Hotels in Granada, Andalusia, Spain

Located in the autonomous community of Andalusia in Spain, Granada is the capital city of the province that shares its famous name. Sitting at the foot of the amazing Sierra Nevada mountains and at the confluence of the Darro, Genil, Monachil and Beiro rivers, the city is a beautiful example of classic Spanish architecture and culture.

With a population of over 470,000, Granada is the 13th largest urban area in Spain.

One of the aspects of Granada’s strong tourism reputation is the wide availability of cheap and affordable hotel accommodation for European and worldwide travellers.

Neighbourhoods of Granada

The coolest neighbourhoods for the tourist trail are:

• El Centro: This is the historical centre of the city clustered around Plaza Nueva, Calle Reyes Catolicos and the huge cathedral. There are regular street performers in Plaza Nueva and tapas bars, cafes, and restaurants aplenty, as well as the best food market in the city, the Mercado San Augustin.
• Albaicin: The bohemian and artistic hub of the city is a wonderful maze of winding, cobbled streets and whitewashed houses perched on a hillside. The most popular square in Granada, the Mirador San Nicolás has fabulous views of the Alhambra Palace and Sierra Nevada Mountains.
• Sacromonte: this other worldly neighbourhood with a distinct gypsy vibe is known for the white caves where people still live. It’s also the flamenco barrio.
• Realejo: The old Jewish Quarteris an interesting place for a wander. See the pretty church of Santa Domingo and the graffiti wall art of Raul Ruiz, also known as ‘El Niño’.
• La CruzThis bland residential neighbourhood should be on the visitor’s itinerary for one reason. It is where to find the best tapas bars. Patronised by locals rather than tourists, the bars serve big portions of cheaply priced authentic Spanish food.

What to see and do in Granada

Granada is a perfect location for sightseeing. Some of the very best attractions that should not be missed include the amazing Alhambra, a truly magnificent fortified hilltop Moorish complex that is filled with history, the Generalife which is a summer palace with elaborate gardens that dates back to the 1100s, and Royal Chapel of Granada which is an ornate and historical burial site used for some of the most iconic and famous old Catholic kings.

What to eat in Granada

Granada enjoys a rich culinary culture with a long list of regional dishes that any tourist should be seeking out to try. Some of the most famous and popular examples of regional cuisine include habas con jamon which is fava beans with serrano ham, Andalusian gazpacho which is the localised version of the cold soup, and choto al ajillo which is a kind of sausage with wrapped intestines!

Typical events and festivals in Granada

There is always something going on for tourists and locals alike to enjoy. Some of the most famous events hosted in Granada across the year include the Deria del Corpus Christi which is a 60 day celebration over Easter, the Festival Internacional de Musica y Danza that takes place every June and July, and the Dia de la Cruz which see all of the squares, balconies and patios in the city adorned with beautiful flowers and crosses for three days.

How to move around in Granada

Granada is a city with good public transport links both internally and in connection to neighbouring destinations. There is an extensive and well maintained public bus network that services all of the key routes across the city, along with a flourishing private taxi business for those who prefer private travel. Nearby Malaga can be reached via both the bus and the train. Granada is blessed with a great location in terms of intercity travel.

The climate in Granada

Granada is classified as having a ‘slightly continental’ climate, which means that it experiences hot, sunny summers and moderately cold winters. Temperatures can range extensively across the year, with an average in January of around 7 degrees compared to an average of around 29 in August. The summer months are understandably the most popular time in terms of vacation tourism.