Spain: España
I’m going to start with Spain because I am very familiar
with this country. Especially the southern autonomous community: Andalucía.
(These are similar to what Americans would call States.)
I lived in the city of Granada for 2 years and loved every
minute of it! This city has it all: culture, clubs, restaurants, parks, cafés,
bars, food, shopping, nature, everything! If you are planning a trip to Spain,
definitely include Granada on your list of places to visit.
Granada is most famous for the Alhambra (an ancient Arabic
castle/fortress). It’s hard to describe in words how beautiful it is. Every
room, passage, and garden is extremely intricate.
La Alhambra : View from El Albayzín
There are five main spots to visit while at the Alhambra: the Generalife, the Alcazaba, the Towers and higher Alhambra, the Nasrid Palaces, and the Charles V Palace.
Each one is as beautiful as the last, but also very different.
My favorite spot is the Generalife. It is full of beautiful
lush gardens and fountains. It is so peaceful, intimate, and zen-like, you
could lose yourself-or find yourself there! As you walk around the gardens, you
hear the trickling water from the fountains and smell the flowers around you.
There are also very cute, lazy stray cats basking in the sun. This is the place
where the old Arab kings would come and rest. I would definitely recommend
spending a good amount of time here to recharge your batteries.
Generalife: Walking path
Generalife: Patio de Acequia
My second favorite spot is Nasrid Palace. This area has extremely
intricate carvings on the walls, high arches, domed ceilings, high-coffered
ceilings, and beautiful latticework. Much of it has Arabic writing carved into
the walls and beautiful tile work throughout. Nothing I say can do the beauty
of this area justice. The first time I saw it, I didn’t know where to look!
There is so much going on, all of it beautiful!
Nasrid Palace
Nasrid Palace: Arabic carvings in wall tiles
All of the other spots in the Alhambra are beautiful and
amazing as well. From the high Tower, you get an unobstructed view of Granada
and the Sierra Nevada Mountians. It’s a great place to take pictures and soak
up the beauty of the city and the Alhambra. This is where I like to finish my
tour because everything you’ve visited comes together into one big,
unobstructed picture. It is absolutely breathtaking!
The Alcazaba (The oldest part of the Alhambra)
El Torre de la Vela (Watch Tower)
View of Granada from el Torre de la Vela
When I lived in Granada, I visited the Alhambra four times
in two years. Not nearly enough! Every time I went, I saw things I had missed
before. It is truly an experience you do not want to miss.
I always purchased my tickets at the Tienda de la Alhambra.
I recommend buying your tickets in advanced because the Alhambra only allows so
many people per day though its doors. Your ticket will have a time on it. That
time is when you are allowed into the Nasrid Palaces. You do not want to be
late because you will not be allowed into the Nasrid Palaces if you miss you
time. Once you’ve finished your Nasrid Palace tour, you can spend as much time
as you want freely moving through the rest of the Alhambra. Because of this, I
would recommend booking your Nasrid Palace reservation early so that you can
spend as much time as you want roaming the rest of the Alhambra before it gets
dark. Although, seeing the Alhambra at night is absolutely stunning. However,
you can see the glowing Alhambra at night from many other points in the city.
I’ll be sharing much more about all of the amazing things to
do and see in Granada, so stay tuned!
