15 Places to See in Switzerland

Switzerland is known for its Swiss Alps and ski resorts for the affluent and famous. But you don’t have to be a celebrity or a moneyed business tycoon just to enjoy the cities and towns of Switzerland. As long as you have a foolproof Switzerland travel guide and a list of things to do in Switzerland, your vacation will be sweet and well-planned. To give you an idea, here are 15 of the most visited places in the country.

1. Bern

The best places to see in Switzerland include the city of Bern. In fact, it is the most visited city in the country because it is the capital city. Being as such, it means Bern has more businesses and historical buildings within.

Here are the highlights of Bern – Federal Palace of Switzerland, The Cathedral of Bern, Zytglogge – Bern’s clock tower, Kindlifresserbrunnen – 16th century fountain with a monster eating children statue, Bärengraben or Bear Pit since brown bears live here, Zentrum Paul Klee – a museum by Paul Klee showcasing his paintings and drawings, and Einsteinhaus – where Albert Einstein used to live.

2. Zurich

The city is known as the banking and finance capital of the world. But for adventurous travelers, Zurich is a city blessed with historical buildings. You have to visit the Zürich Opera House for they showcase the best recitals and opera shows in the world. To feed your artsy side, the Kunsthaus is home to art works from the 15th up to the 21st century. Grossmünster, a twin-structured cathedral from the 1500’s, and Fraumünster Church, famous for its stained glass work created by Marc Chagall, are places of worship that must be visited. Lastly, the Uetliberg Aussichtsturm – one of Zurich’s towers – is perfect for picture taking.

 

3. Geneva

One of the places to see in Switzerland is Geneva. It is a very famous city to tourists because of the lake, the Alps, Red Cross Europe Main Office and the United Nations Europe HQ. Other than that, the city is home to charming structures. The Monument Brunswick is a mausoleum of Charles II, Duke of Brunswick. They also have a flower clock named L’horloge fleurie and speaking of which, it is located in the Anglais Garden. The Garden has a fountain which was established in 1862.

One of the most famous attractions in Geneva is The Geneva Water Fountain or the Jet d’Eau. Waters comes out of the fountain and blows up as high as 140 meters. Place du Bourg-de-Four Square is the city center with a mix of ancient monuments and modern shops. Reformation Wall is a park by the Protestant Reformation and Parc des Bastions by the city square – must see attractions in Geneva, too.

 

4. Lucerne

Lucerne is not that big but the structures here are as old as the middle ages. These are the most visited attractions in Lucerne: Gletschergarten Museum, Lion Monument, Bourbaki Panorama Museum, St. Leodegar Church, Museggmauer City Walls and Towers, Chapel Bridge, Sammlung Rosengart (art gallery featuring Picasso) and Historisches Museum (interactive museum).

Kids would love to check this place out the Swiss Museum of Transport, as reported by frequent travelers to Lucerne who bring their children with them. For more art museums in Lucerne, you have to see Hans Erni Museum and Kunstmuseum Luzern. O.T. Raum für aktuelle Kunst is also a favorite tourist spot.

5. Interlaken

One of the most visited mountain resorts in Switzerland is Interlaken. The day tour offers in this resort are the perfect ways to spend your vacation in the town. If you have your kids with you on holiday, you have to take this day trip – Ballenberg, Swiss Open-Air Museum, Jungfraupark Interlaken, Kinderparadies Mysty Land and St. Beatus Caves. This whole tour will take about 5-6 hours of your time.

For adults, it would be best to take this tour – Harder Kulm (mountain), Schlosskirche Interlaken (church), Touristik-Museum der Jungfrau-Region (museum), and Oberhofen Castle (historic castle).

 

6. Zermatt

Zermatt is another ski resort in Switzerland near Mt. Matterhorn. Like any ski resort, it has all the necessary amenities from lodging to restaurants and winter sports centers. But tourists also visit the natural attractions in Zermatt. The most visited spot near Zermatt is the peak of Mt. Matterhorn. The summit looks like a pyramid and from afar, it looks breathtaking. If you don’t want to climb up a high peak, then, you can try the Klein Matterhorn – use the cable cars. Don’t forget to drop by the Matterhorn Museum – Zermatlantis and Gornergrat Bahn, a rail center.

