Is Granada Worth Visiting? 14 Top Reasons to Visit
Is Granada worth visiting? Yes, it is!
This beautiful Andalusian city is home to emblematic UNESCO World Heritage sites, picturesque streets and delicious traditional dishes.
Whether you’re a history buff, an art lover or a foodie, Granada is a fantastic destination for you.
It’s one of those places you fall in love with. Having visited Granada over the years since I was a kid, I must admit that it still amazes me.
In this blog, I’m going to tell you 14 reasons why I think Granada is worth visiting, as well as tips to make the most of your trip.
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14 Incredible reasons why Granada is worth visiting
1. It’s the best Andalusian destination for tapas
Whilst you can eat amazing tapas at low prices across Andalusia, Granada remains my favourite spot to have tapas.
Why? Tapa bars in Granada serve generous portions. When you order a soft drink, beer or wine, they bring you a tapa too.
Some bars will serve you any tapa they have on that day, but others have a daily tapas menu from which you can choose.
The best place to go on a tapas tour is near the Cathedral of Granada. There are plenty of good tapas bars around the area, and they are affordable, too.
If you aren’t sure about where and what to eat in Granada, you can book a food tour with a local guide. This way, you won’t miss out on any traditional dishes!
However, if you don’t like food tours, I especially like tapas at Los Manueles Reyes Católicos (see photo above) and La Gran Taberna.
If you’re wondering what to eat in Granada, here are my suggestions:
- Remojón Granadino (a salad made with cod, oranges, onions, olives and olive oil)
- Habas con jamón (broad beans with Serrano ham)
- Berenjenas fritas con miel de caña (fried aubergine with sugar cane honey)
- Piononos (spongy cakes soaked in syrup). You can try the best piononos in Ysla Bakery!
2. The emblematic Alhambra palace
The Alhambra is the most impressive Moorish building in Spain. This UNESCO World Heritage Site must be on your Spain bucket list.
Visiting the Alhambra is an experience – its Nasrid detailed arches and walls, beautiful tiles, marble statues and fountains, and its orange-scented gardens are some of the reasons why you shouldn’t leave Granada without going to the Alhambra.
If you are passionate about history, you can spend half a day exploring this complex. Each corner has a history behind it, so you can learn all about the Moorish period in Andalusia.
Another good reason to visit the Alhambra is its scenic views. You get a perspective of the city that you can’t get anywhere else.
Due to Alhambra’s popularity, booking your tickets in advance is a must, as they sell out quickly.
The best way to discover Alhambra is by taking an audio guide so you can explore the different areas at your own pace while learning interesting facts and stories.
However, if you aren’t into audio guides, you can also book a guided tour.
Book your visit to the Alhambra
3. Its beautiful sunsets
Granada has many viewpoints, many of which are in the heart of the city, making them easy to access.
The first viewpoint that comes to mind is Mirador de San Nicolás, the most popular one. This viewpoint is a favourite among locals and tourists. Although it’s beautiful and worth visiting, it is the busiest.
I love the live flamenco and the views there, but I don’t like the crowds. I was a bit annoyed by people pushing me to get the best view the last time I went.
However, seeing the panoramic views of the city centre of Granada and the Alhambra at sunset is still magical.
Visiting a viewpoint with your other half is by far one of the most romantic things to do in Granada. But if you prefer to go to a quieter viewpoint, I recommend visiting Mirador de Los Carvajales.
4. Its Moorish tea rooms
Did you know that Granada has very good tea rooms?
The Moors invaded Granada in 711, and the city has been influenced since then. Not only can you see it in the architecture of the buildings, but in the food too.
Tea rooms are so popular that there’s even a street that locals refer to as “Calle de las Teterías” (the street of the tea rooms). Walking on Calle de la Calderería Nueva makes you feel like you are somewhere in Morocco.
Whether you’re spending a day or two in Granada, head to a tea room to enjoy delicious mint tea and Arab biscuits and pastries.
