Even before the trip started I had been telling myself and others that I expected the Alhamabra in Granada to be the highlight of the trip. It did not disappoint, but I would put the Alcazaba in Seville and the Mezquita in Cordoba right up there with the Alhamabra. But you don't get free tapas in Seville or Cordoba like you do in Granada, so that might tip the scales in the Alhambra's favor.
But it's not really possible to try and compare one site to the next in terms of it's aesthetic beauty or architectual impressiveness. Each one of these three major sites stands alone for its own historical significance and contribution to the fabric of Spain's cultural heritage.
We took in the first of two Arab baths in Granada and afterwards made our way to the San Nicolas mirador for a night view of the Alhambra. The Albaicin across the river Duro from the Alhambra is the old muslim quarter of Granada and there are a number of restaurants called Carmens. Generally, they are multi-level residences that have been turned into public eateries. The impressive labryinth of streets and staircases made the locating of the Carmen that was listed in a number of the guidebooks improbable, but we ultimately found it after more than an hour of wandering around. One thing that they all have in common is that you have to ring the doorbell in order to be admitted downstairs. We had an amazing meal of roast suckling pig, an endive salad with goat queso, croquettes and a chocolate dessert. I ventured into the cellar for an unauthorized view of the jamon iberico hanging next to the 30 and 40 year old riojas... and have the pictures to prove it.
