A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Granada vs. Inverness for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Couples

Should you visit Granada or Inverness?

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

Should I visit Granada or Inverness? 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 historic, beautiful, and charming city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Inverness

Inverness is a traditional, local, and historic city. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Granada and Inverness: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Scenic old town
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
  • Good for students
  • Impressive beauty
  • Home to the Alhambra
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Active nightlife
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Home to Loch Ness
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Granada or Inverness?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Granada. Although Granada and Inverness are popular destinations, Granada has more sights and attractions for tourists. Granada is very popular for its museums, nightlife, historical sights, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Inverness attracts visitors for its food, shopping, and small town charm. Granada is famous for its Islamic architecture, charming old town, and the stunningly impressive Alhambra. It is also well known for The Alhambra. Inverness is famous for its surrounding countryside, but also its regional heritage, local festivals and proximity to the famous Loch Ness.

How is Granada different from Inverness?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Inverness 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 Inverness?

Granada
Inverness

Granada is terrific for its sights and museums. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Granada are among the most recognizable in the world. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Inverness can be an interesting and educational experience. As a city rich in culture and heritage, you'll find a number of sights and museums in town. Check out the Highland House of Fraser, Culloden Moor, and Clava Cairns.


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

Granada
Inverness

Inverness is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Inverness. The city makes a great spot to fill your belly after a few days exploring the Scottish Highlands. You'll find local restaurants that serve up regional specialties, and when the weather's nice, there are some spots with outdoor seating.

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 Inverness Better for Nightlife?

Granada
Inverness

Granada is a well-known place for nightlife and partying. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Granada offers plenty to do in the evening. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Inverness. Nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind with this town, but there are actually lots of distilleries in the area and there's a surprising number of high quality bars and pubs that make for a fun evening.

Is Granada or Inverness Better for its Old Town?

Granada
Inverness

Granada is terrific for its old town. However, Inverness does not have a historic old town.

Granada has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. The Old Town spills out around the Granada Cathedral and is filled with charming pedestrian streets, lively plazas, and many great shops.

Inverness does not have a historic old town.


Is Granada or Inverness Better for Hiking?

Granada
Inverness

Granada is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Inverness is not a hiking destination.

Granada is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Inverness is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Granada or Inverness?

Granada
Inverness

Inverness is an excellent place to visit for shopping. Also, Granada is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Inverness. The town is at the cultural heart of the Scottish Highlands you'll find plenty of local shops where you can pick up local products. Make sure you check out the Inverness Victorian Market.

Granada offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Is Granada or Inverness Better for Families?

Granada
Inverness

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Granada or Inverness.

Granada is a family-friendly city. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Inverness. The city has some parks and activities that are great for kids. Make sure you explore Inverness Castle and the Inverness Mystery Treasure Trail.


Is Granada or Inverness Better for Couples?

Granada
Inverness

Granada is a well-known place for its romantic activities. Also, Inverness is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Granada is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Inverness is a good city for couples to visit. Located in the Scottish Highlands, there ae many scenic spots and nice activities that couples can enjoy in the area.

Is Granada or Inverness Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Granada
Inverness

Granada is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Inverness is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Granada is a great city to visit for backpackers. 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.

Inverness is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There a some hostels and student hotels, but this isn't one of the major backpacker spots in the UK.

Is Granada or Inverness Better for Students?

Granada
Inverness

Granada is a well-known place for students. However, Inverness is not popular with students.

Granada is very popular with students. 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.

Inverness is not popular with students.


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

Granada
Inverness

Granada is very good for its public transit. However, Inverness is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Granada has a few 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Inverness. There are local buses that pass through the town.

Is Granada or Inverness a more walkable city?

Granada
Inverness

Granada and Inverness are great when it comes to walkability.

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

Inverness is a very walkable city. It's compact enough that you can explore much of the town on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Inverness or Granada?

How long in Granada or Inverness?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Granada than Inverness. 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 Inverness 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.


  • How many days in Granada or Inverness? Ideal Length of Stay
    Granada 2-4 
    Inverness 1-3

One day in Granada or Inverness?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Granada. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Inverness, you'll find nightlife and food. This city 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 Inverness?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historic destination of Granada. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

In Inverness, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Inverness has to offer.

Five days in Granada or Inverness?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historic city of Granada. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the museums. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Inverness is a great place to explore. 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 Inverness?

Granada is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Inverness. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Inverness. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh.


Which place is cheaper, Inverness or Granada?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Granada is €123, while the average daily cost in Inverness is €196. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Granada and Inverness in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Granada 59
    Inverness 107
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Granada 118
    Inverness 214
Compare Hotels in Granada and Inverness

Looking for a hotel in Granada or Inverness? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Granada


Hotels in Inverness


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Granada Hotel Prices and Inverness Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Granada 22
    Inverness 38
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Granada

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Granada are as follows:


  • 7 Trip Bus Pass
    5.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Granada

Also for Granada, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Granada Airport(GRX) to Granada City Center: $31
  • Private Transfer from Granada City Center to Granada Airport(GRX): $31
  • Granada Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $45
  • One-Way Private Transfer From/To Granada Airport: $50
  • Granada Private Transfer from the city centre to Granada Airport: $55
  • Private Transfer from Granada Airport to Granada by Luxury van: $76
  • Via Ferrata Moclín with Transfers: $80
  • Private Transfer IN or OUT in Upscale Vehicle with Professional Driver: $132
  • Granada airport private arrival transfer, Mercedes Sedan: $142
  • From Granada; Private transfer to Sierra Nevada (all hotels): $171
  • Granada Private Intercity Transfer to Malaga: $175
  • Private Transfer from Molvízar to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $188

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Inverness

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Inverness:

  • Inverness to Isle of Skye Direct transfer: $623
  • Inverness to Glasgow Direct transfer: $781
  • Inverness to Fort William Direct transfer: $374
  • Inverness to Edinburgh Direct transfer: $781
  • Inverness Private Transfer to Aviemore: $229
  • Inverness Airport to Glenshee Ski Resort - Round-Trip Transfer: $131
  • Inverness Airport (INV) to Lecht Ski Resort - Arrival Transfer: $33
  • Inverness Airport (INV) to Glenshee Ski Resort - Arrival Transfer: $66
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Inverness INV to Inverness City by luxury vehicle: $105
  • Transfers / Tour from , inverness, Edinburgh ,Glasgow ,Aberdeen : $184

Is it cheaper to fly into Granada or Inverness?

