Granada

useful
information

The origins of Granada date back to a Phoenician fortress which was built in the X century b.C. on the site of the present-day district of Albaicín. The city later became part of the domains of Romans, Vandals, and Visigoths, until it was conquered by the Moors in 711. The Moorish domination was to last for seven centuries and leave the greatest historical legacy. The Catholic Monarchs, Fernando and Isabel, reconquered the city for the Crown of Castille in 1492, after which ensued a period of decadence which affected all but the cultural sphere of the city thanks to the native-born poet Federico García Lorca (1898-1936).

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GRANADA ESSENTIALS

Population: 239,154 (2010) Area: 88.02 km² (34.01 sq mi) Density: 2,717.04 (7,002.7 sq mi) Elevation: 738 m (2,421 ft) Mayor: José Torres Hurtado

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Tourist Information: Tourist Welcome Centre, Virgen Blanca, 9 ( 902 40 50 45). Tourist Office, Plaza del Carmen ( 958 24 82 80). Andalusia Tourist Office, Santa Ana, 2 ( 958 57 52 02). Granada Province Tourist Office, Plaza de Mariana Pineda, 10 ( 958 24 71 28). Open from Monday to Saturday 9:00 to 19:00 and Sunday 10:00 to 14:00. Airport Tourist Office, Federico García Lorca Airport ( 958 24 52 69). More information at www.turismodegranada.org

Telephone: Granada code number is 958, even necessary for local calls. For international calls dial 00 plus the country code you wish to call. Public telephones works with coins and prepaid cards on sale at newsagents. For telephone information dial 11888 or 11822.

Airport: Federico García Lorca Airport – GRX ( 902 40 05 00) is 15 km west from the city in the A-92 motorway. Regular flights to Madrid, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and Melilla. Connections to Granada with a coach line with departures according to flight arrivals and every hour from 6:40 to 20:00 from Paseo del Violón (next to Ventorrillo bar), running through Gran Vía de Colón, Triunfo gardens, Avenida Constitución next to Renfe station, bus station and Avenida Andalucía with Periodista Eugenio Selles (40 minutes, price 3 €).

Train Station: Avenida de los Andaluces ( 902 27 12 72). Granada is well communicated with Madrid, Algeciras, Almería, Málaga, Sevilla and Barcelona. bus 13 connect city center with the train station.

Bus Station: Carretera de Jaén. 958 18 54 80. Daily connections to Madrid and every andalusian and mediterranean capital. Bus number 3 connect city center with the bus station. BONAL company serves Sierra Nevada, 958 27 31 00.

Public Transport: Granada is a nice Place to move on foot. Only the hills of Albaicín and la Alhambra could be avoided by the small red buses from Alhambra Bus, with departures every 10 minutes from Plaza Nueva from 7:00 to 24:00. Rest of the city is convered by ROBER buses ( 900 710 900) which works from 6:20 to 23:00. Single trip cost 1 €, 8 trip 5 € and monthly pass 34 €.

Taxis: Day fare applies Monday to Friday from 6:00 to 22:00, with a start fare of 1.19 € plus 0.63 € each kilometre and minimun charge of 3.08 €. Night fare applies Monday to Friday from 22:00 to 6:00 and 24 hours Saturday and bank days, with a start fare of 1.49 € plus 0.78 € each kilometre and minimun charge of 3.85 €. Suitcase supplement is 0.40 € and Alhambra destinations 3.14 € with daily fare and 3.92 € with night fare. Teletaxi, 958 28 06 54. Radiotaxi, 958 13 23 23. Taxi Genil, 958 13 23 23.

Emergencies: All the emergencies: 112; Medical Service: 061; Local Police: 092; National Police: 091.

Medical Assistance: Hospital Clínico, Avenida Doctor Olóriz, 16 ( 958 80 70 00). Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, Avenida de la Constitución, 100 ( 958 24 10 00).

