Hotels in Granada

Granada sits at the foot of the Sierra Nevada in Andalusia, southern Spain - a city of roughly 230,000 people whose skyline is defined by the Alhambra, the red-walled Nasrid palace complex that crowns the Sabika hill. As the last Muslim capital on the Iberian Peninsula until 1492, Granada layers Islamic, Christian, and Jewish heritage across its old quarters more visibly than perhaps any other Spanish city, and the architecture reflects that blend at every turn.

Beyond the Alhambra, Granada is celebrated for its tapas tradition - many bars still include a free dish with each drink ordered - and for the dense, whitewashed alleys of the Albaicín, a UNESCO World Heritage neighbourhood facing the palace across the Darro valley. The Sacromonte hillside above is famous for its cave dwellings and flamenco zambras, while the Sierra Nevada mountains, just 32 km away, host southern Europe's southernmost ski resort and a national park ranging up to 3,479 metres.

Granada's altitude of around 738 metres gives it a continental edge unusual for Andalusia: hot, dry summers, snow-capped peaks visible from the city in winter, and crisp clear skies for much of the year. The compact historic centre is easily walkable, and a single Granada Card or local minibus pass connects most major attractions.