GranadaOutdoor Escape Game & Treasure Hunt

From Roman Iliberis to Nasrid Splendor

The origins of Granada date back to the 7th century BC, with the Iberian tribe of the Turduli founding a settlement called Ihverir. The Romans conquered the area around 180 BC, renaming it Iliberis. This Roman settlement was on the Alcazaba and Albaicín hills, extending to the Alhambra hill. After centuries of Roman rule, the Visigoths took control in the 5th century, and the city grew in importance, with defensive walls being built.

The Moorish conquest of the Iberian Peninsula began in 711 AD. The founding of present-day Granada occurred in the 11th century. Following a civil war, a Berber general, Zawi ben Ziri, established an independent kingdom, the Taifa of Granada, in 1013. He moved the capital from Medina Elvira to Medina Garnata, giving the city its current name, which may derive from the Latin for pomegranate, granatum, or the Arabic gar-anat meaning "city of pilgrims."

The Last Moorish Stronghold and Christian Transformation

Granada entered its golden age under the Nasrid dynasty, founded by Muhammad I ibn Nasr in 1238. It became the capital of the Emirate of Granada, the last Muslim-ruled state in the Iberian Peninsula. The Alhambra, a medieval Nasrid citadel and palace, was built between 1238 and 1358 during the reigns of Ibn al-Ahmar and his successors, notably princes Yusuf I and Muhammad V. The Nasrid reign ended on January 2, 1492, when the Catholic Monarchs conquered Granada, marking the completion of the Reconquista.

Following the conquest, Granada was transformed into a Christian city throughout the 16th century. Mosques were converted into churches or destroyed, and new Christian buildings, such as the Granada Cathedral and the Capilla Real, were erected. The expulsion of many Jewish and Muslim residents, who were forced to convert or emigrate, led to an economic decline, and the Alhambra itself fell into centuries of neglect. In the early 19th century, during the Peninsular War, Napoleon's troops occupied the Alhambra and attempted to dynamite the complex upon evacuating, but a Spanish soldier, José Garcia, saved much of it by disabling the remaining fuses.

• —Granada Cathedral — This Renaissance-style cathedral, begun in 1523, stands on the site of the city's former main mosque. It has a large scale and intricate details, particularly in the main chapel.
• —Capilla Real (Royal Chapel) — Adjacent to the Cathedral, this Gothic building was constructed between 1505 and 1517 to house the tombs of the Catholic Monarchs, Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, along with their daughter Joanna and her husband Philip I. Their sarcophagi are visible.
• —Alcaicería — This network of narrow streets, near the Cathedral, is a recreation of Granada's original Moorish silk market. While the original was destroyed by fire in the 19th century, this bazaar offers stalls selling ceramics, textiles, spices, and souvenirs.
• —Carrera del Darro — This street runs alongside the Darro River, offering views of the Alhambra and the Albaicín. It has ancient bridges and historic buildings.
• —Sacromonte — This neighborhood is known for its cave dwellings, historically inhabited by the Romani community. Visitors can explore the Museo Cuevas del Sacromonte to understand this way of life and experience flamenco shows in cave venues.
• —Parque de las Ciencias — An interactive science museum with 70,000 m² of exhibits, a planetarium, and a BioDomo greenhouse. It offers hands-on science experiments and activities.

The best times to visit Granada are spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). During these periods, temperatures are mild, ranging from 18-26°C in spring and 22-28°C in autumn. The Generalife gardens are in bloom in spring, and autumn brings a golden light to the city. Crowds are manageable, though April and May can be busy due to festivals like Semana Santa and Cruces de Mayo.

Avoid July and August, as temperatures can reach 34-40°C, making midday sightseeing difficult. While winter (December to February) is less crowded and offers cooler temperatures (around 12-14°C), it can be cold at night with occasional frosts, and December is the wettest month.

Granada is served by Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén Airport (GRX), 17 km west of the city. An ALSA bus service (Line 245) connects the airport to the city center, stopping at the bus station, Gran Vía, and Puerta Real, with a journey time of approximately 45 minutes. Taxis are also available.

Within the city, Granada is walkable, especially the historic center. However, the Albaicín and Sacromonte neighborhoods are on hills with steep, cobbled streets and steps, so comfortable walking shoes are necessary. Public transport includes an urban bus system operated by Transportes Alsa and a tram system (Metro). A single bus ticket costs around €1.60. A Credibús card costs €2 and can be topped up, reducing the fare to €0.53-€0.90 per ride and allowing free transfers within 60 minutes.

Parking in Granada's city center is challenging due to restricted access zones. Several underground car parks are available, such as Parking San Agustín, Parking APK2 Puerta Real, and Parking Palacio de Congresos, with daily rates typically around €10-€23. On-street parking (ORA) is regulated, but often free on Sundays and public holidays.

Local markets include Mercado San Agustín, a covered food market near the Cathedral, open Monday to Saturday mornings, offering fresh produce. The Mercadillo del Zaidín, a large street market, takes place on Saturdays. Plaza Larga in the Albaicín hosts a smaller market from Tuesday to Saturday mornings with fruits, vegetables, and crafts.