Granada

Founded by the Spanish in 1523, Granada has a number of antiquated ornate churches and old Spanish-style buildings that date back to the colonial period. It is sometimes called 'The Great Sultana' in recognition of its beautiful colonial architectural heritage. Even though it was badly damaged during the mid-1850s whilst being captured by the American William Walker, it is still a popular city and is one of the country's main destinations for international travelers.
Situated less than 30 km from the country's international airport, Granada is an excellent starting point for visiting some of the Nicaragua's main attractions. These attractions include viewing some of the active volcanoes in the area, enjoying a visit to a cloud forest ecosystem – something somewhat unique to the area – or enjoying some of the many beaches lapped by the Pacific Ocean. You can also take in the natural beauty of Lake Cocibolca or spend time amongst nature enjoying natural wonders such as the annual sea turtle egg-laying. Granada is at the center of it all!

When you're not out and about enjoying the wonders of nature, you can spend time discovering the city. Like most colonial cities in this part of the world, the whole metropolis is built around a main square known as Parque Central. This is really Granada's social, cultural and economic hub. It is in and around Parque Central that you will find Granada's cathedral, city hall, cultural centers, banks and hundreds of small shops and stalls which are dedicated to the sale of traditional food and hand crafted goods – the perfect place to get some mementoes of your trip. To the west of the main square, you will find the central market – great for fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, cheese and meat.
You may also make your way down 'La Calzada' Avenue, which is flanked by large colonial houses known as "casonas" and interesting churches. It ends on the lakeshore of Nicaragua Lake where you will find a beautiful boulevard for pleasant evening strolls. You will also find the 'Centro Turistico' here, where you can enjoy restaurants, beaches and discos. Most of the attractions can be reached on foot and are most enjoyable.

Leon

Situated in western Nicaragua, Leon is the second most important city after Managua. Blessed with graceful old architecture and a fascinating history, Leon has played a pivotal role in the country's history many times over. Modern day Leon may not be as important as it once was, but it serves as home to the National University which has proved to be a constant injection of life to the city.
The original city of Leon was established by Spanish conqueror Francisco Hernández de Córdoba in 1523 at the foot of the Momotombo volcano. Unfortunately the volcano exploded in 1610 causing the city to become damaged beyond repair and subsequently abandoned. A new city was established in Leon's current location with the official name of Santiago de los Caballeros de Leon – though the long form of this name is seldom used today. The ruins of old Leon – Leon Viejo – still lie at the foot of Momotombo and make for a fascinating tour.

Leon was the capital of Nicaragua for more than 200 years. It saw much friction in that time and some of the bullet-holes and cracks caused by the warfare can still be seen. Most of the wars were between the Liberals and the Conservatives. When the issue of the country's capital came up, the Liberals wanted Leon to remain the capital while the Conservatives pushed for Granada to become the new center of government. Managua was chosen as a compromise and thus Leon lost its long-standing position as the center of the country's government.
Most visitors to Leon come to see the town's interesting architecture. One of the most popular attractions is the 18th century cathedral that is the largest in Central America. Also of interest are the La Merced and the Xalteva churches, the Old Spanish Ammunition Fortress, the San Francisco Convent and the beautifully carved Casa de los Leones. However there are many more interesting old buildings to see. The hotels here provide a fairly good level of accommodation and the town is well worth a short visit. Leon is also known for being the capital of the Leon Department and for its manufacture of furniture, shoes and leather goods.