Granada is a medium-sized city in the southern part of Spain within the Andalusia region. The city is cooped up next to the Sierra Nevada mountains, and surrounded by several national parks making it beautifully green. The weather is spectacular all year round. It was in the 70s in mid-November when we visited, which was incredibly warm compared to the UK where we live. There were several highlights aside from the climate in Granada, the first being the beautiful Alhambra. The Alhambra is the most remarkable aspect of the city. It is a fortress and palace complex on a hill in Granada near Spain's Sierra Nevada mountains. The Nasrid Palace within the Alhambra was made under an Islamic ruler called Muhammed Al-Ahmar, and it still stands as one of the most well-preserved pieces of architecture in the Islamic world. The grounds also hold the Generalife Gardens, the Palace of Charles V, the Court of Lions and so much more. We spent about half a day exploring everything this region has to offer. It was beautiful. The whole grounds were some of the most well-kept I have ever seen, despite the hundreds if not thousands of people who visit it daily. What an experience. I had three favorite parts of the Alhambra grounds. The first was the Nasrid Palace because of the intricate architecture within it. There were beautiful carvings, pillars, and ceilings as well as ceramic tiles throughout. It was breathtaking. My second favorite place was the Palace of Charles the V, completed in 1957. After centuries of building, the palace is a beautiful depiction of the Spanish Renaissance. It is a square building with a circular inside and pillars that resemble those of Roman architecture. I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of it when it was relatively empty, and I highly enjoyed my time. Lastly, as a plant fanatic, I loved the Generalife Gardens. Everything was still so green this late into the year, and I found it gorgeous. There were several rose gardens, mazes of green hedges, fountains of water, and citrus trees. Pomegranates were a massive aspect of the gardens and Granada, and you may be asking yourself why pomegranates, well, it’s the fruit of Granada. In English, Granada means pomegranate, and all over the Alhambra grounds, there are pomegranate and other fruit trees. Overall, my experience at the Alhambra, and Granada in general was amazing, and I would recommend to anyone traveling in Spain to check the city out because it was one of my favorites due to its beauty and history.
