Granada

Perhaps the strongest force at work in Granada is its attractiveness, which draws tourists there long before they are supposed to. This Andalusian gem, hidden among the Sierra Nevada Mountains in southern Spain, is drenched in contagious European charm and a strong sense of mystery brought on by its fascinating past. In Granada, mosques once stood where cathedrals now stand, bakeries where bathhouses once stood, and shops where tea was the main menu item rather than tapas. Even though the days of shifting dynasties and warring cultures are long gone, there is still a palpable sense of heritage that begs to be understood.

However, that does not imply that it is not valued. Numerous tourists make the journey to this small Spanish city each year, drawn by Granada's history as a former Moorish empire, its ancient architecture, and its rich culture. And visitors can quickly learn that everything is possible in Granada. You can see a flamenco performance in a cave that used to be home to African gypsies, buy items on Moroccan streets, trek in the slopes of Spain's largest national park, and eat for free every night thanks to Granada's burgeoning tapas industry. Therefore, enjoy Granada in all of its distinctive forms while you're there and, if possible, allow yourself to become entirely engrossed in its beauty; you won't regret it.

The months of May and June, as well as September and October, are ideal for traveling to Granada. The months of May and June are cool, the flowers are in full bloom, and the calendar is packed with some of the major cultural events in the city. Although spending the summer in Spain may seem like a romantic notion, Granada's location at the southernmost point of Europe results in daily temperatures that reach the 80s and 90s in July and August, which could make for an uncomfortable vacation. Winter is an option for those looking for off-peak rates, however costs may vary depending on where you stay given the close skiing at the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In addition to May and June, the best months to travel are September and October. These months have spring-like weather, but as evenings draw in, temperatures begin to drop starting in October.

While tapas are available throughout Spain, Granada is one of the greatest cities to sample this gastronomic custom. Granada upholds the tapas tradition in its most basic form: order a drink and get a free plate of tapas, unlike other popular tourist sites in the nation like Madrid or Barcelona. For those who are new, tapas are best defined as an appetizer or snack. In the Spanish custom, every drink you order at a bar comes with an appetizer, or plate of tapas. The tapas typically come in greater servings the more beverages you order. Even though the majority of restaurants in Spain charge for tapas, tapas are still seen as a gift to customers in Granada and much of southern Spain.

Location: at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence of four rivers, the Darro, the Genil, the Monachil and the Beiro.
Ranking:

• #4 in Best Places to Visit in Spain
• #13 in Best Cheap European Vacations