Granada is a province in the south of Spain.  Located in the eastern part of the autonomous region of Andalucia its Mediterranean coastline is known as the Costa Tropical.  The region is characterised by extreme variables in landscape and climate, so much so that in one day it is possible to ski at the Sierra Nevada resort and dive into the Mediterranean sea at Motril!

The capital is the city of Granada with its spectacular backdrop of the Sierra Nevada's snowy peaks.  The city is dominated by the Alhambra, an exquisitely designed and decorated Moorish palace that exemplifies the zenith of Muslim art and architecture.  The hill facing the Alhambra is the old Moorish casbah or "medina", called the Albaicin, a fascinating labyrinth of narrow streets and whitewashed houses with secluded inner gardens, known as "cármenes".  The Plaza de San Nicolas, at the highest point of the Albaicin, is famous for its magnificent views.

The Sierra Nevada is the second highest mountain range in Europe and its national park is an uninhabited rugged wilderness with snow on its peaks for most of the year.  It has Europe's most southerly ski resort and superb climbing and mountaineering opportunities.  The ski resort is typically open for five months.

The southern foothills of the Sierra Nevada are known as the Alpujarras.  It is an area of the most stunning scenery, beautiful whitewashed villages with distinctive Berber architecture and excellent hiking territory.  The capital of the Alpujarras is Órgiva.  The cultural interest of the region lies in its fifty or so villages, which were the last stronghold of the Spanish Muslims, or Moors.  Soon after the Castillians took Granada in 1492, all the city´s Moors were forced to convert to Christianity.  Those who refused took to the hills, settling in this remote, inaccessible area.

The Costa Tropical enjoys approximately 320 days of sunshine yearly and an average temperature of 20ºC.  The combination of its micro-climate, tropical vegetation, geographical and topographical aspects, and its rich, multi-cultural (Phoenician, Roman, Greek, and Arab) history make the Costa Tropical one of the most interesting areas of Spain, and of Andalucia in particular.  The Costa Tropical is still very Spanish. Its people are warm, friendly and family-loving.....qualities that are fast disappearing.  Once you have visited this part of the world, you will probably be back again....and again....and maybe stay for good like so many others have already.  This strip of coastline is indeed special.

There is so much to see and do that there is no way I can do this part of Spain justice in a few paragraphs.  I have therefore created additional pages providing more information about "Things to do" and "Places to go".