7. Lausanne

The city of Lausanne is one of the oldest cities in Switzerland. With that being said, it has a lot of historical attractions that people want to see and experience altogether.

Lake Geneva, a crescent-like shaped lake, is touching Lausanne and it is one of the most beautiful places to see in Switzerland. Other magnificent attractions to visit include The Olympic Museum, Musée de l’Elysée, Lausanne Cathedral, Palais de Rumine, Sauvabelin Tower and Museum of Contemporary Design and Applied Arts.

8. Basel

Basel is lying on the border of Switzerland, France and Germany. It is one of the most populated cities in the country and it has villages located in the lands of Germany and France.

The main attraction in Basel is a 14th century structure called Basel Minster. It is made of red sandstone and the roof is composed of colored tiles. Another tourist spot is the Beyeler Foundation – a museum featuring the art collection of Hildy and Ernst Beyeler. Prediger Kirche is one of the oldest churches in Basel and a landmark too.

9. Lugano

The city of Lugano is enveloped by the great Lugano Lake in Ticino, Switzerland. It is a border city which separates Switzerland from Italy. They call the city “Monte Carlo of Switzerland” because during summer, it is a famous vacation place for celebrities.

Lugano has seventeen attractions which are in the Swiss Heritage Site of National Significance list. The heritage sites included libraries called Biblioteca Cantonale and the Biblioteca Salita dei Frati. There were churches in the list as well and those were the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, Church of Santa Maria degli Angioli and the Church of San Rocco. Most of the people in Lugano speak fluent Italian.

10. Canton of Valais

There are 26 cantons in Switzerland and Valais is one of them. The Canton of Valais was once a natural attraction until hoteliers decided to fill the area with their lavish accommodations. Since then, Canton of Valais has become a tourist spot. In fact, it has at least 120 destinations including those within close proximity to the area.

The Goms District is one of the top places to see in Switzerland, specifically in Valais. The Great Aletsch Glacier is the largest glacier in the Bernese and Swiss Alps. It is partly located in Valais and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Brig-Glis is a small town in Valais which was recognized as Alpine Town of the Year in 2008.

11. Grindelwald

There are at least three mountains within the boundary of Grindelwald and these three are Mt. Eiger, Mt. Mönch and Schwarzhorn. The summits are all part of the Bernese Alps. Grindelwald shares these mountains with other municipalities in Switzerland. Tourists visit these mountains all year long.

The summit “First” is in Schwarzhorn and is famous for its hiking trail. Bachalpsee Lake is near First and a famous image in Gmail’s mountain background. You also have to see the Lower Grindelwald Glacier.

 

12. Lauterbrunnen

Lauterbrunnen is one of the places to see in Switzerland that climbers and trekkers love to visit. It is situated in the Lauterbrunnen Valley and it has a lot of peaks and summits for your winter adventure. Kleine Scheidegg in Lauterbrunnen is host to an annual event called Jungfrau Marathon every September. The mountain pass is also a great hiking spot during the summer time. Stabbauch Falls is a famous sight in Lauterbrunnen. The village has restaurants and hotels if you feel the need to stay there for more than a day.

 

13. St. Moritz

For a luxurious holiday, St. Moritz Village is the place to be. Two winter Olympics were hosted there; which means that it has the Cresta Run and an open air Olympic-sized ice rink. The top three boutique hotels to stay at in St. Moritz are the Badrutt’s Palace Hotel, Hotel Suvretta House and Kulm Hotel.

Where will you go when in St. Moritz? Lake St. Moritz is a tourist destination. St. Moritz Olympic Ice Rink is also frequented by visitors. The Leaning Tower, Chesa Futura and Kirche San Karl are great attractions as well.

 

14. Montreux

Montreux is by Lake Geneva and visitors from around the world always stay there for the attractions and the activities. Rochers de Naye and Dent de Jaman are the two summits in Montreux. You can mountain climb, follow the trail, drive up to the last vehicle road before reaching the top. Rochers de Naye is in the Swiss Alps. You can ski there or find a winter sport to do.

Now, the municipality has Chillon Castle – it is by the lake and with underground rooms. GoldenPass Line is the transportation facility used by tourists to reach Lucerne from Montreux.

