The Costa Tropical is a popular destination for visitors looking for accommodation near Granada, Spain’s most historic city which is located below the Sierra Nevada mountains in Andalusia in the south of Spain. It is about 70km from the coast and with a new motorway (2009) linking the coast with Granada the city is now within just 40 minutes of the coast which means that vacation rentals near Granada can now be enjoyed all year round in Salobrena, which is the closest seaside town to the city and which has a climate which is much better than that found around Granada.
Granada is home to the world famous Alhambra Palace which is Spain’s second most popular tourist attraction (after El Prado in Madrid) and which recently received worldwide coverage when Michelle Obama (and other members of President Obama’s family) visited it. The Alhambra is one of the most photographed sites in Spain and is a Moorish palace and monument to the Arabs who occupied this area of Europe for Centuries. It is well worth the visit if you can get a ticket and is considered by some to be one of the 10 wonders of the world. It consists of gardens, fortifications and palaces.
Close by is the Albaicin, the old Arabic quarter located on the hill opposite the Alhambra. It is characterised by cobble stoned streets with white washed houses. The Mirador de San Nicolas provides an excellent view.
In the center of Granada which for many months of the year has the snowy backdrop of the Sierra Nevada you will still find many old buildings particularly around the Cathedral.
If you visit the city do be prepared for the temperature to be quite different from the coast / Costa Tropical, with temperatures below zero some days in winter and in summer they can rise to over 40 degrees – while the micro-climate around Salobrena keeps winter temperatures at an average maximum of around 18 degrees Celcius and in the summer typically below 30 degrees Celsius
It is among just a few places in the world where you can ski in the morning and be eating lunch in shorts and T shirt on the beach later by 2PM.
Please note that during the peak tourist times it is essential to book tickets ahead of time to avoid being disappointed – to reserve your tickets on line you can use servicaixa a service run by La Caixa bank – click here