5. The ski resort of Sierra Nevada
Granada in winter is a good idea for anyone who loves snow.
At only 30 minutes drive from the city, you’ll find Sierra Nevada mountains and ski resort, considered one of the best ski resorts in Spain.
Spend the day at Sierra Nevada skiing, snowboarding or enjoying the snow with children.
In addition to all the winter sports activities, you can relax by staying in a cabin or visiting a spa.
If you plan to stay in Sierra Nevada for a few days, El Lodge is the best accommodation for the ultimate experience in Sierra Nevada.
The rooms are cosy and beautifully decorated with wooden details, but one of the best parts of staying at the Lodge is swimming in its heated outdoor pool with fantastic mountain views.
Book your accommodation in Sierra Nevada
Check out availability and book your stay at El Lodge here
6. Its passionate flamenco culture
The birthplace of flamenco is Seville, the capital of Andalusia; however, that doesn’t mean you can’t experience a good flamenco show or immerse yourself in the flamenco culture elsewhere.
Granada is just an example of a good place to learn more about flamenco.
When it comes to flamenco, there’s one place that stands out, and that is the Sacromonte neighbourhood.
Sacromonte is a whitewashed area where you’ll find Cuevas de Sacromonte (Sacromonte Caves). These are caves where people used to live, and you can see how they lived by visiting them. They’re very well maintained, and you can see old objects – from pots and pans in the kitchen to pictures in the bedrooms.
It is also here where you can enjoy a traditional flamenco live show.
7. Its beautiful Arab baths
Granada is also a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a relaxing weekend away.
There are beautiful Arab baths in the heart of the city. Hammam Al Ándalus Granada is one of the best baths.
Here, you can switch between cold and hot pools, drink a traditional mint tea, have a massage or treatment, or relax and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere.
8. Its interactive science museum
Granada has one of the best science museums in Andalucia, and many travellers miss out on this. Parque de las Ciencias is an excellent museum for many reasons – it has many interesting exhibitions, animal species, and mummies, among other things.
However, my favourite thing about this museum is its interactive nature, making it a fantastic place for children and adults.
There’s no better way to learn about science than by interacting with things.
9. Its picturesque streets
The city is home to many beautiful streets that look like they have come straight out of a picture: cobblestone streets, beautiful old buildings, and narrow streets that lead you to lovely squares.
The most picturesque neighbourhood in Granada is Albaicín. Walking there is a fantastic experience. It’s beautiful all year round, but I love it there in autumn.
If you love photography, you won’t be able to put your camera away!
10. Its amazing day trips
Why should you choose Granada as your base in Andalucia?
Well, it’s well-connected with other incredible destinations. Whether you rent a car or not, you can still explore its surroundings and neighbouring cities.
By staying in Granada, you can go on day trips to the Alpujarra region (known for its whitewashed towns like Pampaneira and Soportujar) or popular Andalusian cities like Malaga, Seville and Cordoba.
11. It’s an affordable city
Another good reason to visit Granada over other Andalusian cities is the fact that it’s cheaper. Apart from paying for its well-known attractions, such as Alhambra and Generalife Gardens, you won’t spend much money during your visit.
You can eat for little money in Granada, and when it comes to accommodation, you can choose between an affordable hotel, not only hostels, or a four or 5-star boutique hotel.
12. Its vibrant nightlife
If you visit Granada any time from October to June, you’ll see lots of student parties going on, and this is because the University of Granada is one of the best universities in the south of Spain.
The city centre streets get busy and full of locals and students ready to have a fun evening with friends.
You can still experience Granada nightlife in the summer, but it’s slightly different as many students return to their hometowns, so the nightlife scene is more tranquil.
13. Its stunning beaches
When travellers think about Granada, the first thing that comes to mind is Alhambra or maybe tapas; however, many don’t know that Granada is very close to coastal towns.
You won’t need to leave the province of Granada to visit beautiful beaches. Almuñecar is the most popular place in Costa Tropical (Granada’s coast). Here, you’ll find Playa San Cristóbal, the perfect beach for everyone, as it’s accessible and has good facilities and tranquil beaches like Playa Calabajío.
