The above picture was taken from the 360 degrees panoramic terrace (Sierra Nevada is covered by snow from end of October to end of May).
This 16 century house was renovated into a modern house by the former owner, who was an architect, yet keeping a Spanish rustic touch. It is a very charming and enchanting single family home with plenty of sunlight. Our house is spread on two floors plus the terrace which is on the rooftop with many plants. It has 3 bedrooms (2 double beds, 2 twin beds) . It can accommodate 7 person if needed (sofa bed in living room) . There is a well equipped kitchen (no dishwasher! ) a dining room, a living room with fireplace and piano, 2 bathrooms, an office with computer and ADSL fast Internet connection and a 2 level inner patio full of plants, very charming and private.
The 50 sqm roof-top terrace offers a breathtaking 360 degree view over the city, the old walls and the Bermeja tower (part of the Alhambra) and the Sierra Nevada covered by snow from November to end of May. The terrace has just been renovated and is accessible by a spiral stair from the living room.
The property lies on an hilly part of Granada just below the Alhambra. It is located in the well known district of Realejo, the charming old Jewish neighborhood, very similar to the Albaycin but just smaller and less touristic. It is situated on a pedestrian street and therefore is very quiet.
It is just 5 minutes walking distance from the city center but away from the noise. In fact you feel like you are in a village and at the same time you have access to what makes the life of a district (barrio) so interesting. The streets talk to you. Fruit shops, groceries, tapa bars, squares, terraces, small markets, scents of the cypres wood used by the guitar shops. . .
There are many ways of getting to the house. Each of them are for you to discover. One of the paths will lead you thru one of the smallest street in Granada to a very old lavadero (laundry) . In most cases you will need to climb about 100 steps. However, you can park in 2 different spots very close to the house and walk only a short distance, or even park only 20 meters from our door if you feel comfortable driving with a car in a very small street.
The beautiful year-around greenish shaded park of the Alhambra where water runs freely thru many canals is just 5 minutes away by foot. As close is the excellent Orchestra of Granada, museum Manuel de Falla, a few publicly open Palace and their gardens, theatres, etc. . . Granada offers many festival year-around, such as the Jazz festival, the festival of dance and music (summer) in the gardens and palace of the Alhambra. Granada is a beautiful and sensual city with a blend of culture and a fascinating Etrusque, Roman, Jewish and Arab heritage, amongst others. Christopher Columbus was in Granada the day the last Moorish emperor (Boabdil) resigned on January 2nd 1492. The same year, also in Granada, Columbus signed the contract with the Catholic Kings which will lead to the discovery of America.
Cultural things to do and discover: Flamenco shows and festivals, flamenco schools, Tapas bars, Arab baths (some offering massages and baths) , Alhambra Palace (number 1 visited monument in Spain) , Archeological museum amongst many others, Cathedral, Palaces, numerous squares, markets, shopping, a renown Spanish school for foreigners is located just down the hill, the Science museum, the famous colorful Sacromonte district and its lively gypsies, etc. . . .
If culture is not enough you will be able to practice within 30 minutes of our home a wide variety of challenging sports year-around: World class hiking (the Natural Park of Sierra Nevada culminates at 3482 m, the highest mountain in the Spanish Peninsula) , mountain climbing, hang gliding, biking, beaches (40 minutes) , horse-ridding, river descending, many paradisiacal water falls, kayak, river canoe (as close as the center of Granada) , golf just 15 minutes away, etc. . .
The ski station of Sierra Nevada is only 40 minutes away by car and offers 76 kilometers of trails, open from December to end of April. In March 2004 the station will host the final of the European cup of Alpine ski. By clear weather from the very top of the station at about 3100 m you are able to see the Mediterranean and the mountains of Morocco.
The beautiful mountainous region of the Alpujarra, South side of Sierra Nevada, and its very characteristic villages and culture is only 45 minutes away, Malaga and the new Picasso Museum (his home town) (1h30) , Seville (2 hours), Cordoba (2 hours), Ronda (2. 5 hours), Gibraltar (4 hours), Morocco (6 hours), desert of Almeria, Spaghetti Westerns old Studios and Cabo de Gata splendid marine park (3 hours), Madrid (3.5 hours).
We can exchange cars. There is 3 mountain bikes.
Who we are: Philippe (41) owns an Internet company in the travel industry. Sarah is 14. We practice hiking, mountain biking, sailing, skate ski, alpine ski, sea Kayak expeditions, flamenco, acting, yoga, photo. Sarah has given numerous flamenco shows in Granada and nearby. We have lived in Amsterdam, Paris, Mexico, San Francisco, Montreal, Honduras, Vancouver Island. We have exchanged twice with other families in Paris and Barcelona and just loved it.
Destination that we are interested: Europe, (France, Provence, the Pyrenees, Italy), Morroco. Open to other regions but not North America. Andalusia, Madrid and other regions in Spain for a week-end or more.
The dates: Christmas, Summer, April, long week-ends. Long term (a school year or 6 months) in France.