Granada is a city made for strolling and daydreaming. Both the artistic splendor of its monuments, as well as the beauty of the white-washed houses, fountains and pools are an eye-pleaser. The Alhambra palace fortress, dominating the Granada skyline from its hill-top perch, and the fascinating, labyrinthine Albazyin, Granada's old Islamic quarter are highlights not to be missed.
A little history of the Alhambra from the lonely planet: The Alhambra was a fortress from the 9th century. The 13th and 14th century Nasrid emirs turned it into a fortress palace complex adjoined by a small town (medina) of which only ruins remain. Yusuf I (1333-54) and Mohammed V (1354-59 and 1362-91) built the Alhambra's crowning glory, the Palacio Nazaries.
During the Napoleonic occupation, it was used as a barracks and narrowly escaped being blown up. In 1870, it was declared a national monument as a result of the huge interest stirred by Romantic Writers who wrote the tales of the Alhambra.
Tickets to the Alhambra are difficult to get, especially if you want to visit the Palacio Nazaries. Each day, only 6600 tickets are available, thus it's best to get tickets way beforehand. From the Alhanbra, one can see the mesmerising Albayzin, hilly streets and interesting alleys make up this old Muslim Quarter. One can't help feeling back in time as one wanders this mysterious town.
We ate dinner at a little restaurant in Albayzin. Can't help feeling a little sad as it was my last night in Spain. Time to leave this entralling country, which now I look back with fond memories. Dinner ended in a cold melacholy mood, with the song Alhambra playing in the background.
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