Generalife Palace and Gardens

The Generalife was the summer residence and country estate of the Arab sultans. It was designed as a retreat close to the Alhambra and this was where the sultan could come to perhaps escape the palace politics and to enjoy some tranquility.

Situated on a hill on the northern end of the Alhambra, there is a pathway that leads to the Generalife from the Alhambra. During the time of the Moorish rulers, there were fruit orchards and vegetable patches in the Generalife, decorative gardens, the palace and other buildings.

A Tour of the Generalife

The Generalife comprises a lower garden section, the palace residence and upper gardens. Work on the Generalife gardens began in the 13th century, but what we see today is the result of modification works that have been carried out over time. For one, the vegetation would have been quite different over 700 years ago.

Walking through the Lower Gardens is quite an adventure. Hidden amongst the thick conifer hedges are beautiful hidden gardens of roses, water fountains and ponds and flower and herb beds. Archways are cut in the thick hedges and you never know what you’re going to see when you peer through these arches.

Generalife Palace and Gardens

Generalife Palace

In the Generalife Palace complex is the stunning Patio de la Acequia, an enclosed oriental garden built around a long central pool. Water was an important feature of the Alhambra design and here the rows of water jets form graceful water arches over the long pool. At the northern end of Patio de la Acequia is the entrance to the sultan’s palace. From the palace balcony is a nice view of Albaycin.

Next to the Patio de la Acequia is the the Patio de la Sultana an intimate courtyard and garden area with a U-shaped pool. During its heydays, there was a Palace Bath here.

To get to the Upper Gardens (Jardín Alto) walk through the Gate of the Lions and climb up the staircase with flowing water. From here you can make your way out of the Generalife.

The origin of the name Generalife has long been disputed and there are many interpretations of its source. Generalife in Arabic is “Yannat-al-Arif” meaning architect’s garden and having walked through the Generalife on a couple of visits and been delighted by its many designs and features, perhaps ‘an architect’s garden’ appropriately describes the place.

Map of The Generalife:

La Boqueria - Barcelona Market

La Boqueria, Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, St. Joseph’s Market…. No matter what name you use to describe it, the sights and smells of this famous Barcelona market will be the same.

La Boqueria

La Boqueria is one of the most spectacular food markets in Europe and it is not surprising that this bustling conglomeration of food stalls, restaurants and tapas bars is one of the most visited Barcelona attractions. That last fact is all the more interesting since relatively few tourists come here to look for fresh produce. But at La Boqueria one can find fresh produce and a great deal more.

La Boqueria Building

Set in a structure built in 1840, La Boqueria is an artistic treasure as well as a culinary one. The sign itself above the entrance, a fine Catalonian example of Art Nouveau, is well worth a look. The glass and iron enclosure comprises (and partially hides) a 19th century building that shares much with its cousins throughout the city. Aspects of the market are still being re-discovered. Several Ionic-style columns were only uncovered in 2001 after a long absence.

The Amazing Food at La Boqueria

Sweet stall at La Boqueria

But the art on display resides as much in what is sold there as how it is sold. Our La Boqueria photo gallery goes a little way in showing the endless palette of colors formed by artichokes, oranges, lemons, mangoes, carrots, sweets, ham and fish of all description but nothing beats being there to see for yourself.

Anyone wanting to wander through La Boqueria has a number of options. Seen from above it would resemble a hub with spokes.

At the centre are the fish sellers who offer an array of local species so fresh some of them are still wiggling. Barcelona is on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Wander in any direction and you’ll run into mushroom stalls offering some of the world’s finest truffles. Move one way and you’ll see the juiciest cherries to be found anywhere on the continent. Stroll the other way and you’ll come upon zucchini so fresh the blossoms are still attached.

Eating and Drinking at La Boqueria

If you’re looking for an afternoon snack or a drink you could find no finer place than at the best market in Europe. Set around the perimeter are a number of great bars and restaurants. The Pinotxo (Pinocchio) is famed for its wide selection of drinks, its excellent tapas and its extraordinary collection of bar stools. Don’t miss seeing the ceramic portrait of the famed marionette character displayed there.

