Going to Granada
Granada is one of the most spectacular cities in Spain. The biggest attraction in Granada is of course La Alhambra. Travel to Granada is not complete without visit of palaces and gardens of Alhambra.It's recomended to spend at least half a day there because of many as there are so many interesting buildings, rooms, gardens, and beautiful fountains. Ticket reservations are required a good amount of time in advance if you wish to visit.
The tickets can be purchased at the automatic machine of “La Caixa” bank, the collaborator bank entity with the company that manages Serviticket service. The tickets can also be acquired in internet (www.alhambra-tickets.es) or by telephone calling to the number 902 888 001.
In the history Granada was the meeting point of Islamic and Christian cultures. In 1492 the same year America was discovered, the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella entered the last Arab bastion on the Iberian Peninsula. Undoubtedly, the most emblematic monument in the city is the Alhambra, delcared a World Heritage Site. This sumptuous palace is a must-see destination for all travelers visiting Granada.
The city of Granada
The city has many other places of interest meriting an visit. The trip begins in Albaycin, - quarter witha a network of streets and squares, such as San Nicolas, from whose the view catch the Alhambra buildings and mountain of Sierra Nevada.
In this old quarter, of special interest are the carmenes, charming houses with lovely gardens. The Monastery of Santa Isabel la Real, near the old walls that once enclosed the Arab city, stands out from among the network of narrow streets.
The gypsy quarter of Sacromonte
, famous for its cave-dwellings, rests on a broad hill commanding a beautiful view of the city. The Cuesta del Chapiz, location of the School of Arabic Studies and the Palace of Los Cordova, descends to the Carrera del Darro, which runs parallel to the Paseo de los Tristes. On the journey down the street, historic bulldings are located, such as El Banuelo, a complex of Moorish
Interesting Albaycin
The Albaycin' originated as an urban area around the beginning of the 10th century.
The inhabitants of the City of Elvira asked for protection and shelter from Zawi ben Ziri, who was the first of the four kings of the Granadine Zirid dynasty. as a result of the disintegration of the Caliphate and the breaking down of the territory of Al Andalus into minute kingdoms, which very often fought each other.
Lower Albaycin
Bathed by the River Darro, it is one of those spots that make Granada a magical city.
The Albaycin is divide into the upper and lower quarter. Division depends on how near each is to the rest of the city and therefore how accessible it is. The lower neighbourhood is only five minutes on foot from the city centre or cathedral area.
The main streets belonging to lower Albaycin are: Calle Elvira until it ends in the square called Plaza Nueva, including Calle Caldereria, with its teahouses and Moorish craftwork shops. The distinct Museum character of this street is a recent development.
On the south side, the squares Plaza Nueva and Santa Ana and the streets Carrera del Darro and Paseo de los Tristes. Parallel to the latter is Calle San Juan de los Reyes, as the limit to this lower part.
Uper Albaycin
Every street and corner affords us a different viewpoint to the Alhambra. At the end of Cuesta del Chapiz we are already in the upper part of the quarter. This is where the most traditional and most typical Albaycin squares and streets are.Such are its features and peculiarity that sometimes you feel you are in a different town and not in Granada at all. There are three main squares that are a must to visit: Plaza Larga, Plaza de San Nicolas and Plaza de San Miguel Bajo. However, many of important monuments can only be visited at times of worship or they can only be seen inside on a guided visit.