Granada stands in the middle of southern Spain, 30 miles north of the Mediterranean coast, and the city is an important regional centre in Andalucia. Visitors with a hire car will find that Granada has an unusual mix of natural attractions: there are seaside resorts and skiing resorts an equally short drive away. In fact, Europe’s highest peak west of the Alps, Mulhacen, is only 35 miles from the city centre. Granada is a regional transport hub too: there’s an intersection of motorways near the city that allow you to drive easily in all directions. The A44 acts as a bypass round the west side of the city helping drivers avoid the worst of the jams.
Granada’s main attraction is its Moorish heritage. For centuries, the city was a major centre of learning and culture for the Arabic world and the architecture left behind is memorable. If you have a hire car in Granada, start by driving up to the Alhambra. This world-famous Moorish palace and stronghold is one of Spain’s biggest visitor attractions, thanks to the lavish carvings, beautiful gardens and spectacular hilltop location. Elsewhere, it’s worth exploring the ancient Arab Albayzin quarter too. There are also historic Christian landmarks dating from the re-conquest. Look out for the grand Cathedral, Royal Chapel and renaissance monastery.
