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Marbella

Spain

Granada travel guide

The Alhambra, the old Moorish quarter and the last chapter of Al-Andalus.

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Photo: Jebulon · CC0
Best time to visit
March-June and September-November
Flight from the Gulf
No direct flights from the Gulf - fly to Madrid or Málaga
Airport
Granada (GRX) 20 min; Málaga (AGP) about 1 h 30 min by car
Time difference
2 h behind Riyadh in winter, 1 h in summer
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Language
Spanish
Visa
Schengen visa (UAE passports visa-free for short stays)

Granada was the capital of the Nasrid kingdom, the last Muslim state in Al-Andalus, until 1492. Its palace-city, the Alhambra, is one of the most beautiful places in the world: carved halls, quiet courtyards with fountains and the Generalife gardens above the town. For many Gulf families it is the most moving stop of a trip to Spain.

Two or three days are enough: one long morning for the Alhambra, an afternoon in the Albaicín, the old Moorish quarter, with sunset at the Mirador de San Nicolás, and time for the cathedral, the tea shops of Calle Calderería and the cave houses of Sacromonte. In winter the ski slopes of Sierra Nevada are less than an hour away.

Granada combines easily with Málaga and Marbella (about 1 h 30 min by car), Córdoba and Seville. Spring and autumn are the best seasons; July and August are very hot.

Things to do in Granada

The places our guests love most, with the time you need and how to avoid the queues.

The palace-city of the Nasrid sultans, with the Court of the Lions, the Hall of the Ambassadors and walls covered with carved verses. Above it, the…

3-4 hours

The old Moorish quarter of white houses, gardens and narrow lanes facing the Alhambra. Walk up to the Mirador de San Nicolás for the famous view,…

2-3 hours

The first mosque built in Granada for five centuries, opened in 2003. Pray here, then rest in its quiet garden with a view of the Alhambra.

30 minutes

The great cathedral built after 1492 and, next to it, the Royal Chapel with the tombs of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand. Around them, the old…

1-2 hours

Homes dug into the hillside, with a small museum that shows how families lived in the caves. In the evening, some caves host flamenco shows.

1-2 hours

The southernmost ski resort in Europe. In winter, snow, ski school and sledges for the children; in summer, cool mountain walks with wide views.

Half or full day

Hotels in Granada

Hotels we know and recommend. Send your dates: we book the best rate for you and confirm on WhatsApp.

Summary

Granada ★★★★

Inside the Alhambra

Inside the Alhambra · Garden terrace

Best priceon request
Summary

Granada ★★★★

Alhambra hill

City view terrace · Walk to the Alhambra

Best priceon request
Summary

Granada ★★★★★

Centro, near Puerta Real

Spa · Central and flat

Best priceon request
Summary

Granada ★★★★★

Gran Vía de Colón

Historic cloister · Spa

Best priceon request
Summary

Granada

Albaicín, near Paseo de los Tristes

Alhambra views · Historic house

Best priceon request
Summary

Granada ★★★★

Calle Acera del Darro, city centre

Rooftop pool · Central

Best priceon request
Summary

Granada ★★★★

Paseo de Enrique Tierno Galván, near the Science Park

Garden pool · Parking

Best priceon request
Summary

Granada

Inside the Alhambra grounds

Inside the Alhambra · Family run

Best priceon request

All hotels in Granada

Tours, packages and transfers in Granada

Private day trips with your own driver and guide, complete holidays, and airport transfers at a fixed price.

Granada Federico García Lorca Airport GRX Arrival or departure, to or from any hotel in the city
Carsup to 3 passengers from €45 Vans and SUVsup to 7 passengers from €75 Minibusesup to 16 passengers from €150
Book transfer
Málaga Airport – Granada AGP Arrival or departure, to or from any hotel in the city
Carsup to 3 passengers from €45 Vans and SUVsup to 7 passengers from €75 Minibusesup to 16 passengers from €150
Book transfer

Price per vehicle, one way. Meet and greet with your name, flight monitoring and waiting time included.

Where to stay in Granada

Centro (Cathedral and Gran Vía)Flat streets, shops and restaurants, and taxis everywhere. The easiest base for families.
Alhambra hillQuiet hotels in the woods below the Alhambra, a few minutes from the palace entrance. Beautiful but far from the shops.
AlbaicínThe old Moorish quarter, with white houses, views of the Alhambra and the mosque. Charming, but the lanes are steep and cars cannot reach every house.
RealejoThe old quarter at the foot of the Alhambra hill, close to the centre, with good small hotels and cafés.

