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Granada City Guide
|
Population
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300,000
(approx.)
|
|
Region
|
Andalusia/
Andalucía
|
|
People
|
Granadinos
|
|
Geography
|
Set in
southern
Spain,
nestled
below the
majestic
Sierra
Nevada
mountains.
Less than 1
hour from
the beaches
of the Costa
Tropical. |
|
Climate |
Sunny, hot,
dry summers
from
June-September.
Cool
winters,
variable
rain. |
|
Average
Yearly
Temperature
|
15ºC (60º F) |
|
Local
fare |
All kinds of
plentiful
and
delicious
tapas:
breaded
eggplant,
anchovies,
olives, lots
of ham,
fried fish,
cheeses,
chorizo,
gazpacho. |
|
Tourist Office
|
In the
Corral de
Carbón on
calle
Mariana
Pineda (just
east of the
cathedral)
Tel +34 958
221 022 |
|
Did you know? |
Granada was
the last
stronghold
of Muslim
Spain, known
as "Al-
Andalus." It
fell to the
Catholic
Kings in
1492, after
almost 800
years of
Arab
occupation.
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Granada City
Highlights
La Alhambra
Considered one of
the word's modern
wonders, the
Alhambra is a
spectacular Muslim
fort-palace, a
majestic reminder
the city's rich Arab
history. Intricately
detailed ceilings
and walls, beautiful
fountains, unique
sculptures and a
vast garden make
this Europe's most
exotic destination
and Spain's most
visited.
The Cathedral and
Around
The Catholic half of
Granada's history is
emobodied by its
vast
Renaissance-style
cathedral. Buried in
the adjacent Royal
Chapel are Fernando
and Isabel, the
"Reyes Católicos"
who famously
financed Columbus's
voyage to the new
world. Surrounding
streets are closed
to traffic, so you
can discover
enchanting alleyways
while listening to
flamenco guitar
players that dot the
sidewalks.
El Albaicín
Spain's largest
surviving Moorish
barrio, the
Albaicín's
rambshackle medieval
streets hold more
character than
entire cities. Its
narrow, winding
paths hold flamenco
locales, outdoor
cafes, a variety of
restaurants and
great hilltop views
of the Alhambra.
Tapas & Nightlife
In a country packed
with tapas bars,
Granada reigns king.
When you order any
kind of beverage at
bars, it will come
accompanied by a
free and generous
tapa like cheese,
ham, olives, fried
eggplant, small
toast with toppings
and much more. As if
free food couldn't
be beat, the city
has a surprisingly
lively nightlife
despite its moderate
size. This is
largely due to the
active university
scene, just another
aspect that makes
Granada a great
place to study
Spanish.
Study Spanish in
Granada during...
NOVEMBER:
Festival de Jazz de
Granada
Granada hosts one of
Europe's most
established Jazz
Festivals every
autumn. Concerts
last the whole month
with a varied
program of Spanish
and international
musicians.
APRIL: Easter
Week
All throughout
Andalusia, Spaniards
pull out the stops
for Semana Santa,
also known as Easter
Week or Holy Week.
Despite the intense
religiosity of
celebrations -
elaborate floats
with images of the
Virgin and Christ
are paraded through
town to represent
the stages of the
Passion - the event
is by no means
somber. Street
parties and good
spirits pervade the
air. It's an
enthralling time to
study Spanish in
Granada from a
cultural
perspective.
MAY: Las
Cruces de Mayo
Every year during
the first week of
May, Granada
celebrates the
festival of Holy
Crosses. Large
crucifixes adorned
with colorful
flowers serve as the
focal points for
festivities around
town, with
traditional music
and dancing in the
streets. Granadinos
also decorate thier
balconies and patios
with floral
arrangements,
creating a vibrant
setting for crazy
partying.
MAY-JUNE:
Feria de Corpus
Christi
Another
Andalusian-wide
event, the Corpus
Christi festivities
mean week-long
bullfights and yet
another excuse to
party!
Getting to
Granada
Airport
The Granada airport
is located 17km
(10.5 miles) from
the city center.
Iberia is the only
carrier that
currently flies
here, so if you're
coming from outside
of Spain you'll have
to connect through
Madrid, Barcelona or
another national
airport.
Train Station
Granada's train
station is about 1km
(.6 miles) outside
the center on
Avenida de
Andaluces. Local
buses #11, 3, 4 and
6 will take you to
and from the heart
of the city. Direct
trajectories run
only to major
Spanish cities:
Barcelona, Madrid,
Valencia and
Sevilla.
Bus Station
The new bus station,
a bit further from
the center but an
easy ride into town
on local bus #3,
handles direct
national and
combined
international
services. Routes and
prices vary by
company, but bus is
the cheapest way to
travel throughout
Spain from Granada.
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