About Granada
Granada is the capital city of the province of Granada, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence of four rivers, the Darro, the Genil, the Monachil and the Beiro. Ascribed to the Vega de Granada comarca, the city sits at an average elevation of 738 m (2,421 ft) above sea level 50 km from the Mediterranean coast, the Costa Tropical. With a population of 233,532 as of 2024, it is the 20th-largest city in Spain and is an important wine growing region. It was the last Muslim stronghold in Islamic Spain.
Places to visit in Granada
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Alhambra
HistoricA spectacular Moorish palace and fortress complex with intricate carvings, courtyards and gardens. Book tickets well in advance, and note your time slot for the Nasrid Palaces.
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Generalife
ParkA summer palace with terraced gardens, fountains and water channels next to the Alhambra. It is included in the general Alhambra ticket, so allow time to explore it.
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Albaicín
NeighborhoodAn old Moorish quarter of narrow lanes and whitewashed houses facing the Alhambra. Visit the Mirador de San Nicolás at sunset for the classic Alhambra view.
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Granada Cathedral
ReligiousA grand Renaissance cathedral built on the site of the city's main mosque. Use the audio guide to learn about the building's long and complex history.
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Royal Chapel
HistoricA Gothic chapel where Ferdinand and Isabella, the Catholic Monarchs, are buried. It is next to the cathedral, so it is easy to visit both together.
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Sacromonte
NeighborhoodA hillside neighborhood of cave houses known for flamenco performances. Book a flamenco show in one of the cave venues for an intimate experience, and take a taxi back late at night.
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Charterhouse of Granada
ReligiousA monastery with an extravagant Baroque sacristy covered in marble and gold. It is quieter than the city center sights, so it makes a peaceful visit.
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Sierra Nevada
Nature · 19 mi from centreA mountain range with the highest peaks in mainland Spain, offering skiing in winter and hiking in summer. Bring warm clothing, as temperatures drop quickly at altitude.
Things to do in Granada by type
50 tours, tickets and experiences across 6 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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City tours 27 experiences Albaicín and Sacromonte Walking Tour with Flamenco Show -
Art & culture 20 experiences Alhambra and Generalife with optional visit to Nasrid Palaces - Half-Day Tour -
Gastronomy & nightlife 5 experiences Alhambra Guided Tour with Flamenco Show -
Shows, sports and special events 3 experiences Alhambra Guided Tour with Flamenco Show -
Day Trips & Excursions 3 experiences Alpujarras Granadinas -
Travel Services 2 experiences European eSim Data Card
- 1-3 hours 8
- Flexible 2
- 3-6 hours 2
- Couples 4
- Senior 4
- Youth 3
- Families 3
- Small group 8
- Private 7
- Wheelchair accessible 1
- Skip the line 1
Top experiences in Granada
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 50 available.
Alhambra, Generalife and Nasrid Palace Tour - with Transfers
From $72 per adult
Alhambra in Full: Nasrid Palaces, Generalife and Palace of Charles V
From $59 per adult
Alhambra with the Generalife Palaces and the Nasrid Palaces Tour
From $57 per adult
Flamenco show
From $20 per adult
Special Discount Offer: Alhambra with Audioguide - Ticket
From $41 per adult
Discover Alhambra, Generalife and Palacios Nazaríes - Premium Guided Small-Group Tour
From $80 per adult
Alhambra and the Generalife Palaces with option to Nasrid Palaces - Tour
From $42 per adult
Alhambra and Generalife with optional visit to Nasrid Palaces - Half-Day Tour
From $53 per adult
Generalife of the Alhambra with Charles V Palace and Alcazaba
From $36 per adult
Albaicin and Sacromonte
From $18 per adult
Alhambra, Albaicin and Nasrid Palaces - Small Group Tour
From $93 per adult
Alhambra Guided Tour with Flamenco Show
From $106 per adult
Where to stay in Granada
Popular hotels in Granada, out of 339 properties you can book.
