Best Time to Visit Granada
Granada, the dramatic Moorish city of Andalucia, is one of Spain's most popular destinations, with travelers keen to experience the magnificent gardens and architecture of the Alhambra Palace. When selecting the best time to visit, it should be remembered that Andalucia is among the hottest regions of Spain. In mid summer, from June to August, temperatures can average in the mid 90s. Although the Moors designed the Alhambra to be a cool refuge, with fountains and shaded arbors, it can still be uncomfortably hot exploring a historic monument in high summer. Preferable seasons for a visit to the Andalucian city are late spring or early fall. At these times, temperatures are usually in the high 70s, warm enough to enjoy an al fresco dinner in a Granada restaurant, without being too warm. Visiting outside the peak season also has the advantage of avoiding the large crowds of visitors that descend on Granada during summer vacations. In winter, the city takes on a different aspect, with quieter streets, a chill in the air, and snow on the peaks of the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains. It's an ideal time to explore the city at leisure and discover its hidden treasures.
Eating in Granada
Granada, the historic city of Andalucia, has a cuisine that emphasizes the traditional flavors of southern Spain, while acknowledging the city's Moorish heritage. Top chefs in the city are respectful of tradition, usually offering a stylish take on Andalucian classics, making use of excellent local ingredients. For example, hams are often sourced from Trevelez, the village in the Alpujarras where the meat is dried in the cool mountain air. Andalucian dishes that feature on most menus in the city include classic summer cold soups such as gazpacho and its near relatives, salmorejo and ajo blanco - refreshing lunch options when the temperatures are hitting the 90s. In winter, traditional dishes take the form of hearty mountain stews such as Olla de San Anton, a bean stew with pig's head, bacon and blood sausage. If that's a little too daunting for some travelers, migas alpujarrenas is a traditional shepherd's dish made from breadcrumbs, seasoned with ham, garlic and paprika. Fittingly for a city with Moorish roots, north African cafes and kebabs have become as popular as tapas bars in the city center. The student population has also made it easier to find vegan and vegetarian eateries, once very rare in Granada.
