The Region Vega de Granada
The Nature
The region has various National Parks / Natural Parks such as Natural and National Park Sierra Nevada and Natural Park Sierra de Huetor. Sierra Nevada can be entered by the villages Güéjar Sierra, La Zubia, Monachil and Dílar. In July and August a gondola lift can bring you up to 2900 meters. The Natural Parks have several marked hiking and mountain biking trails. There are also various lakes, like Embalse the Cubillas, Embalse de Canales and Embalse de Quentar. The region is rich of natural caves; Sierra de Huétor only has more than 30 natural caves, which makes you hiking trip more exiting. Like the other regions this region has thermal waters. On the countryside of Santafe you are able to swim in a natural pool (40 degrees) and take a natural shower underneath the waterfall.
The History
Granada was the site of an Iberian settlement, Elibyrge, in the 5th century BC and of the Roman Illiberis. During the Arabac occupation it was the seat of the Moorish kingdom of Granada and it was the final stronghold of the Moors in Spain. It fell to the Roman Catholic monarchs Ferdinand II and Isabella I in January 1492. A number of towns are linked by their history to the city of Granada. Places that share their patrimonial wealth and growth in an environment characterized by the green lines of “choperas” and the carefully cultivated fields. Villages like Chauchina, Santafe, Fuente Vaqueros (village where Federico García Lorca was born) or Cijuela. Santafe.
The archaeological remains that date from the prehistoric times to the Muslim period link the towns of Vegas del Genil, Cúllar Vega or Churriana de la Vega. Santafe and Pinos Puente have nice city gates which are very well conserved. A lot of villages have still the Mudejar churches or Arabic watchtowers. Typical mountain villages with historic "tinaos" are Güéjar Sierra and Quéntar.
Granada City
Granada is a very popular city for students and tourists. There is a lot of cultural activity and a wide range of bars and restaurants. The must see is the Alhambra, which attracts yearly over 2 million visitors. The city has three interesting districts; the old Arabic district Albaicin, the old Jewish district Relalejo and the cave district Sacromonte. But also the city center with its Cathedral and churches are interesting to visit. There are hundreds of historic monuments of which the most important ones are are open for public. In Sacromonte and Albaicin there are various places where you can see a flamenco show.
The Climate
The climate is warm and temperate in Granada. The winter months are much rainier than the summer months in Granada. According to Köppen and Geiger, this climate is classified as Csa. In Granada, the average annual temperature is 15.5 °C. Precipitation here averages 450 mm. The driest month is July, with 5 mm of rainfall. Most of the precipitation here falls in December, averaging 63 mm. The warmest month of the year is July, with an average temperature of 25.5 °C. January is the coldest month, with temperatures averaging 7.0 °C.
(Source: Climate-Data.org)
The Gastronomy
This area has a cuisine based on ancient recipes inherited from the old Muslim and Jewish settlers. These receipt consists always of quality raw materials. Typical andalucian dishes such as gazpacho and stews, trout and pike. An overview of the best restaurants you can find here.
The Situation
This region is located in the center of the province and includes the capital Granada and a part of the Sierra Nevada. Granada is situated in the center of the province and has an excellent connection with the coast with the highway A44 which takes you in 30 minutes to the beach. To the north it is connected with the highway to Jaen. The east of the district contains the Sierra Nevada including the ski resort Pradollano. The west of the district is known as the Vega; a rich flatground which is mainly used for cultivation.
