These sixty four things make Granada city breaks a great thing
to do

1. The Albaicin, one of the must see places to go. Here you can experience some real Arab influence in Granada.
2. The Federico Garci Lorca Park is off the Calle Arabial. There are fountains, exercise areas, sitting areas, flower beds, Petanca (the Spanish version of Pétanque, or boules), a café and some beautiful views.
3. The Sierra Nevadas. This mountain range overlooks the city. Seeing it gives a feeling of safety and protection, but it is also a place for skiing and snowboarding fun.
4. Any of the many plazas throughout the city provide cool places to sit and watch the world go by. Favourites are Plaza Bib-rambla, Plaza de Toros, Plaza Nueva and the Plaza of Mariana Pineda.
5. The Triste del Darro. This is a pathway through history to the Sacromonte alongside the River Darro. Walk along it from Plaza Nueva.
6. The Sacromonte – a most beautiful aspect of Granada where flamenco is said to have originated. There are many interesting cave houses and cafés here.
7. The Paseos de Salon and de Bomba provide a pleasant stroll alongside the river Genil.
8. The Plaza de Toros is on the Avenida Doctor Oloriz. Visit any of the restaurants around the bullring and choose where to sit and enjoy the scenery all around, but remember to visit the Bullring itself and view the private hospital, chapel, stables and paddocks.

1. Semana Santa (Easter time) in Granada. This is one of the most famous celebrations throughout Spain.
2. Cruz de Mayo. Granada is taken over by flamenco, dancing, singing and a fairground atmosphere where people of all ages enjoy the celebrations. Takes place on the 3rd May.
3. Feria de Corpus Christi (Corpus Christi Fair) each June, with food, drink, all the fun of the fair, concerts, music and dancing. There are also bullfights taking place in the Plaza de Toros.
4. International Festival of Music and Dance takes place in June. The sounds and sights of singing, playing and dancing makes the whole city a paradise of rhythm and dance.
5. The Festival of Nuestra Senora de las Angustias which celebrates Granada’s Patron Saint, The Virgen de las Angustias. Plenty of fairground attractions, bullfights, markets and dancing. Takes place in September
6. Fiesta del Pilar. Stalls and amusements are set out and adults and children of all ages are entertained, amused and fortified by delicious food and drink. Takes place on 12th October.
7. International Jazz Festival. If you enjoy jazz and you like to be "where it is at", make sure you don't miss the Granada jazz festival at the end of October/ early November.
8. New Year in Granada. Follow this tradition and get yourself some good luck for the following year.

1. It may be described as Ageism, but I love it. No matter how old a person is according to the number of years they have lived, they are considered to be only as young as the spirit they show in their life. And they get respect for that.
2. The Granadinos (people of Granada) are brought up with Respect for the family, for elders and for others. By and large, they are friendly and open.
3. Tidiness and cleanliness is a way of life. Very seldom is anything thrown onto the floor (unless it is in a tapas bar).
4. By and large the people are totally friendly and helpful.
5. Do you like fashion? Come to Granada and you see “what is in”. Stylish clothes are the norm, although tourists who wear casual are equally accepted – after all, they are on holiday!
6. The dry sense of humour of the people
7. Most people follow the “law of good sense”. A law is likely to be ignored if it is seen to be unfair or doesn’t make sense.
8. Having said all the above, there are exceptions, and you still need to beware against the dishonest.

1. Tapas – yes, you get free food with each drink.
2. Get a free Chocolatina (wrapped piece of chocolate) with each drink of coffee and Cola Cao in El Cortes Ingles cafés and restaurants.
3. Food! The strong flavours such as Rabo de torro, Cocido, Migas, Gazpacho and Jamon stimulate the taste buds and give a taste of real Spain.
4. There is excellent drinking water to be had. The snow melts from the Sierra Nevada mountains and percolates down through the rocks to provide beautiful smooth drinking water. Look out for Lanjaron water in the cafés and restaurants. Of course, if you want "free", ask for “agua del grifo” (tap water).
5. Choice non-alcoholic drinks. The non-alcoholic beers and wines are tasty and flavoursome, and there’s plenty of choice to complement a meal or drink with tapas when you are thirsty, not to mention the freshly pressed orange juice taken from the local grown oranges.
6. Pan con tomate. This is one of my favourite breakfasts, especially when taken with local virgin olive oil and diced cloves of garlic.
7. If you are thirsty, go to the nearest drinking fountain – they are free to use, accessible and thirst quenching – just the thing for a hot day.
8. If you come to Granada you need to try a Menu del dia – three good courses for a good price for the mid-day meal.

