This Spanish city is awash with culture and history, while the more active pursuits of hiking and skiing are close at hand and the sands of the stunning Mediterranean coastline are only an hour away. So why choose, when you can have beaches, skiing and city skylines – all in the same week.

Granada sits at the foot of the beautiful Sierra Nevada mountain range in the south-west of Spain. It has a hip and youthful vibe, which sits comfortably among the ancient relics of its Moorish past. The Alhambra crowns the city, and every visit should include a tour of this impressive palace. Indeed, many visitors to Granada simply pop in for a day trip to see this monument to royal riches, which started life as a fortress in the ninth century. They are missing out, though, as there’s much more to Granada than the Alhambra.

The city has a wonderful selection of charming hotels where the welcome is as warm as the Spanish sun. And once installed, you can check out the art of flamenco in a cosy bar or in the Sacromonte Caves, where you can (literally) feel the heat coming off the dancers; nibble at tasty tapas as you cool off in a back-street eatery; drop into tiny shops in the Albaycin – the Arab and Moorish quarter of the city; and sit in Plaza Nueva for a while to watch the people pass by.

When you’ve had your fill of the delights in the city itself, you can also take a trip to the Costa Tropical, which is within easy reach. While it doesn't draw the crowds of the nearby Costa del Sol, this stretch of coastline plays host to a good number of holiday resorts including Salobreña, La Herradura and Almuñecar.

To get your break in Granada under way, compare prices using our search tool here on TravelSupermarket.

Sitting a few hundred metres above sea level and surrounded by mountains, Granada experiences cooler temperatures than you will find on the coast. In summer, you can expect days to be hot, with average temperatures in the high 20Cs in July and August.

Autumn, winter and spring, however, see higher rainfall, while temperatures in December, January and February can drop into single figures during the day. Despite the wealth of attractions, the city is understandably less popular as a tourist destination during the winter months, but this paves the way for cheap Granada holidays if you’re willing to forgo the sizzle of Spanish summer.

Carnival (Carnaval); February: This is one of the biggest parties of the year in Granada. The ever-popular carnival celebrations in Spain mark the start of Lent and the whole family can watch colourful parades before joining the fun of the evening fair.

International Granada Tango Festival; March: Many choose to simply kick back and watch the professionals work their tango magic on the floor, but the brave take lessons and have a go at this passionate and fiery dance.

Hocus Pocus Festival; November: Children will love the rabbit-out-of-the-hat trick and plenty of other classics – plus a few new magical acts – all of which can be seen at this popular festival.

Romance: The Alhambra takes on a rosy hue each evening as the sun goes down. Take your loved one by the hand and find a special spot to watch the colours change.

Relax: Seek shade from the sun in the cool, fragrant air of the Generalife gardens at the Alhambra, and breathe in the citrus scents from the trees.

Active: Keen hikers will want to scale the Mulhacén, the highest peak on the mainland, while skiers make a beeline for Solynieve when winter comes.