Granada and Cocibolca lake

THE "GRAN SULTANA" OF NICARAGUA

Countries
Nicaragua

Zones
Central

Themes
Culture

Gallery
Video

Gallery

Video

Founded by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba in 1524, the city of Granada, also known as the Gran Sultana, is one of the main tourist attractions in the country, and currently one of the most visited destinations by foreign tourists. The colonial and neoclassical architecture of its old center, its museums, galleries, hotels, restaurants, bars and cosmopolitan atmosphere make it a destination in itself, but it is also a starting point to visit other attractions in the region.

The traditional dish of the city, served in the kiosks at the Central Park, and in the Municipal Market, is undoubtedly the Vigorón or Chicharrón con Yuca, seasoned with a pickled cabbage salad and spicy onions and mimbro, and accompanied with a refreshing chicha de maíz or cacao.

The Mombacho Volcano National Park is located south of Granada and the Islets of Granada. The beauty of its landscapes and the richness of its flora and fauna make this place a unique tourist destination.

The Great Lake of Nicaragua (or Lake Cocibolca) is a fresh water lake, with an extension of 8,264 km², which makes it the largest lake in Central America. It has more than 400 islets, three islands and two volcanoes. The lake has been baptized with different names: the indigenous tribes called it Cocibolca; the Spanish conquerors called it La Mar Dulce; and, the locals called it Lake Granada. Currently there are four main ports on its coasts: Granada, San Carlos, San Jorge and San Miguelito. The San Pablo fortress, was built between 1670 and 1685 for the need to deal with pirate attacks in that city, common in the mid-seventeenth century, and is located in “”El Castillo,”” a small island in the lake. Because of the islets natural attraction and history, they have become an important destination for local and foreign tourists, offering a variety of activities, hotels, and restaurants to please the most demanding vacationer.