The Royal Chancery

This former Supreme Tribunal of Justice marks the transition between renaissance and baroque in the 16th century. Its severe exterior is a symbol of the serious business conducted inside. It was more than appropriate to use a solemn order like the Doric for a building like this, but the variety and dynamic of the ornamentation already points towards the exuberant baroque style even though there are still typical renaissance elements as a triangular fronton used in the decoration scheme.

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address:	Santa Ana´s Square

The Royal Chapel (La Capilla Real)

This late gothic chapel is absolutely beautiful, and equally humbling.  Here, the Catholic Kings, Ferdinand and Isabella were buried, along with Felipe, King of Castile and the Queen Juana (la Loca), who were buried by order of the Emperor Carlos V.  It was build by Enrique Egas, who also worked on the Cathedral. You can find the same mixture of gothic and renaissance elements in both buildings.

It is an awe-inspiring experience to realize that you are within 3 feet of the final resting place of Ferdinand and Isabella (you know, the rulers who united more..

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Casa Museo Federico Garcia Lorca

It is impossible to visit Granada and not pay homage to Federico Garcia Lorca, the writer/poet who was executed for his views during the Franco era.  Nowadays, his summer home, the Casa Museo Federico Garcia Lorca, located in the very relaxing Parque Garcia Lorca has become a museum for tourists from around the world.  Every visitor is required to take a guided tour, which is fortunate, because the tour is even better than seeing the house itself.  Although very interesting, and worth a visit, it hasn´t really been an immensely long time since Garcia Lorca more..

type:	Landmarks
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address:	P.F. Garcia Lorca, 4.
tel:	+34 958 446453

Museo Arquelogico y Etnologico de Granada

In a very small space, this museum manages to trace the history of Granada back to prehistoric times, and through all of the important civilizations that made their mark upon the cultural blend that is Southern Spain.  See ruins and artifacts from many different eras in a beautiful Moorish-style building, right alongside the Alhambra.  This is a must-see, and even if you don´t spend very much time there, you will end up learning quite a bit!

type:	Hotspots
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address:	Carrera del Darro, 43
tel:	+34 (958) 22 56 03

Alhambra

The most-well preserved Arabian Palace of its epoch built on a red sandy hill. The palace comprises several other palaces and an impressive garden. Only a limit amount of visitors are allowed to go in at one go. Justin : This is the one of the most beautiful sights in the world. The beauty of the Moorish architecture is hard to describe...

type:	Historical Sights
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The Cartuja

A Carthusian Monastery founded in 1519. The church was built in the XVII century. In this monestary all monks had work and take care of their own food. This is why they had gardens to grow vegetables and herbs.

type:	Historical Sights
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The Albaicín

This is the old Arabic quarter on the hill opposite the Alhambra. It has white washed houses and cobble stoned streets, but most characteristic are the numerous exotic shops, teahouses and restaurants. There are many terraces that give excellent view over the Alhambra on the opposite hill.

The best souvenirs to be gotten here is the typical granadino pottery with its white background and strong blue shapes. Also make sure to visit the famous rose gardens and the church of San Nicolás and the church of San Salvador located on the site of the Great Mosque of Granada. The more..

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The Generalife

This summer residence of the Nazaries’ monarchs was built in the 13th century, and again rebuilt in the 14th. It’s actually a small palace with lovely gardens on the slopes of the Cerro del Sol or Hill of the Sun, next to the Alhambra. The Patio de la Acequia is the most impressive part, especially if you imagine you’re from a country were water is a scarce an valuable substance, essential for life. You should also visit the Patio de la Sultana with its cypresses.

type:	Historical Sights
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Museo de la Alhambra

After the Castilian conquest, The Alhambra was modified and between 1526 and 1550 Pedro Machuca built the “Carlos V” Palace. This Palace is one of the most beautiful Renaissance Buildings in Spain. It now houses the Museo de la Alhambra. The museum has an excellent exhibition about muslim culture and the history of the Alhambra.

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address:	Palacio de Carlos V (Alhambra)
tel:	+34 (958) 22 62 79

Monument of the Agreements

Right in the middle of the commercial town center, you can see what’s probably the most important instance of Spanish history. On a high pedestal, with allusive historic inscriptions Cristopher Columbus presents his project to Queen Isabel. The 19th century statue and the relieves on the pedestal were designed by Mariano Benlliure

Madraza

In front of the Royal Chapel King Yusef I instituted this Arab University in the 14th century. Even though it now has a 18th century Baroque façade, the building is older than its late gothic neighbour. You should visit the patio with its colonnade and the Twenty-Four Knights´ Room for a real good impression of the building.

Museo de Bellas Artes

Museo "Casa de los Tiros"

Absolutely worth a visit, the Museo ¨Casa de los Tiros¨ is an intriguing little museum, in which each room has a completely different atmosphere.  The museum gives a fantastic general introduction to Granada itself, and although the building itself is quite historic, recent renovations have only improved it.  There is no charge for residents of the European Union, and the museum is only 1 euro, for everyone else!  For any international students studying in Granada, the museum is right next to the Centro de Lenguas Modernas at the University of Granada.

Rodriguez Acosta - Museo Gomez Moreno

Santa Ana´s Church

Just like the cathedral Diego de Siloé also designed this church. The simple facade has a semicircular arch as a symbol of triumph. The brick tower decorated with ceramic tiles might be influenced by Arabic culture.

The Cathedral

The Granada Cathedral was build in the 15th century to celebrate the conquest of the city by catholic forces of King Fernando and Queen Isabel and to trump the Muslim architecture of the Alhambra. As the Alhambra already took the best place in town, this attempt was rather futile to begin with and really did not succeed anyway, even though the new stile of the renaissance was employed.

One can clearly see the transition between the gothic and renaissance era in the interior, which combines elements from both stiles. Typically gothic is the height of the naves, even though more..

La Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de las Angustias

The Virgen de las Angustias (the Virgen Maria, but the particular aspect of her that refers to her anguish upon the death of her son) is the much beloved patron saint of Granada.  This church, dedicated to her, does not look very exciting from the outside, but peek inside for probably one of them most beautiful cathedrals that you will ever see!  If you are in Granada in September, make sure to participate in the Ofrenda Floral (floral offering) for the Virgen, and in the parades and celebrations in her honor, on the last Sunday in September.  Mass is held in more..