One of the most beautiful cities in Spain, Granada is situated at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains and is famous for its vibrant night-life, the prestigious University of Granada (with over sixty thousand students) and the Alhambra Palace.

Pinos Genil is just 5 minutes drive to the majestic Alhambra Palace and 10 minutes to the centre of Granada or, if you prefer there is a gentle walk to Granada (approximately 1hr 30mins) following the river Genil all the way. If you take a taxi from the village to Granada, ask Antonio the driver to be dropped off at Cale Carrera del Genil. The fare to here is approx 10 euros. From there you can walk up the centre of the double tree lined avenue, Calle Carrera del Genil. At the top of this avenue is a large plaza with a beautiful fountain. From here head off to the right and you will enter the old part of Granada with narrow streets, a multitude of Bodegas which serve free tapas and where you can sit outside and observe the passers by.

Originally called Ilbyr when first settled in prehistoric times by native tribes, it then became Illibris when the Romans colonised southern Spain and built their own city. In the 8th century when The Arabs invaded the peninsula they gave it its current name of Granada. In 1492 it became the last Muslim city to fall to the Christians, at the hands of Queen Isabel of Castile and her husband Ferdinand of Aragon

The Alhambra Palace overlooking the city of Granada, stands out as the most famous example of Moorish architecture. It was completed toward the end of Muslim rule in Spain by Yusuf I (1333-1353) and Muhammed V, Sultan of Granada (1353 -1391). The Alhambra mixes natural elements with man-made ones, and is a testament to the skill of Muslim craftsmen of that time. The literal translation of Alhambra "red fortress" derives from the colour of the red clay of the surroundings of which the fort is made. The buildings of the Alhambra were originally whitewashed, however, the buildings now seen today are reddish (Wikipedia).