Tourist information (cons and pros). Also a few warnings. Oh and CLUBBING info. (Granada (Spain))

Member Name: Purple_Vikky

Product:	Granada (Spain)
Date:	03/01/09 (55 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: TAPAS (read to find out what they are and what to ask for)

Disadvantages: GYPSIES and smelly back alleys

Granada is one of the most beautiful and historical cities in Spain. Its arquitecture is very moorish from when the moors invaded Granada in the 8th Century. The best place they left for us to enjoy was the Alhambra. The Albaizyn also is a historical mark they left on this beautiful city (I have not been yet so can't write about it I'm afraid). Granada also has many small towns full of historical value.

The Alhambra palace is an all day visit as is very big. It is beautiful and has a great arquitecture. It is an all day visit as the palace and gardens are immense. I warn you it is a lot of walking and if doing it in summer take a lot of water with you, and if doing it in winter wrap up warm as Granada gets very very cold.

Another of Granadas must visits is the Sierra Nevada ski resort. Sierra Nevada is the highest mountain in Andalucia. It has a very austrian look about it. There are many bars, restaurants and hotels in the resort. They also have very large hills for expert skiers, don't worry they also have small ones for amateurs to work their way up. You can rent skis, sleighs and snowboards.

If you are to go out clubbing in Granada I recommend El Embrujo (El Em-bru-ho) or La Mae West (La Ma-eh West) but you will need to ask for a taxi to get here as in outskirts of Granada. The entrance fees can be anywhere between 10Euro and 25Euro, also the drinks are more expensive in there. I warn you not to go to any of the pubs that are handing out leaflets or tickets for free drinks because if you go to their pub, as you will find out, they are crappy little grottos where not nice people hang out.

When walking around Granada you will find some back alleys full of arabic shops and stalls (they smell badly), you can get some quite interesting stuff here. But beware of the GYPSIES because they try to bless you and then charge you a horribly expensive fee. Also do not run away from them if you have had the misfortune of being blessed by one because you will find yourself surrounded by a good 4 or 5 of them. I learnt this the hard way: Walking through Granadas backstreets with my loving father I had the misfortune to be caught by a gypsy lady, but my loving father instead of pulling me away left me there and walked off, leaving me behind (I know terrible isn't it!). I let rip at him later on.

I must mention the best beer (for me anyway) that you can get in Granada, they are quite strong tasting, their names are "Alhambra Especial" and "Alhambra Reserva", if you do not like these you will most probably like "Mahou Cinco Estrellas". The best thing about this is you get a free tapa (small FREE dish of food) of either fish, meat or veg with each alcohol drink (beer, tinto de verano, glass of wine or mosto (non alcoholic wine)). If you are a vegetarian I will tell you that you should tell the bartender as the spanish are big meat eaters and don't serve much vegetarian food, to tell them this, all you have to say is Soy Vegetariana (woman)/Vegetariano (Man). To pronounce this: "Soy Beh-heh-ta-ria-nah/no".

I will now move on to cave houses. They are very big in Andalucia and specially in Granada region. They are not what they sound, they are beautiful houses, just built into a mountain. They stay between 16 and 18 degrees centigrade all year round, even in the summer when so hot you need to put a jumper on inside. You will need same bed clothing all year round. I will say that if you are claustrophobic not to purchase or stay in one, because they are cave houses and no windows inside. They are the most wonderful and comfortable places to stay/live in. Some of them can go on for miles, I actually have been in one with a whole tunnel in it. Also you can find some with a house attachment on the front, yes, a normal house extention on the front and then the caves up back. If you are to purchase one keep an eye out for "salitre" (saltpetre).

I would like to mention my little village in Granada called Castillejar (only 1200 habitants aprox.). It is very small but has so much character and an enormous artificial lake. It also has a beautiful river where you can picnic. There are a few villages near (very near) that have much history to reveal, Galera which has a history museum (please check times on internet before visiting) and Orce which has the oldest skeleton in Spain (or was it Europe?). Also a must visit.

I will stop boring you now. Hope this information was helpful and that you enjoyed the read.

Many Regards,

Purple_Vikky

Summary: Arquitectural, historical and fun Region of Granada