4»
Espatería San José that’s just below the cathedral on
Calle Jáudenes. It’s been trading for four generations
and everything is made by local artisans using natural
materials. I particularly love the olive-wood salad
bowls and the wicker tote bags with leather straps.Where do you like to escape to?
Just south of the city is the Alpujarra region
where whitewashed villages perch up high on the
mountainsides. You can find great country-style food
and many artisan shops selling colourful jarapa rugs
and homemade baked goods. Bubión and Capilerilla
are two villages that are well worth exploring.What has been your best discovery about your city?
The water system designed in medieval times
completely fascinates me. The Aljibes (water tanks)
that stored water in the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries
still stand today and are visible in the Albaicín quarter.
If you didn’t know what you were looking for, they
could pass totally unnoticed.What do you miss most if you’ve been away?
The afternoon stroll, or paseo. At around 6pm or 7pm,
it’s typical to take a walk by the river or down one of
the main avenues. I also miss the seasonal produce.What would surprise a newcomer to your city?
The free tapas system – each bar offers a free tapa
when you order a drink. Mealtimes in southern
Spain also surprise visitors. Dinner isn’t served
until 9pm, and much later in summer months.What one thing would you change about the city?
I’d like some areas to have more pedestrianised streets.
Many are open to traffic and are often quite narrow.Where would you recommend somebody to stay?
My favourite high-end options are Hotel Alhambra
Palace (h-alhambrapalace.es) and Hospes Palacio
de los Patos (hospes.com). The former is within the
Alhambra’s grounds with great views across the city
from some of its rooms and its terrace bar. It’s one of
the oldest five-star hotels in Spain and has been run
by the same owners since 1910. Palacio de los Patos
is in the city centre and has an Andalusian-style patio
garden and modern rooms. If you prefer the Albaicín
quarter, the lower Albaicín is best as it’s closer to the
city. Hotel Casa 1800 ( ) is
a boutique-style property with views of the Alhambra.What keeps you here and where else would you live?
I appreciate the social nature of the city. The society
is very inclusive and everyone is involved in annual
festivities. I used to live in Barcelona and would
happily return there. I’m a city girl at heart and
any major Spanish city would probably suit me.5(^1) Easter processions
are well celebrated
throughout Granada.
(^2) ‘Tapas’ the time,
enjoy a drink and
a free local nibble.
(^3) Granada enjoys
lush views of the
Alpujarra thanks to
its own microclimate.
(^4) A real treat for
the eye, there’s an
abundance of crafts
and colour on offer
around every corner.
(^5) For a traditional
keepsake, pick up
a locally-made
wicker basket.
(^6) Granada’s historic
Plaza Nueva
6
MY CITY
4
»
Espatería San José that’s just below the cathedral on
Calle Jáudenes. It’s been trading for four generations
and everything is made by local artisans using natural
materials. I particularly love the olive-wood salad
bowls and the wicker tote bags with leather straps.
Where do you like to escape to?
Just south of the city is the Alpujarra region
where whitewashed villages perch up high on the
mountainsides. You can find great country-style food
and many artisan shops selling colourful jarapa rugs
and homemade baked goods. Bubión and Capilerilla
are two villages that are well worth exploring.
What has been your best discovery about your city?
The water system designed in medieval times
completely fascinates me. The Aljibes (water tanks)
that stored water in the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries
still stand today and are visible in the Albaicín quarter.
If you didn’t know what you were looking for, they
could pass totally unnoticed.
What do you miss most if you’ve been away?
The afternoon stroll, or paseo. At around 6pm or 7pm,
it’s typical to take a walk by the river or down one of
the main avenues. I also miss the seasonal produce.
What would surprise a newcomer to your city?
The free tapas system – each bar offers a free tapa
when you order a drink. Mealtimes in southern
Spain also surprise visitors. Dinner isn’t served
until 9pm, and much later in summer months.
What one thing would you change about the city?
I’d like some areas to have more pedestrianised streets.
Many are open to traffic and are often quite narrow.
Where would you recommend somebody to stay?
My favourite high-end options are Hotel Alhambra
Palace (h-alhambrapalace.es) and Hospes Palacio
de los Patos (hospes.com). The former is within the
Alhambra’s grounds with great views across the city
from some of its rooms and its terrace bar. It’s one of
the oldest five-star hotels in Spain and has been run
by the same owners since 1910. Palacio de los Patos
is in the city centre and has an Andalusian-style patio
garden and modern rooms. If you prefer the Albaicín
quarter, the lower Albaicín is best as it’s closer to the
city. Hotel Casa 1800 ( ) is
a boutique-style property with views of the Alhambra.
What keeps you here and where else would you live?
I appreciate the social nature of the city. The society
is very inclusive and everyone is involved in annual
festivities. I used to live in Barcelona and would
happily return there. I’m a city girl at heart and
any major Spanish city would probably suit me.
5(^1) Easterprocessions
arewellcelebrated
throughoutGranada.
(^2) ‘Tapas’thetime,
enjoya drinkand
a freelocalnibble.
(^3) Granadaenjoys
lushviewsofthe
Alpujarrathanksto
itsownmicroclimate.
(^4) A realtreatfor
theeye,there’san
abundanceofcrafts
andcolouronoffer
aroundeverycorner.
(^5) Fora traditional
keepsake,pickup
a locally-made
wickerbasket.
(^6) Granada’shistoric
PlazaNueva
6
MY CITY