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When it comes to Europe, it's almost impossible to choose just one place to visit.
It is a beautiful and culturally diverse continent where almost every city has its own unique look and feel.
Europe is also a destination that has a reputation for knowing how to take your wallet out of your pocket!
But visiting Europe doesn't have to be expensive. All you have to do is choose the right destination!
Spending time in London, Paris or Copenhagen won't be cheap.
But according to new research from TimesThe best budget destination for travelers in Europe is the beautiful and historic Spanish city of Granada.
Free Things to See and Do
One of the main reasons why Granada ranks so highly in the Omio report is the plenty of free things to see and do in the city.
In fact, the report states that there are 112 free attractions in the city. This includes 10 free-entry museums.
The best of these is the Federico García Lorca Center, an artistic and cultural center regularly hosting events and temporary exhibitions.
The center also includes a permanent exhibition of one of Granada's most famous sons: the poet Federico Garcia Lorca.
Near the Alhambra you will find the Carmen de los Mártires, a beautiful building with an orchard and a European-style garden. An ideal place to take a moment of calm and relaxation.
The exceptional Alhambra
The most important thing to do in the city is to visit the iconic Alhambra: by far the most famous building in Granada.
The Alhambra is a complex of palaces and fortresses. It is built in an Islamic style and is the best and most famous example of Islamic architecture, not only in Spain but in Western Europe.
There is an entrance fee to visit the main Alhambra Palace complex (with price from 10.60 euros or $11.50 per person), but if you only visit one site in Granada, this should be it!
The palace is famous for its superb chanting, perfectly manicured courtyards and numerous fountains.
But the Nasrid building, considered the heart of the complex, is where members of the royal family actually lived and is therefore the most ornate.
If you want to visit the site without spending a cent, you can visit the Palace of Charles V for free, which houses the Alhambra Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts within the Alhambra complex.
Incredible architecture
THE the architecture in Granada is so exceptional that it should be considered an attraction in its own right.
Granada was the last city to be reconquered by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492, so many of the buildings have a distinctive Moorish influence.
In fact, you'll wonder if you're in Europe or North Africa at times!
Make sure to see Granada Cathedral, even if you only admire the exterior architectural details.
Next enter the Monastery of San Jerónimo, which was built in a Renaissance style and is as beautiful inside as it is outside.
It was the first Christian monastery built after the reconquest of the Catholic Monarchs and it exudes a spirit of celebration.
You will need a ticket to enter, which you can purchase in advance and each ticket is priced at 6 euros ($6.50)
Granada is not the most walkable city in Europe. But the good news is that you can get a ticket for a sightseeing bus tour for just 6 euros ($6.50), meaning you can hop on and off between all the city's top attractions.
It is one of the most affordable tour buses in Western Europe.
Granada nightlife
Finally, after all these visits, it's time to go to town. Because Granada has a very active (and affordable) nightlife. According to Omio, there is a huge 86 bars and nightclubs in town where you can buy a beer for a little over 2 dollars.
Plus, there's no need to shell out for an expensive meal before hitting the bars.
Granada has a long tradition of offering free tapas with every drink ordered, adding even more value to your evening!
In most bars, you will not have the choice of tapas offered to you: a small plate will simply be brought to your table with your drinks.
Other bars will have a board on a bar and you can choose from several options, which often change regularly.
Some of the best free tapas dishes to try in Granada include calamari (squid), gambas (shrimp), Iberian ham or croquettes.
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This article was originally published on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the publication.
