Definitive travel guide to visit Granada Spain

Have you ever been to Granada, Spain? It is a beautiful city in the south of Spain that is rich in history and culture. There are a number of things you can do in Granada. Like visiting the Alhambra, once an Islamic palace and fortress built during Moorish rule. You can also check out some of the other sites like Plaza Nueva or Calle Elvira. There are also plenty of bars, restaurants, shops and cafes to explore! We’re excited to share our travel guide to visiting this beautiful city, so let’s dive in!

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About Granada Spain

Granada is a city and municipality in southern Spain and the capital of the province of Granada, in the autonomous community of Andalusia.

Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains and sits at the confluence of four different rivers, the Darro, the Beiro, the Monachil and the Genil river.

Granada is located at an elevation of 750 meters above sea level and is only an hour’s drive from the Mediterranean coast.

There are many fun things to do in Granada. To name a few of the many activities available, you can visit the Alhambra, go to a flamenco show, take a hike to the mountains, visit the Palacio del Biero, and more!

The best things to do in Granada, Spain

Visit the Alhambra Palace

The Alhambra is a monumental set of fortresses. It is one of the main and iconic tourist attractions in Spain and a World Heritage Site.

To visit the Alhambra, you can buy a ticket in several ways, including online or in person at your ticket office. There are several different ticket options available, but we recommend buying the Alhambra General Ticket which you can buy in advance online for €14. Click here for more information from his website!

Go to a Flamenco Show

Heading north from Plaza Nueva will bring you to Calle Elvira, an old street lined with shops and bars that leads to the Albaicín neighborhood. This section of Granada is known for its rich Moorish heritage, flamenco dancers, and cafes.

This area became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 because it has a lot of history in a small neighborhood. If you stop here, you can easily spend the whole day people-watching, enjoying local cuisine at one of the many restaurants and cafes, or even watching a flamenco show!

Excursions to the Mountain

If you fancy stunning views and an adventurous hike, head to Las Huertas de Granada. You will need a car to access this quaint town about 20 minutes outside of the city limits. There is a 16th century church and a historic center with small shops and restaurants. This is the perfect place to walk around and enjoy the local cuisine.

grenada cathedral

This cathedral was built between the 13th and 15th centuries and was magnificently decorated with delicate stone carvings, arches and pillars. It also has a beautiful high altar and several chapels and is the fourth largest cathedral in the world. For more information about visiting the Cathedral of Granada, click here!

Visit Albaicin

This Moorish neighborhood was built on the hillside overlooking the city. This area became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 because it has a lot of history in a small neighborhood. It is best known for its views of the Alhambra Palace, the Church of San Nicolás, the picturesque street of Carrera Del Darro, restaurants like La Porrona, and much more.

Generalife Gardens and Nasrid Palaces

The Generalife was the summer palace and estate of the Nasrid rulers and was built in the 14th century.

The Generalife is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features designs from both the Nasrid and modern periods. The palace has beautiful grandiose gardens, palace courtyards, water features and more.

How to get to Granada, Spain

by car

Driving to Granada from any direction is easy because the city is located next to several major highways. Driving times vary depending on where you’re coming from, but it takes about five hours by car from Madrid and about 11 hours from Barcelona.

By plane

If you are traveling to Granada, Spain by plane, the closest airports are Granada Airport and Malaga Airport. Granada Airport is only 12 km from the city center and does not receive as many international flights as Malaga Airport. Malaga airport is an international airport that is about a 90 minute drive from Granada. From both airports, you can travel to your accommodation in Granada by bus or taxi.

by train

Granada has a train station located on Avenida de Andaluces, in the heart of the city. There are multiple trains that connect Granada with Madrid and Barcelona every day. For more information on how to travel to Granada by train, click here!

By bus

The Granada bus station is very close to the city center and is well connected with both national and international service providers. This makes it easy for tourists to travel around Europe without having to worry about the logistics of booking. From Barcelona, Madrid and Seville, you can book bus tickets that will take you directly to the Granada bus station.

Best time of year to visit Granada, Spain

The best time of the year to visit Granada is during the spring, when the trees and flowers are in bloom and make the city absolutely beautiful. You can also visit in the summer when there are festivals, although the weather can be hot, with temperatures in the 80s and 90s Fahrenheit. If you prefer to avoid the crowds, then fall or winter would be a much better option, as it is the low season for tourism.

Where to stay

Hotel Hospes Palacio de Los Patos

The Hotel Hospes Palacio de Los Patos is located in the District Center neighborhood in the center of the city of Granada. It is within walking distance of several restaurants and tourist attractions. The hotel is pet-friendly, has a spa, laundry, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi and much more.

Hotel Palacio de Santa Ines

The Palacio de Santa Inés hotel is located in the Albaicín neighborhood of Granada, located in what is known as the historic quarter. This hotel is close to local attractions such as the Alhambra, the Mirador de San Nicolás, the Generalife and the Casa de Castril. The hotel has free coffee and tea available in public areas of the hotel, free Wi-Fi, dry cleaning and laundry available, and soundproof rooms.

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Hotel Shine Albayzin

The Shine Albayzin hotel is located in the Albaicín neighborhood which is located on a river and is connected to a shopping center as well as within walking distance of some places of interest. The hotel is smoke-free and has a cafeteria in the common area, as well as laundry facilities, free Wi-Fi, soundproof rooms, and multilingual staff.

Hotel Eurostars Cathedral

The Eurostars Catedral hotel has soundproofed rooms, free Wi-Fi, parking available, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. It’s about an 18-minute drive from Granada Airport, a 16-minute walk from Granada Station, and is within easy walking distance of several restaurants and local sights like the Granada Cathedral and the Royal Chapel of Granada.