Granada’s City Center: A Day of History & Local Flavor
Plaza del Carmen, just outside the City Hall in Granada
As part of our day trip from Marriott Marbella Beach Resort, our guides took us on a walking tour of the heart of Granada—a city that immediately felt alive with contrast. Rooted in centuries of layered history, Granada also pulses with the energy of a modern university town. It’s a place where students sip espresso beside centuries-old churches, and where quiet courtyards give way to bustling plazas full of music, markets, and movement.
We began in Plaza del Carmen, just outside the City Hall. Our guide led us through the winding streets of the historic center, with short pauses to share stories and hidden details we wouldn’t have noticed on our own.
One of our first major stops was the Granada Cathedral—formally known as the Metropolitan Cathedral-Basilica of the Incarnation. Like many cathedrals in Andalusia, it was built atop the city’s former main mosque after the Reconquista.
Granada Cathedral
The inside was bright and grand, with soaring white columns, gold accents, and stained glass casting soft color onto the stone floors. Outside, the energy was lively—street musicians played nearby and the square buzzed with both tourists and locals heading in and out of the nearby shops.
Inside the Granada Cathedral
Just next door is the Royal Chapel, where Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand—the Catholic Monarchs who united Spain—are buried. Standing near their tombs brought a different kind of stillness. It’s hard not to feel the weight of history in a place like this.
From there, we wandered to Plaza Nueva, one of the city’s main gathering places, and explored the nearby Calle Elvira, a pedestrian street lined with colorful shops, cafes, and Moroccan-inspired markets.
Narrow pedestrian shopping areas in Granada
Moroccan Teas and Spices
Granada’s proximity to Morocco shows up in small but meaningful ways—handwoven textiles, spices, teas, and ceramics with a North African design. I picked up some fragrant tea and spices to bring home, small tokens of a place I already knew I’d want to return to.
We ended our tour with lunch at Los Diamantes, a popular local tapas bar. Granada still honors the traditional tapas culture, so with each drink came a small plate of something fresh and flavorful—ceviche and prawns came with our chilled Tinto de Veranos. We didn’t realize just how generous the portions would be and also ordered main dishes. We soon found ourselves with a table overflowing with the best food!
Assortment of Fish
Prawn Tapas
Mixed Tomato/Hearts
We left Granada wishing we had more time. A day was enough to fall in love with the energy and the layers of history, but not nearly enough to see it all. It’s a place I could easily imagine spending a week or more—wandering slowly, eating well, and soaking in the rhythm of the city.
Have you ever visited a city that surprised you or made you wish you had more time? I’d love to hear where it was.
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