Spain is a well established holiday destination, particularly for British tourists. But if you fancy something different from the typical ‘Briton abroad’ break, few places are as culturally inspiring as Granada. Founded during the Islamic conquest of Spain, Granada grew to become capital of the last Spanish Moorish kingdom and built a reputation for culture and the arts that has lasted to this day.

Today Granada retains an Islamic influence and many of its most famous attractions date from this period. Perhaps one of Europe's most inspiring monuments, the 11th century Alhambra, is to be found here. The Alhambra was the palace fortress of the Nasrid, the last Moorish dynasty to rule Spain. Well preserved and located among a spectacular setting, its construction represents a new high-watermark for Moorish art, beautifully depicting Islamic life and culture.

Granada is a city best explored on foot. The churches of San Cristóbal and San Bartolomé are worth visiting while taking a walk through this wonderful neighbourhood. Finished in 1515, the Carthusian monastery is an architectural blend of various artists in its church, its sacristy and the shrine. Most notable among them were Bocanegra and Sánchez Cotán. Look out for its encrustations of precious stones.

Most visitors to Granada tend to visit between May and late June before the scorching summer heat takes its toll. September and October are also popular, although the weather is hotter and the crowds are bigger. Visitors should be aware that prices go up to accommodate the masses of tourists in summer, so hiring a car and exploring a little further inland is well worth the effort.

Granada may not boast the bustling pace of Barcelona or Valencia, but its cultural and historical pedigree is more than enough to offset any such inferiority. As the capital of one of Europe's great civilisations and the collision point between two worlds, Granada's history is written on its walls. IF you're looking for car hire Granada, use the search boxes on the left to check for availability.

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