Granada: Distinct Contrasts
Introduction
Granada was founded by the ancient Nasrid Muslim dynasty in the 13th century. Due to wars with the Kingdom of Castile in Spain, the Nasrid dynasty was forced to seek help elsewhere. That elsewhere was in Morocco. The resulting aid from Morocco caused the city to undergo Arabazation. It is a Spanish city but still has an intense Muslim flair about it. Little by little,the Muslim dynasties lost their power, until eventually they succumbed to Catholic Spanish forces. From that time hence it was, and still is, a Spanish city.
Parking
If you are arriving in Granada via a car, be warned it is a tricky city to navigate. The roads are narrow and seemingly end out of nowhere. I received a not-so-pleasant surprise in the form of a ticket via email for driving in a bus lane for just a few mere seconds. Know where you want to go and be intentional about being aware of where you are driving. After going to more than a few parking lots, only to discover they were full, we ended up finding success at the parking lot in Palacio de Congresos.
Albaicin Neighborhood
Following parking, we hurriedly made our way to the Albaicin neighborhood. A neighborhood known for being the most musical neighborhood in Spain and offering dramatic views of the Alhambra. Seemingly around every corner you can hear either a Spanish guitar, a stringed instrument, flamenco singers, or a combination of all. Do yourself a favor and go to the Plaza San Nicolas and admire the stunning views of the Alhambra from a distance. With frequency there will be flamenco singers at the plaza, which adds to the experience.
We had not eaten in sometime, so we found a quaint restaurant called El Higo, in the heart of Albaicin. One of the cool things about Granada is their time honored tradition of if you buy a drink then you receive a free complimentary tapa. So if you find yourself at a restaurant and want to save some money, simply order a drink and you will get a free tapa. I ordered a mouth-watering burger and my wife ordered a delicious Indian dish called Baingan Bharta. Our dishes were delectable and I would eat there again.
Arabic Tea
With stomachs full we quickly made our way to an Arabic tea house called Dar Ziryab Salon de Te. Granada is famous for their Arabic tea and is a must if you have time. My wife ordered Arabic lemonade, with a distinct mint flavor, and a delectable dessert that tasted similar to a fig newton. I ordered black Pakistani tea with an accompanying flavorful puff pastry. Tea Houses are abundant in Granada, just look out for the signs that have the word Teteria on them and you will find what you are searching for.
Book Your Traditional Flamenco Show in the Heart of Granada HERE
The Alhambra
Short on time, we hastily made our way to the Alhambra in order to make our scheduled time slot. The hike up is quite strenuous and takes a bit of time, so if you are short on time, then consider hiring a taxi to drop you off. After hiking up an enormous hill/mountain we made it to our scheduled time slot only just in time. My one regret of the Alhambra is that I did not get the accompanying audio tour. I had many questions, and I am sure the audio guide would have been insightful. Do yourself a favor and purchase the guide, it will only enhance your experience in the Alhambra.
Book Your Alhambra and Generalife Small Group Guided Tour Tickets HERE
The palace was immaculate and perhaps the best rendering of Moorish architecture in Spain. We spent time wandering about the palace and occasionally listening in on important historical facts that tour guides divulged to their spellbound groups. After exhausting our time in the Palace, we then made our way to the stunning Generalife gardens. We took pictures, videos, and got lost in the excellent mazework of the garden. The fountains were especially spellbinding. Overall, the Alhambra and gardens were beautiful and they left no doubt in mind as to why they are included in one of the seven ancient Muslim wonders of the world.
Book Your Alhambra Private Tour with Nasrid Palaces Skip the Line Ticket HERE
The Alcaiceria
On the way back to our car we stumbled upon The Alcaiceria, the great bazaar of Granada. This bazaar is one of the few antiquated Moorish remnants that remain in Granada after the Christian reconquest. It is a narrow alleyway that is clustered with shops on either side. If you fancy yourself some Arabic souvenirs then meander down the street and buy yourself a lamp or some arabic ethnic clothing.
Conclusion
Following the bazaar, we made our way back to Sevilla, thus ending our trip to Granada. If you are a fan of architecture and history, then you will be constantly amazed by Granada. It is a city that has a rich Moorish history that is still evidenced to this very day. Although it is Spanish, you cannot help but feel it is also Arabic in nature. Don’t believe me? Go see for yourself!
