Parador Granada

Hotel San Francisco

This is Spain's most popular Parador and reservations usually have to be made months in advance.

The building is in the Alhambra, a series of palaces started in 1238 and added to by later Arab rulers.

The Parador is part of a palace and mosque built between 1332 and 1354 which was later converted into a Franciscan convent with a charming tiled patio remaining from this conversion.

Part of the building was the former chapel where the kings of Spain were buried until their remains were moved to the Royal Chapel where they now lie.

The interior combines the Arabic and Christian styles with classical furniture, numerous portraits, engravings, embroideries etc. The bedrooms are all different and have views of the famous buildings that make up the Alhambra site.

The dining room has a coffered ceiling and serves local and international dishes. Meals can be taken on the terrace. The re is a separate gluten free menu,

The specialties of the chef include: "Gazpacho Andaluz" the cold soup of the region;
"Tortilla de Sacromonte" the local omelette which is served very lightly cooked;
"Pollo a la alpujarrena" which is a chicken dish suitable for garlic lovers only;
"Piononos de Santa Fe" a typical cake eaten as a dessert.

In Granada, the cathedral is worth visiting. The "Capella Real", royal chapel, has the magnificent marble tombs of King Fedinand and his Queen, Isabella, their daughter Juana the Mad, and son in law, Philip the Fair. The sacristy has on display Ferdinand's sword and Isabel's crown and sceptre. King Fedinand was the Monarch who ended the occupation of Spain by the Moors.

The Albaicin neighbourhood is interesting. This used to be the Arab silk market but now is small streets with shops selling local handicrafts.

A very interesting day is to drive to the region of La Alpujarra and visit its villages. These include Lanjaron which has a famous spa, then Carataunas followed by Trevelez which is the highest village in Spain.

Various religious and cultural festivals take place in Granada: Easter and Corpus Christi when there are processions through the streets;
The International Music and Dance Festival takes place in late June and early July;
The festival of the Cross is held on May 3;
The International Jazz Festival which takes place in November; For an evening that is different, attend one of the gipsy parties which takes place in the caves of Sacromonte.

In winter there is skiing in the Sierra Nevada Natural Park which can be seen across the valley from the Alhambra.

This Parador has twenty five twin bedded rooms, ten rooms with a double bed and five suites all with private bathroom.

In the rooms there is a telephone, TV canal plus, hair dryer, kettle, safe, free internet access, mini bar, kettle and air conditioning.

The building has air conditioning and central heating, parking facilities (without security and limited places), piped music, free wireless internet, currency exchange, satellite television, garden, restaurant and bar. Facilities to hold a meeting are available.

Pets are not allowed in the Parador.

The larger Alhambra Palace Hotel is a nearby alternative. The Parador has very limited dates available due to its small size.

Distance from the nearest airport is approximately 15 kms, train station is 4 kms away and the nearest port is 127 kms away.