Granada
Granada is a city with a great historical heritage, but at the same time a young and modern university city. It is located on the western edge of the Sierra Nevada.
Very few visitors spend much time in Granada. They usually only come for a visit to the world-famous Alhambra. But the city has much more to offer.
The historic Albaicín neighbourhood with its winding alleyways and traditional white houses is perfect for a stroll. This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers spectacular views of the Alhambra and the Sierra Nevada.
Granada is a melting pot of cultures. Here, visitors can experience the lively flamenco scene in the traditional caves of the Sacromonte district. Granada Cathedral is a masterpiece of the Renaissance and a visit is not to be missed. However, the highlight is definitely a visit to the world-famous Alhambra, a majestic fortress and palace complex. It towers high above the city and offers an unforgettable view of Islamic architecture and the history of Spain.
Andalusian cuisine in all its diversity is an integral part of a stay in the region. The city is famous for its tapas culture – enjoy delicious small dishes, which are sometimes even served free of charge with a drink. Try local specialities such as Jamón Iberico, Tortilla de Sacromonte, Piononos and the typical hearty stews.
Excursions in Granada
One of the most visited tourist attractions in Spain is located in Granada, Andalusia. More than 2 million people visit the Alhambra every year. Is the Alhambra, which has been a World Heritage Site since 1984, really worth a visit?
Good beer is drunk and brewed in Granada. We have discovered some regional craft beers in Granada.
Santa María de la Encarnación de Granada, the Cathedral of Granada, is located in the heart of Granada's old town. It is one of the oldest cathedrals in the Christian West and one of the first to be built on the Iberian Peninsula.
Sacromonte is a district of Granada that belongs to the old city, but shows a completely different way of life. Here are the famous dwelling caves of the Spanish gypsies/gitanos, which can be visited in the Museo Cuevas del Sacromonte.
Behind rather inconspicuous walls, very close to the main railway station, lies the Real Monasterio de San Jerónimo de Granada. For us, next to the famous Alhambra, it is a sight in Granada that should not be missed.
Granada's variety of restaurants and pubs is impressive. It's not easy to make a choice, especially if you don't like to go to the typical tourist restaurants.
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Travel information about Granada
Arrival
By plane
About 15 kilometers outside the city center is the Granada-Jaén airport. Almost exclusively domestic Spanish flights land and take off here. Those arriving from abroad usually fly to Málaga.
In the high season there are some package tour operators that fly to Granada.
From the airport you can easily get to the city by bus.
By train
To the west of the center is the Granada terminus. It is easy to walk from there to the city center.
Granada is served by trains from Córdoba, Madrid, Seville and Almeria.
By bus
There are several major long-distance tour operators in Spain that serve Granada. Especially frequent are the buses of ALSA from Códoba to Granada, you can also get to Málaga by bus.
By car
The city is located at the Granada interchange, where the A-92 and A-44 highways meet.
By ship
Even though the city is a good 80 kilometers from the coast, cruise ships stop in Motril and their passengers are taken to the city by bus.
On the way in Granada
By car
Large areas of the city center are closed to car traffic. The streets are generally quite narrow.
By bus
There is a well-developed bus network in the city. Minibuses also run through the city center and to the Alhambra. Line 31 runs a circuit from the Cathedral via Albayizin to Plaza Trionfo and back via Colon to the Cathedral. Lines 32 and 34 go to the Alhambra and back. Line 35 goes to the Sacromonte.
On foot
The city center is not very big and it is very easy to explore everything on foot.
Parking
For visitors to the Alhambra, there is a large pay parking lot near the main entrance. There also stops the bus 32, which goes, for example, to the cathedral. In the high season, the parking lot is often full.
Around the city center there are some paid parking garages. In the city center, there are parking spaces marked with blue or red stripes in some areas. These are short-term parking zones for which a fee is charged.
Best time to travel
Spring (March – May):
Spring starts off cool with average temperatures around 15°C in March, rising to around 22°C by May. These months have a moderate number of rainy days, with April tending to be the rainiest month.
Summer (June – August):
Summer in Granada can get very hot, with average temperatures of 30°C, sometimes even higher. The summer months are mostly dry with very few rainy days. Humidity is low in summer.
Autumn (September – November):
Temperatures begin to drop, from an average of 27°C in September to around 15°C in November. The rain returns in autumn, especially in November.
Winter (December – February):
Winter in Granada can be surprisingly cold, especially at night. Winter temperatures typically range between 5°C and 15°C. There are more rainy days in winter, but it is still a good time to visit the city, especially if you want to avoid crowds.