Granada is a land of stunning contrasts, where on the same day you can ski in the mountains and tan in the sun on one of the beaches along its extensive coastline. It is also one of Andalucía's eight provinces with the richest history, where Arab, Jewish and Christian cultures have left an everlasting mark. Snow in the Sierra Nevada, beaches on the Costa Tropical, the renowned Alhambra in the capital city, beautiful towns, the finest gastronomy... and golf, with two courses very close to the city and another by the sea.

Granada is a city that will captivate all your senses: your sense of sight with its impressive monuments such as the Alhambra, the Cathedral and the stunning landscapes seen from the viewpoint of San Nicolás; your sense of smell with its jasmine blossom scented streets in the Albaicín district; your sense of hearing with the flamenco celebrations of the Sacromonte; your sense of touch when you cast your hand over the ancient stones of the buildings; your sense of taste when you try the delicious local dishes. Granada is a city of kings, which has to be experienced.

In addition to the provincial capital and the region of Granada, there are a number of towns historically linked to the city of the Alhambra. These towns share its rich heritage and are located in the town’s so-called green belt, surrounded by carefully tended gardens and green spaces. Some municipalities have played a crucial role in world history and culture, such as Santa Fe, a town created by the Catholic Kings to besiege Granada and where the Capitulations for the discovery of the Americas were signed by Christopher Columbus. Another example is Fuente Vaqueros, the birthplace of Federico García Lorca, one of the most important Spanish poets and playwrights.

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Sierra Nevada

The Sierra Nevada district is located next to the districts of Alpujarra and El Marquesado del Zenete. It is home to the highest mountain range within the Iberian Peninsula. From the top of the Veleta and the Mulhacén peaks you can see the Mediterranean Sea. It is a natural alpine paradise in the heart of Andalucía with mild summers and cold winters. Between its snow-covered peaks, its rivers and forests, there are many charming villages tucked away between the monumental city of Granada and the imposing mountain ranges of the Sierra Nevada.

The villages are immersed in their natural surroundings, maintaining the rich flavour of their traditions. There, listening to the silence, you can enjoy quietness and rest. Many of these villages date back to Moorish times and had a tradition of agriculture and silk production, relying on the provincial capital for their trade.  The Moorish influence can still be seen in the web of canals that collect the water of the melted snow from the Sierra Nevada taking it down to the plains.

Because of its unique fauna and flora, the Sierra Nevada was declared a Biosphere Reserve, then a Natural Park and finally it was awarded National Park status. The best ski resort in Spain is located within this area.

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Costa Tropical

Granada’s coastal area has dozens of beaches and small coves with crystal-clear water, 320 sunny days a year and an average temperature of 20 degrees. These are the basic facts that sum up the 73 kilometres of tropical coastline in the province of Granada, which gets its name from the exceptionally good weather it enjoys all year round. Two centuries ago, this was the only place in Europe where subtropical fruits such as mangos, cherimoyas, avocados and papayas could be grown. These are fruits that evoke exotic flavours and places but, in fact, they are grown in Europe, in one of the most privileged corners of Andalucía.

Nineteen towns make up the “European Tropics”. Almuñécar, founded by the Phoenicians in 1000BC and given the name Sexi, is a place full of history that still has the remains of a Roman salted-fish factory and a fantastic jazz festival in the summer.

Motril is the town with the highest population in the province of Granada, after Granada itself. Its most impressive monuments include the Iglesia Mayor de la Encarnación church and the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Cabeza, built on the site of the palace of Queen Aixa, mother of last king of the Nasrid dynasty, Boabdil.

Salobreña looks like a huge mountain made of sugar lumps. Its little square white houses are dotted around the hill topped with a monumental Arab castle, overlooking the sea. From the top of the hill you can enjoy the stunning panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada, the Mediterranean Sea and the plains below.

Near the beaches there are a number of small and quiet coves such as Albuñol, Castell de Ferro-Gualchos and La Mamola-Polopos. Nearby you will find the towns of Albondón, Ítrabo, Jete, Lentejí, Los Guájares, Lújar, zar, Murtas, Otívar, Rubite, Sorvilán, Turón and Vélez de Benaudalla, each one located in a beautiful natural setting.

Apart from beaches and culture, you can enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities in Granada’s Costa Tropical. These include golf, paragliding, trekking in the inland villages and scuba diving in the depths of Cerro Gordo. And in Marina del Este (Almuñécar) and the Club Náutico in Motril you can take part in all kinds of nautical sports.

The local food in the area is delicious; here you can enjoy all kinds of tropical fruits in salads or desserts, many different types of seafood such as muttonfish, bream and shrimp. Why not also try a drop of two of our locally crafted rums in your coffee to finish your meal?

