“Cruces de Mayo”, Festival of the CrossesAnnual Event held on May 03 

The festival of the crosses is one of the biggest festivals in Granada and is essentially a celebration of both the Christian faith and the arrival of Spring. The history of the event surrounds the story of Roman Emperor Constantine and his conversion to Christianity.  

The story goes that he was going in to battle, but that his armies were grossly outnumbered by his opponents.His chances of victory were much less than those of his death. The night before the battle, he had a vision in which appeared a cross. The next day the battle was fought, and despite the weakness of his army, his strength and faith in the cross that appeared before him helped them to victory.  

Constantine immediately converted to Christianity and sent his mother, Saint Elena on a pilgrimage to find the cross that appeared in his dream- believed to be the crucifix on which Christ died. She found the cross on May 03 and so the festival commemorates the event which compelled Constantine to convert to Christianity. Not only was he the first Emperor to do so but it also marked the end of the persecution of the Christian faith by Roman leaders.  

Today the festival is marked with the decoration of crosses with spring flowers, which are displayed in public squares by various churches, or brotherhoods. There are awards for the best cross but the festivities involves everyone in the evening with music and drinking and dancing in public squares. 

“Semana Santa”, Holy Week or Saints WeekAnnual festival held the week before Easter 

Semana Santa is celebrated in Granada in a similar manner to the celebrations held in Seville and other cities in Andalucia. The festival commemorates the life of Christ, his death and his resurrection. There are parades and processions of religious art and other tributes which leave from each church of the city, following a designated route through the centre of town and back to their church.  

Elaborately decorated floats are carried on the backs of members of each brotherhood as a sign of devotion to their faith. This is accompanied with music and singing, but everything is performed in a serious manner. Tourists are welcome to enjoy the spectacle of the parades but do not expect this festival to include lively celebrations in public- this is a serious and emotional affair for Spanish families. 

“Festivo de San Cecilo”, Festival of Sant CecilioAnnual event on February 1^st 

This festival honours Granada’s patron Saint, Cecilio. A mass is held, followed by a procession to Sacromonte Hill. Here the festival shifts from a religious undertone with a fancy dress carnival and a food fair. Prizes are awarded to the winners of each category. It’s also a great opportunity for tourists to sample and appreciate the local cuisine! Because most of the festivities occur in Granada’s Sacromonte Hill area, this festival is sometimes referred to as ‘the gypsy festival’.  

“Corpus Christi”Annual Event in Mid June 

This festival was traditionally a celebration of the Catholic Church to honour the Eucharist (thanksgiving or holy communion) and promote Christianity. Nine weeks after Easter, on Corpus Christi Sunday, a procession dedicated to the Eucharist is held, but over the years, the theme of this festival has expanded to include the honouring of Andalucian culture. Some even refer to this festival as a “feria” or fair. 

This part of the festival occurs during the week leading up to the Corpus Christi Sunday, on the outskirts of the city. There will be a funfair with games, competitions and markets where you’ll find music, drinking and dancing, and locals dressed in traditional Andalucian dress. Bullfights (“corridas”) are also common, often attracting the best matadors in the region to compete against each other.

Granada Airport is located 16 kms west of the city, close to the small town of Santa Fé. Until recently it has landed domestic flights only, but now some of the lower budget international carriers like Ryan Air are flying direct to Granada from outside of Spain.  

The building was built in the 70’s and although it has recently undergone rennovations, facilities are still pretty basic. There is one terminal building, with arrivals located on the left side and departures from the right.  

The carpark has a capacity for 450 private cars and 100 rented cars. You can leave your car there for a maximum of four days for 9 euros. A new, privately owned carpark has recently opened next to the airport which should improve the options available to car owners. 

Getting to Granada from the airport 

By Car 

There is a good choice of five major car rental companies which offer a range of models and package deals depending on the season. To get to the airport from Granada, take the A92 Seville Motorway and follow the signs. Taxis are inexpensive at only 17 euros to the centre of Granada, 25 euros to the Alhambra and 65 euros to the ski resort in the Sierra Nevada.  

By Bus 

Buses depart from outside the arrivals end of the airport to the city centre of Granada. The timetable follows the scheduled arrival times of the planes. The journey is about 45 minutes and costs just 3 euros, dropping you off outside the Palacio De Congress.

This area of town has a distinctive Middle Eastern Flavour. Its full of traditional craft shops, Arabic Restaurants and Moroccan teahouses. It’s a medina of tiny alleyways, cobblestoned streets and plazas with gardens and sun-drenched restaurant terraces. It was the area of the city where wealthy Arab families once lived, and even today, some of the area’s original houses remain. This neighbourhood is inscribed on UNESCOS World Heritage List as a result. 