Restaurants: Morillo, Cuesta de Gomérez, 20 ( bus 30, 31, 32, 34 y 35). Es un restaurante familiar de típica decoración andaluza con arcos y faroles. La comida es casera y muy típica, con 18 variedades de menú donde elegir. La Higuera, Horno del Hoyo, 17 ( bus 31 y 32). Sorprende la simpatía y el trato familiar con el que reciben los camareros en este pequeño restaurante del Albayzín. Ofrecen platos caseros, donde destaca la tortilla española y el salmón marinado, sin menospreciar la sangría como complemento. Arrayanes, Cuesta Marañas, 4, semiesquina Calderería Nueva ( bus 30, 31, 32, 34 y 35). Cocina marroquí con influencias de Al-Andalus, destacando las pastelas de pescado o pollo, los tajines y el tradicional cous-cous de cordero, pollo o verdura. No faltan las ensaladas de Fez ni la sabrosa repostería marroquí. El Aguador, Plaza de la Romanilla, 12 ( bus 1, 3, 4, 11, 21, 23, 30, 31, 32, 34, 121 y F). Dicen que su chuletón de buey es uno de los mejores de Granada. Se trata de un frecuentado y turístico local, donde además sobresalen las tapas y arroces. Chikito, Plaza del Campillo, 9 ( bus 1, 3, 7, 8, 9, 11 y 13). Este famoso restaurante se asienta sobre lo que en tiempos pasados fue el Café Alameda, un local frecuentado por intelectuales como Federico García Lorca, que constituyeron la tertulia literaria “El Rinconcillo”. Su cocina adquiere algunos puntos de sofisticación, sobresaliendo las habitas con jamón, la tortilla “al Sacromonte”, el bacalao o los solomillos “Rass-Arnaud” y “Nazarí”. El Burlaero, Seminario, 12 ( bus 5, 11, 22, 24 y 121). Restaurante de dominante ambiente taurino, con nombres de tapas al gusto de los más forofos de la fiesta. Posiblemente el trato y la cantidad de las tapas no estén al nivel de otros restaurantes de la zona. Los Manueles, Reyes Católicos, 52 ( bus 1, 3, 4, 11, 21, 23, 30, 31, 32, 34, 121 y F). Se trata de un clásico en Granada, que ofrece alta cocina andaluza desde 1917. A destacar sus raciones de enormes croquetas, las albóndigas y la tortilla española. Al Zagal, Av. Fuente Nueva, s/n ( bus 5 y U). Situado en el hotel Granada Center, sirven cocina mediterránea y de temporada, sin faltar una amplia carta de vinos. Tradición y diseño con magníficas vistas de la Alhambra. El Huerto de Juan Ranas, Atarazana, 8 ( bus 31 y 32). Un restaurante romántico de magníficas vistas a la Alhambra, donde sobresale su decoración mozárabe. Ofrecen una lograda cocina de fusión mediterránea y marroquí, con precios un poco elevados para la media granadina.

Zambras are famous around Granada

Cafés & Tea-rooms: Café Central, Elvira, 3 ( bus 1, 3, 4, 11, 21, 23, 30, 31, 32, 34, 121 y F). Aparentemente es un bar pequeño, aunque su distribución en dos plantas es engañosa, utilizándose las salas de la planta superior para la tertulia para muchos granadinos. Ofrecen una interesante carta de cafés y batidos. Café Bib-Rambla, Plaza Bib-Rambla 3 ( bus 1, 3, 4, 11, 21, 23, 30, 31, 32, 34, 121 y F). Es un establecimiento centenario ideal para sentarse en su terraza y distraerse con el revolotear de las palomas en la plaza. Lo mejor sus desayunos con churros, famosos en todo Granada. Pilar del Toro, Hospital de Santa Ana, 12 ( bus 31, 32 y 35). Un restaurante-cafetería enclavado en una casa señorial del siglo XVII, reconvertida actualmente en hotel. Despunta por sus pequeños comedores ajardinados alrededor de un patio-bar con una fuente central. Kasbah, Calderería Nueva, 4 ( bus 1, 3, 4, 11, 21, 23, 30, 31, 32, 34, 121 y F). Calderería Nueva, en el barrio del Albayzín, es la calle de las teterías en Granada. Kasbah ofrece wi-fi gratuito y una extensa carta de tés y crepes. Lo mejor es su acogedor ambiente, con sofás, velas y decoración al estilo árabe. Tetería Alfaguara, Calderería Nueva, 7 ( bus 1, 3, 4, 11, 21, 23, 30, 31, 32, 34, 121 y F). Esta peculiar tetería, fundada en 1987, sorprende por sus laberínticas y recónditas salas impregnadas de éxoticos aromas, que invitan a la intimidad y a la relajación. A su extensa carta de tés y batidos naturales se unen los crepes y los deliciosos pasteles árabes.

