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Visiting Granada again for the third time recently, I felt inspired to write about this wonderful city. My first visit to Granada was about 7 years ago and was my first visit to mainland Spain. My previous visit to non-mainland Spain was to Ibiza on a stag-party. Being one of ten thirty-something men acting like drunken teenagers, it was hard to appreciate very much culturally. |
One night we went to a nightclub, it might have been Pacha, but it was certainly one of the famous ones with Judge Jules spinning the tunes (as I believe teenagers say). This particular night MTV (Music Television for those who have not heard of it) was broadcasting live to Europe as one of their “Dancefloor” specials. Although the night was probably ruined for the viewers, by the said thirty-something’s trying to dance and making faces at the cameras. (I would like to think that the very next day, dazed and confused teenage fashion victims shuffled into Marks and Spencers to buy new clothes, before going to the barbers for ‘the receding look’ haircuts, and finally home to practice ‘Dad dancing’ in their bedroom mirrors!)
So back to Granada and my first trip there seven years ago; I had won a quarterly sales prize for the salesman most over his target. I remember the Sales Director had a false smile on his face as he handed me the prize envelope and mumbled something about my “ridiculously small target”. The prize was a weekend away for two to any European city. Me and my then wife to be Debbie started discussing where to go. We fancied Saint Petersburg, but then Debbie (who worked with me at the same company and with the same boss) said “if we go somewhere less exotic, maybe we can go for longer, whilst saving the company money”. You see this is where men and women are so different. I was probably watching Match of the Day in my pants, and she was scheming and working out how to maximise the situation and how she was going to sell this idea to our boss. Anyway, of course she was right (she mostly is) the boss agreed and we chose Granada.
We must have made the travel arrangements in a rush, as we flew into Malaga airport and then got a taxi to Granada. Which may seem a bit excessive, but the company were paying so what the heck. We arrived at our hotel; the name of which escapes me, and began our mini holiday.
Granada is steeped in history and has much to see. The most famous attraction of course is the Alhambra, which is a world heritage site. Alhambra in Arabic translates as “red” which is thought to be due to the colour of its towers and ramparts, although originally the building would have been painted white. The Alhambra was not only built as a home and a home for the Moorish kings of Granada, it was also built as a fortress for the purpose of defence (alcazaba in Arabic). Today you can wander around the tranquil building and marvel at the rooms and courtyards decorated with the art of the Moors, as well as stroll around the gardens of the Palacio de Generalife. These gardens can be enjoyed at any time of year and change dramatically with the seasons. What else can I write about the Alhambra that hasn’t been written already, except if you have not been, you should.
If you do plan to visit the Alhambra, you need to purchase tickets in advance as only a limited number are sold each day. Tickets can be purchased online at https://w3.grupobbva.com/SMVE/home.html or from any of the 4,000 BBVA bank branches in Spain.
One of the things we most enjoyed about Granada was simply wandering around and exploring. It goes without saying there is much to see; the Cathedral, Tea Street, the Mirador de San Nicolas, the list goes on. As well as much to do during the day there is great nightlife and some excellent bars and restaurants. In the bars you will be given a tapas with every drink (obviously the tapas are included in the price of the drink so is not actually free)
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One night on our free weekend break we realised we had fallen in love with Spain. As we sat outside a bar at around 11pm it was still warm, there were families all walking out together, from Grandchildren up to Grand parents. We commented that you would not get this in the UK; the weather, the atmosphere, the lack of drunken idiots fighting after a binge drinking session. We decided to come back to Spain and buy a holiday home; once we had the holiday home we began visiting Spain at every opportunity and then planning how we could live here full time. I am glad to say that our dream came true and we have been living in Cómpeta for just over two years now.
When we last visited Granada, we found a very nice and reasonably priced hotel called Hotel Abadia, which was 58€ per night. We planned to eat at a Moroccan restaurant we found in Tea Street, but after a few drinks at a bar realised we were full with tapas, but nonetheless we still had a great night.
Granada is very close to the Sierra Nevada. One Christmas we were sitting in the square in Cómpeta wearing only t-shirts as it was very warm. We decided on a whim to drive to the top of the Sierra Nevada that afternoon. Within 2 hours we were watching people ski and toboggan on the snow as we stood inappropriately dressed in fleeces.
A trip to Granada is a one-stop-shop for whatever you want a break to be; relaxing, cultural, or fun and all this only 2 hours from our home. Maybe winning the sales prize seven years ago was fate. Either way I am certainly glad we discovered the Spain we love.
