Private Granada tours and day trips to the best sights of Andalusia

Like many settlements around the Mediterranean, Granada has a rich tapestry of influences, having been shaped by Iberian Celts, Greeks, Romans, and Visigoths. However, the most significant impact came from the Berbers, who established Muslim rule in Granada in 711, a dominion that would endure for nearly 800 years. Under the leadership of the Umayyad dynasty, alongside a Jewish community that settled at the city's periphery—known as "Gárnata," a name that ultimately evolved into "Granada" meaning "pomegranate."

Following the Umayyad dynasty, Granada was governed by the Zirid, Almohad, and Nasrid dynasties. During the 13th century, as the Spanish Reconquista gained momentum, the city served as a bastion of Muslim refuge. Despite the broader reconquest of Al-Andalus by Christian forces, this era marked a period of flourishing economic prosperity for Granada. Under Nasrid rule, the city experienced a golden age, emerging as one of Europe's most prominent centers of culture and wealth, with much of the Alhambra's palatial architecture originating from this time.

The official conclusion of the Spanish Reconquista came in 1492, when Sultan Muhammad XII 'Boabdil' surrendered the city to Isabel I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, the Catholic Monarchs (los Reyes Catolicos). This significant moment heralded the onset of the Spanish Inquisition, colloquially known as 'blood purification' (Limpieza de sangre), and initiated a period of religious persecution against Muslims and Jews.

From the 17th century onward, Granada experienced a prolonged decline as a result of these persecutions. However, in the 19th century, the Romantic movement catalyzed a revival of the city’s Islamic heritage, prompting efforts to restore its historical significance.

Throughout the rest of the 20th century, Granada endured the oppressive regime of Franco. Although the city was largely aligned with the regime, dissent arose, culminating in the tragic execution of over 4,000 Granada citizens at the outset of the Spanish Civil War.

Today, Granada is celebrated for its vibrant café and restaurant scene, as well as its rich Muslim heritage, particularly exemplified by the magnificent Alhambra palace.