Jazz festivals as the cold weather closes in and gypsy celebrations to ring in the New Year make Granada the perfect destination for a winter siesta.

Home to the Alhambra Palace, Spain's red-brick nod back to its Moorish past, Granada is one of Spain's most enchanting cities. Utterly Spanish but with all the charisma and buzz of a packed-out Moroccan souk, Granada combines the sweet scent of mint tea with warm Spanish hospitality and the flourish of flamenco.

The palace is Spain's most-visited monument and is one of the most famous examples of Moorish architecture. It is also one of the oldest known Muslim buildings in the world.

The construction of the Alhambra tells the story of Spain in all its swashbuckling glory and the looming palace never fails to impress the city's visitors.

Building on the palace began after the 'reconquista', the reconquering of Spain by the Christian kings in (the) 13th century.

As Spain's rulers came to power and were defeated, each added their own palace to the Alhambra. Constructed from slender columnar arcades, embellished water basins and fountains, it is one of Spain's great monuments.

Outside the burnished red walls and jasmine-scented lanes of the Alhambra, there is a buzzing city waiting for keen travellers to explore.

Just outside the Alhambra is the city's oldest, best-preserved Arabic bath-house where travellers can rest their bones in tranquil waters ensconced in mosaic-tiled baths.

Granada has a colourful gypsy history and down the road from the Hammam Banos Arabes is the Sacromonte district where (the) city's poor inhabitants began to fashion humble dwellings out of the mountainside in the 15th century.

One of the highlights of a trip to the district is the skillful flameco (flamenco) dancing of the gypsies who still live in the area.

Also nearby is the city's cathedral, the Royal Chapel. Built after the defeat of the Moors at the end of the 15th century, it is a monument to the powerful Christian rule which took up the reins of power.

Once these surrounding historical monuments have been explored and admired, head into the heart of the city for the usual Spanish fare brought to life with an Arabian flavour.

Food has got to be one of the highlights of a trip to Granada and makes the tourist-typical, mediocre Spanish nightclubs and bars pale into insignificance.

Granadan food is a fusion of Spanish and Moorish and sits well alongside the local tapas. Specialities include crema de almandres (creamy almond soup), kebabs and bastela (light puff pastry with meat, almonds and pine nuts).

There is also a glut of Moorish restaurants in the centre and a plethora of fantastic tapas bars around the Plaza Campo del Principe.

Grananda has lots of good bars and clubs, but some of the best entertainment in the city involves flamenco.

From cheesy tourist tablaos to more serious flamenco clubs and colourful gypsy shows, it takes on all forms. One thing a night of flamenco never promises to be, however, is dull.

Short of taking the boat across the sea from Algeciras to Tangiers, you cannot get much closer to Spain's spicy Moorish roots than Granada. A fusion of rich Arabian decadence and fiery Spanish spirit, Granada is one city that refuses to be overlooked.