Cheer on the local soccer or basketball players at their stadium, attend an event or concert, or just have some tapas with the locals in this trendy southern suburb of Granada.

Although archeological remains of 1st century Roman villas have been found here, Zaidin is a bustling, modern residential part of Granada where you can get a taste of modern-day Spain. Attend a fun community event, try the local bars or just walk through Zaidin to see the sights.

The name Zaidin is of Arabic origin and roughly translates to “land between rivers,” referring to the two small rivers that still run north and south of the district today.

Admire the sharp-edged modern architecture of the Palacio de Congresos de Granada, a conference centre from the early 1990s. Take in the views from the plaza that sits between this big building with 28 auditoriums and the Genil River.

Enjoy the passion and excitement of both the soccer players and the fans when a game is on at the Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes. Soccer is Spain’s national sport and this stadium is home to the city’s very own team, Granada CF. When exploring the stadium grounds, don’t miss the striking 23-feet (7-metre) tall statue erected as a monument to fans of the game. Next door you will find the Palacio Municipal de Deportes, a smaller indoor stadium that is used for basketball games and doubles as a concert hall.

Zaidin has many nice cafés and restaurants where you can sample mouthwatering tapas for lunch. Walk off those extra calories in Parque Carlos Cano, a popular park with a playground for the kids, colourful gardens and a couple of cafés.

Time your visit to catch the fun and excitement of the annualFestival Rock Zaidin, a free music event with shows performed by both Spanish and international artists.

The suburb of Zaidin also has the wonderful Parque de las Ciencias (Science Park) located near its western edge. This vast science museum focuses on interactive displays and provides plenty of entertainment for all ages.

Whatever you decide to do in Zaidin, enjoy the opportunity to mingle with the locals and see them enjoy their daily lives outside of the more touristy city centre of Granada.