"Granada - A Glimpse into Spain's Moorish heritage" Granada by jackfruit


Granada Travel Guide: 2,334 reviews and 4,844 photos

Painting in the Royal Chapel - Granada
Painting in the Royal Chapel

Granada was the last stronghold of the Moors - North African Muslims - that occupied the Iberian Peninsula for over 700 years and influenced Spanish and Portugese achitecture, culture and language. It was in Granada that the Christian monarchs, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, finally put an end to the Muslim reign in 1492.

Today, Alahambra, the region's biggest attraction stands in quiet testimony to the moorish glory that once was.

The Alahambra at sunset - Granada

The Alahambra at sunset

Like most tourists, we visited Granada on a whistle stop tour of Spain.

Set aside an entire day for the Alahambra. It can easily be spent strolling the Generalife gardens, hiking the ramparts of the Alahambra fort of Alcazaba and roaming the intricately designed courtyards and buildings of the Palacios Nazaries. Most of the moorish tilework is well preserved. Note the fascination of the Moors to water - a commodity so rare in the deserts of Africa and Arabia that it finds itself in the Islamic ideal of the Gardens of Paradise.

The Official Alahambra page is a great resource for planning your trip to this amazing destination that was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984.

Although it's now known primarily for it's moorish attractions, Granada once witnessed the persecution of Moors and Jews under the Christian eye of Isabella and Ferdinand. Serving as the capital of the Spanish Monarchy for hundreds of years, Granada was where infidels met torturous ends during the Spanish Inquisition and Columbus set out on his quest for the New World.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Moorish design and architecture at the Alahambra
  • Cons:Crowded, so get your tickets in advance or be prepared to be turned away!
  • In a nutshell:Must see for any history buff!
  • Last visit to Granada: Apr 2002
  • Intro Updated Mar 7, 2004
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Reviews (11)

Generalife gardens - Granada Perfectly manicured gardens Things to Do (4)

Generalife gardens are the result of the Moorish Sultans' attempts to create a paradisical oasis in thier capital city... more travel advice

Court of Lions - Granada Moorish architecture at it's best! Things to Do (4)

The splendor of the El-Andalus Moors can be enjoyed in these palatial courtyards and rooms. Consisting of a number of... more travel advice

Alcazar (Alcazaba) ramparts - Granada Alcazar Things to Do (4)

Although in ruins today, this fort once offered protection for the thousands of moors that lived within it's walls.... more travel advice

Carlos V palace in the Alahambra grounds - Granada Renaissance contrast to the Moorish... Things to Do (4)

Charles V (Carlos V in Spain) built this circle-in-a-square palace within the Alahambra grounds to show the Moors who... more travel advice

Comments (7)

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  • basstbn's Profile Photo
    basstbn Apr 6, 2005 at 10:16 AM Report Abuse

    Nice page - your tips are extremely helpful. Touring the sites of Granada appears to be more of a challenge than when I last visited in 1978.

  • MATIM's Profile Photo
    MATIM Jul 8, 2004 at 5:13 AM Report Abuse

    I agree with you,don't only visit Alhambra when you are in Granada the city has more to offer.

  • aadil's Profile Photo
    aadil Jun 12, 2004 at 10:01 AM Report Abuse

    Seems like a must see place to me and hope to see it soon on my visit to Spain!!! Thanks for sharing your info filled tips and the lovely pics in the t'logs!!!

  • Aurorae's Profile Photo
    Aurorae Apr 7, 2004 at 4:40 AM Report Abuse

    One of the most beautiful places on Earth I think. i'm dying to see Alhambra... Great page!!!!

  • radz's Profile Photo
    radz Mar 29, 2004 at 4:13 AM Report Abuse

    Very nice page,hmm u rearch lot about place u visit :)thanks for the all histry informaiton of Colmbus.

  • TempNomad's Profile Photo
    TempNomad Mar 26, 2004 at 4:15 PM Report Abuse

    Wonderful selection of tips for beautiful Granada. Thanks for the memories!

  • Paul2001's Profile Photo
    Paul2001 Mar 16, 2004 at 2:31 PM Report Abuse

    Great page. The Alhambra was my fave attraction in all of Spain.

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“Too often ... would men boast only of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen.”

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