No visit to southern Spain would be complete without a stop in the city of Granada. Set in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada range, the area has been settled since at least 500 BC. Granada is home to the Alhambra, an Islamic palace built by the Moorish leader Ibn al-Ahmar in 1238. Set on a hill overlooking the city, the Alhambra features impressive artwork, mosaic tiles, a mosque, gardens and fountains. Stay near the Alhambra at the Casa Morisca Hotel. Set in a restored 15th-century house, the hotel is within walking distance of the Alhambra and downtown Granada. Each room features air conditioning, satellite televisions, free wireless Internet access and mini-bars. The hotel offers a breakfast room featuring original brickwork and a garden patio with views of the Alhambra. Enjoy a drink at the hotel's 24-hour bar.
Casa Morisca Hotel
Cuesta de la Victoria, 9
18010
Granada
Spain
34-958-22110
hotelcasamorisca.com
The city of Seville is famous for its food and flamenco dancing and is believed to be the birthplace of the myth of Don Juan. After a busy day exploring the city's sights, such as the huge Gothic cathedral, the Moorish palace and the former Jewish ghetto of Santa Cruz, make sure to hit the city's many tapas bars. Andalucia.com recommends doing a "tapas crawl" through the "Alfalfa; Calles Mateas Gago and Santa Maria la Blanca in Santa Cruz; the Plaza San Salvador end of Tetuán; and San Eloy/Plaza del Duque" districts. Take a 46-mile drive through the Sierra Norte to the village of Cazalla de la Sierra. Stay at Palacio de San Benito, a restored 15th-century hermitage. Each room features original art and furnishings from different eras of the region's history, with special amenities such as twin bathtubs or fireplaces.
Palacio de San Benito
Cazalla de la Sierra
Seville,
Andalusia
Spain
34-9548-83336
palaciodesanbenito.es
Relax on the beach in the southern city of Alicante. Set on the shores of the Mediteranean in the heart of the Coasta Blanca, so-called for its miles of white sand beaches, Alicante offers shopping, dining and entertainment along its main boulevard. Tour the Santa Barbara Castle, a 10th-century medieval fortress set high above the city that offers amazing views of the ocean. Stay at Hospes Alicante Amerigo, a boutique hotel set in a restored Dominican convent within walking distance of downtown and the beach. Dine at the hotel's Monastrell Restaurant, featuring Mediterranean cuisine with fresh local ingredients, or relax in the full-service spa. Rooms feature marble bathrooms, original artwork and premium linens.
Hospes Amerigo Alicante
Rafael Altamira
703002
Alicante
Spain
3-4-9651-46570
hospes.com