Prices for flights to both Inverness and Granada change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Granada 37
    Inverness 57
Typical Food Prices in Granada

For Granada, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Sangria
    2.50
  • Sandwich to go
    3.00
  • Bocadillo & Drink
    6.25

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Granada

For Granada, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Sacromonte Caves Flamenco Show with Dinner: $62
  • Dinner and Show flamenco in the Albayzin Granada: $62
  • Walking Food Tour: $75
  • 2-Day Geopark Desert, Ancient Culture and Food Tour: $169

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Granada 28
    Inverness 52

Tours and Activities in Granada

For Granada, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $3.21
  • Sacromonte Caves Museum Admission Ticket: $5.35
  • Granada City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
  • Sacromonte Abbey Entry Ticket with Audio Guide: $6.42
  • Granada Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Granada City Train 1 or 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Ticket: $7.49
  • Self-Guided City Exploration Smartphone Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.75
  • Granada (Alhambra): Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $8.75
  • Albaicín and Sacromonte’s Iconic Sights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Historic Center and Lower Albaicin Walking Tour: $9.62

Tours and Activities in Inverness

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Inverness are as follows:

  • 1-Day Moray Coast Tour with Speyside Whisky from Inverness: $97
  • 2-Day Tour to Isle of Skye, The Fairy Pools & Highland Castles: $191
  • 2-Hour Private Celtic Handfasting Ceremony Experience: $108
  • 25 Shot Clay Pigeon Shooting Experience: $63
  • Applecross, Loch Carron & Wild Highlands Tour from Inverness: $69
  • Cawdor Castle, Inverness, Culloden, Outlander and Loch Ness Tour: $164
  • Chauffeur driven sightseeing Edinburgh to & from Inverness: $1,000
  • Clan Tour - Castle ,Whisky and History Tour: $172
  • Craigs Luxury Speyside Private Whisky Tour: $686
  • Day tour to Isle of Skye and Fairy Pools from Inverness: $126
  • From Cairngorms National Park and Whisky Tour: $76
  • From Glen Affric, Culloden and Clava Cairns Tour: $73

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Granada 24
    Inverness 27

Sample the Local Flavors in Granada

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Granada:

  • Granada Traditional Tapas and Wine Tour - by Oh My Good Guide!: $77
  • BEST OF Flamenco, Tapas and Wine Tour: $100

Sample the Local Flavors in Inverness

Also in Inverness, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • From Invergordon Port Dunrobin Castle, Clynelish Distillery Tour : $203
  • Speyside Distillery Tour From Inverness: $1,124


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Granada and Inverness, we can see that Inverness is more expensive. And not only is Granada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Granada would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Granada 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 Inverness would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Inverness than you might in Granada.

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


Which is Bigger, Granada or Inverness?

Granada has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Inverness. When comparing the sizes of Granada and Inverness, 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 Inverness?

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 Inverness in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Granada as well as Inverness. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Granada this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Inverness for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Granada is much warmer than Inverness. Typically, the summer temperatures in Granada in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Inverness averages at about 14°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Granada this time of the year. In the summer, Granada often gets more sunshine than Inverness. Granada gets 348 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Inverness receives 147 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets less rain in July than Inverness. Granada gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Granada 25°C (77°F) 
    Inverness 14°C (58°F)

Should I visit Granada or Inverness in the Autumn?

Both Inverness and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Granada for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Inverness in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.

In October, Granada is generally much warmer than Inverness. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 19°C (67°F), and Inverness fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Inverness during autumn. Granada gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Inverness receives 84 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Granada usually receives around the same amount of rain as Inverness. Granada gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Granada 19°C (67°F) 
    Inverness 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Granada or Inverness in the Winter?

Both Inverness and Granada during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Granada in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Inverness for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Inverness can be very cold during winter. Granada is much warmer than Inverness in the winter. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Inverness fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Granada often gets more sunshine than Inverness. Granada gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Inverness receives 42 hours of full sun.

Granada usually gets more rain in January than Inverness. Granada gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Granada 12°C (54°F) 
    Inverness 3°C (38°F)

Should I visit Granada or Inverness in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Inverness. Most visitors come to Granada for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Inverness because of the small town charm.

In the spring, Granada is much warmer than Inverness. Typically, the spring temperatures in Granada in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Inverness averages at about 7°C (44°F).

In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. Granada usually receives more sunshine than Inverness during spring. Granada gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Inverness receives 136 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Granada usually receives more rain than Inverness. Granada gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Granada 16°C (60°F) 
    Inverness 7°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Inverness and Granada

Granada Inverness
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (54°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 3°C (38°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 75 mm (3 in) 3°C (38°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 14°C (57°F) 59 mm (2.3 in) 5°C (41°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
May 19°C (66°F) 24 mm (0.9 in) 10°C (50°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 14°C (58°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Aug 25°C (78°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 23°C (74°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 12°C (54°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Oct 19°C (67°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 9°C (49°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Nov 15°C (60°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) 5°C (42°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 13°C (55°F) 102 mm (4 in) 4°C (39°F) 52 mm (2 in)