The city of Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, Spain’s highest mountain massive with great possibilities for winter sports. Located at an elevation of 738 meters above sea level, the city has been shaped by the hills, where the old district in the Albaicin and the Alhambra was founded. These areas have steep and narrow streets. The new part of the city is situated on the plain. The population of Granada is around 240,000, of which around 80,000 are students. The population of the entire urban area is estimated to around 480,000.
In 1492, Granada was the last city to fall to the Christians, when the forces of Ferdinand and Isabella captured the Muslim Granada. The terms of the surrender treaty explicitly allowed the city's Muslim inhabitants to continue unmolested in their faith and customs. However this only lasted until 1499 when the then Cardinal undertook a forced program of baptisms, which provoked an armed revolt. In response to the rebellion, the Castilian Crown in 1501 demanded that Granada's Muslims should convert or immigrate. While many elites chose to immigrate to North Africa, the majority of the city's Muslims converted to Christianity.
The single most important tourist attraction in the city of Granada is Alhambra, part fortress, part palace and part garden, this Moorish, medieval complex overlooking Granada is often considered on par with the 7 wonders of the world. Many visitors come to Granada only with the purpose to see Alhambra. Since the number of visitors allowed per day is limited and tickets tend to sell out, it is highly recommended to book tickets to the Alhambra in advance. Several tickets are reserved for sale on the day, but these usually require arriving early and queuing for an hour or two.
Located in the center of the Muslim area, are the city's Cathedral and the older Royal Chapel (Capilla Real). Construction of the Royal Chapel was commenced by Ferdinand and Isabella in the beginning of the 16th century, to mark their victory over the Moors. The chapel contains the tombs of the two monarchs, and a sacristy museum with valuable paintings by artists such as Botticelli and Memling. The Cathedral dates back to 1523. It has a nave and four aisles, a crossing and a circular apse. The Cathedral is not only stunning, but includes skillful architectural solutions. It circular plan and great height contain semi-circular arches upon which a double series of balconies rest.
Additional tourist attractions in Granada include El Banuelo - the historic baths of Granada with Moorish origin was built around 1,000 years ago, and is in surprisingly good shape; Murallas del Albayzin - remains of the walls which once surrounded an 8th century fortress; and Granada's Palacio del Mexuar - an ancient palace where a wealthy sultan lived. Granada also has museums and art galleries worth visiting.
The El Sacromonte district is located in the historic gypsy part of Granada and is a notable area, with many charming backstreets, local shops and bars. Full of character, El Sacromonte regularly features flamenco dancing and shows. Nightlife in Granada, with around 80,000 young students, is both exciting and diverse. Many of the area's top spots are located below the Alhambra, at the Paseo de los Tristes you will find a good selection of tapas bars and traditional restaurants.