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The Symbol of Granada

The Alhambra is a city, fortress and palace built by the kings of the Nasrid dynasty of the Kingdom of Granada. It is the symbol of Granada and is the most visited monument in Spain, a true masterpiece of Muslim art in Europe. The Alhambra was officially declared a World Heritage Site in 1984.

A visit to the complex takes at least three hours. It is located on the Sabika hill, near the Río Darro. Most of it is made up of the Generalife gardens, the Palacios Nazaríes and the Alcazaba, built by the Arabs. Of Christian origin are the Palacio de Carlos V and the Iglesia de María, built on the site of a former mosque. The Palacios Nazaríes are grouped irregularly and the different chambers are connected by courtyards or galleries.

The Alhambra dates back to the 9th century, when the Alcazaba was used as a sanctuary. It was in the 13th century when the first Nasrid ruler, Mohammed I, made his royal residence here. His successor, Mohammed II, finished building the walled ramparts. In the 14th century, during the reigns of Yusuf and Mohammed V, the Alhambra acquired its splendid monumental appearance that we still see today. Yusuf ordered the Palacio de Comares to be built, with its impressive tower overlooking the city. The inner chamber of the palace was where the sultan’s throne was located, under the canopy representing the idea of the universe of Allah. Yusuf also added enormous gateways, including the Puerta de las Armas (the main entrance to the Alhambra) and the Puerta de la Justicia.

Mohammed V renovated the Palacio de Comares and added the impressive façade of the Patio Cuarto Dorado. He also built the innovative Palacio de los Leones, moving away from the traditional palace designs of the time and creating a new structure consisting of four parts based on the Eastern Islamic models.

The Alhambra is an unparalleled example of how light and water can be used as architectural effects. By carefully selecting the right materials, the appearance of the buildings changes with the varying patterns of light. The water acts as a kind of mirror, reflecting the architecture and decorative figures, adding to the sense of calm and tranquillity. The water, combining with light, creates optical illusions and helps soften the harsher lines of the horizontal architecture, such as in the Patio de los Arrayanes.

The Alhambra was abandoned in the 18th century. During French rule, part of the fortress was destroyed, and repair and restoration work did not start until the 19th century, which, of course, is an on going process.

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Santa Clara Golf Granada

Located in Otura municipality, just 10 minutes from Granada capital city, Santa Clara Golf Granada is an 18-hole par-72 course extending over 6,448 metres and designed by Enrique Canales Busquets.

Fully respectful of the natural environment of native fauna and vegetation, the golf course is characterised by expansive greens and diverse hazards that require skill with the woods and a good short game – which makes it both a fun and a demanding course for high and low-handicappers alike.

One key aspect worth highlighting is its excellent maintenance, ensuring  Santa Clara Golf Granada is “an incomparable course to those wanting to enjoy an unforgettable day of golf”, says director Joaquín Serrano.

The 18th is the course’s star hole. Offering wonderful views of Granada from the tee, this par-five of is a 521-metre challenge flanked by out-of-bounds, with a green well-protected by several bunkers and requiring great care with the approach shot. Also, as it is close to the clubhouse, many interested observers gather to view these final shots to the green, which can generate even extra pressure on players.

According to the club’s director, Santa Clara Golf “is one of the few Spanish courses with TPC (Tour Playing Course) category status, meaning it is prepared to host any top-competition tournament and is in excellent condition 365 days a year”.

The club has a six-hole pitch & putt course (between 50 and 60 metres each hole) which, together with other practice areas, provides outstanding options for practice and improving your game.

Other facilities at Santa Clara Golf Granada include a well-equipped gym in the clubhouse, two outdoor swimming pools and four pádel tennis courts. The club’s restaurant offers a varied menu and, from its terrace, an excellent vantage point to relax and enjoy spectacular views of the snow-capped mountains and the 18th hole.

At Santa Clara Golf Granada, the Marín Casado Golf Academy provides players of all levels, from beginners to professionals, with facilities and services that enable them to improve their golfing skills in a comfortable and pleasant environment.

Santa Clara Golf Granada: Avda. Del Juncalillo, s/n, 18630 Otura - Granada. 

Tel.: (+34) 858 702 800. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. www.santaclaragolfgranada.com

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Granada Club de Golf

Located in Las Gabias municipality (just eight kilometres from Granada capital) and nestling on a hill from where you can admire wonderful panoramic views over the golf course, city of Granada and Sierra Nevada, the course was designed by Ramón Espinosa and Emilio Mena and inaugurated in 1986.

