SPAIN: GRANADA MEDIEVAL AND SACROMONTE

Apart from La Alhambra de Granada and El Albaicín, in Granada you can visit other interesting places in the old city, such as the Alcaicería or the Monastery of San Jerónimo. Another fantastic visit is the Museum of Caves in Sacromonte.

Next you have the places I visit walking along the streets of Granada:

• Jardines del Triunfo and Hospital Real
• Monastery of San Jerónimo
• Renaissance Palace in San Jeronimo Street
• Church of San Justo y Pastor
• Corral del Carbón
• Alcaicería
• Bib-Rambla Square
• Cathedral
• Church of San Juan de Dios

Jardines del Triunfo and Hospital Real

In Jardines del Triunfo of Granada we met the guide and the other people we did an interesting tour around the old quarter with. In the picture appears the Royal Hospital

Monastery of San Jerónimo

Baroque church of the Monastery of San Jerónimo in Granada

I saw this mirror in a room of the Monastery and I didn't hesitate to take a picture :)

In the cloister between orange trees. Orange trees are very common in Granada streets

Church of San Juan de Dios

Another important baroque church of Granada is the one of San Juan de Dios. In this picture, the main façade

Renaissance Palace in San Jeronimo Street

One of the small palaces we could see in San Jeronimo Street

Church of San Justo y Pastor

I found quite beautiful the church of San Justo y Pastor in Universidad street of Granada

Corral del Carbón

Courtyard of Corral del Carbón in Granada, which served as inn for merchants, as warehouse and as a market

Alcaicería

Near the Corral del Carbon we entered the Alcaicería, where silk were sold. I liked the colourful look of this popular market in Granada

Bib-Rambla Square

In this square, called Bib-Rambla square, we finished this amusing tour around the old quarter of Granada. This tour really pleased us, so we repeated two days after in the Albaicín

Cathedral

Going from Bib-rambla square to the restaurant we went past the Cathedral of Granada and I couldn't help taking one more picture

Night view of the Cathedral of Granada

Royal Chapel

Tomb of Catholic Kings inside the Royal Chapel of Granada

New Square

The church of Santa Ana in New Square has elements of Mudejar and Christian arquitecture

The fountain of the new square with Santa Ana church in the background

Sacromonte

After having lunch we went to the Sacromonte. At six o'clock the temperature was high (35º more or less). The bus left us in the Abadia of Sacromonte but it was already closed. We walk down for 20min and we reached the Museum of Caves in Sacromonte

Museum of Caves in Sacromonte

We had to go upstairs for 5min and it was a bit hard because of the heat. But it was worth because the museum of Caves in Sacromonte is quite interesting

A vegetal garden links all the caves of the museum

Between the caves and the look-out point there is a small botanical garden

As well as La Alhambra we could see the city of Granada from this viewpoint of Sacromonte

Going from the museum to the Albaicín we couldn't help taking more pictures of La Alhambra

Clicking on the next links you will see more pictures of other fantastic places we visited in Granada:

• La Alhambra de Granada
• El Albaicín

Finally, other beautiful places you can visit in Spain are:

- Catalonia

• Costa Brava in Catalonia
• Barcelona
• Girona

- Basque Country

• Bilbo - Bilbao
• Getaria, Zarautz and Hondarribia in San Sebastián

- Cantabria

• Cantabria
• Santander, Comillas and Santillana del Mar in Cantabria

- Sevilla, Córdoba, Cádiz and Costa de la Luz

• Sevilla
• Córdoba
• Cádiz and Costa de la Luz

- Toledo, Madrid, El Escorial and Segovia

• Toledo, Segovia, Monasterio del Escorial near Madrid

- Mallorca, Ibiza and Formentera

• Sóller, Port de Sóller, Deià and Valldemossa in Mallorca
• Palma de Mallorca

• Beaches and Las Dalias Market in Ibiza
• Ses Illetes beach in Formentera

- Galicia

• Santiago de Compostela in Galicia
• Costa da Morte
• Baiona, Islas Cíes and more Beaches in Galicia
• Tui and Camino de Santiago Portugués

- Zaragoza, La Rioja and Navarra

• Monasterio de Piedra near Zaragoza (Tapeo in Zaragoza)
• Haro in La Rioja
• Laguardia in La Rioja Alavesa
• Camino de Santiago Francés
• Estella and Los Arcos in Navarra
• Tarazona, Veruela Monastery and Sanctuary of Borja

- Alicante

• Alicante, Elche and Isla de Tabarca

SPAIN: ALBAICIN IN GRANADA

El Albaicín of Granada (the former muslim quarter) is a maze of narrow streets where it's really easy to get lost. I enjoyed a lot walking among its white buildings and small palaces, also called Cármenes.

Between white houses and Cármenes there are nice cafés where I spent a nice time in the evening.

Besides the views of the Alhambra de Granada from the New Mosque and the Sant Nicolás viewpoint are fantastic.

