Granada is a city in Andalusia, Spain, that has a rich and diverse history, culture, and cuisine.
What is Granada Known For?
Granada is famous for many things, such as its stunning architecture, its vibrant nightlife, its delicious tapas, and its unique festivals. Here are some of the things that make Granada a special place to visit:
Famous History and Culture of Granada
Granada has a long and fascinating history that dates back to the ancient times. The city was the site of an Iberian settlement, Elibyrge, in the 5th century BCE and of the Roman city of Illiberis. In the 8th century CE, the city was conquered by the Moors, who made it the capital of their kingdom of Granada. The Moorish influence can still be seen in the architecture, art, music, and language of Granada. The most famous example of Moorish architecture is the Alhambra, a medieval fortress and palace that was built by the Nasrid dynasty in the 13th and 14th centuries. The Alhambra is one of the most visited tourist sites in Spain and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It consists of several buildings and gardens, such as the Alcazaba, the Nasrid Palaces, the Palace of Charles V, and the Generalife. You can admire the intricate decorations, the geometric patterns, the water features, and the stunning views of the city and the mountains from the Alhambra.
Granada was also the center of Jewish Sephardi culture and scholarship in medieval times. The city had a large and prosperous Jewish community that contributed to the fields of science, medicine, philosophy, and literature. Some of the famous Jewish figures from Granada include Samuel ibn Naghrillah, a vizier and poet; Moses ibn Ezra, a philosopher and poet; Abraham ibn Ezra, a rabbi and astronomer; and Yehuda Halevi, a poet and philosophe. The Jewish quarter of Granada was called Realejo and it still preserves some of its historic buildings and monuments.
Granada was the last stronghold of the Moors in Spain, falling to the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II and Isabella I in January 1492 after a long siege. This event marked the end of the Reconquista (Reconquest) and the beginning of a new era in Spanish history. Ferdinand and Isabella are buried in Granada’s Royal Chapel (Capilla Real), which is part of the Cathedral of Santa María de la Encarnación. The cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece that was built on the site of a former mosque in the 16th and 17th centuries. You can see the impressive altar, the choir stalls, the paintings, and the sculptures inside the cathedral.
Granada’s history and culture are also reflected in its festivals and celebrations. Some of the most popular ones are:
- The Holy Week (Semana Santa), which is celebrated in March or April with processions of religious brotherhoods carrying floats with images of Christ and Mary through the streets.
- The Day of the Cross (Día de la Cruz), which is celebrated on May 3rd with crosses decorated with flowers and objects displayed in public places.
- The Corpus Christi Fair (Feria del Corpus Christi), which is celebrated in June with bullfights, concerts, dances, fireworks, and a parade of giant puppets called tarascas.
- The International Festival of Music and Dance (Festival Internacional de Música y Danza), which is celebrated in June or July with performances of classical music, flamenco, ballet, opera, and contemporary dance in various venues, especially in the Alhambra.
- The Zaidín Rock Festival (Festival Zaidín Rock), which is celebrated in September with concerts of rock bands from Spain and abroad in Zaidín Park.
Famous Drinks in Granada
One of the best things about Granada is that you can get a free tapa with every drink you order at most bars and restaurants. Tapas are small dishes of food that can range from cheese and ham to fried fish and croquettes. Granada is also known for its local wines, such as the dry white wine from the Alpujarra region or the sweet red wine from the Contraviesa area. Another popular drink in Granada is the tinto de verano, which is red wine mixed with lemon soda and ice. It is a refreshing and light drink that is perfect for the hot summer days. If you prefer something stronger, you can try the pacharán, which is a liqueur made from sloe berries and aniseed. It has a fruity and aromatic flavor and is usually served chilled or with ice.
Famous Sports in Granada
Granada is a city that loves sports, especially football and skiing. The city has its own football team, Granada CF, which plays in the top division of the Spanish league, La Liga. The team was founded in 1931 and has a loyal fan base that supports them at their home stadium, Nuevo Los Cármenes. Granada CF has won several trophies, such as the Copa del Rey in 1959 and the Segunda División in 2011 and 2019. The city also hosts an annual marathon, the Granada Marathon, which attracts thousands of runners from all over the world. The marathon takes place in October and passes by some of the most iconic landmarks of the city, such as the Alhambra and the Cathedral. Another sport that Granada is famous for is skiing, as it is located near the Sierra Nevada Ski Station, which is one of the best ski resorts in Spain. The ski station has over 100 km of slopes for all levels of skiers and snowboarders, as well as a snow park, a cross-country ski circuit, and a night skiing area. The ski season usually lasts from November to May, and you can enjoy stunning views of the mountains and the city from the slopes.