Porcel Navas
From $63 per night
NH Collection Granada Victoria
From $171 per night
Vincci Albayzin
From $122 per night
Porcel Sabica
From $57 per night
Casual Ilbira
From $70 per night
Porcel Alixares
From $59 per night
Eurostars Puerta Real
From $172 per night
Áurea Catedral by Eurostars Hotel Company
From $123 per night
Gran Hotel Luna de Granada
From $61 per night
Reina Cristina
From $100 per night
Melia Granada
From $116 per night
Hotel Palacio de los Navas
From $91 per night
Best time to visit Granada
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Granada is May, when average daytime highs are around 77°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Granada weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 68° 47° 0%
- Thu 22 Oct 71° 46° 0%
- Fri 23 Oct 68° 51° 3%
- Sat 24 Oct 68° 46° 0%
- Sun 25 Oct 70° 42° 3%
- Mon 26 Oct 77° 46° 3%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)1 US dollar ≈ €0.89
- Language
- Spanish
- Calling code
- +34
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Europe/MadridUTC+2
- Capital
- Madrid
Upcoming public holidays in Spain
- All Saints DayDía de todos los Santos
- Constitution DayDía de la Constitución
- Immaculate ConceptionInmaculada Concepción
- Christmas DayNavidad
- New Year's DayAño Nuevo
- EpiphanyDía de Reyes / Epifanía del Señor
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Granada
These are the airports closest to central Granada. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- GRX Federico García Lorca Granada Airport10 mi (16 km) from the city centre
Getting around Granada
Most places of interest are with walking distance of central Granada. Plaza Isabel La Catolica is just a block west of Plaza Nueva and marks the intersection of Gran Via de Colon (the main drag heading north) and Calle Reyes Catolicos (the main drag heading southwest to Puerta Real, where it splits into Calle Recogidas and Acera Del Darro, heading west and south respectively). The cathedral and royal chapel are just to the northwest of this square.
On foot
Walking in Granada is definitely the best way to experience the city (especially the older parts), but it can also be confusing at times. Streets are frequently short, winding, narrow, and some put you in very close proximity to auto traffic, to say nothing of the multitudes of scooters that dart down narrow alleyways and around cars and buses. Larger streets have sidewalks separating pedestrian traffic from vehicles, while alleyways have short iron posts along the side to make a small informal sidewalk.
By public transport
With the rechargable green travel card you can use all means of public transport (metro, regional trains, city and regional buses) for a lower price. The card can be bought in tobacco shops for €1.50 and must be charged with at least €5 (Nov 2024). There are other travel cards issued by the metro or the city bus operator, but you can only use certain means of public transport with those cards.
By bus
The local buses cover nearly all sights of interest and run quite frequently. Most city buses travel through the heart of town along Gran Vía (stopping in front of the cathedral). The small red and white minibuses with "Alhambra Bus" printed on the side are the best way to explore Granada, the Albaicín and to get to the Alhambra: route C30 connects the city center to the Alhambra, with the C31 traveling up to Albayzin and the C34 to the Sacromonte.
Granada travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Granada?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Granada is May, when average daytime highs are around 77°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.
What is the weather like in Granada?
July is usually the warmest month in Granada, with average highs of 96°F (36°C). December is the coolest, with average lows of 40°F (4°C). The wettest month is typically March, with about 215 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Granada?
Federico García Lorca Granada Airport (GRX) is the closest airport, about 10 miles (16 km) from the centre of Granada.
What currency is used in Granada?
Granada uses the Euro (EUR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ €0.89.
What time zone is Granada in?
Granada uses the Europe/Madrid time zone (currently UTC+2). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Granada?
Most places of interest are with walking distance of central Granada.
What are the best places to visit in Granada?
Top sights in Granada include Alhambra, Generalife, Albaicín and Granada Cathedral. A spectacular Moorish palace and fortress complex with intricate carvings, courtyards and gardens. Book tickets well in advance, and note your time slot for the Nasrid Palaces.
What are the top things to do in Granada?
Popular experiences you can book in Granada include Alhambra, Generalife and Nasrid Palace Tour - with Transfers, Alhambra in Full: Nasrid Palaces, Generalife and Palace of Charles V and Alhambra with the Generalife Palaces and the Nasrid Palaces Tour. Destina Holidays offers 50 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Granada?
The most popular types of experiences in Granada are city tours (27), art & culture (20), gastronomy & nightlife (5) and shows, sports and special events (3). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Granada?
Popular areas for hotels in Granada include Granada. Well-reviewed options include Porcel Navas and NH Collection Granada Victoria.
How many hotels can I book in Granada?
Destina Holidays currently lists 339 properties in and around Granada, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