15. Davos

Davos is a municipality in the Swiss Alps and one of the places to see in Switzerland. For one, it has Parsenn, the most popular ski area in Davos. There is also a natural lake which you can visit called Lake Davos. They use it as a hydropower reservoir and during winter time, the lake is pure ice.

If you are into hiking and mountain trekking, the perfect place to go is Weissfluhjoch, a mountain shared by Davos with Graubünden. Another mountain to overcome in Davos is Pischahorn. Do you want an elevated lake location? Go to Schwarzsee. These attractions are tourist flocked most of the time.

15 Places to Visit in Norway

Winter is coming…

If you are a fan of HBO’s Game of Thrones, then, you might have heard the Northerners say these words with conviction. As for those who are not familiar with it, it only means one thing – winter is coming and it’s HOLIDAY IN NORWAY, ALL THE WAY! (That rhymed!)

The best time to go to Norway is during the winter season when the snow is at its whitest and from a far, it looks like squishy cotton. The ambiance alone is magical and the exquisite natural phenomena that can be experienced only in Norway are beyond words.

Here are 15 of the Best Places to Visit when you’re in Norway:

1. The Northern Lights: Aurora Borealis – Northern Norway

In all of Norway, Aurora can be basked and enjoyed but there are specific places where this natural phenomenon of green, purple and violet lights cascading on the sky is best seen.

The North Cape is one of the best places to view the Northern Lights. Narvik is one of those destinations in Norway which has a lighthouse that can serve as a waiting place for the Aurora to emerge. Vesteralen in Lofoten is another scenic location to go to when planning to marvel the sky when the Northern Lights are out.

This is a list of the 15 best places to visit when in Norway. Plan your holiday well and hope you enjoy these scenic spots and things to do up north.

 

2. The North Cape – Nordkapp, Finnmark County

Arctic Ocean meets Atlantic Ocean; this is what you will see on top of the cape, the northernmost of Norway. It is a very steep cliff with a visitor center on the plateau. Various services are offered in the center like coffee shop, restaurant, and gift shop, among others. The plateau is a great viewing place for the Midnight Sun – if visiting during the summer months. (Again, this is a natural phenomenon wherein the sun can be miraculously seen at midnight.)

 

3. Svalbard Islands – In Between North Pole and Norway

You can tell your friends that North Pole can be visited and the Arctic Ocean can be stepped on because it is indeed possible. If you visit Svalbard Islands, you can do all that. You want to see polar bears? This is your chance. The community near Svalbard is called Longyearbyen and it has top-rate bars and accommodations, in case you’re wondering.

What are the things you can do there other than walking in North Pole and Arctic Ocean? Snow mobile tour is a great way to explore the snow wilderness of Svalbard. It even has the Sustainable Destination certification because the areas is being preserved and protected while tourism is flowing in.

4. Lofotr Viking Museum – Bord, Nordland County

You’ll hear stories about Valhalla, Loki, Thor and Odin because Lofotr Viking Museum is all about the Viking world. It used to be a Chieftain house back in 500 AD as believed by archeologists and it is the biggest Viking structure ever discovered in Norway.

A visit to the museum features a re-enactment of how the Vikings lived during the Nordic days. They are very great engineers of boats – replicas are found in the museum and their blacksmith’s are most skilled in creating weapons. The original blacksmith hearth is inside the building, as well.

 

5. The Telemarks Gallery & Lysbuen Industrial Museum

This is an industrial and art museum, art gallery, coffee and museum shop rolled into one. It is also part of UNESCO’s World Heritage List as of 2015 because of its industrial history. It produced the mineral fertilizer which changed the course of the world in 1905 when there was a crisis in food at the time.

Now, it is being preserved and can be enjoyed by spectators. The history the industrial site is inside the museum with an art gallery to supplement the stories.

 

6. Reindeer Sledding in Karasjok – Finnmark County

There is more of the Sami culture than art and architecture. One of their practicies is reindeer sledding and you can fully experience it Karasjok, even if you are not a Sami descendant. It is one of the oldest modes of transportation used by the Northern people and it is definitely a Sami tradition to ride a reindeer. In modern days, when you hear reindeers, it’s Rudolph and Santa Claus. So, think about that when you are in Norway, reindeer-sledding.

(Sami tour guides can assist you in this activity.)