Pubs & Clubs: Barrio Latino, Martínez de la Rosa, 18 ( bus 11, 21 y U). Dicen que en este pub se baila la mejor salsa de Granada, aunque otros ritmos como la bachata o el merengue también encuentran su espacio. Patapalo, Naranjos, 2 ( bus 1, 3, 4, 11, 21, 23, 30, 31, 32, 34, 121 y F). Los más rockeros encontrarán en este pub su espacio de referencia en Granada. Un local oscuro de triste entrada, donde se pincha la mejor música rock de la ciudad. Planta Baja, Horno de Abad, 11 ( bus 11, 21 y U). Es uno de los pubs alternativos con más historia de Granada. Formado por dos plantas, la superior a modo de pub y la inferior a modo de sala de conciertos, donde conviene no perderse su amplia temporada, ya que muchos artistas famosos pasan por aquí en su visita a la ciudad. Granada 10, Cárcel Baja, 10 ( bus 1, 3, 4, 11, 21, 23, 30, 31, 32, 34, 121 y F). Un antiguo teatro reconvertido en discoteca, donde lo más llamativo es su cuidada decoración. Abren diariamente a partir de las 24:00 y atraen a un público universitario que suele abarrotarla cada fin de semana. Industrial Copera, Carretera de Armilla, junto a Carrefour ( bus 5). Es posiblemente la mayor discoteca de Granada, situada en un polígono a la salida de la ciudad. No faltan las sesiones dance a cargo de su equipo de dj’s, la iluminación espectacular, ni los conciertos ni eventos de todo tipo. El Camborio, Camino del Sacromonte, 47 ( bus 35). Una curiosa discoteca del barrio del Albayzín, que ofrece una combinación ideal de cuevas, música y fiesta. Está dividida en dos salas, una de pachangueo y reggaeton y otra de electro-house y R&B, que atraen como un imán a un público universitario y extranjero mayoritariamente. Sus fiestas para Erasmus son una institución en Granada. Sugarpop, Gran Capitán, 25 ( bus 5 y U). Una sala de música pop, indie e independiente que suele animarse a partir de las 3 de la mañana. Buen rollo y ambiente simpático, aunque deficiente equipo musical. Sala Príncipe, Campo del Príncipe, 8 ( bus 34). Ubicada en el corazón del barrio del Realejo y transformada sucesivamente de cine a tablao flamenco y posteriormente a discoteca para niños ‘bien’. Ponen música mayoritariamente española, enfocada a jóvenes y estudiantes, no sobrepasando su público generalmente los treinta años.

Gay venues: Tic Tac, Horno de Haza, 19 ( bus 5 y U). Un bar de copas de referencia en Granada, donde rara es la semana que no organizan algín espectáculo de cabaret o de drags. La cllientela suele ser fija, rebosándolo cada fin de semana. El Rincón de San Pedro, Carrera del Darro, 12 ( bus 31, 32 y 35). Un café-pub ya veterano en el ambiente, situado en pleno centro de la ciudad, bajo la magia de la Alhambra. Por la tarde es un tranquilo café de música chill-out, que va volviéndose más agresiva al caer la noche. La Sal, Santa Paula, 11 ( bus 1, 3, 4, 11, 21, 23, 30, 31, 32, 34 y F). Es el pub de ambiente más antiguo de la ciudad, creado en su origen para lesbianas, aunque monopolizado por gays en la actualidad. Ponen música muy variada y a veces llega a convertirse en un poco claustrofóbico por la excesiva afluencia de público. New Zoo, Moras, 2 ( bus 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 y 11). Una animada y descuidada discoteca situada en pleno centro, que por su ubicación atrae a todo tipo de público. Pinchan house y música petarda de todo tipo.

