Discover Granada
This year I planned a two-month long exploration trip to Granada and In may I set out to discover the city. I have hear many interesting things about the city from friends and I was eager to see for myself what it feels like to visit in person. In general I had a great experience there and I felt incredibly inspired as an artist walking the historic streets of Granada and taking pictures every day.
Granada is the capital city of the province with the same name located in the southernmost region of continental Spain, Andalucía. The location of the city makes it a truly special destination: it lies at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountain range and it is also an hour’s drive from the Mediterranean coast. The city is bustling with culture and history and the surrounding nature provide a perfect opportunity to unwind for anyone needing to recharge. Traveling to the city can be the perfect opportunity to discover the rich culture and heritage of this region.
The fastest route to Granada in from the Malaga International Airport, which is about 1.5-2 hours’ drive from the city. There are buses going from the airport and it is very easy to get there from the south. It can be approached from the north as well, however that is a much longer ride, although it undeniably takes one through some amazing areas of Spain. The best time to visit in my opinion would be between March and May or September to November, both to avoid the scorching summer heat and the crowds of tourists.
The city is made up of 6 main districts: Realejo, Cartuja, Bib-Rambla, Sacromonte, Albaicin and Zaidin. Each of these areas have their unique charm and offer various opportunities for cultural activities, sights and eating out. Even though it is quite a popular tourist destination, overall, Granada is not too expensive. You can get almost anywhere on foot in the center and have lunch or coffee without breaking the bank. Another good reason to walk around is the geography and general planning of the city. There are many hills and very narrow, winding roads going through the center, especially in the Albaicin, Sacromonte and some parts of Realejo that make even an experienced local driver sweat heavily when passing through them.
Historically, Granada has been a multicultural city with beautiful, unique architecture that provides a great inspiration for all the arts, in my case, photography. The areas of the city provide various accounts of history and culture and several breathtaking vantage points of the city’s main attraction, the Alhambra. My personal favorite is the view I get walking through Sacromonte. There is just nothing quite like the narrow winding roads gradually taking you up to the top of the hill and looking back down at the city from there - during sunset if you time it right.
The bustling multicultural nature of the city makes it hard to believe the violent and tumultuous past the city has had. The history of the city is also unique and very multilayered. There are archaeological finds dating back all the way to the Bronze Age. In more recent history Granada became an important and prosperous city during the Islamic period beginning in 711. This period saw Granada become a fast developing, rich center of trade, artisanship and science. In 1491 after Queen Isabella’s siege, the city came under Christian rule and with the ousting of Jewish and Muslim populations in the 17th century, the city fell into decline. It took centuries of political turmoil to end to bring Granada to the forefront again and make it an attractive destination for tourists, artists and students alike. The city today is peaceful and safe and provides a meeting point for people of different backgrounds, generations, interests and professions.
I would love to hear about your experience in this beautiful city and feel free to share any tips that you have in the comments!
