Granada is surprisingly a big and busy, urban city located in the mountains. It’s about 2 hours or so from Seville and worth checking out for it’s main monumental site, the Royal Alhambra Palace.

They are heavily influenced by Arabs and Morocco since it’s so near by and the Moorish history. I would take advantage of the mint tea lounges and some of the best Doner kebab in Spain! We also took advantage of how cheap the spices are and loaded up on saffron. It’s much more cheaper than what it would be priced in the states. I recommend staying in Granada’s busiest area because of it’s central location and how much will be accessible to you on foot. Unless you’re staying at a hotel which is right off the main driving street, be prepared to lug your baggage through cobblestone streets. Granada is pretty easy to check out at minimum you can get a good idea of Granada in a day and probably see everything in two days! Enjoy sampling and bazaar shopping!

How do you get here? You can take the train as most locals do, fly through one of the smallest airports, or drive! If you decide to drive you’ll have to park up your car because most of the city is easier to navigate on foot and forget driving to the Alhambra, there’s alleys only taxis can take and they are the best ones to take you to there. If you do decide to go with a rental car, make sure you show up on time because they can easily cancel your reservation and most of the time they’re sold out of rental cars.

The Alhambra Palace is the fantasized palace we all read about in romance novels. Its beauty is indescribable. It’s purpose is forever mystified since all the books of its history have been burned. It’s a definitely a site you can’t afford to miss.

• When: Open all year round (book your tickets as soon as you book your flights ASAP because tickets get booked MONTHS in advanced) I recommend visiting during sunset hour to see the palace glowing over Granada.

• Duration: 1 hour inside the palace and you are open to roam the gardens and Kasbah until closing.

• Cost: Purchase directly from the Alhambra’s website otherwise you can find more tickets that might be more expensive, but includes an informational up to 3 hour tours.

• Tips: Strollers are not allowed, wear your cutest outfits as there are the most royal photo opportunities available, bring your camera — it’s impossible not to photograph its beauty.

• Personal experience: I’ve heard the hype about this gorgeous palace. I totally agree it is a sight that we could not miss. It’s breathtaking. I was blown away when I actually stepped into the palace. The fountains, the courtyards, the endless intricate and embellished details on every corner and rim, fulfills anyone’s dream of what a royal palace should look like. Fortunately we were able to book sunset hour as that was the last time slot available for the day we were spending in Granada, and it was perfect. I recommend booking the last time slot not only for golden hour and the best photography, but also because there is a less of a crowd and you have a high chance of seeing the palace empty and all to yourself. Totally worth every moment of it. You’re left stunned and mesmerized, as I still am. Enjoy!

Mirador San Nicolas is the most famous view point right across from the royal Alhambra Palace, giving you the best skyline views of the city and the palace itself.

Granada Cathedral is Spain’s second largest cathedral and was actually built on top of a mosque. What I found most neat about this cathedral is that you run into it unexpectedly among Granada’s alleys and bazaar shopping.

MORE SITES TO CHECK OUT.

FOOD RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Nemrut Doner Kebap Pizza - for the best Doner Kebab wrap in town! We ate this twice and you’ll always find people eating outside.

• La Teteria Del Banuelo - a cozy indoor and outdoor spot for the best mint tea and cookie cake in town!

• More food recs by Madrid Food Tour.