Home of the Flamenco, Granada, Andalucia, Spain

View out across Granada

This past weekend not only did we celebrate a birthday but Spain celebrated with us! The first weekend of May is an official long weekend in Spain as they celebrate 'dos de Mayo'. 

This is the day in history which the Spanish civil war begun with a few rascals beginning the shenanigans against the French outside the Royal Palace (eventually leading to the Spanish Rebellion). 

Egg and Ham Tapa

With an extra day leave from study we booked bus tickets to Granada last February. Granada in South Spain and the capital of the Andalusia Province is most well known for its flamenco, free tapas and its Alhambra Palace! A mix of Mediterranean, old Castile and Arab influences fuse together to make the well established Granada (est. 5500 BC) an exotic and tasty experience. 

Orange trees and Cathedrals

On the way to Granada and during our five hour bus trip, we meandered south driving through thousands upon thousands of hectares of olive groves. It was quite spectacular the way they lined the hillsides and weaved up the mountains. Jumping forward to our arrival. It was super warm. It's hard to emphasise how hot but like middle of summer blistering, uncomfortable 35 degree + hot.... And it's only spring! It was quite an unexpected surprise for us.

Hello you delicious potato tapa

From the bus we checked into our guesthouse and then started roaming for somewhere to eat lunch! Granada, home of the tapa, didn't disappoint. Each time you order a caña of the local beer it is accompanied with a plate of free Spanish food of your choice! We tried Patatas Bravas, local Salmorejo, salmon and creamy blue on crusty bread, cheesy nachos and more. 

After lunch we walked around the financial shopping centre, down the main streets all lined with citrus fruits. but a lot of stores were closed for the siesta so we took to the streets fairly aimlessly to see what we could find. 

Found the Granada Cathedral! 

On Saturday morning, we were the first at the breakfast buffet and left early to stand in queue for the very limited tickets of the Alhambra Palace (having tried over a month prior to buy online). When we got there it seemed that some families had been there for hours! We were some of the last to get afternoon tickets. 

Streets enjoying the evening sunset on Friday

With six hours till our entry time we decided to check out a water feature we had seen on our walk the day before. Then we just kept walking and walking! The old town is like a mouse maze. The old white houses felt cool and little 'abuelos' sat high up on verandas smothered by purple and pink flowers. Underneath we got lost like mice looking for the cheese. We walked all the way up past the city towards the Emma San Miguel lookout. With a fantastic view down over the expanding city we realized we were famished! 

Inside the Palace of Nazaríes

For our second breakfast we tried an Arab inspired restaurant and consumed a huge creamy spiced falafel kebab.

After a short nap, a bit of shopping and a nosy at at an outdoor flamenco expo that had begun we begun our tour of the Alhambra. 

Walking the Carrera del Darro 

The walk up the exceedingly steep hill in the dry heat was the toughest part about our trip. 

Clearly when they built the palace high up nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains they didn't think about the poor future tourists having to scamper up to the entrance! Hahaha! 
Although it was only 3pm by the time we arrived it felt like 40degrees, (unsurprisingly the bus stop thermometer read 38degrees! Ek!) 

View of the Palace at the foothills of Sierra Nevada

Once in, we explored the absolutely gorgeous Alhambra over the next three hours. The Alhambra is unique because of it's Muslamic influence, built around the 11th century the Palace is now one of Spain's most visited attractions. 

As the Empires rose and fell the Palace continued to grow in size and stature and each King contributed to its development in their own unique way building Cathedrals, bathing houses, chambers and towers. 

Later, to celebrate her birthday Kara got her hands on the most splendid flamenco costume! Not one to be left out she doned a huge red flower in her hair and joined the thousand or so locals who were dressed in an array of the most fabulous colours just enjoying themselves in the city. John was quietly happy to admire and be in charge of taking photos. Hehehe. 

Walking through the Albaicín district

Gardens in the Palace of Generalife

As the weather peaked it's high at 7pm, we dressed up we went for several tapas trying mini hamburgers, pescado frito, croquetas, pickled pork and more of those yummy (but not so healthy) patatas with a range of different sauces! 

Outside the Palace of Carlos V

Yum! More free tapas

The history and festivities made the atmosphere of Granada unique. Strong soulful cries of the flamenco songs rung out between the towering cathedrals and small bazaars. Cabelleros dressed in traditional clothing rode horses down the main roads and old men sat together playing Spanish guitar. 

As well as the National holiday, in Granada May 3rd celebrated as Dia de la Cruz (Day of the cross) heightening the already buzzing atmosphere and the reason that thousands of locals wore traditional costumes. 

Later when we stumbled back worn out and with aching feet we consciously agreed a sleep-in was in order. Sunday was our last opportunity to walk off our growing swollen food bellies. As we walked back to the bus station we took our last chance to breathe in the warm southern air and together jumped between one shaded building to the other the whole way back to the bus station!

Tot siens,

John and Kara

Spot the snowy mountains of Sierra Nevada