Places of interest in this district include the Old Arab Baths, the Archaeological Museum of Granada and the Church of San Nicolas, which has excellent views across to The Alhambra.

Sacromonte Hill (‘Sacred Hill’) has maintained much of its original character from ancient times. It became a refuge for the gypsy communities of Granada who shared the same plight of the Jews, and were expelled from the city under the monarchist rule of the 15^th Century. The residents of this area made homes by digging cave houses underground. Some of these dwellings are still used as homes today, although many have been converted into tapas restaurants, shops and flamenco bars.  

The gypsy communities of Southern Spain have been credited with the development of flamenco in its early days, and the Sacromonte area is easily the best place to experience a true flamenco performance. It’s the only part of Granada with a dedicated Cultural Centre, set up to preserve the cultural history of the area and educate visitors about it’s past. This is where you will find the Sacromonte Abbey and Museum, which are both worth visiting if you get the chance.

Situated on the left bank of the Darro river, close to The Alhambra is the district of Realejo. It was once the Jewish quarter of Granada, known as ‘Garnata al-Yahud’, until Ferdinand and Isabel took control of the city. During the 15^th Century, residents of Jewish descent were persecuted by the Spanish Inquisition and expelled from their homes, which were then raided and burnt to the ground. Today, its full of pretty Andalucian style villas with whitewashed walls, inner courtyards and lush tropical gardens.  

Another feature of the neighbourhood is the abundance of craft workshops. A lot of Granada’s best handmade guitars, ceramics and embroidery is produced in Realejo. It’s also full of university students as the Language Faculty of the University of Granada is located here, making it the perfect area to find an internet cafe or a decent coffee shop. It’s also where you’ll find the Church of San Cecilio, the patron saint of Granada..

The city of Granada holds great historical significance to Spain’s past. It was first settled by the Greeks as early as the 5^th Century BC, but was later established as a city by the Romans. It later went on to become the most important city on the Iberian peninsula under Islamic rule when it was taken over by Arab settlers in the 8^th Century BC. Undoubtedly, one of the aspects of Granada which attracts so many visitors are the apparent Arabic influences which remain fused together with aspects of Spanish culture.  

There are many well preserved remnants of Spain’s history under Moorish rule in Granada, the most famous being the legendary Alhambra palace. But there are plenty of other exciting sights and attractions that keep bringing visitors back year after year. Here we take a look at some of the highlights… 

The Alhambra Palace 

The mighty Alhambra is much more than just a palace, it’s an ancient city, a fortress and king’s residence all rolled into one. The name Alhambra is said to come from the Arabic words “Al Hama” (the red) in reference to the red clay bricks it was built from in it’s early days.   

First established as a fortress in the 9^th Century, it was captured, ruined, rebuilt and restored many times over the years. It’s inbuilt defence systems made it the ideal site to house and protect a ruler and was therefore expanded not only in size but also in splendour over time. 

It first began to take the shape of a palace was when it was occupied by Mohammed ibn Yusuf ben Nasr in 1238. He decided that a fortress was the ideal place to live, but that it was unfit for a king in it’s present state. He had the fortified walls restored and then had plans drawn up for several internal palaces, living and bathing quarters and lush tropical gardens.  

From this time until the end of the Nasrid dynasty in 1486, developments on the palace continued, including the installation of an irrigation system for the gardens and further fortification of the complex, including the construction of several defence towers around the perimeter. But as the magnificence of the Alhambra grew, so too did the desire of the enemies of the Arabs to take hold of Granada..  

The castle finally fell, along with the rulers of the Arab dynasties in 1492 to Christian rulers Ferdinand and Isabel, who occupied the palace themselves and ordered the construction of developments including a church, monastery and military garrisons.  

Today, there are four main sections of the complex open to the public: the Alcazaba (fortress), Palace of Carlos V, Generalife gardens and the Palace Nazaries. Entry to the palace will be allocated to you within a particular  time slot which will be printed on your ticket. Entry outside your allocated time is not permitted, so check the details of your tickets before planning your route around the complex. At least three hours is recommended to be able to see everything at your leisure, including the museum.  

Tickets are 10 euros per person and can be purchased up to three months in advance. You can enter the complex either in the morning, afternoon or evening. Some entry times are only for certain sections of the palace and places are limited. For more information consult the Alhambra website: www.alhambra.org 

Cathedral de La Encaceracíon 

The Cathedral in Granada is impressive, if not by sheer size alone but in the elaborate decorative features of the building. The construction of the Cathedral began in 1529 under the authority of Christian monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella, but the project would go on to take just over 180 years until completion, unable to be appreciated by it’s powerful patrons. 

