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Ten Places Not to Miss in Puerta Real Granada
I love Puerta Real in Granada. That's why I really can't help but spread the word about its attractions.
Many people visiting the city - and this includes clients from bed and breakfast guest house - just walk through this part of Granada and very rarely stop to enjoy its treasures.
Actually, Puerta Real is one the areas within the city that we know best of all. And the reason is simple......
.....whenever we drive into Granada we usually park our car there. And even though it may not be the geographical centre, Puerta Real in Granada does give us an easy "we can get anywhere else from here" feeling.
Puerta Real actually means the Royal Gate, so named because one of the main entrances into the city used to be here where the the three roads of Acero del Darro, Recogidas and Calle Reyes Catolicos meet.
And even though this is one of the main business centres of Granada, it has a lot of interest for visitors and is a pity to be missed. Here are just some of the attractions you will find there...
Ten Places to see
in and around Puerta Real in Granada
Car Parks.
First of all there are three underground car parks, and whenever you visit Granada by car it is unusual not to be able to find a parking space in one or other of them. There is a car park at Puerta Real itself, one just across the road at Pte Casteñada and another in the basement of El Cortes Ingles department store.
The parking areas are all the same in that you take a ticket as you go in, and then you pay at the machine or office before you come out. The El Cortes car park is open from 10.00am until 10.00pm but the others are open 24 hours a day.
Fuente de Las Batallas.
Once you've parked your car you are "ready to go anywhere" within Granada, but as soon as you leave the car park the first thing you will see is the fountain (pictured above). This is the Fuente de Las Batallas (Fountain of the Battles) and represents the true essence of Puerta Real in Granada to many people.
If you enjoy "people watching" then just take a while to sit on one of the benches around the fountain. You are bound to see a good mix of people walking past... holiday makers, business men and women on their way to their appointments, young lovers holding hands and families of two or three generations wandering around and having a great time...
Chikitos.
This famous restaurant is close to the fountain near the two large plane trees. It is frequented by the famous and infamous people of Granada. However, we've eaten there twice and were disappointed by the food and the service on each occasion. But I'm including it here because you may think it is worth visiting just to see if you recognise any of the other diners.
Plaza Mariana Pineda.
Continue walking away from Puerta Real and past Chikitos to go into the Plaza of Mariana Pineda. Her statue is set slightly back within its own garden. Mariana (1804 to 1831) worked for the liberal cause, including forging passports to help rebel soldiers to escape. She was finally captured, garrotted and buried in an unmarked grave.
On the edge of this plaza you will also find one of the main Tourist Information Offices here, although there is a tourist information kiosk in Puerta Real Granada itself.
Paseo del Salon.
Walk back into Puerta Real and turn left past Chikitos and you will find yourself on one of the grandest walkways (paseos) of Granada. This famous tree lined avenue goes down to one of the newest, and in my opinion, one of the most attractive fountains in Granada which is situated near the Rio Genil.
Iglesia Nuestra Señora de las Angustias.
As you walk back towards Puerta Real, you pass Babs' favourite church on the left. This church, the Church of Our Lady of Anguish is easy to recognise with its two towers. Go inside (even if there is a sevice in progress, no-one will mind your visit) and enjoy the sumptuous golden decoration of the church. Down the right hand outside of the church there is an area where people kneel to pray to Christ on the cross. Look further down and to the right and you will see the grotto showing Mary as she appeared in Lourdes.
El Cortes Ingles Department Store.
As you leave the church, turn to your left and continue back towards Puerta Real in Granada. As you walk past it, call into the El Corte Inglés department store. It is open from 10.00am until 10.00pm each day except Sunday and is air conditioned (very useful to know if ever the heat of the day starts to get at you). There is also a restaurant which serves a good menu del dia (menu of the day) during the week, usually incorporating local traditional dishes at a fair price.
Isabel la Católica Theatre.
After leaving Cortes Ingles, walk back past the Fuente de Las Batallas fountain and check out the up and coming shows - they are all listed in the foyer. This theatre combines modern facilities within a traditional, but plush and intimate style. You are bound to enjoy whatever you choose to see.
Now leave the theatre and walk on past the italian ice cream bar (delicious) to the.....
Post Office.
The main post office (Correos) of Granada is open Monday to Friday 8:30am to 8:30pm and Saturday 9:30am to 2pm. If you have a mind to, you can stamp and send your postcards from here to friends and family back home. The post office is situated opposite the Häagen-Dazs ice cream parlour.
Hotel Nh Victoria.
If you are now ready for a drink, call into the Hotel Victoria which is situated on the corner opposite Häagen-Dazs and the post office. The hotel has recently been re-built behind its original facade and is ultra cool and attractive inside. The coffee bar is well worth visiting (an unobtrusive signal sounds as you enter). There is also a selection of Newspapers (Spanish) to read while you are resting.
There are many more places and bars well worth visiting in Puerta Real in Granada but, hopefully, once you have visited those listed above you will have discovered some of the other interesting secrets that lie there awaiting you.
What interesting places are there near where you live? Why not let us know.
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