A Travel Price Comparison for Spain Granada vs. Almeria for Food, Old Town, Nightlife, and Hiking

Should you visit Granada or Almeria?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Granada or Almeria? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Granada

Granada is a charming, cultural, and historic city. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include food, hiking, and shopping.

Almeria

Almeria is a historic, natural, and breathtaking region. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and hiking.

Granada and Almeria: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Granada or Almeria?

You'll generally find more things to do in Granada than Almeria. Granada is bigger than Almeria, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Granada is better known for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Almeria is more popular for its food, resorts, and beaches. Granada is well known for its Islamic architecture, charming old town, and the stunningly impressive Alhambra. Also, Granada is famous for The Alhambra. Almeria is well known for its stunning beaches that feel pristine despite their popularity.

How is Granada different from Almeria?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Almeria and Granada. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Granada or Almeria?

Granada is a must-visit destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Almeria does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Granada on the map. Many visitors head to Granada specifically to visit the famed Alhambra. The palace and fortress complex will not disappoint. The gardens are beautifully maintained and the palace is filled with intricate details. It's easy to spend hours wandering around. In addition to The Alhambra, the Granada Cathedral is also impressive to visit. If you have kids or extra time to fill, head to Parque de las Ciencias, which is the city's Science Park.

Almeria does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Granada or Almeria? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Almeria is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Almeria is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The food is focused on local, fresh ingredients with many traditional recipes that have been passed down for centuries. Popular dishes change with the seasons because they rely so heavily on local produce. Particularly during the winter months you'll find hearty stews like patatas en ajopollo and gurullos con conejo, which is prepared with rabbit. Sardines are also popular year round.

Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Granada. It's a very touristy city so restaurants can be hit or miss. There are some amazing local eateries, but you'll also find a number of places with lower quality, overpriced food. Classic local dishes include Churros, Plato Alpujarreño, and Habas con Jamón. Tapas are very popular and many restaurants provide free tapas with drink orders. There are also a number of Moroccan restaurants around town.

Is Granada or Almeria Better for Nightlife?

Granada is a great destination for its evening party scene. Also, Almeria is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The people in Granada know how to have a good time. The nightlife scene kicks off around 11 pm, when most people have finished up a late dinner. There's a laid-back atmosphere with pubs, live music, and dance clubs that stay open late into the night. There are several popular streets at night including Calle Elvira, Calle Reyes Católicos, and the Realejo District.

If you're looking for night time activities Almeria has a few options to choose from. The city's nightlife vibe is about enjoying a cold beer on a terrace with friends. The city has a laid back Mediterranean atmosphere and plenty of terraced bars along the main streets, particularly in old town. With mild temperatures year around, you'll find yourself spending time outside most evenings while you enjoy tapas and drinks with friends. Flamenco and bullfighting are also popular in the evenings.

Is Granada or Almeria Better for Resorts?

Almeria is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, Granada is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Almeria is a great choice. Stretched along the coastline you'll find many high end resorts with pools and nice atmospheres. There are all inclusive resorts as well as family-friendly and romantic options to choose from.

Granada is not a resort destination.

Is Granada or Almeria Better for Beaches?

Almeria is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, Granada is not a beach destination.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Almeria. Outside of town you'll find kilometers of stunning coastline and beaches. There are pristine natural beaches that still feel undiscovered with beautiful long stretches of sand. One of the biggest resort areas is Roquetas de Mar.

Granada is not a beach destination.

Is Granada or Almeria Better for its Old Town?

Granada is a must-visit destination for its historic old town charm. Also, Almeria is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historic old town.

The rich history of Granada can be explored in its historical center. The Old Town spills out around the Granada Cathedral and is filled with charming pedestrian streets, lively plazas, and many great shops.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Almeria. The old town is at the cultural heart of the city. It has the most energy during the evenings, as well as many museums and sights worth visiting.

Is Granada or Almeria Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Granada and Almeria both have superb trails.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Granada. Ruta de Los Cahorros is a great hike about 25 minutes outside of Granada that begins in the town of Monochil. It crosses many bridges and weaves through dramatic canyons. There are places where you can wade in the water or check out a hidden waterfall. It's well worth the time and can be reached by taxi or public bus.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Almeria. The area has stunning hikes that run along the coastline or into the beautiful interior countryside. For some of the area's best hikes head into Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park.

Is the Shopping Better in Granada or Almeria?

Granada is a good destination for its shopping areas. However, Almeria is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors go to Granada to go shopping. The town is filled with souvenir shops and places to buy local items. It's fun to wander through the old town and pop into the many different shops.

Almeria is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Granada or Almeria Better for Families?

