Location: Realejo - San Matias
Top Things to do in Realejo - San Matias
Things to do in Granada, Andalucia: The Best Architectural Buildings
The Alhambra citadel of Granada is one of the most famous buildings in Spain: a Moorish fortress with grand archways and delicate ornamental mosaics. Step backwards in time as you wind through the ascending cobblestone streets of Albayzin. You’ll be rewarded with beautiful views from the Mirador San Nicolas. Granada’s nightlife is vibrant and varied, thanks in part to its student population. Hit the bars of Calle Elvira or, for a quieter outing, the traditional tea rooms of La Calle de Las Teterias.
Restaurants in Granada
1. Court of the Lions
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 236 reviews
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
No doubt you are at the "Palacios Nazaríes" (Nasrid Palaces) and inside its "Palacio de los Leones" (Palace of the Lions). At its center, the most famous and unforgettable courtyard of Granada's "La Alhambra" - "The "Patio de los Leones" (Court of the Lions)! The finest Moorish artistic styles are immortalized in this courtyard! Its construction by Sultan Muhammed V occurred between 1362 and 1391 and the awesome open-air courtyard became immediately the center of the Royal Family's life and the very heart of "La Alhambra". The beautiful central fountain was a symbol of fine taste and of the power exercised by the Nasrid Sultans of the Emirate of Granada. "Patio de los Leones" is probably one of the most fascinating and photographed sites in the whole world! There is no way one can miss it at any trip to Granada. Very fond and loving memories to take home. Enjoy!
2. Convento Santa Cruz la Real
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
The convent of Santa Cruz la Real is a historical building in the heart of the ancient district of Granada. A peacefull and relaxing atmosphere envolves the cloister, whose construction dates from the sixteenth century. Visitors are just allowed to see the cloister, but under reservation, a free guided tour around the whole building can be offered.
3. The Alhambra
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42,039 reviews
The second most visited site in Europe: this breathtaking palace-city is a sophisticated blend of medieval Islamic, Renaissance Christian and modern architectural styles..
Reviewed By 381lianem
A wonderful experience, palaces, wonderful gardens, etc etc. take time to explore, best on your own ... book online the general day pass on the official Alhambra site (well in advance/months before you plan to go, as they are sold out fast) and take the time to enjoy the vast „Alhambra sight in the different day lights. Take Buslinie C32 and C 31 to get to the main entrance of the Alhambra ( Tickets 1,40€/person, available on the bus), it is quite a steep walk from the city center...
4. Generalife
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11,267 reviews
Reviewed By ANGELOV230 - Milan, Italy
Generalife Palace and gardens are separated from the rest of the Alhambra complex, and it takes 20 to 30 minutes walking through nice botanic gardens to get there from the area where Alcazaba, Palace of Carlos V and Palacios Nazaries are located. The gardens are very beautiful, with a lot of trees, flowers, water fountains where you can see frogs and dragonflies. However, the best part is the Generalife Palace, with stunning rooms with Arabic ornaments.
5. Corrala De Santiago
6. Cuarto Real de Santo Domingo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By ANGELOV230 - Milan, Italy
Close to the city center of Granada you can find the Cuarto Real de Santo Domingo. Entrance is free, you just have to tell which country you came from, and through nice quiet gardens you reach the Palacio de Almanjana - or at least the single tower remaining. This is older than the Nasrid palace of the Alhambra. There is not much to see, just one square room ("qubba") covered by a wooden frame decorated with a coffered ceiling. However, the decorations covering the walls are very well restored and highlighted by sapient lightning. Around the qubba you can see excavations of military buildings, and upstairs there is a space dedicated to exhibitions, which has also nice views on the qubba itself, as well as on the Sierra Nevada.
7. Alcazaba
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 344 reviews
Reviewed By Mairwen1
The climb up the narrow and uneven brick and stone stairs is absolutely worth it when you get to the top. There are 4 towers but unless you’re energetic, then there’s no need to climb them all. The best tower to choose is the Torre de la Vela or Watch Tower. It’s the tallest, it has an excellent viewing platform and the bell tower. It’s the one with the flags. From the top, you get an absolutely panoramic view over Granada and as far away as the distant Siera Nevada mountains, which were covered in snow when we were there. You couldn't have a better vantage point for spotting any advancing armies. You are also standing in exactly the same spot where the Christians triumphantly their flag on 2 January, 1492 when they took back Granada. Every year on that date, the bell still rings out to commemorate the event. The 2 other original towers, built by Mohammed I, are the Torre Quebrada (Broken Tower) and the Torre del Homenaje (the Keep). Another tower was added later, Torre de la Pólvora (Gunpowder Tower). The strange maze like structures as you enter are the Arms Square. It’s where the garrison of soldiers and the military elite lived. Excavations have uncovered what was essentially a small-scale town, with paved streets, public steam baths and bread ovens, plumbing and drainage and a cistern. From ground level, it was hard to make much of it out. It’s best seen from the tower looking down. From higher up, we could start to see where the streets and houses would have stood. TICKETS: * This is included as part of the General Entry ticket (€14.85). * Make sure you keep your entry ticket handy because you’ll need to show it at the Nasrid palaces and also the Generalife. * Unlike the Nasrid Palaces, you don’t have to book a time slot for the Alcazabar. We booked an early time slot for the palaces and saw them first which worked really well because we had no time constraints and were free to explore everything else at our leisure.
8. Palace of Carlos V
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,024 reviews
This beautiful Renaissance palace was built in the 1530s and is located in the Alhambra complex adjacent to the better-known Nasrid palaces.
Reviewed By LuizDutraNeto - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
After visiting Granada in 1526, Emperor Carlos V of Spain and Germany felt in love with the Andalusian city. His grandparents, the legendary Catholic Kings, Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon, after the conquest of Granada in 1492, had already modified some rooms ot the iconic La Alhambra Palace for their own use. Nevertheless, Carlos V decided to build a new palace that would properly befit an Emperor, like himself. Famous Toledo born architect Pedro Machuca, a former pupil of Michelangelo, was assigned in 1527 to the huge task. And from his clipboard the most outstanding Renaissance building of the whole Spain was born! The magnificent "Palácio de Carlos V", with its unique inner circular patio and an unforgettable Doric and Ionic colonnade. Visit the building, the two museums ("Museo de la Alhambra" and "Museo de Bellas Artes") and one last curiosity: Emperor Carlos V never slept in his palace, which remained roofless until 1957! Unmissable! Enjoy!
9. Corral del Carbon
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 545 reviews
Reviewed By Kvettraino
The structure itself is worth seeing and in particular the magnificent archway. At the back is a small (badly signposted) museum which is excellent, in particular the staff here are hugely knowledgeable and are most pleased to explain the pieces there and the history. Marvelous.
10. Real Chancilleria
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 73 reviews
The Real Chancillería (High Court) presents an elegant interior courtyard designed by Diego de Siloé. Built at the same time as the surrounding Plaza Nueva during the 1530s, its austere Renaissance façade suited its purpose as a prison and house of justice. Two galleries flank the courtyard -- the lower one featuring half-barrel arches supported by marble Doric columns and the upper one a stone balustrade and cornice decorated by carved stone leaves. A dungeon under the main staircase is where the executioner used to await the court's decisions. Admission: free
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