Exploring Historic Granada, Spain

This journey dives deep into the heart of a land once ruled by an empire, dominated by a dynasty, then regained by a kingdom   . . . 

While staying in Malaga, I took an hour and a half train ride for a day trip to Granada. It was in these fascinating streets that I would search for historic sites and architectural delights.
​Here is what I found:

A Walking Tour through History and Culture

​I rolled of the train around 10am and began to wander my way southeast from the station. The first place that caught my attention was the Monastery of San Jeronimo that began its construction in 1504. Nearby you will find a few other notable religious establishments including the 18th century Basilica de San Juan de Dios. 

You will find these city streets to be pleasantly lined with decorative orange trees and countless examples of amazing architecture. Before long I would find myself outside of another wonderous landmark. Construction began on the Cathedral of Granada in beginning of the 1500s on the site of the old Muslim Medina. 

Cathedral of Granada

All throughout this area you will learn of the history of how this land was under control of the Moors from the 8th until the 15th century. Granada was actually the last Islamic Emirate on the Iberian Peninsula. It was after a round of the crusades known as the Reconquista that Spain would once again find itself under the rule of Christian Monarchs. 

One of the most famous landmarks in town can be found atop a very large hill. The mighty stronghold known as the Alhambra can't go without being noticed. This fortification of epic proportions was mostly constructed during the 13th and 14th centuries. Along the hike to the top you will find monuments to people ranging from Carlos V to Washington Irving. 

Being Granada's most visited attraction, the Alhambra receives a lot of tourist traffic. You will often hear people say to book your tickets in advance due to the chance of them selling out. This is absolutely true, as I hiked all the way to the top and didn't get in. While that was a bit depressing the walk around the exterior was pretty awesome itself. 

Another interesting place you should seek out while in town is an old Arabic Bathhouse called El Banuelo. This structure seems to have been constructed sometime between the 10th and 11th centuries and is very well preserved. Inside you will see star-like holes in the ceiling that let light in from above to illuminate the otherwise dimly lit chambers. They say that establishments like this not only provided for hygiene but also served as place for social gatherings  It is a pretty impressive sight. 

Just down the road, you will find the Archaeological Museum of Granada. Inside is a collection of artifacts that showcase the complex history of the region including the days of the Romans that would inspire many other future civilizations. 

In this part of town you will encounter more of those extremely photogenic churches like the Iglesia de San Pedro y San Pablo and the Iglesia de San Gil y Santa Anna, both constructed in the 1500s. This neighborhood is also home to many enjoyable places to relax with a drink and a bite to eat. 

I realize that I already told you to climb that huge hill to the Alhambra, but you should also check out the hilltop across from that to visit the Albaicin neighborhood. Along these streets there are a few more monasteries. Sorry, most of those are not open to the public, but this trek will take you to some amazing viewpoints known as miradors. 

At the top you will find the Church of San Nicolas that was built on the site of a former mosque after the Christian reconquest. Take a look at the structure located next to it. That is a cistern that once provided clean water to a pretty extensive network. There are actually many of those all over town, some of which still function to this day. 

San Nicolas church and cistern

While in this area be sure to look for Palacio de Dar al-Horra. This 15th century Palace was originally built to house members of the Nasrid Dynasty, but after the Reconquista it was used as a residence for local Catholic officials. It would later be incorporated into the Franciscan Convent which was part of the Monastery of Santa Isabella la Real. 

From the upper levels you will experience one of my favorite views of Granada. This palace is somewhat of a hidden gem, but it is well worth seeking out. If you would like to see more of this and other interesting locations, follow along on this journey with my YouTube video and be sure to hit those like and subscribe buttons.