Should You Visit Granada?

Is Granada worth visiting?

This city is a good place to visit for two to four days. During our first trip to Granada in the summer of 2023, we fell in love with its incredible historic atmosphere and soaking up the beauty and history of the world-renowned Alhambra. We've come back several times since then to experience it even more. Granada is a beautiful and historic city in the Andalusia region of Spain. The city has a beautifully maintained old town with medieval architecture and charming plazas. It is most known for the truly impressive Alhambra, which is a palace and fortress complex that includes stunning gardens, detailed palaces, and breathtaking city views.

Granada, Spain

Reasons to Visit Granada

Museums
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.

Historical Sights
The Old Town spills out around the Granada Cathedral and is filled with charming pedestrian streets, lively plazas, and many great shops.

Nightlife
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.

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.

Food
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.

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.

The Costs
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Granada might be a very affordable destination for you. Check out the travel costs for Granada here or see if Granada is expensive here.

Is Granada worth visiting in the Summer?

The high season for travel in Granada is the summer, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is quite touristy, so in the high season it's busier than usual. You'll see larger crowds and longer lines, as well as higher prices. On the other hand, there's plenty to see and do at this time of year because everything is open.

The warm weather in summer is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 25°C (77°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 30°C (86°F).

The nearby hiking this time of year is a must-do, so take some time to get out on the trails, take in some fresh air, and enjoy the scenery. You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable city, especially in the nice weather. During this season it's fun to experience the hiking, the museums and landmarks, and the historic old town. Also, you can check out the nightlife.

Is Granada worth visiting in the Autumn?

You'll find the weather to be very nice here during autumn with average temperatures around 19°C (67°F).

Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Granada, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you'll still come across plenty of touriss. However, the prices tend to be a little cheaper.

Autumn is a great time of year to explore the numerous museums and landmarks around town. They are fun for the whole family as well great for couples. Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. This is a great time of year to take in the beautiful scenery, admire the historic sights, and wander through the museums. Also, you'll be able to get out into nature.

Is Granada worth visiting in the Winter?

Winter is the low season for travel in Granada. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices.

You'll find the weather to be very nice here during winter with average temperatures around 12°C (54°F).

You'll find plenty to do during winter, as you'll be able to browse through museums, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and browse around the old town. Also, you can experience the nightlife.

Is Granada worth visiting in the Spring?

This is the shoulder season for travel in Granada. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you'll still come across plenty of touriss. However, the prices tend to be a little cheaper.

You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 16°C (60°F).

The scenery of the town this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. During this season it's fun to experience shopping, the famous sights and museums, and the gorgeous scenery. Also, you can learn about the history of the town and enjoy the evening activities.

Things to Consider Before Visiting Granada

Not As Family-Friendly
While there are some family activities, it's not as child-friendly as other destinations.

Related

What is Granada most famous for?

Granada is most famous for its Islamic architecture, charming old town, and the stunningly impressive Alhambra. People visit this impressive city for its great museums and historical sights. It is also known for its great nightlife and hiking. And many visitors also come to this city for its food and shopping. It is often described as historic, beautiful, charming, and cultural.

What is the most famous sight in Granada?

The most popular sight in Granada is The Alhambra. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Granada on our travel costs page.

Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Alhambra and other attractions here.

How touristy is Granada? Is it a popular city to visit?

Granada is a popular city for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)

• Private Tour With A Different Perspective of Alhambra: $128
• Sunset Tour by Segway: $42
• Legends of Granada and Albaicín Tour (Spanish language): $38
• Alhambra Private Tour with a Historian (with Nasrid Palaces): $103
• Sacromonte Granada Private Tour: $95
• Private Tour of the Alhambra to travel back in time. NO TICKETS: $108
• Alhambra Private Tour: Nasrid Palaces and Generalife: $130
• Private Guided Tour to Alhambra with Tickets to City Monuments: $185

How long should I spend in Granada?

The ideal length of time for a trip to Granada is two to four days. Since Granada has a variety of activities such as museums and historical sights, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.

If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Granada? and Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Granada?.