In his classic recording, Frank Sinatra sang "Granada, Im falling under your spell," and its easy to imagine even a jaded and sophisticated entertainer like Ol Blue Eyes being mesmerized by the beauty of Spains legendary Moorish city.

Located at the foot of the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains, Granada embodies the history and grandeur of Spain, and is arguably that countrys most popular tourist attraction. As the last stronghold of Spains Moorish occupiers in the 15th century, the city has great symbolic value, serving as a reliquary for five centuries of Islamic culture on the Iberian Peninsula.

The premier attraction that continues to enthrall visitors is the Alhambra. The complex, widely regarded as among the worlds most beautiful buildings, is an architectural and historical treasure.

The Alhambras Royal Nasrid Palaces, occupying the northern part of the commanding hill on which the complex is situated, give the visitor the best example of the royal lifestyle during the Moorish era. The palaces consist of three structures around two exquisite quadrangles, the Courtyard of the Lions and the Courtyard of the Myrtles.

The structures include the Mexuar, which was occupied by the administration of the Moorish kingdom. Its highlights include the Horseshoe Arch; the Oratory and the Golden Room; the Camares Palace, official residence of the sultan, and the Harem, consisting of the Alhambras private apartments, where you can visit the ominously named Tower of the Captive Lady.

Outside the Alhambra, the lovely Generalife Gardens have flowering terraces, fountains, pools and waterfalls, an oasis of calm even with the thousands of tourists passing through each day. For the more energetic, a climb to the top of the Alcazaba Fortress provides a magnificent panorama from its watchtower, dating from the 13th century.

The Palace of Carlos V, while not one of the Moorish structures, is splendid in a different way. Built in the lavish Renaissance style, it boasts an unusual circular courtyard and houses Granadas AlhambraMuseum and Fine Arts Museum.

Below the hill where the Alhambra is situated are a number of additional sites worth visiting, including Granadas imposing cathedral; the Royal Chapel, containing the tombs of Spains most famous monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella; the Church and Hospital of San Juan de Dios, one of the most important baroque structures in the city, and the Albaicin, the ancient quarter that housed the Moorish textile markets.

Excursions from the city can include the Sierra Nevada National Park, the picturesque villages of the Alpujarra region and the coastal Andalusian town of Motril.

Tourist accommodations are plentiful in Granada, befitting its popularity on itineraries in Spain. Many of its hotels are in historic buildings, including the Alhambra Palace Hotel and the Parador de San Francisco.

For more information, call the Spanish National Tourist Office in New York at (212) 265-8822, or go to www.spain.info.