Culture

Explore Granada

Dive into Spain's vast array of cultural monuments at the foot of the Sierra Nevada

September 4, 2022

The Tour of Spain will pass through the historical city of Granada on stage 15.

Before heading to the Sierra Nevada to watch the riders suffer up one of the steepest climbs of this edition of La Vuelta under the full heat of the Andalusian sun, why not take your time to delve into the city's rich cultural, religious, and architectural past? There’s no better place to have a glass of gazpacho and sample tapas than Granada’s Elvira Street.

Today, everyone will stand along the road to cheer, while the sun hits the Alhambra and the mountains of the Sierra Nevada, where riders will finish on top of the Alto de la Hoya.

Full of history, art, and monuments, surrounded by old tapas bars frequented by young students, Granada is more than special.

Settled by native tribes in the prehistoric period, and later invaded by Arabs, Granada was the last Muslim city to fall to Christians in 1492, at the hands of Queen Isabel of Castile. Granada is now full of what is left from the past. Granada is also part of the Tour of Spain’s history. The city has held dozens of starts and finishes since 1935, when it first appeared on the road book.

Granada loves cycling, and that’s why today it will wear the colours of La Vuelta. Its people will cheer at the intermediate sprint next to the carmen houses and Arab baths or head up to the Sierra Nevada to watch the grand finale.

Whether you decide to stay or come back later, here’s our list of things you can’t miss when you visit Granada.

La Alhambra

First and foremost, and above all of the must-sees and things to do in Granada, is to visit the Alhambra. The Alhambra is an ancient palace, fortress, and citadel. It’s the only surviving palatine city (a royal territorial centre) of the Islamic Golden Age and a remnant of the Nasrid Dynasty, the last Islamic kingdom in Western Europe. The Alhambra was a candidate to become one of the new World Wonders. Stop here to enjoy one of the best beers the whole country has to offer, Alhambra beer.

El Camino de Ronda

Walk along the Darro riverbank at the foot of the Alhambra down to the Camino de Ronda. The Camino de Ronda is one of the main streets in Granada. Here you will find a large variety of tapas bars and restaurants that offer traditional local food. You will end up in a big crowd of people who come to see the intermediate sprint just at the end of the riverbank.

El Albaicín

The best way to get to the race is to walk through the narrow, quiet streets and steep slopes, characteristic of the old neighbourhood of Albaicín. Here you can stop to eat good tortilla, fried fish, croquetas or morcilla in some of the oldest restaurants in Granada.

Going up the Callejón de Trillo, you will find the remains of the Aljibe de Trillo, one of hundreds of water tanks that were built during the Muslim period.

El Mirador de San Nicolás

The most famous viewpoint of the Albaicín and the whole city, El Mirador de San Nicolás also provides the best views of the Sierra Nevada, where the riders will finish on Stage 15, and the Alhambra. The Mirador de San Nicolás is probably the best spot to watch the sun set in Spain. Located in the middle of the Albaizín, it’s surrounded by small white houses, and cobbled streets, where flamenco music floats through the air.

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