Granada

Granada is one of the essential destinations for Muslim travelers and any season can be excellent to visit it. In fact each of them has its own appeal. In spring (March 20 to June 21), as in the whole of Andalusia, Granada is bright, fragrant and spectacular; the days are long and the temperatures pleasant. That is why it is one of the times of the year when it receives the most tourists (in addition to Easter and the local festival of Las Cruces, at the beginning of May, when the city is completely crowded). For this reason, you will need to be especially proactive and purchase your ticket to the Alhambra and book your hotels well in advance.

In the midsummer, July and August, the local people go on vacation and the city is for the enjoyment of visitors. In addition, the high temperatures discourage some tourists, mainly those who prefer the beach, so in these months you will find long days and more affordable prices in city hotels. If you also like the beach you will like to know that the sea is very close (65 km).

Fall (September 22 to December 21, with mild temperatures) and winter (December 21 to March 20, quite cold) can be great for cultural tourism, although it gets dark much earlier. However in the middle of winter you will have two additional good incentives: enjoy the snow in Sierra Nevada (generally, from mid or late November to March) and the Christmas lighting (in December). During the snow season, Granada fills up with skiers particularly on weekends and holidays. Then you should also be very foresighted in relation to your hotel reservations and Alhambra tickets.

Granada airport (called Federico García Lorca, in honor of his beloved poet) is 15 kilometers from the city. From here there are flights to three major international destinations: Paris, London and Berlin. Most flights link Granada with Spanish destinations: Madrid, Barcelona and Bilbao, as well as the Canary and Balearic Islands.

If you prefer the train, keep in mind that Granada began to be part of the Spanish high speed railway network in 2019, which has significantly improved its connections with Madrid (the journey takes just over 3 hours), Barcelona (6h 25m) and other cities such as Córdoba (1h 27m).

An extensive network of free roads and highways will connect you without difficulties with other Andalusian and Spanish cities.

Granada is a fascinating city with an extensive and very rich Islamic heritage. Knowing it thoroughly and enjoying the city as it deserves will take you at least two or three days. In addition, its surroundings -that is, Granada province- are also very interesting, and even surprising: nowhere else in the Iberian Peninsula -in fact, in very few places in the world- can you travel from a snowy mountain to a tropical coast in less than 100 km. On that coast you will find beautiful white villages. Other places like the Alpujarra ooze natural beauty and tradition, and are very significant for Muslim travelers.

In addition, from Granada you can easily reach other Andalusian capitals such as Cordoba, Seville or Malaga. Likewise, its location in the Southeast of the Iberian peninsula makes it one of the most convenient routes to reach, from Andalusia, the Levante provinces (Murcia, Alicante and Valencia).

Mezquita Mayor. The most important and emblematic mosque in Granada, at the top of Albaicín quarter. With great panoramic views over the Alhambra. Address: San Nicolás, s/n. Phone: (+34) 958 202 526.

Mezquita At-Taqwa. At the foot of the Albaicín quarter, near Elvira street and Gran Vía. It's the most central mosque in Granada. Address: Placeta del Correo Viejo, 4. Phone: (+34) 603 371 836.

The Vega Mosque. This simple and nice mosque in Atarfe, 19 km away from Granada, has a pleasant and spacious courtyard and gardens, a place full of Baraka where buses will park easily. The complex is a place for praying and a school of Al Andalus crafts. Address: N-432 national road, km 429, Complejo «El Rey», Camino de la Viñuela s/n, Atarfe. Phone: (+34) 958 438 854.