Below you have the most interesting places and buildings I visited in Albaicín:

• New Mosque of Granada
• Albaicín from La Alhambra
• Streets and Squares of Albaicín
• San Nicolás viewpoint
• Carmen Nevot in Albaicín
• Carmen Aben Humeya in Albaicín
• Alhambra from the Albaicín

New Mosque of Granada

The Alhambra from the courtyard of the New Mosque of Granada, near the St. Nicolás viewpoint in Albaicín


Besides, the murmur of water of this fountains made me feel quite relaxed and comfortable

Albaicín from La Alhambra

I found really interesting the views of Granada from La Alcazaba of La Alhambra. Here, a beautiful view of the Albaicín. On the top, a church indicates the San Nicolás viewpoint

Streets and Squares of Albaicín

Typical steep and narrow street of the Albaicín in Granada

A typical narrow, steep and cobbled street in Albaícin

A typical Carmen in Albaicín with La Alhambra in the background. A Carmen was a large house Christians built from three or four small muslim houses. Now this Carmen, called Aben Humeya, is a restaurant with a lovely garden and fantastic views of La Alhambra. We came back that day in the evening and we had a really good time there

Typical white houses in Albaicín

The current courtyard of the church San Salvador in the Albaicín was the courtyard of a mosque which existed instead of this church

Larga square in Albaicín is the nerve centre of the Albaicín. Here there is a market every morning

Going down to New Square between typical white houses of the Albaicín

San Nicolás viewpoint

The Alhambra from the San Nicolás viewpoint in Albaicín

Carmen Nevot in Albaicín

This carmen in Albaicín, called Nevot, is a really a Palace rather than a carmen

Carmen Aben Humeya in Albaicín

A view of the courtyard of the Carmen Aben Humeya in Albaicín, where we spent a fantastic evening enjoying the beautiful views of La Alhambra

The sunset made the view of La Alhambra from Albaicín even more beautiful

Besides the colour of the flowers, the sound of the water of this fountain of the gardens of the Carmen Aben Humeya was quite relaxing

Impeccable look of this small garden with a mihrab in the background

The red flowers of the geraniums gave a colourful look to the courtyard of Carmen Aben Humeya in Albaicín

Alhambra from the Albaicín

Another impressive view of the Nasrid Palace of La Alhambra from Carmen Aben Humeya in Albaicín

Nasrid Palace of La Alhambra at night, one of the most beautiful views of Granada



When the sunlight began to disappear the spectacle of light started, as you can see in this picture of La Alhambra of Granada

And as a recompense for a hot afternoon, a cold drink in this restaurant near the Sant Nicolás viewpoint in Albaicín. The views and the peaceful environment made this time one of the best of our stay in Granada

Clicking on the next links you will see more pictures of other fantastic places we visited in Granada:

• La Alhambra de Granada
• Sacromonte Caves and Old City

Finally, other beautiful places you can visit in Spain are:

- Catalonia

• Costa Brava in Catalonia
• Barcelona
• Girona

- Basque Country

• Bilbo - Bilbao
• Getaria, Zarautz and Hondarribia in San Sebastián

- Cantabria

• Cantabria
• Santander, Comillas and Santillana del Mar in Cantabria

- Granada

• La Alhambra, Albaicín and Sacromonte in Granada

- Sevilla, Córdoba, Cádiz and Costa de la Luz

• Sevilla
• Córdoba
• Cádiz and Costa de la Luz

- Toledo, Madrid, El Escorial and Segovia

• Toledo, Segovia, Monasterio del Escorial near Madrid

- Mallorca, Ibiza and Formentera

• Sóller, Port de Sóller, Deià and Valldemossa in Mallorca
• Palma de Mallorca

• Beaches and Las Dalias Market in Ibiza
• Ses Illetes beach in Formentera

- Galicia

• Santiago de Compostela in Galicia
• Costa da Morte
• Baiona, Islas Cíes and more Beaches in Galicia
• Tui and Camino de Santiago Portugués

- Zaragoza, La Rioja and Navarra

• Monasterio de Piedra near Zaragoza (Tapeo in Zaragoza)
• Haro in La Rioja
• Laguardia in La Rioja Alavesa
• Camino de Santiago Francés
• Estella and Los Arcos in Navarra
• Tarazona, Veruela Monastery and Sanctuary of Borja

- Alicante

• Alicante, Elche and Isla de Tabarca

SPAIN: ALHAMBRA DE GRANADA

Probably Granada is known internationally thanks to La Alhambra de Granada. And I can confirm that the reputation of this great Arabian palace is deserved. La Alhambra de Granada is a spectacular monument, one of the most beautiful places I've seen, with a level of detail in the decoration almost unbelievable.

La Alhambra de Granada lit at night, one of the most beautiful memories of Granada

Inside La Alhambra de Granada I visited the following fantastic places. What I liked the most, Nasrid Palaces and Generalife Gardens.

