Granada is one of the most touristic cities in Spain thanks to the good number of attractions it offers to visitors. If your plans include visiting Granada, we have created this basic guide to Granada to make your stay in the city as pleasant as possible.
What to see in Granada
Visiting Granada is a unique and enriching experience due to its rich history, vibrant culture and beautiful landscapes. Here are some tips to make the most of your visit to this charming city:
- Book in advance: If you plan to visit popular attractions like the Alhambra, be sure to book your tickets in advance, especially during peak season.
- Explore the historic center: Granada’s old town is a maze of narrow streets full of charm, where you can discover picturesque squares, local shops, tapas bars and fascinating architecture. Don’t miss emblematic places such as the Granada Cathedral, the Royal Chapel and the Albaicín neighborhood.
- Visit the Alhambra and Generalife: Spend at least half a day exploring the Alhambra, Granada’s most famous palace and fortress, as well as the lush Generalife gardens. Book your tickets in advance and consider joining a guided tour to gain a deeper understanding of this impressive site.
- Enjoy the local cuisine: Granada is known for its delicious food, especially its free tapas served with every drink. Explore the tapas bars in the city center and try traditional dishes such as gazpacho, Spanish tortilla and croquettes.
- Attend a flamenco show: Flamenco is an integral part of Andalusian culture, and Granada is a great place to experience this passionate art. Look for flamenco tablaos in Sacromonte and enjoy a night full of music, dance and emotion.
- Go up to enjoy the best views of the Alhambra: Head to the San Nicolás viewpoint in the Albaicín to enjoy a stunning view of the Alhambra and the Sierra Nevada in the background. This is one of the best places to watch the sunset in Granada, so be sure to bring your camera.
- Explore the Sacromonte neighborhood: Known for its historic caves and gypsy community, Sacromonte is a fascinating place to explore. Visit the Cuevas del Sacromonte Museum to learn about the history and culture of this unique neighborhood.
- Tour the Alhambra Gardens: In addition to the palaces, the Alhambra has beautiful gardens that are worth exploring. Take your time to stroll through the Generalife gardens and enjoy the natural beauty and tranquility of the surroundings.
- Experience the nightlife: Granada is known for its lively nightlife, especially among the student community due to the presence of the University of Granada. Explore the bars and clubs of the city center and join the party until late into the night.
- Respect local rules and the environment: As you explore Granada, remember to be respectful of the locals, follow local rules and take care of the city’s natural and architectural environment.
Where to sleep in Granada
In Granada there is a wide range of accommodation for travelers where you can stay during a stay in the city. From prestigious hotels to tourist apartments in central areas, you just have to choose what type of accommodation you prefer based on your budget.
Where to eat in Granada
Granada gastronomy is a mix of typically Mediterranean cuisine with a certain Arab heritage that everyone loves. In the city there are excellent restaurants where you can taste some of the typical dishes of Granada cuisine. Los Manueles restaurant, El Trillo restaurant or Aljibe 1944 restaurant are some of the best-known in the capital of Granada.
How to get to Granada
Granada is a city that is not very well connected with the rest of Andalusia and Spain, however you can find a multitude of ways to get to the city. If your goal is to arrive by car, the best option is to take the A44 highway, while if you prefer to get to Granada by bus you will find a multitude of schedules and options with departures from the main cities of the country.
You can also get to Granada by AVE train, which, for example, connects Granada with Madrid in just 3 hours and 20 minutes. Or if you prefer to arrive by plane, you can also use the Granada-Jaén airport (GRX), which has flights and connections with the most important airports in Spain (Madrid, Barcelona or Tenerife) and some European airports such as London, Paris or Milan.
Granada Tourist Offices
As in any other large city, Granada has several tourist offices. It is a good opportunity to visit them and find out about what to see and visit in Granada, such as getting around Granada and its surroundings, obtaining city maps or tourist brochures of the emblematic places.
At the Municipal Tourism Office you can obtain all the information you need to enjoy a tourist experience in the city, and take advantage of its proximity to the monumental center so as not to miss anything important.
Located in the central Plaza del Carmen, the hours of the municipal tourist information office are starting Monday, May 16:
Monday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.,
Sundays and holidays it is from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
In July and August the hours are Monday to Sunday and holidays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
In addition, it has a visitor service telephone number which is + 34 958 248 280
Another centrally located Granada Tourist Office is the Patronato, very close to the Granada Cathedral, on Cárcel Baja street.
Monday to Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Sundays and Holidays: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Granada Tourist Office (Junta de Andalucía).
This office is the closest if you are in Plaza Nueva and you are going to visit the Albaicín, or go up to the San Nicolas viewpoint, walk along the beautiful Darro race, visit Bañuelo or have tapas on the Paseo de los Tristes.
Address: Calle Santa Ana, 4.
Tel: +34 958 575 202.
Schedule:
Monday to Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays: 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Alhambra information point.
If you go directly to the Alhambra and then to the city of Granada, you can also take the opportunity to obtain information for both visits.
Address: Calle Real de la Alhambra, 3. Next to the Palace of Carlos V.
Schedule:
Monday to Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Lunes a Viernes: 9:00 a 19:30.
Sábados, Domingos y Festivos: 9:30 a 15:00.
Punto de información de la Alhambra.
Si vas directamente La Alhambra y después a la ciudad de Granada también podrás aprovechar para obtener información para ambas visitas .
Dirección: Calle Real de la Alhambra, 3. Junto al Palacio de Carlos V.
Horario:
Lunes a Domingo: 9:00 a 20:00.