Work on the Cathedral covered three major architectural movements including initial construction during the Gothic period by Pedro Morales, further expansions during the Renaissance by Spanish master Diego de Siloé and decorative work during the Baroque period by various artists including Vincente Acero, Pachote and Moreno. 

Next to the Cathedral is the celebrated Royal Chapel (“Capilla Real “) which houses the tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella, their daughter Juana, her husband Phillipe and their son, Prince Miguel. There is also a small museum with Isabella’s crown, Ferdinand’s sword and various other royal objects and paintings on display. 

The Cathedral is closed to visitors on Sunday but is opened from Monday- Saturday between 10:30am- 1pm, then 4pm- 6pm. General admission is 3 euros.  

Hamman (Arabian Baths) 

In ancient times, a public bathhouse was an important part of society in Moorish settlements around the world. It offered everyone, rich or poor, the chance to maintain good personal hygiene, or relax with a massage or natural therapy. The bathhouses, or “Hammans” were also an important place for social gatherings.  

A traditional Haman is usually a series of marble rooms decorated with mosaic tiles and decorative fountains. To begin, the bather would immerse themselves in a tepid bath before moving into a hotter room to bathe, scrub and possibly have a massage before moving back to the cooler bath. Traditionally, the massage would be with olive oil to moisturise and replenish the skin the same way that we use moisturising creams today.  

A visit to a traditional Haman makes for a relaxing experience in Granada and there are several to choose from. The Haman Arab Baths on Calle Santa Ana offers a range of services. Entry to the baths alone is 17 euros, or enjoy a bath with massage for 26 euros. They are open every day, including Sundays and public holidays and take bookings online.  

Calle Calderería 

After a long day sightseeing, you’ll love a visit to this famous street in Granada’s Arabic neighbourhood, Albacín. The street is packed with tea rooms, offering a comfy place to sit back and taste a range of traditional flavoured teas ranging from black, lemon and mint. They also serve a variety of Arabic sweets like honey cakes, crepes and baklava.  

Those that regain their energy from the break can enjoy browsing amongst the shops and bazaars in the neighbourhood- from carpets to jewellery, lanterns and spices. This area is also a great place to have lunch or dinner in one of the many outdoor garden areas, where you can enjoy live music or a flamenco show in the evenings. 

Sacromonte Hill 

This area of the city, close to the Alhambra, offers visitors a fascinating insight into the lives of the early gypsy communities of Granada who built their homes here by carving out underground caves. The settlement here is believed to have begun with those who were thrown out or who fled when Granada was captured by Ferdinand and Isabel in 1492. Many of the caves are still private dwellings but some have been turned into restaurants, shops and flamenco bars.  

 Abadía del Sacramonte (Sacramonte Abbey) was built on Sacramonte Hill (literally ‘sacred hill’) during the 17^th Century. As well as a lovely church, courtyard and spectacular views of the area, including the Alhambra, there is also a little museum which has a good collection of art and religious artifacts. There’s also a library, and some beautiful tapestries and brass carvings, including one which has an etching of the oldest map of Granada. 

To learn more about the geological history of the area and the lives of the early cave dwellers, visit the Centre de Interpretacíon del Sacromonte which has a collection of traditional gypsy crafts and offers the chance to see inside some of the caves, as they would have been in early days. You can also learn about how the dwellings were constructed and maintained.  

You can get there on bus 34, which leaves every hour from Plaza Nueva. The centre is open from 10am-2pm and 4-7pm in Winter (open later in summer). Entry is 4 euros.  

La Alcaiceria 

A visit to this old Moorish silk market is a must. This is the place where raw silk was brought down from the mountains on mules in ancient times, ready to be traded or woven into luxurious garments to be sold. In it’s time the market was a busy economic hub and an important social scene. Today it operates mainly for tourists on the lookout for souvenirs and local crafts. 

The markets today sell a lot of junk but you can also find some great gifts such as jewellery, leather shoes and handbags, shisha pipes and scarves. You’ll have to bargain if you want a good deal.  

If you’re not looking to buy, the colourful stalls, Moroccan restaurants and charismatic shopkeepers make for an enjoyable experience anyway. Or you can sit down for some mint tea and watch the goings-on around you. A warning however: Keep your eyes on your valuables at all times as pickpockets find this location particularly rewarding whilst buyers are distracted by their shopping. The market is on Calle Zacatin, near the Cathedral in the centre of town.  

Plaza Nueva 

This square was built to cover over some of the river Darro, creating a space large enough for public gatherings for events including bullfights, public executions and celebrations. Today it’s an excellent place to sit and have a coffee and for people-watching, or to plan the next phase of your Spanish itinerary at one of the many travel offices in and around the square. Its also a good place to experience Granada’s nightlife when the bars and clubs open after dark. The main buildings in this square are the High Court, the Church of Santa Ana and the Royal Chancellery.