Southern Spain

Granada is a city and the capital of the province of Granada, in the autonomous region of Andalusia, Spain

The city of Granada is situated at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence of three rivers, Beiro, Darro and Genil, at an elevation of 738 metres above sea level yet only one hour from the Mediterrean coast, the Costa Tropical. At the 2005 census, the population of the city of Granada proper was 236,982, and the population of the entire urban area was estimated to be 472,638, ranking as the 13th-largest urban area of the Spanish Kingdom. About 3.3% of the population did not hold Spanish citizenship, the largest number of these (31%) coming from South America. Its nearest airport is FGL Airport.

The Alhambra, a Moorish citadel and palace, is in Granada. It is one of the most famous items of the Muslim, Jewish, and Christian historical legacy that makes Granada a hot spot among cultural and tourist cities in Spain. The Almohad urbanism with some fine examples of Moorish and Morisco constructions is preserved at the part of the city called the Albaicín.

Granada is also well-known within Spain due to the prestigious University of Granada and, nowadays, vibrant night-life. In fact, it is said that it is one of the three best cities for college students (the other two are Salamanca and Santiago de Compostela).^{[citation needed]}

The pomegranate (in Spanish, granada) is the heraldic device of Granada

There are many important Moorish and Catholic architectural sites in Granada:

• The Alhambra and Generalife
• The Palace of Charles V
• Granada's Cathedral
• Capilla Real. Royal Chapel, with the tombs of Isabella and Ferdinand, the Catholic Kings
• The Albayzín, or Albaicín: The ancient Arab quarter, containing many original houses from the 16th century
• The Charterhouse: A Carthusian monastery; one of the most impressive pieces of ornamental Baroque in Spain.
• Calle Calderería: An Albayzin street where you can taste Arab typical food, especially teas and desserts from North Africa
• El Cármen de los Mártires: A lovely palace with a beautiful botanic garden near the Alhambra
• Santa Ana Church: 16th century, Mudejar Style
• San Salvador Church: 16th century, Mudejar Style. With Moorish Almohad patio from the former mosque
• El Corral del Carbón: Deposit of merchandise and shelter of merchants. Adapted after 16th century for theater plays
• Hospital Real: Founded in 1504 by the Reyes Católicos, now part of the University
• Santo Domingo Church: Founded in 1512 by the Reyes Católicos
• San José Church: On the site of the "moans" Almorabitín, the mosque of the morabites, one of oldest in Granada, dating from the 10th century
• Sacromonte Abbey: Founded in the 17th century. Legend says that the catacombs under the church were the site of the martyrdom of San Cecilio, the city's first bishop and now its patron saint
• Old University: Originally Granada's Jesuit college, this building now houses the law school of the University of Granada. The building is particularly notable for its original 17th century facade.
• Bermejas Towers: Strongpoints on the encircling wall of the Alhambra, they date from the 8th and 9th centuries
• Basilica of St. John of God (San Juan de Dios): The remains of this saint are preserved in this Baroque basilica.
• The Gate of Elvira: The principal gate to the old city. Part of the Moorish wall
• Casa de los Tiros, 16th century. With a complex iconographic program of sculputure and painting about Spanish history and full of cryptograms, it was the palace of Gil Vázquez-Rengifo, who helped the Catholic Kings in the fight for the city. Nowadays it is a museum where visitors can follow the history of Granada from the Middle Age to the present day
• The 16th century Castril palace which hosts the Archaeological Museum of Granada
• The Cube: Main building for CajaGranada has won a lot of international architects awards.
• Zaida Building: Situated in the city centre, this residential building designed by Alvaro Siza is a good example of modern architecture surrounded by historical structures