During your time in Granada, be sure to visit the Albaicín, the city's old Arab quarter. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a maze of narrow lanes and inviting neighborhood squares nestled on a hill facing the Alhambra, an ancient Moorish red-fortress palace-city.

Hike up the hillside district to reach one of its highlights, the Mirador de San Nicolas. This large square and viewing point offers the most emblematic views of the Alhambra and its gardens, with the Sierra Nevada mountains as a backdrop. Bordering the square is the early 16th-century Church of San Nicolas, a Mudejar style structure built on the foundations of a mosque. Wind your way back down through the neighborhood, stopping at other places of interest.

Catch a glimpse of the district's Arabic splendor before the reconquest of Granada by the Catholic Kings in 1492. Visit El Bañuelo, well-preserved Arab baths from the 11th century. Go to the grand 15th-century Palacio de Dar-Al-Horra, the home of the mother of Granada's last Sultan.

For additional historical insights, explore the Archeological Museum, which is housed in a renaissance mansion from the 16th century. View artifacts from ancient civilizations that lived and thrived in this part of the world, including Neolithic people, Romans and Phoenicians.

As you make your way through the Albaicín look for the aljibes or Arab water cisterns. Other remnants from the past include four 11th-century city gates, such as the Puerta de Elvira.

Take advantage of the laidback tempo of Granada life with a drink on the Paseo de Los Tristes. This popular street of bars, restaurants and terraces runs parallel to the River Darro and boasts superb views of the Alhambra which towers above it.

To get to the Albaicín from the city center, take a bus or taxi or walk for about 30 minutes. If you're traveling by rental car, it's best to park for a fee in a garage as there are lots of road restrictions and one-way streets in the city.