travel
guide

Alhambra view

The Alhambra, located on a site atop a hill which is visible from every point in the city, is a Mecca for tourists who visit the Iberian Peninsula as well as one of the jewels of Moorish architecture. The origins of the Alhambra complex date back to the IX century construction of a fortress known as Al Hamra (the red fortress), so called because of the hue of the earth that was used to build it. The transformation of the fortress into a palace was undertaken during the Nasrid dynasty by Sultan Muhammad I, who moved there from Albaicín in 1237. Further building expansions were commissioned by Muhammad III, who erected the Great Mosque; by Yusuf I, who built the Palacio de Comares (Comares Palace); and by Muhammad V, who constructed the Patio de los Leones (Patio of the Lions). On January 2, 1492, in an effort to prevent the destruction of the Alhambra grounds, Boabdil handed the keys to the city over to the Catholic Monarchs, which ended eight centuries of Muslim rule on the Iberian Peninsula. On his way into exile, legend has it that when Boabdil stopped, with tears in his eyes, and turned around for one last look at the city, his mother scolded him by saying: “you cry like a woman for what you knew not how to defend like a man”. The new Christians occupying the grounds founded the Convento de San Francisco in the XV century and they rePlace d part of the existing palaces with new buildings, such as the Palace of Carlos V, and with Christian churches.

Granada Cathedral

The gardens surrounding the buildings, known as the Generalife gardens, were used by the Nasrid kings as recreation areas. Their origins date back to the XIII century, though later they were modified by the Catholic Monarchs and by King Felipe III. The Generalife has a number of patios, pavillions and gardens, where water, flowing from a thousand fountains and ponds, reigns supreme ( minibuses 30 & 32 to main gate; the Alhambra grounds are open daily April to October from 8:30 to 20:00 and November to March from 8:30 to 18:00; the Nasrid palaces are open for visits during the summer Tuesday to Saturday from 22:00 to 23:30 and during the winter on Saturdays from 20:00 to 21:30; for further information, you may visit the Alhambra website at www.alhambra-patronato.es. For visits during peak season, we recommend that you make a prior reservation by calling + 34 958 24 47 97 or though www.servicaixa.com, as the daily quota of 6,300 visitors can fill up rather quickly. 12 € for visitors eight years or older and 6 € to the gardens only).

Albayzín district

Heading down into the city, you may want to start your visit to Granada at the Plaza de Isabel la Católica, where the Catholic Queen ordered Granada’s cathedral to be erected in 1507 ( November to February from Monday to Saturday from 10:45 to 13:30 and from 16:00 to 19:00, Sunday from 16:00 to 19:00 and April to October from 10:45 to 13:30 and from 16:00 to 20:00; on Sunday from 16:00 to 20:00; 3.50 €). The Capilla Real (Royal Chapel)- located on the Calle Oficios, adjacent to the cathedral- was built in 1505, also by order of the Catholic Monarchs, in order to house the royal family´s pantheon. Since the Monarchs perished before the works were completed, their remains were buried in the Convento de San Francisco, in the Alhambra, until Carlos V ordered them to be moved to the completed pantheon in 1521. The sculptings on the tombs honoring the kings and their children were made by Doménico Fancelli and Bartolomé Ordóñez ( Monday to Saturday from 10:30 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00; Sunday and holidays from 11:00 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00; 3.50 €). The Catholic Monarchs Museum is located to the right of the Chapel; the Museum contains works by Boticcelli, Berruguete and Van der Weyden among other treasures. The Palacio de la Madraza (Palace of the Madraza, or Muslim school of higher learning) is located at the back of the cathedral; the Palace once housed a school devoted to the study of the Koran and currently is used by the University of Granada ( Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 22:00). Just beyond the Madraza Palace is the Alcaicería district and the Plaza de Bib Rambla, better known as the Plaza de las Flores (flowers), with its XVII century Fuente de los Gigantones (giants fountain). The Corral del Carbón- located in the Plaza de Mariana Pineda, 12- is a XIV century Muslim inn which was used as a theatre after the city was reconquered by Christians. Beyond the Corral is the Convento de las Carmelitas Descalzas (Discalced Carmelites Convent) and the Casa de los Tiros -located at Calle Pavaneras, 19- which originated as a Christian fortress in the XVI century and currently houses a complete research library specializing in the topics related to Granada ( Tuesday from 14:30 to 20:30, Wednesday to Saturday from 9:00 to 20:30). The Iglesia de Santos Justo and the Iglesia del Perpétuo Socorro, both Barroque churches, are located to the left of Bib Rambla, along with the Basilica devoted to San Juan de Dios, the order´s founder whose remains are buried inside. Next to the Basilica- at Calle Rector López Argüeta, 9- is the Monasterio de San Jerónimo, which was the first built by Christians after the reconquest ( Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 13:30 and from 16:00 to 19:30, Sunday from 11:00 to 13:30 and from 16:00 to 19:30; 3 €). The Casa Museo Manuel de Falla -in Antequeruela Alta, 11- shows an exposition about the great granada composer ( April to October Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 13:30, November to Febrary Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00; 3 €).

