Centro
First-timersAround the cathedral.
Granada city guide
Granada Travel Guide
The Alhambra above the city, the Moorish lanes of the Albaicín, free tapas with every drink and the Sierra Nevada an hour away.
33
Hostels in the city
9.1
Average, from 28,946 reviews
1492
Granada falls
Free
Tapas with every drink
1 h
To the Sierra Nevada
The last Moorish kingdom
Granada was the last Muslim kingdom in Spain, and it fell to Ferdinand and Isabella in 1492. The Nasrid rulers left behind the Alhambra, a palace-fortress on a hill above the city with some of the finest Islamic architecture in the world.
Across the valley, the Albaicín, the old Moorish quarter of whitewashed houses and narrow lanes, looks back at it. Above that, the Sacromonte has cave houses where flamenco was born.
Granada is also a student city, and one of the last places in Spain where a free tapa comes with every drink. The Sierra Nevada, with skiing, is an hour away. Two or three days is right.
Where to stay
Stay in the centre, the Albaicín or near the Alhambra.
Albaicín
AtmosphereThe Moorish quarter.
Realejo
TapasThe old Jewish quarter.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 12 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
How long have you got?
The routes we would take, in the order we would take them.
Things to do
Things to do in Granada
Book the Alhambra weeks ahead: tickets sell out, especially in spring and summer, and the Nasrid Palaces have a timed entry. The Generalife gardens and the Alcazaba fortress are included.
Walk up through the Albaicín to the Mirador de San Nicolás for the view of the Alhambra at sunset, with the Sierra Nevada behind.
See flamenco in a cave in the Sacromonte. The Royal Chapel holds the tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella, next to the cathedral.
In winter, the Sierra Nevada, the southernmost ski resort in Europe, is an hour by bus.
Free things
Free things to do in Granada
The Albaicín, the Mirador de San Nicolás and the Sacromonte are free.
The tapas are free with every drink.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Granada
Granada is one of the last places in Spain where every drink comes with a free tapa, and a few drinks make a meal. The bars around Calle Navas and the Realejo are the place.
Teterías, Moorish tea houses in the Albaicín, serve mint tea and pastries.
A menú del día is €11 to €14.
Nightlife
Going out in Granada
Granada's students keep the bars busy. The Realejo, the centre and Pedro Antonio de Alarcón street are the districts.
A beer with a free tapa is €2.50 to €3.50.
Getting around
Getting around Granada
The centre is walkable, but the Albaicín is steep; small buses climb it.
AVE trains reach Madrid in about three and a half hours. Buses reach Seville and Málaga.
Buses run from the airport to the centre.
Costs
What Granada costs
Granada is cheap. Dorms start around €16. A careful day is €35 to €50.
The free tapas make eating out cheap.
The euro is the currency. Cards work almost everywhere, though small bars still like cash.
Safety
Staying safe in Granada
Granada is safe. Watch for pickpockets around the Mirador de San Nicolás, and decline rosemary sprigs from women offering them near the cathedral; they ask for money.
Emergency number is 112, with English-speaking operators usually available.
Day trips from Granada
Mountains and white villages.
Las Alpujarras
White villages on the mountain slopes.
Guadix
A town of cave houses.
Málaga
The coast.
What's on
What is on while you are there
The music and dance festival brings concerts to the Alhambra.
6 Jul – 1 Jan
Malú
Malú embarks on her Quince Tour, a new journey across Spain extending through 2027. This tour follows the release of her most personal and…
20 Sep – 7 Mar
Candlelight: A Tribute to Hans Zimmer
Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer invites you to enjoy a live musical experience in the elegant setting of Palacio de Santa Paula in…
26–27 November
Prisionia
Prisionia is a theatrical production presented in Granada. The event is scheduled to take place at Recinto ferial Almanjáyar. It is organized by LA…
28 November
Andrés Suárez
Andrés Suárez is a key figure in Spanish singer-songwriter music, with a career spanning over two decades. His journey has taken him from singing…
18 Sep – 13 Dec
Autumn Season
The Autumn Season Pass 2026 at Teatro Isabel la Católica offers access to seven different performances throughout the fall. You'll find a variety of…
14–15 November
Endless Passion
La pasión infinita tells the story of José Antonio, whose lifelong dream is to be an actor despite lacking any talent. The play explores…
21 November
Chiquita Movida
Chiquita Movida presents their debut album 'Alta Vaina' at Sala El Tren in Granada. The event features a live concert with energetic and emotional…
26 November
Aiko El Grupo
AIKO EL GRUPO brings direct, concise, and lively songs from one of Madrid's most distinctive and spirited bands. Their sharp and irreverent lyrics, combined…
Hostels
Where to stay in Granada
The top-rated places to stay in Granada right now, live from Hostelworld.
Solana de Granada - Outdoor and Climbing Hostel
Dorms from €19 a night
See dates and book
Amaka House Granada
Dorms from €21 a night
See dates and book
HOST53
Dorms from €15 a night
See dates and book
Oripandó Hostel
Dorms from €18 a night
See dates and book
El Granado Hostel
Dorms from €15 a night
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Hostel Nut
Dorms from €15 a night
See dates and book
Black Swan Hostel Granada
Dorms from €14 a night
See dates and book
Old Town Hostel Granada
Dorms from €12 a night
See dates and book
Fundalucia
Dorms from €22 a night
See dates and book
Oh! My Hostel
Dorms from €12 a night
See dates and book
The Central House Granada Elvira
Dorms from €17 a night
See dates and book
Broz Hostel
Dorms from €21 a night
See dates and book
When to go
March to June and September to November. Skiing from December to April.
Jan
Skiing
Feb
Skiing
Mar
Spring
Apr
Holy Week
May
Excellent
Jun
Festival
Jul
Very hot
Aug
Very hot
Sep
Good
Oct
Excellent
Nov
Good
Dec
Skiing starts
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs. Winters are cold, summers hot.
What your trip will cost
Pick how you travel. Per person per night, in euros.
Excludes the Alhambra ticket.
—
- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Granada travel questions
The ones we get asked most.
How far ahead should I book the Alhambra?
Weeks ahead, especially in spring and summer.
Are tapas really free in Granada?
Yes, one comes with each drink in most bars.
Where is the best view of the Alhambra?
From the Mirador de San Nicolás in the Albaicín.
Can I ski near Granada?
Yes, in the Sierra Nevada, an hour away.
How do I get to Granada?
By AVE from Madrid, or by bus from Seville and Málaga.
How many days do you need?
Two or three.
When is the best time to visit?
March to June and September to November.
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