• Arab bath or Hammam 
• Mexuar room in Nasrid Palaces 
• Arrayanes courtyard in Nasrid Palaces 
• Tower of Comares in Nasrid Palaces 
• Lions courtyard in Nasrid Palaces 
• Partal Palace in Nasrid Palaces 
• Palace of Carlos V 
• Views of Granada and Albaícin from La Alcazaba 
• Generalife Gardens

La Alhambra

Arab bath or hammam inside La Alhambra de Granada and near the Palace of Carlos V

I became a bit impressed when I look at the ceiling of this baths in La Alhambra, where I saw this star-shaped apertures 

Nasrid Palaces (Palacios Nazaríes)

Eventually, at ten o'clock we entered the Nazari Palace, the treasure of La Alhambra de Granada. In this picture, the Mexuar room, with this impressing wall highly decorated. Here the Sultan listened to the requests of his subjects

Detail of Mexuar Room in La Alhambra de Granada

Highly decorated Column in La Alhambra de Granada near Mexuar Room

The Nasrid Palaces in La Alhambra de Granada where built around courtyards with fountains and ponds because water was a really important element in muslim culture. The Arrayanes courtyard was the largest one and its pond reflects the light to the adjacent rooms

Another view of the Arrayanes courtyard with the tower of Comares in the background and the arab columns reflected on the water

Highly decorated ceiling of Abencerrajes Room in Alhambra de Granada

Decoration of Abencerrajes Room in Alhambra de Granada

Highly decorated ceiling of Dos Hermanas Room in Alhambra de Granada

Unfortunately the Lions courtyard, one of the treasures of La Alhambra de Granada was absolutely in restoration, so I was a bit disappointed. Obviously this picture is a photo of a photo

A closer view of the lions in La Alhambra de Granada

Partal Palace, one of the most beautiful buildings of La Alhambra de Granada, reflected on the water

Another part of the Partal Palace in La Alhambra de Granada

Gardens inside La Alhambra de Granada, near the Partal Palace

Palace of Carlos V

The circular courtyard of this palace inside La Alhambra surprises me a bit. It was circular because, this way, it was more suitable for the entertainment shows which took place here since the visibility of the audience was better

Another picture of this circular courtyard

Views of Granada from La Alcazaba

I found really interesting the views of Granada from La Alcazaba of La Alhambra. Here, a beautiful view of the Albaicín. On the top, a church indicates the San Nicolás viewpoint

This view of Granada from La Alhambra shows the cathedral and, on the bottom, the New square

Another great view of Granada: the Albaicín from the Vela Tower of La Alhambra

View of Sierra Nevada behind the Nasrid Palace and the Palace of Carlos V of La Alhambra  de Granada from the Albaicín

Generalife Gardens

From the north side of the Alhambra a path leads us to The Generalife, the summer residence of the sultans.

The Acequia courtyard is an oriental garden built around a long central canal. Always the water plays an essential role in Alhambra and Generalilfe courtyards

This courtyard of El Generalife, unlike the ones of La Alhambra, is covered with vegetation

Typical columns of Nasrid arquitecture also in Generalife Gardens

The courtyard of the Sultaness in Generalife Gardens of Granada was the place where Zoraya met her lover

Another view of this beautiful courtyard of Generalife Gardens

Finally, some beautiful pictures of La Alhambra de Granada lit at night:

When the sunlight began to disappear the spectacle of light started, as you can see in this picture of La Alhambra of Granada

The view of La Alhambra de Granada under the moonlight was spectacular

Clicking on the next links you will see more pictures of Granada, El Albaicín and Sacromonte Caves:

• El Albaicín
• Sacromonte Caves and Old City

Finally, other beautiful places you can visit in Spain are:

- Catalonia

• Costa Brava in Catalonia
• Barcelona
• Girona

- Basque Country

• Bilbo - Bilbao
• Getaria, Zarautz and Hondarribia in San Sebastián

- Cantabria

• Cantabria
• Santander, Comillas and Santillana del Mar in Cantabria

- Sevilla, Córdoba, Cádiz and Costa de la Luz

• Sevilla
• Córdoba
• Cádiz and Costa de la Luz

- Toledo, Madrid, El Escorial and Segovia

• Toledo, Segovia, Monasterio del Escorial near Madrid

- Mallorca, Ibiza and Formentera

• Sóller, Port de Sóller, Deià and Valldemossa in Mallorca
• Palma de Mallorca

• Beaches and Las Dalias Market in Ibiza
• Ses Illetes beach in Formentera

- Galicia

• Santiago de Compostela in Galicia
• Costa da Morte
• Baiona, Islas Cíes and more Beaches in Galicia
• Tui and Camino de Santiago Portugués

- Zaragoza, La Rioja and Navarra

• Monasterio de Piedra near Zaragoza (Tapeo in Zaragoza)
• Haro in La Rioja
• Laguardia in La Rioja Alavesa
• Camino de Santiago Francés
• Estella and Los Arcos in Navarra
• Tarazona, Veruela Monastery and Sanctuary of Borja

- Alicante

• Alicante, Elche and Isla de Tabarca