Granada

🏛️ Why Visit Granada, Spain?

Granada sits at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains and is one of the most magical places in all of Spain. The last Moorish stronghold in Europe, here you can top up your tan while walking through streets that whisper tales of sultans and kings, all while the legendary Alhambra watches over you like something straight out of Shrek.

And here's the brilliant bit - Granada is one of the few places in Spain where the glorious tradition of free tapas is still alive and kicking! That's right, every single drink you order comes with a proper plate of food. Talk about value for money! Plus, it's perfectly positioned for exploring Andalusia, with the Costa del Sol beaches just 90 minutes away and the stunning Alpujarras mountains right on your doorstep.

Top reasons to visit Granada:

• 🏰 The legendary Alhambra - One of Europe's most spectacular palaces and quite possibly the most beautiful palace you'll ever visit

• 🍽️ Incredible free tapas scene - The last bastion of proper Spanish tapas culture where every drink comes with a brilliant plate of food

• 🕍 Fascinating mix of cultures - Moorish, Christian and Jewish heritage all beautifully preserved in one incredible city

• 🏔️ Unbeatable location - Sierra Nevada mountains for skiing, Costa del Sol beaches nearby, and Seville just 3 hours away

• ⚡ Game of Thrones fame - Instantly recognisable filming locations from the hit series (it doubled for King's Landing!)

🎭 Top Things to Do in Granada

Granada perfectly balances jaw-dropping history with proper Spanish culture, offering experiences that'll leave you absolutely speechless. From wandering through ancient Moorish palaces to getting lost in winding medieval streets, this place is pure magic.

Historic Wonders

🏰 The Alhambra and Generalife – This UNESCO World Heritage site is absolutely mind-blowing. The Nasrid Palaces showcase intricate Islamic art that'll make your jaw drop, while the Generalife gardens are pure poetry in stone and water. Book well ahead (seriously, we mean it!) as this beauty gets proper busy.

🕍 The Albaicín – This ancient Moorish quarter is a maze of narrow cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, and secret squares that feel like stepping back in time. The views of the Alhambra from Mirador de San Nicolás are absolutely epic - perfect for that Instagram shot!

⛪ Granada Cathedral and Royal Chapel – Home to the tombs of the Catholic Monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand (yes, the ones who funded Columbus!). The cathedral's massive Renaissance facade is proper impressive, and the royal chapel is dripping with history.

Cultural Treasures

🎪 Sacromonte and Flamenco – This hillside neighbourhood of cave houses is where flamenco was born. Watch an authentic zambra performance in one of the caves - it's absolutely electrifying and nothing like the touristy shows elsewhere.

🛍️ Alcaicería Market – This recreation of the old Moorish silk market is brilliant for picking up gorgeous Moroccan goods, spices, and proper Granada souvenirs. It's a feast for the senses!

🌿 Arab Baths (Hammam Al Ándalus) – Fancy a proper pamper? These beautiful baths are based on ancient Moorish traditions. After a day exploring, there's nothing better than a relaxing soak.

Foodie Adventures

🍻 Epic Tapas Crawl – This is where Granada absolutely shines! Head to Calle Navas for the classic experience, or venture into Realejo for more generous portions. Every drink = free food. It's basically a foodie's paradise!

🥘 Traditional Granadan Cuisine – Try local specialities like tortilla del Sacromonte (made with lamb's brains - trust us!), habas con jamón (broad beans with ham), and pionono cakes for dessert.

🍷 Local Wine and Vermouth – Granada's having a proper vermouth renaissance. Pair it with those brilliant free tapas for the perfect afternoon.

Day Trip Options

🏖️ Costa del Sol – Just 90 minutes to gorgeous Mediterranean beaches and charming coastal towns like Nerja and Marbella

🏔️ Sierra Nevada – Europe's southernmost ski resort in winter, or brilliant hiking and mountain villages in summer

🏛️ Córdoba and Seville – Easy day trips to these other Andalusian gems, each with their own stunning cathedral and historic quarter

🏨 Where to Stay on your Granada Holidays

Granada offers cracking accommodation options from boutique hotels in the historic centre to modern retreats with all the bells and whistles. We've picked a couple of our favourites below, but if you don’t see what you’re after just use the search bar at the top.

🏨 Eurostars Gran Vía - This gorgeous 5-star beauty, housed in a stunning 19th-century building sits bang in the historic centre, just 100 metres from the cathedral! The rooftop terrace offers absolutely breathtaking views over the Alhambra, cathedral, and Sierra Nevada - it's proper spectacular! Plus you've got a full spa with Turkish bath and massage treatments for some serious relaxation after exploring.

