The historic and visually stunning city of Granada is the capital of the province of the same name located in Spain’s Andalusia region. The city is a highly popular tourist destination drawing visitors of all ages for its rich selection of both manmade and natural attractions. Twenty-first century facilities and amenities complement the mix, making this one of the region’s most tourist-friendly cities.

The ancient Moorish palace known as the Alhambra is the jewel in the crown of Granada’s attractions list and is, for many visitors, their primary reason for visiting the city. This UNESCO World Heritage site is arguably Spain’s single most interesting and significant historical attraction. The crowds that arrive daily to witness its splendour are testament to its considerable appeal.

The Alhambra is by no means the city’s only historical or cultural attraction and visitors will find an excellent selection of museums, galleries and eye-catching architectural gems with which to fill their sightseeing itineraries. Family visitors, meanwhile, and those who enjoy a spot of outdoor activity, will find a variety of pursuits and attractions geared towards their needs, with the nearby Sierra Nevada Mountains offering the greatest selection.

The city has something of a reputation for good food; in fact it would be doing it an injustice not to stress just how fine its cuisine really is. Drawing on all the influences that have helped make Andalusian gastronomy so acclaimed in international circles, Granada’s restaurants present an array of mouth-watering authentic local dishes, all of which can be enjoyed with at least one if not a couple of glasses of high quality Andalusian wine.

Granada is a destination that provides well for its steady influx of visitors, offering a solid tourist infrastructure that provides services and amenities all year round. Accommodation options are plentiful, with everything from budget to up-market establishments. Rooms can be hard to come by in the high season so it definitely pays to book well ahead of your requirements. Prices are on the expensive side in the high season but bargains can be found at other times of the year.

Granada is easily reached, with its own international airport providing a major gateway to the city and to the Andalusia region also. There are regular flights from the UK and selected other EU destinations as well as a number of domestic connections. Getting around the city is easy enough too, with an efficient local bus service plus taxis and rental cars as options.

Granada’s climate brings four distinct seasons across which the weather is fairly predictable and subject to only minor variations from year to year. Summers are hot, winters are cool and spring and autumn are typically transitional seasons. Rainfall is never especially heavy, although December is generally the wettest month of the year by a noticeable margin.

The summer season is the best time to visit the city if you want a holiday with plenty of time spent outdoors. July and August are the peak months of the season and see temperatures climb into the mid 20s (°C). Rain during these months is rare and short lasting when it does occur. June and September are a few degrees cooler but still ideal for enjoying sightseeing holidays.

Spring and autumn can also be good times to visit if you like things a little cooler. Daytime temperatures can still be lovely and warm, while evenings and early mornings can be mild to cold and necessitate wearing a sweater or light jacket.