7. Sami Culture in Karasjok – Finnmark County

Want to know more about the indigents of Norway, Sweden and Finland? Well, there are two ways to understand all about the culture and the Sami people and that is by visiting Sami Parliament Building and Sami Centre for Contemporary Art. Both of these landmarks can be found in Karasjok and it is open for public viewing.

The Sami Parliament Building is the epitome of Sami architecture. Be sure to go inside the Sami Library – the hanging bulbs are just splendid and unusual, at the same time.

The Sami Centre for Contemporary Art features modern artists who exhibit Sami art interpretations of today.

 

8. Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel – Alta, Finnmark County

Yes, Norway is a snowy fairy tale and the real sense of the words: Winter Wonderland. So, how about visiting an Igloo-type hotel? Igloo is made of ice and Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel in Alta, Norway is all ice from front desk lobby to their beds. Guests are to sleep in ice-sculpted bed. There is an ice hotel in Norway!

Each year, the hotel has a different theme and everything inside the hotel is sculpted by artists. It does have a schedule on when it will be open for accommodation because eventually, it will melt!

Note: Guests are required to wear Woolen type of under garments especially at night.

 

9. Saltstraumen Tidal Currents during Arctic Winter

The thrill-seeker in you might jump in the Saltstraumen adventure where you can literally feel the tide smashing while you watch from a safe distance. To give you an idea of how strong the tide is in Saltstraumen, if you were on a boat, you will be moving the strait in more or less 20 knots or 20-25 miles per hour. This is without motor assistance!

But the view of this natural phenomenon is one of a kind. It is a jaw-dropping moment just to witness the formation of one of the most powerful whirlpools in the whole world and you can find it in Bodo, Norway.

 

10. Rjukan Admini Hotel – Rjukan, Telemark County

This was the place where the highly-received TV mini-series “THE HEAVY WATER WAR” in Norway was filmed. This was the home of Sam Eyde back in 1908. He is the founder of Hydro. Today, it is open for public use and receives guests all around the world.

Only a select was allowed to grace the halls of Rjukan Admini until recently. The building itself is a tourist attraction because it is made of wood in the Art Nouveau style which can only be found in Norway.

 

11. Krossobanen Cable Car – Rjukan, Telemark County

Since the Frozen Waterfalls are in Rjukan, then, there is another must-try activity in the area that will surely make your trip worthwhile. You can be airlifted and try out Northern Europe’s first cable car called Krossobanen Cable Car. It is still functioning until now and has been servicing tourists and locals alike for the last 88 years.

It was a very thoughtful gift from Norsk Hydro to the people of Rjukan so that they can watch the sun as they go up. The mountains of Rjukan shielded the sun rays from reaching the town during winter months. Anyway, after 4 to 5 minutes on the lift, there is a restaurant on top overlooking Rjukan and Gaustatoppen.

 

12. Frozen Waterfalls – Rjukan, Telemark County

You read that right, FROZEN WATERFALLS. Iced waterfalls are normal and common in Norway. In Rjukan alone, there are more than 150 waterfalls that becomes ice during winter. Imagine a body of water cascading down in ice? That would be so amazing to witness.

And did you know that you can climb these iced wonders too? Anyway, if you just want a photo op or to see and touch Waterfalls of Ice, then, Rjukan is the place to be. (It is a small town in Tinn Municipality.) Rjukan Falls is their most famous scenic spot.

 

13. Dog Sledding in Tromsø, Tromsø County

This is perhaps one of the activities that you must never ever forget to do when you are in Norway – dog sledding. Hire a driver to control the blue-eyed dogs for you while you enjoy the scenic view of Tromso, a city-slash-municipality in Troms County, Northern Norway.

You can ride during the day or at night, if you prefer. It will be a drive featuring iced lakes, snow-capped green forests and grandiose peaks pulled by fluffy Alaskan huskies. This is the best way for you to enjoy the Arctic Circle and its untouched wilderness like no other.

(You can book this activity with a travel and tours agency preferably between November to March.)

 

14. Rock Art of Alta – Alta, Finnmark County

The municipality of Alta is home to the famous UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites called ROCK CARVINGS or the ROCK ART of ALTA. The carvings are from the prehistoric era (dated around 4200 to 500 B.C.) and it is the only prehistoric World Heritage Site in Norway.

Some of the images discovered were drawings of bear worshipping as part of Shamanistic rituals and there were also interpretations of hunters with their deer and gatherers of food, among others.

