Granada is surrounded by mountains so straight away a variety of outdoor activities are available, with the climate dictating to a great extent which can be enjoyed in each season. Closer to the heart of the city, the kids can enjoy the attractions of both urban parks and water parks, while golf enthusiasts can take advantage of a couple of challenging courses.

Aquaola
The Aquaola water park is a great place to spend a day with the kids when it’s too hot to be out sightseeing. The park offers a variety of water-based attractions including the Tornado Slide, the Black Pipe, the Cyclone and the Pirate Galleon. For very young children, the Baths of Venus, with its bubble machine, is sure to please. Phone: +34 958 486 18

Golf
Fans of the game will find two courses at which to try out or practise their skills, both surrounded by gorgeous Granada scenery. The Granada Golf Club (phone: +34 958 584 436) is located just eight kilometres from the city centre and offers 18 holes of play, while the Los Miroscos Golf Club is situated between Motril and Salobreña and offers nine holes.

Granada Park
Granada Park, with its open grassy areas and variety of facilities, is a good place for the family to head on a sunny afternoon. The kids will enjoy a paddle or swim in the pool (which is heated for use on cooler days), while adults can enjoy a games of tennis on the public courts or a spot of relaxation with a good book under the shady trees. The picnic areas and barbecues are the ideal place for everyone to enjoy a good feast after other activities have worked up their appetites.

Hiking
The mountainous areas around the city are the ideal locations for a spot of hiking in the warmer periods of the year. In fact, at the height of summer when the dry heat of the city gets a little overbearing, the cooler environment of the Sierra Nevada Mountains can be refreshing and the air considerably fresher too. The terrain is varied, making the hiking conditions as easy or as challenging as you are prepared to tackle.

Skiing
The Solynieves ski resort in Pradollano is within easy driving distance of Granada and from late December through to late March offers good conditions for both skiing and snowboarding. If by chance the snowfalls have been at all light, the resort has snow cannons on hand to add to the coverage on the pistes.

Few cities in Spain are capable of offering the selection of cultural attractions that Granada boasts. The city’s extensive history combined with its trend for producing fine artists and architects has resulted in some particularly fascinating and spectacular venues. If you have an eye for art, archaeology and impressive buildings, then this is definitely the city for you.

Casa de los Pisa Museum
The 16^th century building that was once the home of the Pisa family is a magnificent structure both inside and out. The house was given to the family as payment for their part in the conquest of Granada. The house has since been dedicated to the patron saint of the city, Saint John of God, a man who was looked after by the Pisa family shortly before his death. On display inside of the house are a variety of 16^th century artworks and treasures.

Casa Museo Manuel de Falla
The former residence of Spanish composer Manuel de Falla (1876-1946) is a structure typical of the period, presenting a whitewashed exterior that’s simple but nonetheless charming in its design. Care has been taken to ensure that the house and its contents been preserved in the state that they were at the time of de Falla’s death. Inside are the composer’s original piano and furniture, as well as manuscripts, photographs and a wide variety of his personal possessions. Phone: +34 958 22 21 89

Casa de los Tiros
Casa de los Tiros or “House of Shots” is a splendid Renaissance palace that dates right back to the 16^th century and takes its name from the musket barrels that are an integral feature of its façade. The building was the former home of a Spanish aristocratic family and now belongs to the city, serving primarily as a tourist attraction. Notable external features include the statues of Greek mythological characters such as Hercules, Hector, Jason, Mercury and Theseus, while inside the portraits of Catholic monarchs and the Hall of Gold (Cuadra Dorada) are especially impressive. Phone: +34 958 22 10 72

Museo de la Zambra
The Cave of the Gypsies or Las Cuevas del Sacromonte, houses the Zambra Museum and its collection of authentic Flamenco costumes and articles related to Spanish dancing. The word zambra means ‘spontaneous dancing’ and in keeping with this theme, the museum often hosts gypsy festivals, of which traditional dancing is an integral part. Phone: +34 958 12 1183

Museum of Archaeology (Museo Arqueológico y Etnológico)
Granada’s archaeological museum is located inside the Casa de Castril, a splendid old Renaissance mansion with a particularly beautiful façade. The museum’s collection features objects unearthed from various digs in and around the area and is split across four rooms that are categorised by era. Rooms one and two concentrate on the Paleolithic and Neolithic eras, while displays in rooms three and four are based on findings from pre-Roman and Iberian settlements. Phone: +34 958 22 5640

For the full dinner experience, the city has venues offering both local fare and international cuisine. Pizza and pasta are easy to find as well as slightly more exotic fare such as Chinese and Indian.

Granada’s shopping scene is varied and definitely not lacking in its selection of outlets. The narrow winding streets in the area around the cathedral are home to traditional old-fashioned craftsmen and are the ideal place to find souvenirs and gifts to take home. Typical local products include ceramics, textiles (chiefly rugs) and jewellery. For antiques, Cuesta de Gomérez and Calle Elvira are the best places to head.

Clothes outlets can be found in and around Pedro Antonio de Alarcón, Acera del Carro, Carrera de la Virgen and Puerta Real. For a more general selection of outlets then check out Recogidas, Puentezuelas, Alhóndiga and Mesones; on these streets you’ll find everything from shoe shops to fresh food sellers.