Come here for the green and shady landscaped gardens in the middle of the city. Head into town on Calle Ancha de Capuchinos, on your left you can visit Hospital Real and on your right is Fuente del Triunfo. When you reach the square, you'll find an 18th-century statue of the Virgin Mary. Turn left and walk through Plaza de la Merced, past the 16th-century Mudéjar-style San Ildefonso Church and up Cuesta de la Alhacaba to San Cristóbal viewpoint for views over the Moorish walls, fortified gates and the Albayzín itself.
El Generalife gardens are the image of a paradise: cool and tranquil with abundant running water. That's what the architects wanted for the Nasrid Sultan in the 13th century, to complement his summer residence, since Granada is ferociously hot and dry in summer. Trees, hedges, bushes, plants and flowers were planted on the Alhambra hill and the river Darro was diverted upstream to provide a constant source of water to the complex. It's still the sort of place where you can spend a relaxing day, appreciating the patios, enclosed gardens, walkways, fountains and pools as well as the views over the Albayzín.
You can see a great display of paintings by Max Moreau in this lovely setting. An old Moorish-style house in the Albayz where he lived and worked, has been converted into a gallery and museum. Along with the work he left to his favourite city, you can see his studio and find out about his private life and his love for Granada through an exhibition of personal photographs.
The aim of Andalusia's first interactive museum is to make learning fun, especially for children. In fact, there are 200 different educational activities to try. Instead of Do Not Touch signs you'll find that touching, playing and experimenting are encouraged. The four permanent exhibitions focus on the biosphere, eureka, perception and exploration. There's a planetarium and an observatory and temporary exhibitions too. The complex also has a conference room, cafe and shop.
This is a must-visit museum for all art-lovers. The Centro José Guerrero, named after the renowned Spanish artist, José Guerrero — known for his abstract paintings of expressionistic form — mainly aims at preserving his works of art. It is also a cultural hub in Granada for spreading awareness and values of contemporary art forms among students and other aspiring artists. The center regularly hosts art exhibitions and other cultural events such as dance and music shows, conferences and workshops. The center holds programs for toddlers to encourage them from an early age.
L'Alhambra domine la ville et est un rêve de 1001 nuits.
Monasterio-Iglesia de San Jerónimo is one of Spain's hidden gems of Renaissance architecture, mainly the work of the prolific Diego de Siloe, who designed the convent with its elegant cloisters and the church as well. Once again it was the Catholic Monarchs who commissioned it and work began in 1504, although it was not completed until after their deaths. Isabel and Fernando's most successful general, Gonzalo Fernandez de Cordoba, better-known as "El Gran Capitan," and his wife, Maria de Manrique, were buried here. The sacristy and chapter house contain valuable works of religious art.
Come here for the green and shady landscaped gardens in the middle of the city. Head into town on Calle Ancha de Capuchinos, on your left you can visit Hospital Real and on your right is Fuente del Triunfo. When you reach the square, you'll find an 18th-century statue of the Virgin Mary. Turn left and walk through Plaza de la Merced, past the 16th-century Mudéjar-style San Ildefonso Church and up Cuesta de la Alhacaba to San Cristóbal viewpoint for views over the Moorish walls, fortified gates and the Albayzín itself.
This elegant and luxurious 19th-century mansion stands on a site with some gruesome history. During the Moorish occupation of the city, those who worked on building the Alhambra palaces and who knew too many royal secrets were imprisoned in dungeons here. During the 16th century, when Christians had conquered Granada, it became a convent. Later, in the 19th century, it was converted into a residential palace, which you can visit along with the wonderful gardens. It's located on the Alhambra hill, close to Manuel de Falla's House and Museum, above the Realejo district. Admission is free.
El Generalife gardens are the image of a paradise: cool and tranquil with abundant running water. That's what the architects wanted for the Nasrid Sultan in the 13th century, to complement his summer residence, since Granada is ferociously hot and dry in summer. Trees, hedges, bushes, plants and flowers were planted on the Alhambra hill and the river Darro was diverted upstream to provide a constant source of water to the complex. It's still the sort of place where you can spend a relaxing day, appreciating the patios, enclosed gardens, walkways, fountains and pools as well as the views over the Albayzín.
There's only one mass per week, on Sunday at midday. The walk out from the Albayz along Camino del Sacromonte is well worth it. This was a popular pilgrimage route during the 17th century and the way was lined with stone crosses. People came to worship at the site where the bones of early Christian martyrs had been found, in an old Roman limekiln. During the guided tour of the Abbey, you'll be taken along underground passages to see where the bodies were found. There's a fabulous collection of religious art, important historical documents and old maps and plans of Granada on display in the museum and other rooms. Come on February 1st, St. Cecil's Day, for the pilgrimage, special mass and outdoor picnic.
You can see a great display of paintings by Max Moreau in this lovely setting. An old Moorish-style house in the Albayz where he lived and worked, has been converted into a gallery and museum. Along with the work he left to his favourite city, you can see his studio and find out about his private life and his love for Granada through an exhibition of personal photographs.