The Alhambra glowing against the Sierra Nevada
Granada was the final stronghold of Muslim Spain until 1492, and its legacy is the Alhambra: a hilltop complex of palaces, fortress walls and the Generalife gardens, decorated with some of the finest Islamic art in Europe. Tickets sell out, so book well ahead. Across the valley, the Albaicín's white houses and lanes lead to viewpoints like the Mirador de San Nicolás, best at sunset. Granada is also known for its free tapas with every drink, and the Sierra Nevada offers skiing within an hour.