Not far from Granada, you can also visit the beautiful beaches of Malaga. One of the best beaches in Malaga, and close to Granada, is Maro Beach, known for its crystal clear waters and caves.
14. It’s easy to explore
One of my last reasons why you should visit Granada is how central the attractions are. You don’t need a car to explore Granada city at all; it wouldn’t be a good idea.
Walking around Granada is an experience; you get to see emblematic historic buildings, come across picturesque cobblestone streets, find unique shops and amazing tapas bars and tea rooms, and have a feeling of what life is like in Granada.
In addition to this, the city is well-connected by affordable public transport too.
Tips for visiting Granada
- Spend at least two days in Granada. It’s possible to go on a day trip from Malaga to Granada or Seville to Granada and see a few main attractions like the Alhambra; however, if you want to experience all the things Granada has to offer fully, you need at least two to three days.
- Don’t visit Granada in the summer. If possible, plan your trip to Granada outside the summer months. The main reason is the extreme heat. The average high temperature is 34 degrees but can easily reach 40 degrees. With these high temperatures, it isn’t easy to sightsee.
- Save money on food by having menú del día. It’s possible only to eat tapas, but you’ll need about 4 to be satisfied. You can find a meal of the day from 10 euros, including a starter, a main course and a dessert. Some of them also include bread and a drink too!
- Book attractions in advance. Alhambra tickets sell out quickly, and you don’t want to leave Granada without visiting this impressive palace.
Where to stay in Granada
Whether you’re travelling on a budget or want to treat yourself to a 5-star hotel, you have plenty of accommodations in Granada.
If this is going to be your first time in Granada, I highly recommend staying near the city centre, unless you plan to stay long in the city.
Here are my hotel recommendations:
➢ Best accommodation for a luxury stay: Hospes Palacio de los Patos (5 stars)
➢ Best accommodation for a mid-range stay: Hotel Casa 1800 Granada (3 stars) This is where I’ve stayed! You can read more about my experience here.
➢ Best accommodation for travellers on a budget: Casa de Federico Boutique (2 stars)
Frequently asked questions about Granada Spain
Where is Granada?
Granada is located in the south of Spain, in the region of Andalucia.
Is Granada worth visiting without Alhambra?
Yes, there’s much more to Granada than Alhambra. Although I wouldn’t miss visiting Alhambra, it’s worth visiting Granada for its cathedral, picturesque streets and neighbourhoods, and delicious tapas.
Is Granada safe for tourists?
Yes, Granada is a safe city for tourists. The only thing to watch out for is pickpocketing in the busiest areas. However, pickpocketing in Granada isn’t as bad as in bigger cities like Barcelona.
Conclusion: is Granada worth visiting?
Yes, Granada is definitely worth visiting. It’s rich in culture in many different ways. Not only will you discover emblematic UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but you’ll have the best tapas in the south of Spain and learn the history behind Granada.
Are you wondering if there are any cons to visiting Granada? Yes, there are! Some cons are the heat during the summer months, how busy it gets (especially in top locations like Alhambra), and the cobblestone streets, which aren’t easy for everyone to walk on. For example, it might not be the best for families who need to push a stroller.
If you don’t have much time in Andalucia, it might be difficult to choose between Granada and Seville. Still, I can guarantee that you won’t be disappointed by the beauty and history of Granada. Plus, it’ll be more affordable too!
Safe adventures!
Cristina xx
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Top things to do before visiting Granada, Spain
- Compare and book cheap flights to Granada with Skyscanner.
- Are you looking for the best accommodation in Granada? Book accommodation with Booking.com
- Visiting Granada for a day? Check out this one-day Granada itinerary.
- Book amazing activities and tours in Granada with Get Your Guide.
- Eat like a local by trying these traditional Andalusian dishes.
- Rent a car to travel with ease around Andalucia.
- Get travel insurance for your trip; this is a must for any trip!
