word was even invented.
Other Granada Attractions
 The Sierra Nevada
The Sierra Nevada ski resort is only 40 minutes outside Granada City, so is handy for those who want to combine skiing with a stay in this historic city.
This area is the southernmost ski resort area in Spain and should not be missed by true enthusiasts. It offers excellent skiing and winter sports, with breathtaking scenery.
The Puerta de Elvira
The stone gate through which Isabel and Ferdinand entered Granada City in 1492 in triumph, after defeating the Moors and reconquering the city.
The Plaza Nueva
This square is Granada's oldest plaza and is also home to the Iglesia de Santa Ana, a lovely 16th century church.
Granada Archaeological Museum
This interesting museum is situated in the Albaicin area of the city, in the 16th century Castril Palace, on Carrera del Darro. Its numerous artefacts come from a variety of civilizations, including the Arabs, Romans,Phoenicians and Carthaginians. Take note of the museum's beautiful Renaissance Patio.
Granada Cathedral
A beautiful Renaissance cathedral designed by Diego de Siloe in 1529 and built on Gothic foundations. The cathedral took nearly two hundred years to be built and Baroque features were added to the design by Alonso Cano in 1667.
Mirador de San Nicolas
This beautiful square is the perfect place to enjoy sunset over the city of Granada. "Mirador" means "viewpoint" and this square really does give breathtaking views over the city of Granada, the most beautiful city in Spain.
El Sacromonte
This is Granada's old gypsy area and is home to a number of caves which the gypsies called home. In these caves in Granada, Moorish (Arab) influences combined with Gypsy elements to create flamenco, which can still be enjoyed here today. If you love culture, make sure you visit these caves to enjoy flamenco in its original home - out of thsi world!
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