It would be a whole different experience when these drawings are personally viewed, right?

 

15. Knut Hamsun Centre – Hamaroy, Nordland County

If you want to explore your artistic side, then, the Knut Hamsun Centre in Hamaroy in Northern Norway will surely pique your creative juices. It features the life and works of Nobel Prize in Literature winner, Norwegian contemporary novelist Knut Hamsun who wrote the best-sellers “Growth of the Soil” and “Hunger”.

The museum was opened for public viewing in June 2010 and was recognized and given several architectural awards both local and foreign. It was initially painted by Architect Steven Holl in 1994, who based his design of the museum on a mixture of Hamaroy landscape, culture and tradition with Hamsun’s elaborate literary pieces.

This would be an interesting visit, don’t you think?

 

15 BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN SPAIN

Best Places to Visit in Spain

Spain is known to be a Roman Catholic nation. But it was once a Muslim-dominated country after their capture around 700 AD. The whole country is a mix of Christian and Moorish architecture and designs. Nevertheless, it is a unique combination and a Spain travel guide will tell you that these places are worthy to be visited. Here is a list of the best places to visit in Spain.

1. Sagrada Família – Barcelona

Spaniards are known to be devout Roman Catholics and of course, it is expected that their most visited tourist attraction is a church – Sagrada Família. Can you guess who the architect is for this magnificent church? Yes, it was Antoni Gaudi. He assumed position after Francisco Paula de Villar resigned from his post.

The basilica is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It can accept as many as 9,000 worshippers at any given time. Visitors can access some parts of the church including the museum, the crypt and the towers.

2. Alhambra – Granada

This is another one of the most visited palaces and fortresses in Spain. Alhambra was once described by Moorish writers as “a pearl set in Emeralds” because of the abundance of thick and green trees around the fortress and at times, the building exudes an illusion of colors – thus the term, Pearl. UNESCO recognized Alhambra as a World Heritage Site and is one of the most beautiful Moorish-style Spanish monuments in the country. As such, it was mentioned in several works of fiction like Tales of the Alhambra by Washington Irving and the best-selling novel in history, The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho.

3. Casa Milà – Barcelona

Again, another masterpiece of Antoni Gaudi is the La Pedrera or the Casa Milà which is one of the must-see places to visit in Spain. This was the last known work of Gaudi and he finished it in six years from 1906 to 1912. Today, it is being managed by Catalunya-La Pedrera Foundation and it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The foundation coordinates all the activities and exhibits inside the casa. They also handle the tours and visits.

Some movies used this casa for their roof scenes like Vicky Cristina Barcelona by Woody Allen and The Passenger which starred Jack Nicholson.

4. Mosque of Córdoba – Cordoba

Mosque of Córdoba is also known as Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. It is a bit confusing because its name says that it is a Muslim mosque and yet it is a cathedral. So, which is is it? The truth is that when the Muslims conquered Spain in 711 AD, the Moors had to find a place where they could pray. Muslims pray 5 times a day and to do that, they designed the Mosque of Córdoba as their house of prayer. Eventually, Christians gained control of Cordoba and now it is purely a Christian place of worship with Moorish details all over.

5. Museo Nacional Del Prado – Madrid

Tourists love the Museo Nacional Del Prado and they always give it a 4 to 5 star rating in online polls. But what is in this museum that impresses residents and visitors, alike? Well, for one, the museum is home of the best European art paintings. Works of Francisco de Goya and Diego Velázquez are on the walls of this museum. It holds at least 7,600 canvases from various artists, 1,000 sculpted figures, 4,800 print art and 8,200 sketches.

6. Royal Palace of Madrid

Palacio Real de Madrid or Royal Palace of Madrid is the official royal home of the Spanish Royal Family whenever they are in Madrid and one of the nicest places to visit in Spain. It is a very lavish palacio and King Felipe VI found the Palacio de la Zarzuela as more modest and fitting home for his royal family.

Today, the palacio is being used for state events. It was designed by architect Filippo Juvarra and began its construction in 1735. All in all, the palacio has 3,418 rooms and is the most massive palace in all of Europe, according to floor area.

