Granada can be a nightmare for the unwary driver. If you don't already know the town, we suggest you try to stay out of the city centre by parking on the hill above the Alhambra. Arriving from the coast, you will see signs before you enter the city. There's a large parking area above the Generalife gardens. Having visited the Alhambra (or not) you can either take a taxi or tourist 'train' down to the centre, or you can walk down the hill (20 mins). If you do end up entering the town centre in a car, try parking in the underground car park on the Acera de Darro. It's perfectly located for sights and shops. If that's full, then there's nearly always space under the nearby Galerias Preciados department store (entrance off the Carrera del Genil). As a warning, don't leave any valuables in the car wherever you park it.

If you decide to go by bus you will need to take a taxi from the station to the town centre (or another bus). Once in the centre, most places can be visited by foot.

Granada is one of the classic monumental cities of Andalucia and, at more than 700 metres above sea level, the highest. Summers are extremely hot while winters can be freezing. Although the snow doesn't normally settle in the city, its presence can clearly be seen throughout most of the year on the surrounding mountains. Be prepared for large temperature extremes between day and night, except during summer when it's just plain hot all the time.

The city sprawls across three low mountain spurs which thrust into a large and fertile plain, one of the richest in the country with an annual rainfall larger than the south of England. During the 14th century more than 300 farms cultivated this area dotted with castles, orchards and country villas. Today the abundant harvests are of tobacco, wheat and vegetables.

To the southeast, rising as an impressive backdrop to the city, lie the Sierra Nevada mountains, capped by mainland Spain's two highest peaks (Mulhacén 3,481m, Veleta 3,398m) and home to Solynieve, the country's most southerly winter sports resort.

Granada has many attractions that are rooted in the present. Its busy life as a market town, prime tourist destination, large university and active cultural centre means that there's something for everyone and visitors will find a large choice of accommodation, restaurants, shops and activities to suit their pocket and taste. But above all, it is the treasures of the past that have made Granada so famous and the city is packed with monuments spanning more than a thousand years of history.

The following is a brief selection of places to visit, although to see them all well would take atleast a couple of days.

Without doubt, the principal legacy of the city is Moorish and its most precious jewel is the Alhambra. Sometimes called the eighth wonder of the world, this complex of royal quarters, patios, fountains, pools and gardens forms the peak of Moorish artistic and architectural excellence, and should be visited by anyone who has the opportunity. Read our short guide to the Alhambra for more information about the visit and how to book tickets.

This is where the Catholic Monarchs decided to be buried, in the town of their greatest conquest. In 1506 Enrique Egas was charged with building the chapel in which to house their remains. It was finished in 1521 under the rule of Charles V. Its decorative richness and wealth of art objects give it unique interest. Of greatest note are the huge and highly decorative wrought-iron screen, the magnificent carved mausoleum of the monarchs and the sacristy where Queen Isabel's art collection of 15th century Italian, Flemish and Spanish paintings are on display. It includes works by Memling, Botticelli and Van de Weiden.

Entrance beside the cathedral.

La Cartuja is a Carthusian monastery founded in 1506. Though not on the level of Granada's more spectacular monuments, it is still worth a visit if you have the time. You will need to take a taxi as it's outside the city centre.

The austere atmosphere and lack of decoration in the rectory and chapter rooms are magnified by a fascinating and grotesque collection of paintings of martyrdom in all its forms. While, in stunning contrast, the church is exhuberantly decorated in baroque stucco, both bright and colourful. The Sancta Sanctorum (Holy of Holies) is an example of over-the-top late baroque in the churrigueresque style, with glorious multi-coloured marble inlays, almost suffocating in their richness. Much of the woodwork in the sacristy is inlaid with silver, ivory and mother of pearl.

Facing the Alhambra from the other side of the the Rio Darro is the Albaicin district. This is where the Moors built their first fortress and remains of the walls can be seen in some of the streets. The narrow twisting backstreets are much as they were in the 16th century and, like the Alhambra, the whole area has been declared part of Unesco's World Heritage List. Best views of the Alhambra and Generalife are from the Plaza de San Nicolás, especially at sunset.

Best place to start your wanders is from the Plaza Nueva, heading along the Carrera del Darro which runs beside the river. One of the oldest streets in the city it is also one of the prettiest, changed little since the 16th century. An early renaissance mansion (No. 43) with plateresque facade now houses the Archaeological Museum and nearby are the 11th century Arab Baths, recently restored.

Bordering the Albaicín district to the east and in sharp contrast to its wealthy town houses, lies the old gypsy quarter of Sacromonte where almost every house is partially or totally built into the hillside. Sometimes, all that can be seen is a front door.

This is a fun place for visitors of all ages as well as being conveniently located for those arriving by car from the coast.

Unlike most boring hands-off museums, in this one you are encouraged to touch the exhibits. In fact you must, or you you won't get much out of the experience. Light, sound, electricity, the movement of the earth, the greenhouse effect, erosion - all are presented as interactive experiences that teach as they entertain. A special Exploration Hall exists for children from 3 to 7 years old. No one older may enter, but it is monitored inside by adults. Outside there's a 50m observation tower overlooking the city, a planetarium, a butterfly house full of tropical species, a maze, watergardens and lots more.

The Science Park (Parque de las Ciencias) lies on the Avenida del Mediterráneo. Arriving from the coast, take the junction towards the Palacio de Congresos and you'll see the park on the left of the road just before reaching the large intersection at the Camino de Ronda. You will need to go round the intersection so as to be able to double back and approach the park from the town. Tickets include discounts for children under 18 years old and adults over 65.

Granada is well known for its tulle embroidery, lace, Fajalauza ceramics, copper work and marquetry. Carpets, rugs, polychromed work, guitars and leather goods will also be found.

On the site of the old Arab silk market (behind the cathedral) stands the Alcaicería, a modern medina of souvenirs and trinkets. Nearby the Corral de Carbón, formerly the most important hostelry in Muslim Granada, is now a crafts centre for ceramics, furniture etc. Its beautiful frontage exemplies the outstanding Nasrid architecture of the 14th century.

Also behind the cathedral lies the popular Plaza de Bibarrambla with its flower stalls and open-air cafés. From here you can follow your nose through the busy shopping streets where you'll find everything on sale from religious artefacts to computers.

MORE EXCURSIONS

Alhambra Palace   Las Alpujarras   Nerja, Caves & Frigiliana   Peña Escrita    Salobreña   Sierra Nevada   Solynieve  Tropical Valley