Southern Spain
GRANADA
Granada is situated at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and was once the grandest city in all of Spain.
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The most famous site in Granada is the Alhambra fortress, located on top of the hill al-Sabika. Its history dates back as far as the 9th Century and in the 1300s it was converted into a royal palace by Yusuf I, Sultan of Granada. You can take a guided tour which will introduce you into the history and present of the Alhambra or just take a walk through yourself.
While in Granada, you might also like to take time out to visit the Royal Chapel built in 1505, the Cathedral (1523), and the Baroque monestary, Sacromonte Carthusian Monestary.
Take a walk through the Moorish quarter of Albayzin, visit tourist shops in Alcaiceria, enjoy a stroll along the Darro River at Paseo de los Tristes, or visit the baths at Hammam Banos Arabes (Arab bath and spa) and Hammam el Banuelo (ruins of Moorish baths).
SEVILLE
Seville, or Sevilla, is known for its charm and Moorish influences and is particularly popular with tourists because of its traditional customs and styles, predominantly the flamenco dance culture.
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One of the most popular attractions in the city is Alcázar, the Royal Palace which was originally developed by Moorish Muslim kings in the 1300s. It is a beautiful collection of architectural styles, from Mudéjar to Gothic and is a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Visit the Museo del Baile Flamenco, a three storey museum dedicated to flamenco dancing; and the Cathedral, officially the biggest cathedral in the world (by volume).
There are plenty of options for sightseeing tours and hop on hop off bus tours that will give you a fantastic introduction to the city, or you might choose to just take your time and walk through the town to see the best Seville has to offer.
CORDOBA
Cordoba is a medieval city that was once one of the greatest cities in the world, rivalling Constantinople. It was a city filled with beautiful palaces and mosques and today, you can explore the remnants of these and get a taste of what life was like.
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The Mezquita is by far the most visited attraction and a prime example of the city’s medieval past, taking you back to a time when Muslims, Jews and Christians lived side by side. It is located in the historic centre of the city and was built and modified over a period of 900 years so is a mixture of architectural styles. With an extension measuring a massive 23,000 square metres, it is the third largest mosque in the world.
Take a walk nearby and you can also discover the Archiepiscopal Palais – the remains of the palace of the epoch of the Goths, Puerta del Puente, Puente Romana – an impressive roman bridge over the Guadalquivir river and remains of Moorish mills. There are roman ruins to explore, popular squares, museums, the palace and the Jewish quarter, just to name a few.
Corboda is a quiet city in the winter months, but as the temperatures rise, so does the influx of activity and tourists as the city hosts a number of major fiestas.