Known worldwide for its famous Alhambra monument, if you spend some time in Granada you’ll also find plenty of other attractions on offer in this historic and rewarding city. Reserving Granada car rental for your visit also gives you the chance to set your own itinerary and explore the surrounding area at your leisure.
Jewel in the crown
Without doubt the most famous sight in Granada is the aforementioned Alhambra Palace, an ancient fortress built by the region’s former Muslim rulers in the 13th century. Situated on Sabika Hill overlooking the city, this is one of the most visited monuments in the whole of Spain. It’s easy to see why. It’s an incredible sight, with its striking red walls and intricately designed buildings.
From its humble beginnings as a small fortress in the 800s, the Alhambra has served as a military, religious and political center over the centuries. Part of the palace was destroyed during the Napoleonic wars and restoration work has carried on until the present day. The main centerpiece is the Palacios Nazaries, the palace complex that once belonged to the kings of Granada and showcases some of the most impressive Islamic buildings to be seen in the whole of Europe.
The other key site of interest is the Generalife Gardens, a relaxing and peaceful space built for rulers who wanted a break from the stress of political life. The number of daily visitors to the Alhambra is limited in order to protect this historic monument, so it’s best to reserve tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
Culture and cuisine
Once you’ve explored the Alhambra, you’ll have a chance to discover some of the other treasures Granada has to offer. For amazing views of the monument at sunset, head to the Mirador San Nicolas, a popular viewpoint where you can also see the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
If all the sightseeing has made you hungry, you can stop off at one of the city’s many restaurants for some tasty Andalusian fare. Some of the most popular traditional options in this part of Spain include pescaíto frito, a simple but delicious dish of fish deep fried in olive oil and seasoned lightly with salt. A tapas tour is also a wonderful way to sample small portions of numerous dishes, so you can get a true flavor of Spanish cuisine.
A hikers’ paradise
Close to Granada you’ll find the Sierra Nevada National Park, with amazing scenery ranging from rivers and pine forests to mountains with incredible views over the surrounding countryside.
This is the biggest national park in Spain and is home to a vast array of rare plants and birds, along with mountain goats. As well as being a popular spot for hiking, there are also activities such as skiing and mountain biking available. If you climb to some of the higher points on a clear day, you can even see all the way across the sea to Morocco.
There are several routes into the park if you’re travelling by car, including Europe’s highest road the A395, which leads from Granada to the western end of the mountain range. Renting a vehicle for your visit to the city opens up this and many other possibilities for your stay in the scintillating Andalusia region of Spain.