Granada: Home to the Alhambra, a World Class Architectural Gem

The city, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, was the last stronghold of the Spanish Moors, and their legacy lies all around. The narrow streets of the Albayzín, the historic Arab quarter, the teterías (teahouses), street food stalls and Islamic arches, all tell us stories about the past. The Alhambra is an astonishing palace complex, with the best Islamic decor and landscaped gardens in Europe.

Granada’s streets are packed with tapas bars, bohemian cafés, and flamenco clubs (the Sacromonte caves are the birthplace of flamenco, on the hills of Granada).

Beside the top attractions of the city, or interior design journey to Granada will (as usual) include visits to local artist, curated shopping experience and artisan workshops. We will also visit some architectural gems, that are not open to the public.

The highlights of Granada:

1. Alhambra

An enchanting palace, built in the 13th century, for the Nasrids, the last rules of Granada. State of the Art Islamic Architecture / poetry in stone. Can’t be missed.

2. Generalife

Lush gardens, where the emirs would spend their summers in shade.

3. Albayzín

Granada’s Arab quarter, is a network of tangled streets and tall white houses with splendid inner courtyards.

4. Cathedral

Built in the 16th century, on top of Granada’s mosque. Built in times of changes in architectural styles, so the foundation is gothic, while the main structure and interiors are renaissance.

5. Royal Chapel

The resting place of Spain’s most important rules: Isabel the Catholic and Ferdinand II are buried here.

6. Alcaiceria

This was the location of the bazaar in Islamic times, now it mostly has souvenir shops of all kinds.

7. Sacromonte

The gypsy quarter, with houses carved in rock.