La Cartuja

The Plaza Nueva and the Carrera del Darro -both located on the left bank of the Darro River- make up Granada’s present day nerve center, and located in this area are several other monuments, such as the Real Chancillería (Royal Chancellery), built in a Renaissance style in the XVI century, the Iglesia de San Gil and Iglesia de Santa Ana, both Mudejar-style churches, and the Bañuelo, a Muslim bath house dating from the XI century which is located on the lower floor of what today is a private house. The old Muslim quarter, known as the Albaicín, is wedged in between the hill crowned by the Alhambra and another hill opposite, the Cerro de San Cristóbal. The Albaicín was settled by Muslims from Baza (Albayyasin) who were expelled by Fernando III in 1227. Once you have entered the quarter at the Puerta de Elvira, a gate located in the Plaza del Triunfo, a walk through the maze of narrow streets will afford some of the best views of the Alhambra. The Calle Elvira will lead you to the quarter’s most representative sights, namely the Convento de Santa Isabel (located at Santa Isabel la Real, 15), an Isabellian Gothic convent which was founded by Isabel the Catholic Monarch in 1501; the Convento de la Merced, which dates from 1492; and the Palacio de Dar Al Horra (located on the Calle de las Monjas), a palace built in the XV century adjacent to the citadel that once stood inside the city walls ( from 10:00 to 14:00).

To the north of the Albaicín is the Sacromonte district, where you can visit the Sacromonte Abbey, founded in 17th century (open Tuesday to Saturday from 11:00 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 18:00, Sunday from 16:00 to 18:00; 3 €), the catacombs of San Cecilio, and La Cartuja, a monastery located some 2 km from the city which was founded by the Gran Capitan, Christopher Columbus, on the site of some Muslim ruins ( bus 8; daily on summer from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00, on winter from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 18:00; 3.50 €).

surroundings

SIERRA NEVADA

Sierra Nevada is home to the southernmost ski resort in Europe, which is situated at an altitude of 2075 meters above sea level and is only a 30 minute ride from Granada. You can get there on the bus service run by BONAL ( 958 27 31 00). Buses leave the Granada bus station from Monday to Friday at 8:00, 10:00 and 17:00 and they return at 9:00, 16:00 and 18:30; on Saturday, Sunday and holidays buses leave at 8:00, 10:00, 15:00 and 17:00 and they return at 9:00, 13:00, 16:00 and 18:30 (1 hour trip, round trip: 7.5 €, tickets on sale at Alsina Graells window in bus station). The ski resort, with its top-notch facilities for skiers and 34 different runs, has held several world skiing championships and has been a candidate for the winter olympic games on several occassions. The chairlifts generally run from 9:00 to 17:00, weather permitting. Lift tickets are on sale at the ticket window located in the Plaza de Andalucía for the price of 24.70 € during low season and 33 € during peak season (for skiers aged 12 or older). For further information you may go to www.cetursa.es or inquire at the Office of Tourism ( 958 24 91 00), located in the Telecabina building, on Pradollano.