Besides the obvious Alhambra and Mezquita, what suggestions do you have for fun things to do in these cities? We're also looking for hostels to stay in... if you've had a good experience with a particular one, let me know! Thanks!

Some suggestions for Granada:

- Take a walk (or even a picnic) out to the Sacromonte area where all the troglodyte homes are. You walk along by the river Darro with the Alhambra on one side and the Albaicin on the other, and then out towards the countryside. It's a lovely walk (but quite hilly). Lots of great views. The Sacromonte is also the traditional gypsy quarter.

- Spend an afternoon chilling out drinking mint tea and eating pastries in one of the Moorish tea shops on calle Caldereria Vieja or Caldereria Nueva (just behind plaza Nueva).

- Try and catch some real flamenco (rather than the touristy shows) on Sundays, Wednesdays or Thursdays at Bar Eshavira at no. 2, Postigo de la Cuna - a tiny street just off calle Elvira. The bar is somewhat tucked away so you may have to look hard for it.

- Go on a tapas tour - order a drink and you'll get a small plate of tapas with each one. In some tapas bars, the food gets better (more elaborate) with each round of drinks. Try Bar Europa on Santa Escolastica (near Plaza Isabela la Catolica) for tasty, generous tapas. Also, try Mediterraneo (on the corner of c/ Gracias and Veronica la Magdalena) - they do great Greek/Turkish style tapas. There are countless others - most bars in Granada serve tapas in some form or other.

- Take the bus out to the Cartuja monastery near the University campus. Then marvel at the incredibly gruesome paintings of monks meeting a variety of horrible ends (including one charming picture of a monk with an axe in his head).

Granada: I second La Cartuja. Go the market near the Cathedral. Take a bus and get out of the downtown area and see the "non tourist" areas. Cruise the university area. Have a drink at sunset in St Nicholas Plaza in the Albaicin overlooking the Alhambra. Have tea on the "tea house" street.

Cordoba: Can't help much there but I did visit some Roman ruins outside of town.

Roman ruins in Cordoba?

In the neighborhood you can find Medina Azahara (8 km from downtown), wich is Muslim Ruins, very impresive. Important Roman ruins are found around Seville.

In Cordoba you can walk around the jews quarter 'las juderías'. Also you can find El Alcazar.

In Granada do not forget the Catholic Kings Thumb, side the Cathedral.

I think the first person covered Granada well - except there is a shop there that you MUST visit - it called La Alacena - owned by a lovely guy named James (Formerly from England) He carries products from all over the Sierra Nevada region - from candies to liquor to Sausages. Good prices and the best place to get gifts. It is located near the Cathedral at 3 San Jeronimo. Make sure you take a walk up to Mirador San Nicolas to see a stunning view of the Alhambra.

In Cordoba we honestly felt that a day would have sufficed. The Old Quarter is VERY touristy - again I encourage walking up to the more urban part to see how the natives live.

Having said that, our favorite thing was the Banos Arabes - Arab baths with Aromatherapy massages. Sooooo nice and reasonably priced. Book a spot as soon as you get there because they get booked solid.

We liked the Alcazar de los Reyes - the gardens are beautiful. Prepare yourself for NO ENGLISH signs AT ALL!!!

Any chance you could get to Malaga? It was our favorite part of the trip!!!


If I can be of any more assitance, please e-mail me at [email protected]