Museums
Granada has a good number of museums that house a lot of showing and collections of artistic and cultural interest. For this reason, if travelling to this city, it is necessary to take time to visit the museums that manage to take you back to other epoch and world through its wide cultural content.
When talking about museums, it is common to think directly in pictorial and sculptural works. Hence the importance of the Parque de las Ciencias de Granada: the first museum of interactive science of Andalucía. With more than 70,000 m², it stands out because you can enjoy a lot of interesting scientific experiences, for example: discovering the inside of a volcano, discovering the functioning of the gravity, using a gyroscope, playing with lens and mirrors in order to observe optical illusions… Besides, it has a Mariposario Tropical (Tropical Butterfly House), and the 37 metre-high Torre de Observación (Observation Tower), where you can contemplate beautiful views of the city. Definitively, a tourist area with temporary and permanent exhibitions in the downtown area of Granada that achieve that the science will become interesting and funny for the young, adults and children.
Although it is closed for refurbishment at this moment, the Museo Arqueológico y Etnológico de Granada (Archaeological Museum of Granada) is also a museum of tourist interest, since it allows discovering the historical and cultural evolution of the society through the remains that are here. These remains date from different epochs, from the prehistory to the Roman and Muslim ages. The museum, which has two floors and a patio, is settled in the Casa de Castril, a Renaissance palace, whose façade with three levels makes you feel impressed.
You can also discover archaeological remains in the Museo de la Alhambra (Alhambra Museum), situated in the south wing of the ground floor of the palacio de Carlos V (Carlos V palace), a Renaissance building annexed to the Alhambra. Its collection, originating from excavations of Granada and donations, is monographic, since it is dedicated to the culture and the Hispanic-Muslim art, especially to the Nasrid Art. It is showed throughout seven rooms and explores the Hispanic-Muslim history from the IX to the XVI century, showing metals, ceramics, plastering… The exhibition is distributed chronologically and thematically; the Jarrón de las Gacelas and the Pila de los Leones are stood out.
In addition to the Museo de la Alhambra, on the first floor of the palacio de Carlos V is also situated the Museo de Bellas Artes de Granada (Fine Arts Museum in Granada), the oldest art gallery of Spain. Its collection has paintings and sculptures from the XV and the XX century. Among the oldest sculptures are stood out the sculpture by Roberto Alemán: Santa María de la Alhambra (at the end of the XV century), which dominated the Puerta de la Justicia of the Alhambra. Machuca and Alonso Cano (well-known artists) stood up in the XVI century. The museum has works of Alonso Cano, such as San Jerónimo penitente en el desierto (St Jerome in Penitence), La Virgen del Lucero and the sculpture of San Diego de Alcalá. The sculptural ensemble of El entierro de Cristo by the Florentine Jacopo da Torni (Jacopo Florentino), was also executed in this century. Finally, the exhibition of the XVII century is highlighted, which has the work of Juan Sánchez Cotán: Bodegón con cardo y zanahoria, one of the most important works.
If you want to visit the rich legacy of the Catholic Monarchs (Reyes Católicos), it is necessary to visit the Museo de la Capilla Real (Royal Chapel), which is situated in the sacristy premises of this chapel, where their tombs are situated. Here you can see jewels, books, paintings, crowns, the mirror and the case of the Queen… and an endless number of high-value personal objects that take you back to an oldest epoch.
Besides, there are some other museums as attractive as the previous ones. The Museo San Juan de Dios and Casa de los Pisa in Granada, the most important museum of its kind in Andalucía, is highlighted by its paintings, porcelains, craftsmanship in precious metals and all the iconography of San Juan de Dios (John of God). In the Casa-Museo Federico García Lorca you can contemplate personal objects of the poet, such as its drawings, pictures, manuscripts, paintings… During the summers of 1926 – 1936, Lorca wrote here some renowned works, such as Bodas de Sangre. Equally, in the Casa-Museo Manuel de Falla, a traditional carmen of Granada, you can discover the private life and the environment in which he conceived his famous composition El Retablo de Maese Pedro, which was inspired in an chapter of Don Quijote. These three museums are indispensable for all the people that like imagining the life of these three important personalities, since it is reflected surprisingly.