🏨 Room Mate Leo - This stylish 4-star design hotel sits on a pedestrian street in Granada's main shopping area, just steps from the cathedral. The modern rooms are decorated in gorgeous pinks and grays, and many have private terraces. But here's the best bit - the rooftop terrace has a heated swimming pool that's open year-round with absolutely cracking views of the Alhambra! Perfect for a romantic sunset dip.

🏨 Catalonia Granada - This modern 4-star gem opened in 2018 and is ideally located next to the train station, just a 10-minute walk from the cathedral. The rooftop terrace has an outdoor pool and the bar offers incredible views over the Sierra Nevada. Plus there's a proper spa with a swimming pool, Turkish bath, and massage rooms - everything you need for a brilliant stay!

🏨 NH Collection Granada Victoria - Located in a beautiful 19th-century building right in the heart of the historic centre, this swanky 4-star hotel is just 3 minutes from the cathedral. The 70 modern rooms are decorated in warm, earthy colours and nearly all have private terraces - some with views of the Sierra Nevada and Sacromonte. You're perfectly positioned for exploring on foot, and the hotel restaurant serves cracking Mediterranean cuisine.

🏨 Abades Nevada Palace - This excellent value contemporary 4-star hotel might be a bit outside the centre (just 5 minutes by metro), but what it lacks in location it makes up for in facilities! The striking oval-shaped building houses spacious rooms with views of either the Sierra Nevada or the Alhambra. There's an outdoor swimming pool, gym, spa facilities, and it's right next to Los Cármenes football stadium. 

Whether you choose to stay in the heart of Granada's medieval magic or opt for modern comfort with mountain views, this incredible Andalusian city offers the perfect blend of history, culture, and that legendary Spanish warmth that'll make your holiday absolutely unforgettable!

🗓 When to Visit Granada

April, May, June (Perfect spring season) - This is absolutely brilliant timing for Granada! Temperatures hit lovely 18-28°C, perfect for exploring the Alhambra without melting. Spring flowers are in full bloom at the Generalife gardens - they're absolutely stunning this time of year. The city hosts major cultural events like Granada's International Festival of Music and Dance. You get gorgeous weather for sightseeing, tapas crawls, and day trips without the extreme summer heat. Book Alhambra tickets well ahead though - spring's popular! Ideal balance of weather and atmosphere.

September, October (Peak season excellence) - Surprisingly, this is actually Granada's busiest time and there's good reason! Temperatures drop to comfortable 20-28°C after the scorching summer, perfect for wandering cobbled streets and exploring monuments. The Generalife gardens are still lovely, and you get warm days with cooler evenings - brilliant for those legendary tapas crawls! September-October sees the highest tourist numbers, so book Alhambra tickets months ahead. Hotels pricier than spring but the weather's absolutely spot-on. Great time for combining Granada with Costa del Sol beaches (90 minutes away).

July, August (Hot summer months) - Here's the thing about Granada in summer - it gets properly hot! We're talking 35-40°C (95-104°F) regularly. The city's at 738m altitude but surrounded by mountains, so heat gets trapped. Locals escape to the coast, meaning the city's actually quieter and hotels cheaper. If you can handle the heat, you'll have shorter queues at the Alhambra and better restaurant availability. Visit monuments early morning or late afternoon, spend midday in air-conditioned museums or Arab baths. Not ideal for everyone, but bargain hunters who love the heat will be delighted.

March, November (Shoulder months with character) - Transitional months with mixed weather. March brings spring blooms and temperatures around 15-20°C, though occasional rain possible. November's cooler (12-18°C) as autumn fades. Fewer tourists mean you can actually enjoy the Alhambra and Albaicín without crowds. Hotels offer brilliant rates. March has Holy Week celebrations - absolutely spectacular processions if you time it right. November's quieter but still pleasant for sightseeing. Good for budget-conscious travellers who don't mind cooler weather or occasional showers.

December, January, February (Winter with skiing bonus) - Granada gets proper cold in winter! Temperatures drop to 2-12°C, sometimes below freezing at night due to proximity to Sierra Nevada mountains. However, this opens brilliant opportunities - you can ski Europe's southernmost ski resort in the morning and explore the Alhambra in the afternoon! The city looks magical with snow-capped mountains backdrop. Christmas markets, festive lights, and Three Kings parade (January 5th) add special atmosphere. Lowest hotel prices all year. Perfect for ski enthusiasts or those wanting Granada without crowds, but pack warm layers!