Photoblog: Best Places for a View in Granada, Spain

Photoblog: Best Places for a View in Granada, Spain

My second home, Granada, is a city poised on undulating slopes with Moorish towers and Catholic spires poking through its skyline, with the white mountain range of Sierra Nevada looming in the background.Because of its hilly terrain, there is a plethora of panoramic spots to take in a bird’s eye view of the city. Over the weekend, I played host to some Singaporean friends who came to visit. Seeing the city from above is definitely the highlight for visitors who travel to Granada, and here are some of the best spots:

Mirador de San Nicolas

Sitting on the top of the old quarters – Albayzin – the lookout point offers what is considered the best view in the region. Besides an unobstructed vista of the Alhambra and the sprawling city below it, the Mirador is a playground for bohemian hippies and flamenco guitarists.

Huerta de Juan Ranas

Located right below the Mirador de San Nicolas, this atmospheric bar offers the exact view in a chillout surrounding. Budget travelers might prefer to forgo this bar, but travelers looking to spoil themselves might like soaking in the sun here and reveling in the Mediterranean spirit.

The Alhambra

This ancient Moorish palace put Granada on the world map - travelers who visit Granada without exploring the Alhambra is like going to Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower. Again, built on a steep hilltop, the Alhambra provides stunning panoramas of the Albayzin area. Expect to see endless hills of white architecture with pine trees and brown roofs poking out randomly.

Alhambra Hotel Palace

A luxury hotel designed to imitate the Alhambra back in its heydays – upon entering its doorway, you’ll naturally feel like you’ve stepped back in time to the ancient days when Arabic kings ruled Granada. The lobby is a lavish Arabic hallway, all decked out in golden furnishing. The best way: an outdoor cafe that opens up to an eye-glaring view of the city below its feet. Come here for sunset – you’re sure to be mesmerized.

Mirador de San Cristobal

Another lookout point from the other end of the city, the Mirador de San Cristobal is harder to get to and thus quieter and calmer. From here, you’ll get to see the old walls that used to enclose the city forming a fortress. Night view is the best here, as you see the city glowing in gold, with the Alhambra brighter than ever.

Llano de la Perdiz

Llano literally means plateau, but this plateau stands high above the valley, overlooking the outskirts of Granada. This secret spot is a local favourite’s haunt, especially in summer where outdoors enthusiasts hike and cycle here. Unlike the other lookout points, this is only accessible by car, on a dirt road and it looks out to the valley that surrounds Granada.

Large Photo

Where to Stay

Accommodation in Granada is affordable and good; the best options for budget travelers would be youth hostels in the city center. These are often located in traditional Andalusian houses, with typical patios and fountains. Cheap hotels in Granada usually cost up to 50euros a room, while luxury hotels like the Alhambra Palace Hotel can go up to 400euros for a suite.

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March 4, 2010 · Culture, Europe, Granada, Romantic escapades, Spain

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18 Responses to “Photoblog: Best Places for a View in Granada, Spain”

Lori on March 4th, 2010 9:48 am

Indeed amazing places Very nice pictures and recommendations so… thank you for sharing them!
Nellie on March 4th, 2010 7:18 pm

Thanks Lori, Granada's gorgeous. I really haven't met anyone who doesn't like Granada ha!
backpacking travel on March 4th, 2010 7:26 pm

Thanks for sharing! It's nice that you included "high end" and budget travel options too! I'd like to see the interior of the Alhambra Hotel Palace…
granada guru on March 4th, 2010 8:08 pm

I love the photographs… If I didn't live here already, I would want to come to see those views!!
Property Spain on March 5th, 2010 4:49 am

Thanks for sharing this post, it tempting me to visit these places in Spain.
Nellie on March 5th, 2010 9:27 am

Thanks for dropping by, it's a great city to live in, isn't it?
Nellie on March 5th, 2010 9:28 am

I have some photos of the interior of Alhambra Palace hotel, promise to put them up here sometime soon. Thanks for the comment!
Lifecruiser Travel Blog on March 5th, 2010 6:39 pm

Ah… d*mn what I regret that we didn’t make time to go to Granada when we were in Andalusia!!! There are so much to see in Andalusia and of course we want to see it all! But of course: this gives us a reason to go there again! *giggles*

My best friend lived in Sanlucar de Barrameda for over 1,5 year, so we did go there with her when she moved there. Explored all the way from Huelva (west coast up towards the Portugal border) to somewhere above Nerja in the east coast, plus inland up in the mountains, so how could we miss Granada? Don’t ask… Well, I guess we could blame time… *giggles*
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Granade Guru on March 6th, 2010 11:51 am

Wonderful!!! Wouldn't go back to England now. Just couldn't!!
Andy Hayes on March 7th, 2010 2:38 am

Looks stunning – Granada is one of the few places in Spain I've not been, and looks like I totally missed out!
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Max on April 18th, 2010 6:28 pm

Thanks for the nice Article, this websites provides also very good infos about the Alhambra in Granada http://www.alhambra-granada.de!
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lalazamir on May 11th, 2010 3:38 pm

greetings i like it very much.
thankyou.
HOstels Granada on May 28th, 2010 3:31 pm

there is an old saying here in granada, that resumes everything
"please gentleman give money to this beggar
beacuse there is nothing worst in the world
than beign blind in the city of granada"
admin on May 28th, 2010 11:41 pm

What a beautiful saying. I’ve never heard of that, but thank you so much for sharing that with us. I can’t agree more, there’s nothing worse than being blind in a city as gorgeous as Granada.
Charlotte on June 8th, 2010 10:23 am

Oh I do love Spain. I get all mushy thinking about the beauty, the sea, the buildings. Oh I could relocate to any province in Spain , but for now I guess I will have to contend with dreaming through all the travel sites. The photographs are awesome.