Almeria is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Almeria is a very family-friendly destination. The area has many beautiful beaches as well as waterparks, amusement parks, and fun activities like sailing and water sports. There's also a very impressive fort that the kids will enjoy exploring.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Granada. While the highlight of the city is the Alhambra, kids will likely enjoy exploring the shops or seeing a Flamenco show a bit more. Just outside of town is a wonderful hike, Ruta de Los Cahorros. It begins near the town of Monachil which is easily accessible by taxi or public bus. The hike goes through canyons and across bridges and its a wonderful activity for the whole family.

Is Granada or Almeria Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Granada and Almeria make for a superb place to visit.

Granada makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. It is a beautiful city that is filled with charm and history. Couples will enjoy exploring the Alhambra, taking in a Flamenco show, or sipping Sangria with tapas. The city is incredibly beautiful with stunning views and many great restaurants.

Couples visit Almeria frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Nature lovers and beach enthusiasts will find this to be the perfect romantic getaway. There are many outdoor activities and places to immerse yourself in nature. A highlight of a trip is a visit to Crystal Cave.

Is Granada or Almeria Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Granada and Almeria are both superb destinations for backpackers.

Granada is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's a touristy city and it's a popular destination for backpackers as well. There are plenty of hostels around town and the city has social atmosphere with many opportunities to meet other travelers.

Almeria is a great city to visit for backpackers. There's plenty of affordable accommodation to choose from as well as all kinds of activities that backpackers will enjoy. If you like nature and enjoy spending time outside, then this is your place.

Is Granada or Almeria Better for Students?

Granada is a great destination for students. However, Almeria is not popular with students.

Many students visit Granada. It's a popular study abroad destination. Accommodation for students is usually affordable and this is also a great city for integrating into the local culture. You may even end up with a Spanish roommate.

Almeria is not popular with students.

Is Granada or Almeria Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find notable public transit in both Granada and Almeria.

Granada has some public transit options. There is a comprehensive bus system around town that many tourists take advantage of. Taxis are also very affordable, so for many visitors, that is an easy option.

You'll find some public transit in Almeria, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are a number of bus lines that run through Almeria city and to Cabo de Gata.

Is Granada or Almeria a more walkable city?

Granada is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Almeria is a region with minimal options for its walkability.

Granada is a very walkable destination. Most of the touristy areas are easy to explore on foot, but there are some steep hills so put on your walking shoes.

Almeria is generally not a very walkable city. While there are many beautiful walks in the area, if you want to truly explore, you'll likely want to have access to a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Granada Worth Visiting? and Is Almeria Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Almeria or Granada?

How long in Granada or Almeria?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Granada and Almeria. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Granada than in Almeria. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Granada, and 1-3 days is enough time in Almeria.

Families should spend more time in Almeria than Granada. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Almeria, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Granada than Almeria. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Granada that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Granada than Almeria if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Granada.

One day in Granada or Almeria?

In Granada, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Almeria, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This region offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Granada or Almeria?

In Granada, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Granada has to offer.

In Almeria, you'll find food and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Almeria has to offer.

Five days in Granada or Almeria?

Granada is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Almeria is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Granada or Almeria?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Granada. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Granada. One reason most visitors come is for the museums. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Almeria. Many people enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting Almeria. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Barcelona, The Best 2-Week Tours from Madrid, The Best 2-Week Tours from Barcelona, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Spain.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Granada and Almeria, we can see that Granada is more expensive. And not only is Almeria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Almeria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Almeria and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Granada would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Granada than you might in Almeria.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Granada Expensive? and Is Almeria Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Granada or Almeria?

Granada has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of Almeria. When comparing the sizes of Granada and Almeria, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Granada or Almeria?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Granada or Almeria in the Summer?

Both Almeria and Granada during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Granada for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Almeria because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Granada is generally around the same temperature as Almeria. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 25°C (77°F), and Almeria fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

In Almeria, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Granada. In the summer, Granada often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Almeria. Granada gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Almeria receives 343 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets more rain in July than Almeria. Granada gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Almeria receives 1 mm (0 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Almeria in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Almeria. The autumn months attract visitors to Granada because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Almeria this time of year.

Granada is around the same temperature as Almeria in the autumn. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Almeria fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Almeria this time of the year. In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. Granada usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Almeria during autumn. Granada gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Almeria receives 220 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Granada usually receives more rain than Almeria. Granada gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Almeria receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Granada or Almeria in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Granada as well as Almeria. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Granada this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Almeria for the cuisine.

In the winter, Granada is around the same temperature as Almeria. Typically, the winter temperatures in Granada in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Almeria averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the winter, Granada often gets less sunshine than Almeria. Granada gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Almeria receives 186 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets more rain in January than Almeria. Granada gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Almeria receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Granada or Almeria in the Spring?

Both Almeria and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Granada for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Almeria in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Granada is generally around the same temperature as Almeria. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 16°C (60°F), and Almeria fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Almeria. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Almeria during spring. Granada gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Almeria receives 235 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Granada usually receives more rain than Almeria. Granada gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Almeria receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Almeria and Granada