In the centre of the course, at its highest point, is the clubhouse, offering vistas of almost the entire course – 18 holes, par-71 and 5,970 metres long. The layout is eminently flat, although with some varying levels between one fairway and another, which means it is comfortable to play on foot.

In the inland valley area there are two large lakes, while a third is located on the opposite side. Adapted to respect the land’s natural contour, the fairways are wide, undulating and slightly uneven in parts, thus allowing golfers to demonstrate their full power and technique, in addition to guaranteeing you many different emotions.

Among Granada Golf Club’s most outstanding holes, manager Javier García Álvarez especially cites the 18th, a straight par-3 of 123 metres from the yellow markers. “It’s the smallest green on the course, with a platform that splits the hole in two from front to back, requiring two totally different playing strategies. When the pin is to the left, best not to aim for it and instead focus on the centre of the green because the elevation on this side is at its maximum, with an approach set up for experts – whether short or long in the bunker located at the back. If the pin is on the right, don’t even dream about it, because a very small bunker that barely lets you have a swing will prevent you from carding an easy closing three.”

Granada Golf Club is a family club with 600 members which also has a prestigious golf academy (for both children and adults) managed by professionals Ignacio Sánchez-Palencia and Rafael Chica Gómez. At the academy, anyone can start out in the world of golf, or continue to perfect their game.

“Our club.” says the manager, “supports commercial activities with federations, organises major championships, and opens its doors to visitors and anyone interested in playing this sport.”

In addition to the 18-hole course, the club has a recently-renovated driving range, which comprises a large playing area with natural grass and another with a line of artificial tees. Its facilities are further complemented by a restaurant, with a wide variety of typical regional dishes, located in the clubhouse and providing stunning views of the golf course and its surroundings – with a swimming pool open in summer.

Granada Club de Golf: Avenida de los Cosarios s/n. 18110 Las Gabias - Granada. 

Tel.: +34 958 584 436. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. www.granadaclubdegolf.com

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Club de Golf Los Moriscos

Club de Golf Los Moriscos enjoys exceptional geographical conditions that provide it with a unique subtropical climate in Europe, highlighted by 320 days of sunshine a year. Located in a privileged setting on the Costa Tropical, 20 metres from the sea and surrounded by spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, it offers visitors an excellent golfing and sensory experience.

Los Moriscos is situated in Playa Granada – a residential area in Motril. The golf club’s history dates to 1974 with the original nine holes, partially located on the seashore, before it was expanded to 18 holes in 2006. This is when the course re-invented itself with a major makeover, predominantly comprising wide fairways and strategically placed bunkers and water hazards. This gave rise to a modern and more technical golf course that is ideal for players of any handicap.

Golf club manager María del Mar Vallejo defines Los Moriscos as “a flat course, with no inclines and very easy to walk, an aspect which – together with the high quality of the greens and excellent state of maintenance – constitutes one of its great strengths”.

Its surroundings are especially highlighted by tropical palm trees, as well as native fauna and flora characteristic of the area’s wetlands, while large lakes throughout the layout give life to the Costa Tropical’s distinctive landscape.

Within the course, “which could be defined as easy and dynamic”, says Vallejo, is Los Moriscos’ own “Amen Corner” formed by holes 13, 14 and 15. This consists of two par-5s, one 500 metres long, which embrace a handicap-1 par-3 hole that was inspired by the famous 17th at Sawgrass. “Truly exceptional,” she stresses.

The driving range is another outstanding facility worth highlighting. Professional Víctor Casado runs the academy at Los Moriscos, training future golfers and helping to maintain the high level of play of the most demanding amateurs.

Los Moriscos is a commercial pay & play course. “In addition to having very versatile commercial options,” says the club’s manager, “we support initiatives by the Royal Spanish and Andalucian Golf Federations to promote the sport among both children and adults.”

The Los Moriscos restaurant complex represents the essence of fine gastronomy in the area. “We have three restaurants that respond to different ambiences with one common denominator: impeccable service and a culinary experience that will impress even the most demanding gourmands.” Fish and seafood share the limelight with vegetables and fruits typical of Motril’s Costa Tropical.

“After a round of golf, enjoying an excellent rice dish in our Galería or a wonderful sunset are distinctive experiences that help make Los Moriscos the ideal place to play golf.”

Attached to the course, and adding another attraction to the golf club, is Hotel Playa Granada Club Resort, an area extending over 80,000 square metres on the beachfront and offering comprehensive facilities and services. 

Club de Golf Los Moriscos: Playa Granada. 18600 Motril - Granada. 

Tel.: +34 958 825 527. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. www.moriscosgolf.com