The city of Granada is placed at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains at an elevation of 738 metres above sea level yet only one hour from the Med.
Visitors are drawn to Granada by the allure of the Alhambra, a Moorish citadel and palace (and one of the most famous items of Islamic historical legacy) and the mystery of the winding streets of the ancient Albaicín.
It doesn't end there though....what you’ll find if you stick around is Andalucía’s hippest, most youthful city, with a free-tapas culture (my personal fave!), unique and querky bars, tiny flamenco holes and great clubs.
Here, the mystery of Islamic past feels just as alive as it always was thanks to a North African population that has filled the Albaycín with kebab shops and restaurants...and truly exotic feeling tea houses (where Shisha lovers are still able to smoke in-doors unlike most other places in Europe now! Just take a look...looks like Morocco you say!? Isn't it amazing! I lived in Morocco for a few years on and off as a kid...so that environment has a big place in my heart...!
Granada is insanely beautiful...and one of my favourite European locations. I've been twice so far...and stayed with a good Italian friend of mine who recently decided to move there...she lives in a 1 bedroom studio (and accomodation costs in Granada are pretty amazing if you look around) just next to the old Albaycin area and this is a photo of her courtyard area...who couldn't live there!
it's such an amazing place I'm actually thinking of moving there myself for a while...here's a view over a lot of the Albaycin area and beyond at sunset in September 2009...
Strolling round the Albaycin area at night, you can't help but be taken in by the surrealness of its ghostly mysterious atmoshphere....this was taken in September but even in the middle of the summer, a lot of streets fall quiet at night and this can only be a positive in my opinion!
Every now and then you'll reach a road with a view of the imposing Alhambra...just beautiful...
Of course, you're bound to find the odd funny graffiti piece wherever you go in the world...and I couldn't help but take a pic of this... (in English - "Your life is a sh*t and you know it") Hehhehee.
Granada is amazing...give it a chance!
