Granada is a dream city, located on hills, and with one part on a plain.

Three rivers, Beiro, Darro and Genil, form three valleys and, between them, we find two hills. The Albayzin (World Heritage) rises between the Beiro and Darro rivers. And between the Darro and Genil lay the Alhambra Gardens and Palace (both of them World Heritage as well).

Down in the plain loom the beautiful Cathedral and the Royal Chapel, burial place for the Catholic King and Queen and of their daughter Juana la Loca (Mad Juana) and son-in-law Felipe el Hermoso (Phillipe the Handsome); the 'Alcaicería' (old Muslim market); the Corral del Carbón (Coal Corral) the sole andalusi alhóndiga wholly preserved in the Iberian Peninsula; the Monastery of San Jerónimo (Saint Hyeronimus), where the remains of the Great Captain rest and home of one the most important altarpieces in Spain, And the Cartuja Monastery (Charterhouse), with its unique sacristy; and the majestic Churches of San Juan de Dios (Saint John of God); of the Saints Justo and Pastor; of Saint Dominic, whose monastery was founded by the Catholic King and Queen, and of Saint Anne, containing the remains of the black man Juan Latino; and that of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, both of them containing magnificent Mudejar coffered ceilings may be visited at the same time as the Albayzin, where the Monasteries of Santa Catalina de Zafra, of Saint Bernard and of the Conception are also located, all of them containing rich ornamental pieces. And others...

But we must not forget civil buildings, such as the Hospital Real (The Royal Hospital, founded by the Catholic King and Queen, and today the seat of the University of Granada, an important center of knowledge which was founded in 1531 by Charles V, with over 80,000 students; the Cancillería Real (Royal Chancery), built by order of Charles V and used today as Andalusia's Higher Court of Justice. Let us begin our promenade from here: La Casa de Los Tiros (The House of the Tiros), a beautiful palace, over whose entrance, mounted over a sword, we can see the motto: "The heart commands"; the Casa de Castril, a XVI century stately house with a beautiful legend and where the archaeological museum is located; the Law School, formerly a Jesuit monastery; the Real Colegio Mayor de San Bartolomé and Santiago (Royal Hall of Residence for students, dedicated to Saint Bartholomew and Saint James), a lovely Renaissance building which housed its first student in 1649, and where over 10,000 young men have stayed, among them some ministers and poets. Nowadays, for example, three members of the Council of State are alumni.

And there are also the streets. Some, like San Jerónimo, boast Renaissance palaces. Others, like the Darro Promenade, which ends in the Paseo de los Tristes, is considered as one of the most beautiful streets in the world. Here is another one, the street of Tradesmen (Oficios), that allows us to tread over typical Granada cobbles while enjoying the beauty of the Royal Chapel and the Madrassa.

And then, there are the squares. Take the so-called Plaza Nueva (New Square), where, at a single glance, we can see a great Manierista (?) building, the Royal Chancery, a lovely Mudejar church (the Church of Saint Anne) and a moving Moorish tower, the Torre de la Vela. Or the Plaza de las Pasiegas, where the shining beauty of the Cathedral façade overwhelms us. Or Bibrambla, inviting us to take a seat and enjoy a peaceful cup of coffee in the morning, or a beer in the afternoon.

Granada is the city of "tapas". This is an aperitif, served free of charge in our city when you ask for a drink in any bar. It is usually so abundant that it is normal for it to replace your regular meal (more usually dinner) as you wander from bar to bar, asking for your drink. There are several "tapas" areas, but the Plaza Nueva-Elvira street is the winner.

You will find bars and restaurants, serving typical food of the region: tender green beans with ham, "miga"!, poor man's potatoes, ox tail, Sacromonte omelette and the famous pastries called Piononos.

But if perhaps you prefer to explore a more exotic world, you will find, in this same area, a host of bars to enjoy exquisite kebabs, shawarma or falafel.

Or, should your taste run more to Moorish tea, don't miss the nearby street of the Calderería, where you will find yourself in an African atmosphere, surrounded with Arab shops and tea shops. Even if you do not hear a word of Spanish, the people there will understand your language.  

Maybe, though, you would prefer something quieter, such as bathing in a 'hamman', an Arab bath located neat the Plaza Nueva.  

But we have not mentioned anything about today's Granada. What can we say about contemporary buildings in the plain? The Headquarters of CajaGranada, the local Savings Bank, and the Andalusian Museum, considered and exhibited at the MOMA as a unique building, or the Science Park, the most visited if his kind in Andalusia, where children and adults will have a lovely time.

Granada's commercial life is very important, The city boasts an extremely diverse commerce. You will find thousands of shops, from the more famous brand names to small shops where you will find even the things that you were not looking for.And antiquarians...and the Art Galleries... Granada has an important pool of painters who were born or live here; there are many who have chosen Granada as their point of inspiration.

Here, you will be able to know –or better yet, share- the lives of important people.San Juan de la Cruz (Saint John of the Cross), for instance, who came to Granada in 1538 and lived and died here. You can visit his cell at the Royal Hosital, his chamber at the San Juan de Dios Basilica, the Saint John of the Cross Hospital with its beautiful frescoes; the corner near the Arco de Elvira Arab gate, where he would ask for alms; the Calle del Milagro (Miracle Street), so called because it is said that he performed a miracle there; the bench upon which he slept, in the Casa de Agreda; or, specially, the place were he died and where an important museum is now present: the Casa de los Pisa, built in 1494. It is a moving experience.

Or Federico García Lorca,in his San Vicente Orchard. Or the houses of the liberal heroine Mariana Pineda or that of the last French empress, Eugenia de Montijo …

And the Sacromonte Caves. And the folklore, the authentic flamenco songs and dance interpreted by authentic gypsies...

And the concerts in the Generalife Gardens or the Charles V Palace, or in the Manuel de Falla Auditorium, considered as having one the best acoustics in Spain...

Granada is a city to fall in love with. President Clinton said that it was here that he had enjoyed the most beautiful sunset in his life. That is, perhaps, why Mrs Obama recently saw one...

You can enjoy one right from a privileged place, such as the terraces in our apartments.

The Alhambra and Albayzin deserve a special mention.

We can not finish without writing about some of the important features to be found in the province of Granada.

The Tropical Coast and its golf course for instance, are located 60 km away. And at a distance of 30 km you will find the Sierra Nevada ski resort. You may be skiing in the morning, and swimming in the sea in the afternoon!

If nature is your thing, we have six natural parks in our province, from the highest in the Peninsula, reaching an altitude of 3,492m, with all kinds of vegetation and perpetual snow, to the so-called Paraje Natural Acantilados de Maro-Cerro Gordo (Maro-Cerro Gordo Cliffs Natural Park), included in the Mediterranean Special Importance Areas, where deep sea diving is a delight.

If you are interested in cave dwelling habitats, you will find whole villages built in caves in the Guadix area. These caves are cool in the summer and warm in winter. (But if you do not want to leave the city, we can show you the aves at the Sacromonte). .

And, finally, if you are fond of spas, we also have the famous ones of Lanjarón, Alhamade Granada, Graena and Alicún de las Torres, each one with its on specialty. And if you prefer last generation wines, Granada has wine cellars boasting whites and reds with exclusive flavours, housed in beautiful premises that may be visited.