Granada

Built in in 1524, Nicaragua’s Granada was the first European city to be built in the New World. Named after conquistador Francisco Cordoba’s hometown in Spain, Granada is famous for its Moorish and Andalusian architectural influences.
Connected to the ocean by Nicaragua Lake, Granada quickly became a trading hub known for its trade in timber, silver and gold. This in turn attracted invading pirates from as far afield as England and France, and the crazed American filibuster William Walker, who burnt much of the city to the ground when he failed to capture Granada in the mid-1800s. 
With a population of around 117,000, "La Gran Sultana" is a popular destination for travelers who come to stroll the colonial streets lined with pastel-colored houses, and to visit the lively local market and peek inside the grand old courtyards-turned-boutique hotel gardens. The city is also a great base for those looking to make daytrips out to Nicaragua’s famous volcanoes and lakes. A boat tour on Granada’s Lago de Nicaragua is a particularly popular trip.

Practical Info

Granada sits 50 km southeast of the Nicaraguan capital of Managua. To get here from Managua's airport, take one of the regular shuttle buses for around US$15, or take a taxi direct from the airport for around US$35.