If you want discover not only the cultural aspect, but also wonderful views, the ideal place is the Museo Cuevas del Sacromonte, where you can visit ten caves in their original state, exactly as they were ten years ago, with its traditional tools and adornments, in order to discover the history and understand the customs and the development that have taken place. Together with this, the visitant will be fascinated due to the beautiful environment, with its views to the Albaicín, Sacromonte, Alhambra and the valley of the river Darro. For this reason, this museum has a nature room in order to show the agriculture, fauna and flora of this area.
Other important cultural exhibitions are in the Museo CajaGRANADA Memoria de Andalucía, where the visitant can discover the culture of Andalucía, its evolution, its art and its culture trough some workshops and works from XVI to XXI century of very important authors, such as Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso…; the Museo Casa de los Tiros, which is specialised in subjects from Granada, or the Palacio de los Condes de Gabia, among others.
In this way, the visitant will not be able to ignore these cultural exhibitions, since Granada has a lot of things that show you in this field, becoming a singular and unique area with a great range of artistic and cultural possibilities that must be discovered.
Gastronomy
The gastronomy of Granada was strongly influenced by Arabs, who left their unmistakable stamp on the use of spices; hence its special savour. This meal is characterized by its variety and delicacy, so visitants will enjoy a wide gastronomic range that will make your visit even more pleasant and tastier. Products and traditional dishes
The products of the rich meadow that surrounds the city are the basis of many local dishes, such as the fried broad beans with ham (highlighting the famous “Trevélez” ham, which is cured in the highest town of the Iberian Peninsula and very demanded, although obtaining from white pigs). Besides,the following dishes are very important: the Olla de San Antón, a traditional dish especially for the winter months that consists of a stew made with dried broad beans, pork and other ingredients that can be changed, the traditional gazpacho of Andalucía (cold vegetable soup), the choto al ajillo (young goat in garlic) and the tortilla del Sacromonte, an omelette made with mutton brains, testicles and other kind of tripe and offal.
It is worth mentioning the patatas a lo pobre (“potatoes prepared in poor style”), which are fried with olive oil, pepper and egg, besides the traditional migas (crumbs in English). If the tourist visits the city in spring, he cannot leave the city without tasting the traditional saladilla or torta de carda with broad beans, which is a bread dough covered with some grains of coarse salt and baked, above all if his visit coincides with some festivities, such as the Cruz de Mayo (May Cross), the Feast of Corpus Christi or San Cecilio (Saint Caecilius).
Granada is also renowned by its asparagus, oil and wines (above all the wines of the Contraviesa, Albondón and Albuñol). It should not be forgotten the beer brewed in Granada since 1925: the Alhambra Beer.
Confectionery
Regarding the confectionery, the use of the honey has been inherited from Arabs, as well as that of the spices. In this area, we can stand out the tocino de cielo (egg and syrup pudding), the alfajor of the Albaicín (pastry sweet), the pionono of Santa Fe (small pastry), the pastries elaborated by the cloistered nuns in their convents, such as the bizcochadas (sponge cake), the mantecados (sweet made from flour, almonds and lard) and, above all, the huesos de santo (filled roll of marzipan) of the nuns of Santa Isabel. It is necessary to taste some of them before leaving the city, because they have a singular taste that will leave you speechless.
Tapas
The tapas are an aspect quite important of the gastronomy of Granada, they are considered as a tradition by all the citizens. At any time of the day, you can relax in a bar and, in passing, eat tapas for a reasonable price, since they are given away with every drink in general. From cheese portions or serrano ham (jamón serrano) to squids, meat with sauce, paella, prawns, octopus, fried aubergine… a wide variety of products, since every bar has a speciality to offer. Going “bar hopping” (ir de tapas) is considered as a habit by the people of Granada, so a tourist visit will never be complete if you do not do this.
Bars
The best areas where you can enjoy this activity are in the Campo del Príncipe, the Realejo, the calle Elvira, the Plaza Nueva and the Paseo de los Tristes surroundings, which have a lot of terraces, the Plaza de la Romanilla and the Plaza de la Pescadería, which are located next to the Cathedral and are one of the most lively areas, the Town Hall surroundings and the calle Navas, the Albaicín and the Sacromonte.