La Boqueria Barcelona

The El Quim de la Boqueria is another superb option. In a city full of outstanding tapas bars, El Quim stands near the pinnacle. The bar is full of great food, lively customers and sports a happy atmosphere. Locals often enjoy the fresh squid for breakfast.

The exterior of the market provides several interesting sights as well. Just outside the entrance are animal stalls that sell birds, lizards and other small pets.

La Boqueria is about halfway between Carrer del Carme and Carrer de l’Hospital, close to the Liceu metro stop. It’s not far from the famed cathedral, La Seu, in the center of Barri Gotic (the Gothic Quarter).  You can also visit La Boqueria Market as part of a Barcelona Gourmet Food Walking Tour and let a local guide tell you all about traditional Catalan products and food to taste.

La Boqueria is open from early in the morning until late in the evening, but the liveliest times are in the afternoon.

Barcelona Map:

Shopping in Spain

You can’t avoid shops in Spain even if you wanted to!  No matter where you go, whether it’s the big cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Seville and Valencia, or the little towns and villages that you happen to be passing through, there are all kinds of shops bursting to the seam with goods to tempt you with! Whatever your interest is, be it antiques, artwork, the latest designer wear, souvenirs or food and wine, the shops are never too far away.

The Big Sales seasons are generally between the second week of January to the end of February for winter and between 1st July and end August for summer.  If you’re looking for shopping centres, shopping malls or international designer labels, then stick to the big cities.  Opening hours of shops and shopping centres are tourist friendly for those wishing to shop on their spain holidays.  They generally open from 10.00 to 20.30 or 21.30 hours, allowing you time to shop after a day’s sightseeing. Local shops open from 10.00 to 14.00 hours, and from 16.30 to 20.30 hours. Note: when paying with a credit card, expect to be asked to show your passport or identity card

Where to Shop?

Madrid’s five main city shopping areas are: Salamanca, Chueca, Centro, Princesa and Cuatro Caminos:

• Salamanca is known as the “golden mile” for fashion and here you’ll find luxury goods, galleries and other upmarket establishments.  With street names like Serrano, Velázquez, Castelló, Goya, Jorge Juan and Lagascso, you know that you’re in the top end of town.
• Chueca is Avant-garde and shops carrying the latest of alternative fashions and designs can be found in the lively streets of this neighbourhood.  Expect to see futuristic hairstyles, make-up and tattoos.
• Centro - Plaza Mayor, Gran Via, Puerta del Sol and the adjacent streets make up the oldest shopping area in Madrid.  The myriad small shops sell all kinds of traditional and typical craftwork. Ceramics, pottery, leather products, beautiful lace fans, flamenco dresses, accessories, CDs, books and foodstuffs are all available here.
• Princesa represents fashion for the young. Close to the University campus, in the area called Argüelles, are the large franchise shops selling the latest clothes at very reasonable prices.
• Cuatro Caminos in the north of Madrid is another area where fashionable clothes and shoes can be found at more reasonable prices.
• The Rastro is a popular Sunday open air flea market where locals come to hunt for second-hand records and CDs, books and clothes, antiques, coins, furniture and craft work.

Seville‘s three main shopping areas are: the Old Centre, Triana and Nervión

• The Old historic centre is the lively shopping centre of Seville. At Plaza Nueva, in the pedestrian streets of Sierpes and Tetuán and the adjacent streets are the large franchises and fashionable shop.  Local shops selling typical souvenirs, arts and crafts, guitars, flamenco dresses, fans and embroidered cloths are here as well.
• Triana is where you go to get popular ceramics, as well as plates, glasses, jugs, mirrors and watches.  Check out the streets of Alfarería and Antillanos Campos for exclusive pieces of pottery.
• Nervión is where the large department stores and some of the other fashion franchises are.
• Street Markets - El Jueves is the Thursday morning street market in calle Feria where you can find books, second-hand clothes, curios, tools, paintings, antiques and furniture.  There is also a stamps and coins as well as a pet lovers’ market on Sundays.

Barcelona‘s three main city shopping areas are: Centro, Eixample and Diagonal.  It is said that Barcelona itself is like a large shop. They are serious about shopping here.  The main shopping axis, known as the Shopping Line, comprises five kilometres of pedestrian precinct with wide pavements.

