An Andalusian city below the Sierra Nevada, whose Alhambra palace and old Moorish Albaicín quarter are UNESCO-listed; famous for free tapas with every drink.
The Generalife gardens bloom and the weather suits walking; Holy Week processions take place too. source
Autumn (September–November)
The heat eases, good for the Albaicín hills and tapas bars. source
Weather: March–May and September–November are best for walking; July–August middays are very hot, and December–March brings skiing in the nearby Sierra Nevada. source
Times to avoid: Alhambra tickets are capped daily and sell out weeks ahead in high season; book on the official site. source
Weather varies from year to year; check the forecast before you go.
Don't miss in Granada
Alhambra and Generalife Granada’s icon, with the intricate Nasrid Palaces and gardens; the Nasrid Palaces have a timed entry slot. source
Albaicín and the Mirador de San Nicolás Climb the old Moorish lanes to the viewpoint facing the Alhambra and Sierra Nevada, most popular at sunset. source
Royal Chapel of Granada Resting place of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, right beside the cathedral. source
Parque de las Ciencias A large hands-on science museum with a planetarium and the BioDomo tropical zoo. source
Where to stay in Granada
Centro (Cathedral / Plaza Nueva)
Close to the cathedral and tapas streets, on the Alhambra minibus route.
Albaicín
The hillside quarter of whitewashed lanes with Alhambra views, but steep.
What to eat in Granada
Habas con Jamón — Broad beans sautéed with Trevélez ham
Tortilla del Sacromonte — Omelette with offal and ham from the Sacromonte cave quarter
Piononos — Small cream-topped sponge rolls from nearby Santa Fe
Granada tips and things to watch out for
Granada travel tips
In most Granada bars a free tapa comes with each drink; locals hop between bars rather than staying in one. source
Airport to city: ALSA airport buses timed to flight arrivals reach the centre (Gran Vía and others) in about 45 minutes. source
Good to know in Spain
Meal times in Spain tend to be later than in many countries, but opening hours vary by restaurant; check before visiting. source
For Granada’s Alhambra, select your visit date and entry time on its official ticket site. source
Watch out for in Spain
Pickpockets are rife on Las Ramblas and the Barcelona metro, and around Madrid’s Puerta del Sol. source
Phones left on terrace tables can vanish in seconds. source
General advice for the whole country. Check official government travel advice for entry rules and safety before you go.
Restaurant prices for Granada are still being collected. The estimate also uses some official meal and transit prices checked in other cities in Spain.
Granada attraction & theme park tickets
Official sellers’ prices for one adult admission. Select attractions in the calculator to add them to your budget.
Alhambra general daytime ticket (Adult): €21.00 ~ €22.27
Parque de las Ciencias (Adult): €10.00 · child €8.00