Granada in Pictures

Have you ever wondered what Spain looks like apart from the big name places like Barcelona and Madrid?

If you have then this picture guide is for you. Ashley M. Adison has been living in Granada, one of Spain’s most renowned university towns about 300 km south of Madrid, for more than a year and knows the city in and out.

An almost undiscovered destination for travelers Granada stands out for its rich cultural history. It was here that the Spanish reconquista took off, the re-conquest of then Muslim ruled Spain through Christian knights. A little known fact about Granada is that the city is host to the most thriving student nightlife scene in the whole of Spain. With a population of just 237,000 and a student body of almost 80,000 more than one third of Granadians are students. Technically speaking, that is. Let’s have a look at some Granada pictures to see the city from a local’s perspective.

If you plan to study abroad in Europe, chances are you’ll end up in the city of Granada located in the southern region of Andalucia, Spain. During the school year, the city swells with students from across the world.

View over the city center of Granada

Granada is famous for its medieval palace and fortress, the Alhambra. Built in 889 A.D., the Alhambra has undergone several renovations and add-ons. The fortress was home to the last Emirs of the Moorish empire until the Spanish monarchy united Spain in 1492. It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage site and is one of the most visited spots in Spain.

The Alhambra palace in Granada

The architecture of the Alhambra is perfectly preserved. You can still see any of the Moorish details carved into the stone.

Almost 1200 years old: carvings into stone in Arabic

If you cross the city, you must head to El Mirador de San Nicholas. The Mirador is a hill situated in a lively artist quarter of Granada. From here you get the most prominent view, thus El Mirador, over the city. When the sun sets a beautiful red glow blankets the Granada and the Alhambra. Have a look:

Slightly red..

redder..

the reddest. Granada in full-grown red gloom during sunset.

Granada is also famous for its Tapas. It’s the only city left in Spain where all the restaurants will give you tapas for free with your meal, sometimes even with your drink. Some places let you choose your tapas, but some are served based on the rounds of alcohol you order.

What a tasty freebie: Tapas in Granada

Mind you that Tapas will be small portions of food as they come free with your order. If you want a heartier portion, stop by Bodega La Bella y La Bestia located in Plaza Nueva. They are known for their king-sized Tapas.

Just steps away from Plaza Nueva is Albaicin, the Arab quarter of the city.

Albacin, Granada

Sacromonte is the old gypsy quarter. Many houses have cave-like rooms in them because they’re built along the mountain.

Although not built illegally may just look similar to a Favela: Sacromonte, Granda

More of Sacromonte, the ‘holy mountain’ of Granada

If you happen to find yourself in Granada the week before Easter, you’re sure to find yourself stuck in a Semana Santa (Holy Week) parade. These parades are more like processions with huge Santos built on platforms, followed along by penitentes. Sevilla has the largest Semana Santa celebrations in Spain, but Granada will also be crowded so plan accordingly (I learned this the hard way).

Whoa, a first-time for every protestant: Catholic procession in Granada

If football is your thing, Granada is home to FC Granada that playes in the Primera División, but often gets pummeled by Real Madrid and the likes.

The Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes Football Stadium in Granada

Hooligan culture – a Europe-wide phenomenon

Preaching to his team

Since there are so many American and Erasmus students in Granada the nightlife is lively.

80.000 out of 237.000 are students. Let that sink in for a while.

Just like in any other Spanish city clubs don’t get really busy until 2 a.m. and they stay open until dawn. There were three that I visited frequently. El Camborio is located in the Sacromonte area and has great views of the Alhambra. Just like a gypsy home, El Camborio has a couple of rooms that make you feel like you’re in a cave.

If you need a bit of Old Hollywood Americana in your life, Mae West is the place to be.

Inside Mae West, Granada

More of Mae West nightlcub in Granada

If you’re looking for a spot to pre-game before the club, head over to the Botellón, an area where college-aged students drink on the streets before going out.

Botellón is huge.

More of Granada’s No 1 open-air pre-game location

Botellón during peak-time at around 1 in the morning

No earlier than at around 2 in the morning do people start heading for thec clubs.

It’s hard to not fall in love with Granada. Food, sites and people are one of a kind.

Early morning in the center