Granada has a lot of bars that the tourist will discover while visiting the city, mixing culture with culinary art thus, which are two aspects that must be known when visiting a new city. One of them is Los Diamantes, a renowned classic located in the calle Navas and open since 1942. This familiar bar is famous due to its fried aubergines, brains, fried fish... Because of its small size, they have opened another at the end of the same street. Equally, la Taberna La Tana and Las Copas, two cosy bars, are also in the calle Navas (one of the favourite places for the citizens to go “bar hopping”.
The Taberna el Mentidero, located in the centre of the city, is also important. Thanks to its name, standing and the good work since 2005, two other “Mentideros” have been opened, with the same high level and environment. Here, the tourist will take pleasure in the best wine selections and in its innovative cuisine.
If the visitant wants to enjoy a mixture of good views and tapas, the best areas are the Albaicín and the Sacramonte. In the first area, you can find the Bar Aliatar – Los Caracoles, renowned by its most representative tapa: edible snails in albaicinera sauce. It is an ideal bar for enjoying the sun in its terrace in the Albaicín square while tasting one of its plates. Regarding the Sacromonte, the Casa Juanillo stands out, with a terrace with panoramic views to the Alhambra, and renowned by its homemade tapas, such as the tortilla de Sacromonte (Sacromonte omelette) or the patatas a lo pobre (sliced potatoes with onions, sometimes with pepper too).
Next to the Alhambra is located the Paseo de los Tristes, renowned by its bars with terrace, such as the Puerta del Vino, which has a dining room inspired by the twenties, a wide variety of tapas and great music.
The Casa Enrique, the oldest bar of Granada (1870) but without free tapas, La Ermita, next to the bull ring, or La Ninfa, a cosy bar whose speciality is the pizza, are other renowned bars.
Restaurants
Furthermore, Granada also has a large number of important restaurants. One of them is the Restaurante San Nicolás, located in the Albaicín and awarded the best restaurant prize in 2008. Here, the tourist will enjoy not only the succulent meal, but also a beautiful view to the Alhambra, so it is a restaurant worth visiting. Besides, it has three lounges with different environments, offering distinct possibilities, such as going bar hopping (in its bar), eating with the family in the main lounge or having a coffee in the “tea and reading room”, where there are also exhibitions.
The Restaurante Mirador de Morayma, also located in the Moorish quarter the Albaicín, captivates everyone with its amazing views in an unrivalled setting; its local cuisine and its environment transport you to other space and will make your visit an unforgettable moment.
In the same neighbourhood, it must be emphasized a small restaurant with a creative cuisine, the Huerto de Juan Ranas, which is cosy and select. It has an excellent environment, where time does not seem to pass, a high quality cuisine and a personalised customer service. Reservation should be made in advance, because the number of tables is reduced.
The Restaurante Raíces is characterized by being the first vegetarian
restaurant of Granada (since 1979). It has a lot of vegetable products, such as
vegetables, edible seaweeds or fruits, in addition to eggs, milk and products thereof,
and only first quality products. It is located close to the centre and
organises cultural activities, such as different exhibitions or vegetarian cooking
workshops.
The Restaurante La Chumbera is located in the Sacromonte, very close to the caves of this neighbourhood and with wonderful views to the Alhambra and to the Cathedral, which can be contemplated from its large terraces and overlooks. Its dishes are creative and made from recipes of Granada and Andalucía; and it has a lot of installations, such as an auditorium, an amphitheatre and caves where zambras flamencas are organised for agreed groups.
The Restaurante Damasqueros, the winner of the tapas of Granada competition, the Restaurante Arriaga, located inside the museum Memoria de Andalucía at the height of 60 metres and with Basque roots, or the Restaurante Ruta del Veleta, with a creative and imaginative cuisine, are other distinguished restaurants, among many others.
These restaurants have a distinguished and enveloping environment, which make clients go inside a creative world, full of tastes and aromas.