7. Gothic Quarter – Barcelona

The Gothic Quarter or in Spanish, Barrio Gótico, is the city center of Barcelona. It has many landmarks and tourist destinations, all in one strip. There is the Cathedral of Santa Eulàlia, the Basilica of La Mercè, the Church of Santa Maria del Pi, the Church of Sant Miquel, the Barcelona City History Museum, the Plaça de Sant Felip Neri, the Portal de l’Àngel and the Temple of Augustus in Barcelona ruins, among many other establishments, churches, and buildings to see in the Barrio.

8. Casa Batlló – Barcelona

The architect for this monumental building is Antoni Gaudi and it is considered one of his masterpieces. People called it Casa dels ossos or House of Bones because from the outside, it looks like a skeleton building. It is Art Noveau inspired and it is full of mosaic designs, which is typical of Antoni Gaudi.

The Casa Batlló was opened for tourists and visitors in 2002. One of the most notable features of the casa is its loft. It has sixty arches which resembled a rib cage.

9. Camp Nou – Barcelona

Spain is one of the countries that love the sport of football. So naturally, one of their most visited establishments is Camp Nou – a stadium where football games transpire as it is the home of Spain’s football team called Futbol Club Barcelona. (FC Barcelona)

It is the biggest stadium in Spain for it can accommodate 99,354 people at one time. The ’82 FIFA World Cup happened here; UEFA Champions League twice and 1992 Summer Olympics for football, as well.

10. Alcázar of Seville – Sevilla

The Alcázar of Seville or the Royal Alcazars of Seville is a palacio which was created to house Muslim kings in the Middle Ages. Today, it is in the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO and they recorded it as Cathedral, Alcázar and General Archive of the Indies in Seville. It is the oldest palacio in all of Spain and the European continent that still exists and is being used to this day. It was also the birthplace of King Philip’s daughter, Maria Antonia Ferdinanda of Spain in 1773; which makes it one of the most historic places to visit in Spain.

11. Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum – Madrid

The Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, as the Spanish calls it, is a museum of art located in the country’s capital, Madrid. The location of the museum is in one of the busy boulevards in the city – in Paseo del Prado. It is also one of the three most important museums in Spain to which they call the Golden Triangle of Art. It has at least 1,600 paintings from painters all around the world like Duccio, Jan Van Eyck, Antonello da Messina, Copley, Claude Monet and many other distinguished artists.

12. Park Güell – Barcelona

Park Güell was founded in 1914 by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi through the vision of Eusebi Güell, a wealthy Spanish businessman who married a noble – a daughter of the Marquis of Comillas. The whole park was recognized by UNESCO and is part of the World Heritage Site list. UNESCO found it necessary to acknowledge the skills and efforts of Antoni Gaudi for seven of his works including this park.

The park is on top of Carmen Hill and is intricately designed all around. The gardens and the architectural make of the park make it a frequented tourist spot in Spain.

13. La Rambla – Barcelona

One of the famous streets in Barcelona is La Rambla or as the Spanish people calls it Las Ramblas. Quoted from the Spanish writer Federico Garcia Lorca, he found Las Ramblas as: the only street in the world which I wish would never end. It is the center of the city and a long strip at 1.2 kilometers or .75 miles.

It has the Liceu Theatre, the La Boqueria market, the Palace of the Virreina and the Royal Square or the Plaça Reial. This plaza host private collectors of coins and stamps every weekend. It is the night hub in Barcelona and one of the most exciting places to visit in Spain.

14. Costa del Sol – Málaga

Costa del Sol means Sunny Coast. Together with its neighboring coasts, Costa de la Luz and Costa Tropical, these small communities used to be home of fishermen and their families. Today, Costa del Sol is a breathtaking tourist attraction and one of the most popular traveler’s destinations in Spain.

Aside from their world-class beaches, you can view their monuments, museums and other natural wonders. These places are recommended: Catedral de Málaga, Cueva de Nerja, and Alcazaba.

15. Palacio de Generalife – Granada

The Palacio de Generalife used to be one of the summer castles and country homes of the nobles and royals of Nasrid Kingdom of Granada. The palacio was established during the rule of Mohammad III in 1302 to 1309. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

People find the entrance to the palacio intriguing. The pathway and the surrounding fences and garden will give you the vibe that it is a country residence and not a palacio. But once you are inside, you will see how magnificent the interiors are and the rest of the castle looks “royal” all the way.