Where to eat: restaurants and cafés

Places we like and recommend to our guests, from local classics to cafés and sweet stops.

Mirador de Morayma Andalusian · Calle Pianista García Carrillo 2, Albaicín A restaurant in a traditional Albaicín house and garden facing the Alhambra. Ask for a table on the terrace at sunset. Reviews on Tripadvisor
Los Diamantes Seafood & veggie Fried fish · Plaza Nueva and Calle Navas A busy Granada favourite for fried fish and seafood, served quickly at the bar or at small tables. Reviews on Tripadvisor
Arrayanes Halal Moroccan · Cuesta Marañas 4, Albaicín A well-known Moroccan restaurant at the foot of the Albaicín, in a traditional interior. Tagines, couscous and pastilla, with no alcohol served. Reviews on Tripadvisor
Café Fútbol Churros and ice cream · Plaza Mariana Pineda, Centro A classic café for churros with hot chocolate in the morning and ice cream in the afternoon. Children love it. Reviews on Tripadvisor
Tapas bars of Calle Navas Tapas · Calle Navas, Centro A street of tapas bars near the town hall, where a small free tapa comes with each drink. Ask what is in… Reviews on Tripadvisor
El Trillo Andalusian, garden dining · Callejón del Aljibe de Trillo, Albaicín A traditional "carmen" - a walled house with a garden - in the Albaicín, with tables under the trees and a view… Reviews on Tripadvisor
Tea houses and grills of Calle Calderería Halal Moroccan and Middle Eastern · Calle Calderería Nueva and Calle Elvira A narrow street of tea houses, Moroccan sweets and small grills, like a souk. Many say they use halal meat - ask… Reviews on Tripadvisor
Bodegas Castañeda Tapas bar · Calle Almireceros, near Plaza Nueva An old bar where every drink still comes with a free tapa, the Granada tradition. Try the cold cuts boards, cheese and… Reviews on Tripadvisor
López-Mezquita Pastry shop and café · Calle Reyes Católicos, city centre A classic pastry shop since 1862. Ask for "piononos", the small rolled cakes soaked in syrup and topped with toasted cream, a… Reviews on Tripadvisor
Los Italianos Ice cream · Gran Vía de Colón 4, near the cathedral The most famous ice cream in Granada, made by the same family since 1936. Try the "cassata" in a cone. Open from… Reviews on Tripadvisor

Halal status is what the restaurant tells its guests and can change. When you book with us, we check it again before your trip.

Tips for your trip to Granada

  1. Book Alhambra tickets on the official website as early as you can - in spring they sell out weeks ahead. Each ticket carries the visitor's name and passport number.
  2. Your ticket gives a fixed time for the Nasrid Palaces. Arrive early: if you miss it, you cannot enter the palaces.
  3. The lanes of the Albaicín are steep and narrow. Use the small red buses (C31, C32) or a car with driver, especially with a stroller.
  4. In many bars in Granada a small free tapa comes with each drink - a nice tradition for a light evening.
  5. Watch the sunset over the Alhambra from the Mirador de San Nicolás, or from the garden of the mosque next to it, which is calmer.
  6. From December to April, take warm clothes: nights are cold and Sierra Nevada is covered with snow.

Questions

How many days do we need in Granada?

Two or three days. One for the Alhambra, one for the Albaicín, Sacromonte and the centre, and one more if you visit Sierra Nevada.

How do we get to Granada from Málaga or Madrid?

From Málaga airport it is about 1 h 30 min by car. From Madrid there is a fast train of about 3 h 30 min. We can arrange a private driver from the airport.

Is the Alhambra suitable for children and older travellers?

Yes, but the visit is long and involves a lot of walking. Plan the palaces in the morning, take water and rest in the Generalife gardens.

Can you book the Alhambra, the hotel and a driver for us?

Yes. Send us your dates: we arrange the tickets with a guide, the hotel, the driver and the transfer from Málaga or Granada airport.

Plan your trip to Granada with us

Hotel, car with driver, tours and restaurants: tell us your dates and who is travelling. We reply in Arabic or English with a full plan and one price. No payment until you confirm.

  • Reply within a few hours
  • Family rooms and halal restaurants checked for you
  • Support on WhatsApp during the trip
Travel dates
Travellers

Photo credits

Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under their free licences.