Flamenco
The flamenco is one of the most representative activities of Granada, since its gypsy quarter Sacromonte, located in the eastern zone of the city, is characterized by being one of the main cradles of the flamenco. The popular zambra, also known as zambra mora, is a flamenco singing and dance that was born in the 16th century in Granada. At first, it was danced in the gypsy wedding ceremonies, but now the aim is to attract the visitors to the caves and hills of the Sacromonte.
In 1922, the first competition of flamenco singing was held in Granada, that is why the importance of this city regarding the flamenco, also known as “cante jondo” or “cante grande”. This competition was sponsored by the dramatist of Granada Federico García Lorca and by the composer Manuel de Falla, in order to avoid the disappearance of the essence of this art. For this reason, the competitors had to be completely unknown.
If you want to enjoy a good spectacle of flamenco and its art, there are two areas that must be visited: the Sacromonte and the Albaicín. Firstly, the Sacromonte is characterized by its large and white caves, which are dedicated to this art and decorated with copper objects. These caves are known as zambras (the same as the traditional dance represented in them), and the public will be able to admire a true manifestation of art full of passion and emotion. These caves of Sacromonte were declared as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
One of the most important zambras is La Cueva de la Rocío, belonging to “The Family Maya”, a popular gypsy family. As well as enjoying the impressive spectacles worthy of admiration, the public can go to a terrace with beautiful views to the Alhambra and the Generalife. This zambra has received people as well known as Bill Clinton or Michelle Obama.
One of the largest caves of Granada is the Templo del Flamenco, where spectacles with a large staff are presented every night. These are directed by Antonio Vallejo Anaya, who makes people feel astonished, because this demonstration of art cannot be explained with words, but it must be seen for yourself.
The Cueva de los Tarantos is also very popular in Granada due to its sensational spectacle of flamenco. This cave offers a large service including transport and guided Albaicín tour to the tourist, who can also enjoy a dinner with the traditional dishes of the region before the spectacle.
Other fascinating cave is the Cueva María La Canastera, with a museum of the flamenco singer that gives its name and where you can take dance classes. There is a lively and familiar environment.
Visiting the Venta El Gallo, you can have dinner in its restaurant or just enjoy the spectacle. It is located in an exceptional place, in front of the Alhambra. Besides, it includes a touristic tour in the Albaicín and the Sacromonte.
Very close to these caves, the Auditorio Municipal de la Chumbera is located, an art reference that offers a lot of cultural activities to spectators, such as a programme called Patrimonio Flamenco. This programme has many spectacles of flamenco throughout the year, in addition to concerts of other styles of music, all accompanied by an impressive view to the Alhambra that cannot be forgotten.
Besides, in the Albaicín there are a lot of flamenco clubs (peñas flamencas in Spanish) where spectacles of flamenco are represented. The most important one is the Peña Flamenca La Platería, which is the oldest club, because it was founded in 1949. The different spectacles are performed on Thursday and on several Saturdays (reservation recommended). These spectacles will delight their audience.
In the Sala Albaicín, located close to the Mirador de San Cristóbal, the spectator can mix a touristic walk around the Albaicín and the Sacromonte with the delight of the spectacle. You can also take flamenco dance lessons in groups with a minimum of 10 people and the tickets include the transport from any point of the city.
The Peña La Parra Flamenca is also important, because its spectacles connect with the public and transmit the same emotions that the artists feel.
In this historic quarter, there are also many restaurants with spectacles of flamenco every night. This is the case of Los Jardines de Zoraya, where there are many tickets: you can contemplate the spectacle with a tapa and a drink or with a menu. This restaurant gets good reviews because it has a wide gastronomic variety of Granada and Spain. Depending on the time of the year, the spectacles are performed in different places: inside the restaurant in winter, with a rustic environment, or in a large garden in summer. Definitely, it is a fantastic combination of culinary and flamenco arts.
For this reason, those who really want to enjoy a good spectacle of flamenco, its art and its passion, must visit these areas of Granada. They never forget this night full of passion and colour. It is ideal for immersing yourself in a different world, full of emotions, feelings, passion and, above all, artistic quality.
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