Famous Streets in Granada
Granada has many charming and picturesque streets that reflect its history and culture. One of the most famous streets in Granada is Calle Elvira, which is located in the old Moorish quarter of the city, the Albaicín. Calle Elvira is a narrow and winding street that is lined with shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants that offer a variety of cuisines, such as Moroccan, Turkish, Indian, and Spanish. Calle Elvira is also known for its nightlife, as it has many pubs and clubs that play live music and flamenco shows. Another famous street in Granada is Calle Navas, which is located in the center of the city near the Town Hall. Calle Navas is a pedestrian street that is famous for its tapas bars and restaurants that serve some of the best tapas in town. You can find all kinds of tapas here, such as snails, meatballs, fried eggplant, ham croquettes, and more. Calle Navas is always crowded with locals and tourists who enjoy eating and drinking on the terraces or inside the cozy establishments. A third famous street in Granada is Carrera del Darro, which runs along the river Darro at the foot of the Alhambra hill. Carrera del Darro is one of the oldest and most beautiful streets in Granada, as it has many historic buildings and monuments along its way, such as the Arab Baths , the Casa de Castril , and the Convento de Santa Catalina de Zafra . Carrera del Darro is also a great place to enjoy the views of the Alhambra and the Sacromonte neighborhood from its bridges and balconies.
FAQs about Granada
- How do I get to Granada? You can get to Granada by plane , train , bus , or car . The nearest airport is Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén Airport , which is about 15 km from the city center. You can take a bus or a taxi from there to get to your destination. You can also take a train from Madrid , Barcelona , Seville , or Malaga to Granada’s train station , which is located near Avenida de la Constitución . From there you can take a bus or a taxi to the city center. You can also take a bus from other cities in Spain or Europe to Granada’s bus station , which is located near Carretera de Jaén . From there you can take a bus or a taxi to the city center. If you prefer to drive, you can take the A-92 motorway from Seville or Malaga, or the A-44 motorway from Jaén or Motril, to get to Granada.
- When is the best time to visit Granada? Granada is a city that can be visited all year round, as it has a mild climate and many attractions and events throughout the seasons. However, some of the best times to visit Granada are spring and autumn , as the weather is pleasant and the city is less crowded. Spring is also a great time to see the flowers and gardens of the Alhambra and the Generalife , as well as to enjoy the Easter celebrations and the Crosses of May festival . Autumn is also a good time to see the changing colors of the leaves and the fruits of the Alpujarra region, as well as to enjoy the International Jazz Festival and the All Saints’ Day fair .
- What are some of the must-see attractions in Granada? Granada has many attractions that are worth seeing, but some of the most important ones are:
- The Alhambra : The Alhambra is a medieval fortress and palace that was built by the Nasrid dynasty in the 13th and 14th centuries. It is one of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture and one of the most visited tourist sites in Spain. The Alhambra consists of several buildings and gardens, such as the Alcazaba , the Nasrid Palaces , the Palace of Charles V , and the Generalife . You can admire the intricate decorations, the geometric patterns, the water features, and the stunning views of the city and the mountains from the Alhambra. You need to buy your tickets in advance online or at a ticket office, as they sell out quickly.
- The Cathedral : The Cathedral of Granada is a Renaissance masterpiece that was built on the site of a former mosque in the 16th and 17th centuries. It is one of the largest cathedrals in Spain and has a majestic facade, a dome, five naves, and several chapels. You can see the impressive altar, the choir stalls, the paintings, and the sculptures inside the cathedral. You can also visit the Royal Chapel , where you can see the tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella , the Catholic Monarchs who conquered Granada in 1492.
- The Albaicín : The Albaicín is the old Moorish quarter of Granada that preserves its medieval layout and atmosphere. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has many whitewashed houses, narrow streets, squares, fountains, churches, and mosques. You can explore its charming corners, such as Plaza Larga , Plaza de San Nicolás , Mirador de San Cristóbal , or Calle de las Teterías . You can also enjoy some of the best views of the Alhambra from some of its viewpoints, such as Mirador de San Nicolás or Mirador de San Miguel Alto .
See more Famous Places in Spain:
- What is Seville Famous For?
- What is Cadiz Famous For?
- What is Huelva Famous For?
- What is Caceres Famous For?
- What is Granada Famous For?
- What is Madrid Famous For?
- What is Barcelona Famous For?
- What is Valencia Famous For?
- What is Almeria Famous For?
- What is San Sebastian Famous For?
- What is Santanter Famous For?
- What is Salamanca Famous For?
- What is Oviedo Famous For?
- What is Valladolid Famous For?
- What is Cordoba Famous For?
- What is Alicante Famous For?
- What is Bilbao Famous For?
- What is Palma Famous For?
- What is Murcia Famous For?
- What is Zaragoza Famous For?
