And so sang Frank Sinatra… “ and if you could speak, what a fascinating tale you would tell”..

Granada has a population of almost 237,000 people and is a university city with lots of students. Founded in the 11th century it was a Moorish stronghold until the arrival of Ferdinand II and Isabella I’s Catholic rule in the 1400’s.

Rather than taking an Uber to our hotel we decide to take a taxi, there are rows of them when we step out of the train station on our arrival into Granada. And I am so pleased we did as the taxi experience is a hoot!

We have our suitcases (some of them could be described as big and heavy 😀) as well as hand luggage and so are prepared to take a couple of taxis and given the availability this is our plan – I’m guessing late afternoon isn’t a prime time for taxis in Granada. The first taxi driver approached (gosh I wish I’d asked his name) takes a look at us all and says “ningun problema” and begins to get all of our suitcases into his car, he is playing it up a bit while being encouraged by his buddy taxi drivers who let us know “he is a professional” as they all share a laugh. Bags into the back (I have no idea how) we are getting into the car when one of our party (names won’t be shared to protect the innocent) opens the drivers side door and you guessed it is about to jump into the seat much to the amusement of the gathering crowd. He is offered the opportunity to drive but graciously declines and jumps into the passenger side and so begins our three days in Granada.

As we drive through the city up and down skinny streets and then up an incredibly steep hill, my legs start to tremble as they know they’re going to be battered during our stay here (3 nights) in Granada.

When we arrive at our hotel the taxi driver jumps out, removes our bags and then almost offers the keys to Steve (oops), as he takes off we watch him as he chuckles all of the way down the hill. I like this city and suspect that this fun little encounter with four Australians and lots of bags will do the rounds tonight😂.

We are staying up on a hill overlooking the city at the Alhambra Palace Hotel . The hotel was built in 1910 and as well as being a lovely hotel it was used as a hospital during the Spanish Civil War.

Staying this high up does mean that we can get sunset and sunrise photos by sticking our heads out the window.

We’ve purchased a Granada card as there is so much to see and it gives you access to public transport which is a must (the hills 😳).

Our first stop is the Palacios Nazaries or Nasrid Palaces it’s not to far from where we are staying which is fantastic. You have to pre-purchase tickets to this place as it’s so popular – we have 9.00am tickets.

The Palaces are within the Alhambra complex. This place is not only gorgeous and one of the best well preserved places of the historic Islamic world it is also massive, there are so many elements to the complex that it takes more than three hours to go through it all. And it probably goes without saying that it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It really is so incredible and you get a real sense of what it was like as a busy fortress with beautiful mansions, Moorish style courtyards, reception halls and extensive beautiful gardens.

Our next stop using the Granada Card is to the Catedral de Granada (Granada Cathedral) commissioned by Queen Isabella in 1518 on the site of the Main Mosque after the reconquest of Granada.

Like others we have seen there is a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles working beautifully together in this Catedral. The Catedral took 181 (yes nearly two centuries) to build and could have been grander 😳 had the two 81 metre towers included in the original plan been built.

Tonight we are dining at Las Tomases restaurant which was recommended to us. It’s located in the historic neighbourhood of Albayzin and we had views of the Alhambra and the Generalife gardens. It was such a special night which fabulous food, wine, views and company.

Mr Sinatra summed up how I’m feeling today..

“The dawn in the sky greets the day with a sigh for Granada, For she can remember the splendour that once was Granada, It still can be found in the hills all around as I wander along, Entranced by the beauty before me, Entranced by a land full of flowers and song”

Frank Sinatra, Granada

A wonderful first full day in this lovely town.