• Centro is where all the fashion shops are  with Gotic and Born being the main areas. In Centro, you’ll find almost everything that you’ll ever need.
• Eixample is the upmarket area with exclusive and prestigious shops in the straight avenues around the passeig de Gràcia and the Rambla de Catalunya.
• Diagonal is the business and commercial zone of the city.  Here you’ll also find shopping centres and other fashion, furniture stores, etc.

Valencia has plenty of shops as well. Fans, lace work, ceramics and other arts and crafts can be found in shops in the Ciutat Vella whereas the more modern shops are around Colón.

Weekend markets are very popular and one of the most popular is the Sunday stamps and coins market in Lonja de la Seda. The Rastro, near to the Mestalla football stadium is also held on Sundays.

Travel to Spain for a holiday with passion...

Travelling in Spain is a hot-blooded experience! Strong red wine, the brilliance and heat of the sun, spicy Spanish food, flamenco music that stirs your soul – whatever it is, people get passionate about their travel to Spain. It’s that kind of place.

Cowboys,Gaudi and Don Quixote

Sergio Leone shot Clint Eastwood in “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” in the deserts of Almeria, Gaudi conceived his Sagrada Familia and other mind-bending architectural masterpieces in Barcelona, Hemingway popularised the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona (although it happens in lots of places), Cervantes had Don Quixote and Sancho Panza tilting at windmills in La Mancha and Sev Ballesteros caused the proliferation of golf courses all over (although the constant sunshine helped).

Spain is fiestas – and a lot more!

Spain is Fiestas. All over Spain, from small villages to large cities, the local populace devote a couple of days each year to their own individual festivals.

But Spain is also Flamenco. Castanets. Guitars. Tapas. Gazpacho. Paella. Manchego cheese. Olives. Oranges. Rioja and Penedes wine. Sherry. And Cervantes. Lope de Vega. Lorca. Carreras. Domingo. Segovia. Velasquez. Goya. Picasso. Miro. Dali. Almadovar. Gaudi. The Alhambra. The Prado. La Mezquita. Costa Del Sol. Sierra Nevada. The Pyrenees.

Places that echo through history

Travel to places whose names echo through Europe’s history: Seville. Granada. Madrid. Valencia. Toledo. Cordoba. Salamanca. Barcelona. Zaragoza. Santiago de Compostela. Cadiz. Castile. Aragon.

Travel to Spain for a Europe tour with a hot-blooded difference!

Other Spain pages:

Tour Routes in Spain

When to travel to Spain: weather and seasons

Useful facts, dates and links to help you plan your tour of Spain

Book your sightseeing tours or day-trips in Spain online

Book your hotel in Spain online

Cordoba's Mezquita

The Mezquita, Cordoba’s Great Mosque is one of the most unique monuments that you’ll ever visit. In a world marked by decades of religious battles between Catholics and Protestants and Muslim and Hindus, who would ever have imagined that a mosque with a Christian cathedral within it could have survived the times!

When it all began

The Muslim arrival in Spain started in the 8th century when the Arabs and Berbers invaded Spain. A rich and powerful caliphate was established in Cordoba and this was the start of the brilliant civilization of early medieval Europe.

Mathematics, science, architecture and decorative arts flourished under the patronage of Abd al Rahman II during his 30-year rule. The Great Mosque was built where a Visigoth basilica once stood. Over the centuries, additions were made and its architectural and artistic styles evolved, but the most lavish changes occurred in the 10th century when Hakam II added the elaborate prayer niche (mihrab) and the caliph’s enclosure (maqsura). When Spain reverted to Christian rule, it was decided that a Gothic-style cathedral would be built inside the mosque itself.  Part of the mosque was destroyed in 1523 to make way for the construction of the cathedral.

A sightseeing visit to the Mezquita therefore is a look all the way back to the wealthy period of the Caliphate and Spain’s Moorish heritage.

The Great Mosque, a symbol of Spain’s Moorish heritage

Set in the historic old town of Cordoba, the Mezquita is a World Heritage site. The most stunning of its features are the arches and more than 850 columns of granite, jasper and marble that support the roof. Nineteen naves make up the quadrangular plan of the early mosque, divided by a double series of arches. Alternating red and white, brick with stone and other decorative elements were used, in addition to sculpted marble, stucco, mosaics, and plasterwork to give this amazing look. Another star attraction from its Moorish heritage is the richly ornamented Mihrab.

