The Alhambra is a massive castle consisting of magnificent gardens, fortifications and sumptuous palaces. It began life as a fortress in the 9th century and was added to by subsequent generations of the Nasrid dynasty, the Arabic sultans who ruled the area for centuries. Truly breathtaking, the Alhambra consists of three main parts - the Alcazaba, the Casa Real and the Generalife gardens. The Alcazaba is the fortress and has stunning views of the city from its towers. The Casa Real is the royal palace and boasts beautifully proportioned rooms and courtyards and delicately carved stucco walls. The Generalife gardens feature strikingly colored flowers and elegant cypress trees. The old Arabic quarter of the city lies on the hill opposite the Alhambra. Known as the Albayzin, it is characterized by narrow cobblestoned streets and whitewashed houses. Many Muslim ramparts, houses, gates and fountains remain and the area retains a strong Arabic feeling. Stroll around the pleasant Plaza Bib-Rambla. Once the site of bullfights and Inquisition burnings, it is now home to restaurants, flower-stalls and buskers.
To sample some local cuisine
head for the Plaza Nueva, the Calle Caldereria Nueva, the Plaza Bib-Rambla
and the Campo del Principe. The city has great seafood restaurants and
wonderful tapas bars. For an unusual evening, head for the gypsy
caves of Sacromonte. Set into the hills on the north side of the city,
these atmospheric caves occasionally double up as nightclubs.