Today we walked around the old part of Granada from our hotel (1st picture, our room at the top upper right) in Plaza bib Rambla. First we went to an old courtyard where the Silk Road camel caravans used to stop. Then we walked briefly through the Alcaiceria which had been a silk market but is now a tourist souvenir market (Anita posing with the bull). We walked around the main Cathedral and past the first city hall which, although it looks like it’s constructed of blocks of stone, is actually stucco with blocks painted in 3 D style.
Then we walked through the Plaza Nueva and upstream along the Darro River valley between the Alhambra Moorish fort and palace and the old Albaicin Muslim neighbourhood. At a small park along the way, we stopped for a photo by a statue of a renowned flamenco dancer. As the road curved uphill and got narrower, we got closer to the Sacromonte neighbourhood where most of the Roma (Gypsies) live. Curling back around at the top of the hill in the Albaicin, we stopped at the San Nicolas plaza, which is a great viewpoint to see across the river valley to the Alhambra. The San Nicolas plaza has many Roma jewellry and souvenir vendors along with flamenco guitarists and singers busking for change. The vendors, including the guy selling marijuana, are very low key and not aggressive at all.
It was so pleasant in the San Nicolas plaza, we sat there for about an hour enjoying the view, the sunshine and the music. Finally we walked back down through the narrow streets of the Albaicin to “La Bella y La Bestia” (Beauty and the Beast), one of many tapas bars in the area. For a total of 12 euros, including service, we each got two good sized glasses of red wine and shared two plates of tapas.
By then we were tired but happy with all the sights we’d seen. Once again, it will be an early night. Tomorrow after another excellent breakfast included in our hotel rate, we’ll set off for the Alhambra.
Then we walked through the Plaza Nueva and upstream along the Darro River valley between the Alhambra Moorish fort and palace and the old Albaicin Muslim neighbourhood. At a small park along the way, we stopped for a photo by a statue of a renowned flamenco dancer. As the road curved uphill and got narrower, we got closer to the Sacromonte neighbourhood where most of the Roma (Gypsies) live. Curling back around at the top of the hill in the Albaicin, we stopped at the San Nicolas plaza, which is a great viewpoint to see across the river valley to the Alhambra. The San Nicolas plaza has many Roma jewellry and souvenir vendors along with flamenco guitarists and singers busking for change. The vendors, including the guy selling marijuana, are very low key and not aggressive at all.
It was so pleasant in the San Nicolas plaza, we sat there for about an hour enjoying the view, the sunshine and the music. Finally we walked back down through the narrow streets of the Albaicin to “La Bella y La Bestia” (Beauty and the Beast), one of many tapas bars in the area. For a total of 12 euros, including service, we each got two good sized glasses of red wine and shared two plates of tapas.
By then we were tired but happy with all the sights we’d seen. Once again, it will be an early night. Tomorrow after another excellent breakfast included in our hotel rate, we’ll set off for the Alhambra.
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