Reasons Why this European City is the Most Magical City You'll Ever Visit

Granadas mighty Alhambra fortress; GFXTemplate, pixabay
Granada's mighty Alhambra fortress; GFXTemplate, pixabay
Mark Nayler

Even when compared to the other great cities of southern Spain, Granada has a beauty and charm all of its own. From its magnificent Alhambra palace to the enchanting neighbourhoods of Albaicin and Sacromonte, this Andalusian city is likely to be the most magical destination you’ll every visit.

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Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Albaicin

This chunk of whitewashed houses sits on the hillside directly opposite the Alhambra, on the other side of the Darro river, and is one of the most enchanting and other-worldly barrios in the country. Replete with winding little lanes, gypsies playing guitars on benches, the aroma of frying onions and peppers drifting from open windows and sun-baked squares lined with orange trees, Albaicin is as magical and romantic as anything you’ll experience on your travels throughout the world.

Mirador San Nicolas

At the top of Albaicin is the Mirador San Nicolas, a spacious square backing onto a church of the same name. From this popular gathering-point, the views of the Alhambra fortress – perched on top of the hill straight across the Darro valley – and the crisp peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountains behind it are ridiculously beautiful. At night, the scene laid out in front of you is even more breathtaking, with the Alhambra seeming to glow in a soft orange light and Granada glittering in the valley far beneath.

Sacromonte

Sacromonte is the old gypsy quarter of Granada, where locals still live in caves that were carved into the hillside a couple of centuries ago. The simple country way of life here has barely changed over that time either, as you’ll see as you wander up the cobbled lanes amongst the white-and-blue caves and into the cacti-studded scrubland above Sacromonte. This is an area saturated in flamenco and you’ll hear its distinctive sounds coming from the caves as you wander. And if catching these strains of voice and guitar leaves you wanting more, the quarter’s many flamenco cave-theatres provide nightly shows.

Bar Pibe

For a bite to eat and cold beer whilst exploring Sacromonte, head to Bar Pibe. Located about halfway along Sacromonte’s “main” street – i.e. the only one wide enough for cars – it has a lovely terrace with spectacular views of the Alhambra and the Darro valley. As the greenery beneath you thrums with the high-pitched hum of crickets, keep the cold ones coming whilst you contemplate Spain’s greatest Moorish monument and enjoy the colourful street life of Sacromonte.

Alhambra

Soak up a view of the Alhambra from one of Granada’s top rooftop restaurants

Granada’s star attraction and one of the most famous historical monuments in the world, is the 10th century Alhambra complex. Though a small fort was built on this site in the 9th century, the structure we see today dates mainly from the 13th; the fort itself is surrounded by beautiful gardens filled with fountains and nightingales and linked by shaded paths to the Generalife, or summer palace. As you wander through the cool rooms, the walls of which are masterpieces of Moorish interior design, you are instantly transported back to the majesty of Islamic Spain. The forest that surrounds this fascinating building and its grounds is hardly less magical.

Hidden Tunnels of the Alhambra

© funkyfood London – Paul Williams / Alamy Stock Photo

One of the Alhambra’s best-kept secrets is the network of tunnels, caverns and dungeons that was built underneath it by both Moors and Christians. Though the vast majority of these are closed to the public, their entrances can be glimpsed as you wander the grounds and the surrounding forest as well as from the Paseo de los Tristes, which faces the rugged hillside on the other side of the Darro river. Historians and locals of Albaicin also say that some of the grandest houses in the old Arabic quarter are linked up to the fort, once enabling Granada’s most important figures to lead secret lives.

Sunset from the San Miguel Hermitage

One of the best places to catch the sunset in Granada is from the cobbled square in front of the San Miguel Hermitage high above the old Arabic quarter. The Ermita de San Miguel Alto is reached by a flight of concrete steps that begin in the cacti-studded countryside behind Albaicin (specifically, behind Plaza Aliatar, on which there are some great bars) and is a popular spot for teenagers, who chat and drink beer on the little stone wall. From up here you can see all of Granada spread out beneath you and when the sun goes down the sky puts on a spectacular display of reds, oranges and purples.

Carmen de los Matires Gardens

At the top of the hill next to the Alhambra are gardens straight out of a fairytale. The Carmen de los Martires were once the grounds of the grand 19th century residence that sits in their midst (and that’s now an events space). Their tranquility casts a spell over you as you wander amongst pretty flowerbeds and ponds and in the middle of the gardens there stands a little turret: duck in, climb the mini flight of stairs to the top and survey the verdant haven which surrounds you. If you’re thinking of proposing in Granada, by the way, this spot would take some beating.

Carrera del Darro

Granada’s prettiest and most romantic street begins at the northern end of Plaza Nueva and weaves alongside the Darro on the edge of Albaicin as far as the Paseo de Los Tristes. An early-evening stroll down here is as bewitching as anything Granada has to offer: the stately old houses that rise up from the riverbanks are overgrown with ivy and bright flowers and the river runs under a couple of ancient bridges that take you into mysterious streets at the base of the Alhambra. No wonder that this magical pathway features on about 90% of the postcards in Granada.

Flamenco

Flamenco dancers

Granada has one of the strongest flamenco heritages in southern Spain and was the hometown of Enrique Morente, said by many aficionados to be one of the art’s modern greats. You can’t help but come into contact with this passionate, complex art here: it is performed in the streets and squares (especially on Plaza Nueva) and drifts from hidden gardens in Albaicin and the caves of Sacromonte. There are plenty of theatres and bars offering nightly shows of excellent quality, especially around Plaza Nueva and in Sacromonte. Le Chien Andalou, situated in a cave on the Carrera del Darro, is particularly recommended.

Tapas

One of the delights of Granada is that, with every beer, wine or soft drink you order, you receive a plate of tapas for no extra charge. This is by no means the case in other Andalusian cities – where tapas has to be ordered and paid for – and is something for which Granada is sought out by Spanish tourists as well as foreign visitors. The portions are often generous too, meaning that for the price of a couple of glasses of wine (in total about 5-6 euros in most bars in the centre) you can eat a meal. Magical for the wallet and a great way to sample a range of Andalusian cuisine.

The People

Though, like anywhere, you might encounter the occasional surly waiter in Granada, you will generally receive a warm welcome from its locals. In most bars or restaurants, a second visit is all it takes to be welcomed back like family – a feeling only enhanced by the constant stream of free and unbidden tapas. Should you get talking to any locals, you’ll find them warm, full of humour and passionate about their city (if you can understand their notoriously thick accent). After a few days caught up in this magical city and amongst its people, you’ll be under Granada’s spell; indeed, it happens that people arrive here intending to stay a few days and end up staying a few years. You’ll see why.

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Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

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HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

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Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

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Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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