Set in the stark alpine lap of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, these fierce, snow-speckled mountains form the very heart of this extraordinary national park. Known as Spain's largest national park, this remarkable nature reserve takes root at the untouched edges of the Alpujarra, stretching all the way to El Marquesado, and covering the expanse of the verdant and fertile Lecrin Valley. A multitude of natural landscapes find solace in the strange and miraculous folds of the national park, from undulating peaks of nearly 20, 3000 meter (9842 feet) high mountains, to glistening rivers that run down mountainous slopes to meet with their respective terminals. Within its astounding beauty, a wealth of diverse flora and fauna is nurtured. A mighty assemblage of endemic plant species, a Spanish Ibex population, along with martens, badgers, wildcats, Eurasian Eagle-owls and Golden Eagles are abundantly found in the Sierra Nevada National Park. The park is also home to the Sierra Nevada Ski Station, a prime destination for winter sports.
You will pass through Patio de los Leones in the heart of the harem section, on your tour of the Alhambra. The Oriental atmosphere created by the architects, moved the American writer, Washington Irving, to compose lofty, romantic prose about it during his visit in 1826. It was built for Sultan Muhammed V in 1378, with a central fountain supported by 12 tame-looking lions. Ibn Zamrak's poem, engraved on the fountain, praises the Sultan and this beautiful palace garden. It's surrounded by a gallery with 124 marble columns, that overlooks three of the most attractive rooms in the complex.
Come here directly after visiting the Nasrid Palaces on your tour of the Alhambra. It'll help you to bring the place to life. You'll find an interesting collection of furniture, pottery, money, clothing, scientific instruments and other objects that were used as part of daily life in the palaces during the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries. The fabulous blue and gold ceramic Jarre las Gacelas, or Alhambra Vase, is the showpiece item. You'll find it on the ground floor of Palacio de Carlos V (Carlos V's Palace).
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 the first mosque to have been built in Granada since the Nasrid dynasty which ruled the city till the defeat of the last emir, Muhammad XII in 1492. Inaugurated in 2003, the mosque serves not only as a place of worship but also as a cultural center for the Muslim population of the city. It houses the main prayer hall, the garden and Center for Islamic Studies. Public access is limited to the gardens; inner sanctum is reserved for Muslims.
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.