Inside, at the centre of its forest of columns, stands a great Christian cathedral.  It is a design wonder in its own right, with different styles of architecture ranging  from the Gothic to the Baroque. The Capilla de Villaviciosa was the first Christian chapel built in 1371 and the 93m bell tower (Torre del Alminar) was built on the site of the original minaret.  Also check out the elaborate Churrigueresque stalls of the cathedral choir

Just outside the Great Mosque itself you will find an orange tree courtyard where the faithful washed before prayers (Patio de los Naranjos). This beautiful garden is a perfect place to rest and catch your breath in the cool of its fountains and trees, and amidst the wafting scent of orange blossoms.

See Travel Signposts Photo Gallery

Paella, a specialty from Valencia

Put very simply, Spanish food is delicious! It’s tasty, spicy, vibrant in colour and a has a great mix of fresh ingredients.

In this sun-drenched country, grains, beans, fruits and vegetables all grow very well and there is also an abundance of meats, seafood and cheeses, not to mention wines and sherries.

We are all very familiar with signature dishes like paella and tortillas, the tapas style of food and famous Spanish products like chorizo, Jamon Serrano, Manchego cheese, anchovies, olives and olive oil.  But, there are heaps more to Spanish food and all the regional specialties than would be possible to mention here.

Brief outline of Regional specialties

Northern Spain has an abundance of everything. It has the best of fish and other seafood from the Atlantic, it produces some of the countries best cheeses and its vast mountain ranges also provide for plentiful game. Lots of hams and cured sausages are produced here as well, which together with beans make for hearty stews.  Beans are an important ingredient in northern cooking and the Asturias produce the expensive La Granja beans which can cost twice as much as lamb.

Each of the provinces in the north have their own special provincial dishes. The Asturias have Fabada Asturiana which is a savoury stew prepared with dried white beans called ‘fabes’, chorizo, black pudding (morcilla), cured pork shoulder (tocino), potatoes and anything else that the chef feels like throwing in. The Galicians have Lacon con grelos which is a dish of cured pork shoulder with turnip tops and sausage. A specialty from Navarra is Chilindron de Cordero, a rich spicy lamb stewed with dried or fresh peppers.

Central Spain takes its specialties from every Spanish region. Castilla-Leon is best known for its roast suckling pig and lamb. Castile-la-Mancha produces Spain’s greatest Manchego cheese, one of my favorites. Also traditional in La Mancha is Pisto or La Mancha Ratatouille.  Sopa de ajo is also good here as cumin and garlic are spices used in this region.

Eastern Spain does Mediterranean cuisine which has been influenced by the Romans and the Moors.  The internationally renowned dish paella is a Valencian specialty.  Valencia is of course famous for its oranges and Valencia and Alicante together  are the biggest orange exporters in the world. A traditional Catalan dish is Butifarra amb mongetes which is grilled black sausage with dried white beans. Catalan is famous for its sausages and many varieties are produced here.

Southern Spain’s cuisine has a strong Arab influence. Rice, olives, vines, lemons and oranges are all used in cooking.  Southern Spain is famous for grilled fish such as sardines, calamari and tripe or chickpea stews are common food in the mountain regions. The world famous Tapas was an Andalusian creation and other favorite provincial dishes include Fritura de pescado a typical seafood dish from Malaga and Ternera con alcachofas a dish from Cordoba, made from veal and artichoke hearts in a wine sauce.

The South also grows every type of fruit and vegetable.  Figs that we pay a lot of money for when in season, grow wild here.  I still remember eating these straight off the tree in our friends’ backyard.  They were sweet!  Another lasting memory is of eating tomatoes in the little town of Órgiva in the Alpujarras.  The tomatoes will never win any beauty contests, but the flavour was exquisite.

Fresh and good quality produce are the essence of Spanish cooking and with the abundance of seafood, varieties of meat, cured hams and sausages as well as fruit and vegetable, everyone can be assured of eating well in Spain. And, if you decide to go to the Balearic Islands, they have their specialty dishes too.