Granada is the name of both a city and a province, in Andalucia, a region on the Iberian peninsula. It is a city of about a quarter of a million people and is well placed for visitors, as it is about an hour's drive from the coast and also quite near to a ski centre.

The city itself is mainly famous for its Muslim heritage, dating back to the Moorish conquest in the 8th century. Even today Andalusia (from the Arabic name Al-Andalus) is full of remains of this era, and the most famous of all is the Alhambra in Granada. This magnificient palace and fortress is one of the major attractions in Europe.

However, Granada is full of ancient buildings, museums and fascinating old streets. The ideal way to get a feel for the city is to take a bus tour of the sights. You should also aim to get out for at least one day and explore the Sierra Nevada - there are plenty of day trips available.