Nestled high in the Albayzin quarter of the Andalusian city of Granada, the Mirador de San Nicolás offers spectacular views of the city below, the distant Sierra Nevada mountains and most famously the Moorish Palace simply known as the Alhambra.
At one of the highest points of the neighborhood, the Mirador (lookout point) has long been a point of interest for locals and visitors alike. Throughout all hours of the day you can find local artists selling their crafts, bohemian musicians tocando el guitarra (playing the guitar) and people just simply hanging out and enjoying the relaxed atmosphere.
The view is one of the most insane things I’ve ever seen. Just sitting there, having a completely unobstructed view of the Alhambra, once in consideration to be one of the seven wonders of the modern world, is something I simply can’t put into words. To contemplate all of the history that has happened in this palace is incomprehensible, from the control of the Muslim kings, the Spanish emperors and the Catholic monarchs, whom have all called this place home. Plus, its sheer size is a marvel on it’s own. And the best part? You get this view for free!
The magic of the Mirador, however, comes when the sun begins to set behind the palace. During my time living in Granada, we went up to the Mirador a few times and always the sunset didn’t disappoint. Dark oranges, purple and pink hues blending with the Sierra Nevada made the experience truly unforgettable.
When you visit Granada (something I definitely recommend), you’ll realize it is actually quite small easy to navigate. Special about the Mirador de San Nicolás is that it is located in the very unique Albayzin quarter of Granada. Traditionally the Muslim quarter, it still retains a huge amount of history. You can easily spend the day walking through the cobblestone streets, admiring the interesting architecture, stopping at local shops, enjoying some delicious tapas, and cap it all off with one of the most beautiful sunset you’ve ever seen! And usually with a little background music as there is almost always someone playing guitar in the plaza.
To reach the Mirador from the center of Granada, there are a few options. The first is walking though the Albayzin by foot, which would take about 20-30 minutes. The next is to take the bus numbers 30 or 32 or you could take a taxi from the city center, which shouldn’t cost more than 5-7 Euros.
As this is a popular tourist spot, you also want to keep an eye out for pickpockets, who regularly take advantage of visitors too distracted by the amazing scenery.
Even after the sun goes down, stay a bit longer. The Alhambra will soon turn on its lights, illuminating in the backdrop of the night sky and you will see just why Granada is so magical, and frankly, one of my favorite places on earth!
Featured image from Jack Zalium via Flickr.