1. Guitar maker’s shop outlets – play and be played to for your free entertainment.
2. Flamenco performances in the clubs and caves of the Sacromonte – dance with spirit
3. Mirador de San Nicolas, reputed to give the "best view in the world".
4. Go to the Paseo del Salon – what a feeling to get when walking along this famous promenade near Puerta Real
5. The Water Park is just outside the city offering plenty of with stunning views.
6. The Science Park for children of all ages - young and old!
7. The Arab Baths for a really relaxing time.
8. Night time theatre in the open air in the Alhambra grounds – each summer.

1. The Alhambra – the most famous and most visited monument in Spain. Majestic architecture and intricate carvings.
2. Fountains are all over the city, flowing, spraying and spouting water to create a cascade of beauty.
3. The Cathedral - Built on the site of the former Mosque and completed in 1704
4. El Corral del Carbon - the only example of an Arabian funduq in Spain.
5. Iglesia Nuestra Señora de las Angustias – Babs’ favourite church with double steeples, its “over the top” ornamentation and grotto depicting Mary in Lourdes.
6. The Carmen de Los Mártires near the Alhambra, which is a beautiful 19th century house with ornamental grounds and gardens.
7. The theatre of Isabel la Católica on Puerta Real. This is the most intimate and central of the theatres of Granada and lends itself to a great evening’s entertainment.
8. The Hospital de San Juan de Dios. The fact that I had my hernia operation here is incidental. The building is as much unlike a hospital that you could imagine with two spacious tarraces with palm trees and orange trees respectively and interesting ancient murals painted on the walls, it is certainly well worth a visit.

1. Try the Street sellers – they offer good buys and are willing to let you bargain with them.
2. The Rebajas (The Sales) – real genuine sales of quality items but for less price.
3. Buying leather, ceramics, polished marquetry and hand made guitars you will get excellent value for money.
4. Buy and try some of the roasted chestnuts sold on many street corners – the smell is absolutely divine.
5. Go to any shop and there is no pressure – browse all you want – you’ll get help if you want it but no pressure to buy.
6. El Cortes Ingles Department stores offer a wide selection of most things you might want. There are three in Granada, the well-known store on the Acera del Darro in the centre of the city, and the Hypercor and Hogar (Home Department) on Calle Arabial. They are open from 10.00am to 10.00pm Monday to Saturday, have cafés and Restaurants and are air-conditioned. Just the place for anyone on Granada city breaks to disappear to in the heat of the day.
7. There is an abundance of Independent Shops in the streets of Reyes Católicos, Recogidas and Mesones, each with their individual styles and bargains.
8. The Alcaiceria and surrounding area is the place to buy true tourist items to take home again.

1. Look out for the "Tourist Helpers". They ride around on motor bikes in summer, looking for tourists who may want help. If you look as if you are lost, they will zoom right up to you, flash their badges and ask how they can help.
2. The sun and the dry atmosphere make each day a cheerful day.
3. Street entertainers – guitarists, statues, jugglers provide free entertainment as you walk on by.
4. The atmosphere of the people of Granada – it says it all - they carry you no threat, just good natured togetherness.

• Granada city
• Ski! It can be fun, fun and more fun
• The Wonderful Alhambra
• Our top ten things to do
• Tapas in Granada
• Top Golf Club in Granada
• Mirador San Nicolas famous viewpoint
• Finding a 24 hour chemist in Granada
• My top five Granada flamenco clubs
• Guitars hand made in Granada
• Our Top Ten Places to Visit