Granada: Budget Travel Guide, Granada, Nicaragua (B)

The oldest colonial settlement in Nicaragua, this city was founded by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba in 1524, swiftly followed by Leon Viejo in the same year. The city boasts a rich colonial heritage as evidenced by the exquisite architecture still present to this day. Its network of streets and plazas follows the archetypal block layout as seen over and over again, replicated in every colonial city. One of the most iconic buildings in the city is La Catedral de Granada, a neoclassical masterpiece featuring a mustard yellow façade and white column design. This yellow-hued building immediately brings to mind other Moorish buildings in southern Spain. Granada was named after the city in Spain to celebrate the defeat of the last bastion of Islamic forces in southern Spain, completing the ‘reconquista.’ 

Granada perches on the shorefront of Lake Nicaragua, the largest lake in Central America. Gazing out from the shores, it’s easy to mistake this humongous lake for the sea.

We were surprised to find out that there’s a thriving expat community in Granada. Personally, it would be too hot for me to live comfortably.  ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).