Major city · Spain
Granada
Give Granada 2 nights: one full day for the Alhambra, one for the Albaicín and tapas. Book Alhambra tickets 2–3 months ahead or you may not get in.
Granada is the last Moorish capital in Spain, and the Alhambra is the reason most people come. The city is small enough to walk, cheap enough to eat well on free tapas, and cooler in summer than Seville or Córdoba. Two nights covers the Alhambra, the Albaicín and the cathedral quarter without rushing; three if you add the Sierra Nevada or a day trip.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot, 34°C (93°F)+), and the Alhambra sells out around Easter and public holidaysavoid Jul–Aug (hot, 93°F (34°C)+), and the Alhambra sells out around Easter and public holidays
- Airports
- GRX · AGP
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 9Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Iberia ↗Plan meals on the Iberian clock: Spanish kitchens serve lunch from about 13:30–14:00 and dinner from 20:30–21:00; Portugal eats an hour or so earlier. Early evenings are for tapas or petiscos, not full meals.
- Iberia ↗Inland Spain and Portugal (Seville, Córdoba, Madrid, the Alentejo) pass 40 °C in heatwaves from late June to August: sightsee before 11:00 and after 18:00, and keep July–August for the coasts and the green north.
- Iberia ↗Andorra and Gibraltar have their own border and customs rules and are reached only through Spain (or France for Andorra); read their pages before adding them, especially if you hold a limited Schengen visa.
- Spain ↗Spain is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- Spain ↗High-speed trains have airport-style baggage screening at the station and boarding gates that close a few minutes before departure: arrive early.
- Spain ↗Carry your passport or ID: police may ask for it, and hotels must register every guest's document.
- Spain ↗The Alhambra in Granada and the Sagrada Família in Barcelona sell timed tickets that sell out weeks ahead in season; book on the official sites before you fix your dates.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Granada112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Granada, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).Spain-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckEU and EEA plans roam at home prices; UK and other plans may charge — check before you land.Spain-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe across the mainland; it tastes of chlorine in some coastal areas.Spain-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or 5–10% for good service; service is not usually added.Spain-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Spain-wide
- SafetyGranada is a safe city by day and night; the real risks are pickpockets in the Alcaicería and on buses, steep uneven streets in the Albaicín…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFew public toilets; use bars and cafés (buy a coffee).Spain-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All services (police, fire, ambulance) · 091 National police · 062 Guardia Civil (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysSmall shops close about 14:00–17:00 and on Sundays; big chains and department stores open all day.Small shops close about 2:00 PM–5:00 PM and on Sundays; big chains and department stores open all day.Spain-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGRX Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén (15 km (9.3 mi) west of the city; bus about €4–5 (≈ US$5–6), taxi about €28 (≈ US$35), roughly 30–45 min).GRX Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén (9.3 mi (15 km) west of the city; bus about €4–5 (≈ US$5–6), taxi about €28 (≈ US$35), roughly 30–45 min).
- Getting aroundWalk in the centre; the Albaicín and Alhambra entrances are steep, so use the C30/C31/C34 minibuses (€1.60 (≈ US$2) a ride, multi-trip cards cheaper).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or cortado€1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3)
- BeerBeer or wine with a free tapa€2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across the centre€6–10 (≈ US$7–12)
- Metro or bus rideCity bus ride€1.60 (≈ US$2)
- Museum or sight ticketCathedral entry€5 (≈ US$6)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person€22 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, 2-star or guesthouse, a night, per room€95 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedDouble room, 2-star or guesthouse, a night, per room€180 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €45 (≈ US$55) · Mid €90 (≈ US$110) · High €160 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GRX Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén (15 km (9.3 mi) west of the city; bus about €4–5, taxi about €28, roughly 30–45 min) · AGP Málaga-Costa del Sol (The practical airport for budget flights; direct bus to Granada about 1.5–2 h. The train needs a change at Bobadilla and takes much longer, so take the bus.)GRX Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén (9.3 mi (15 km) west of the city; bus about €4–5, taxi about €28, roughly 30–45 min) · AGP Málaga-Costa del Sol (The practical airport for budget flights; direct bus to Granada about 1.5–2 h. The train needs a change at Bobadilla and takes much longer, so take the bus.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Feb
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Mar
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Dec
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Best: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C) low), wettest Apr (7 rain days), driest Jul (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Granada: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
6 rd
Feb
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
6 rd
Mar
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
6 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 rd
Nov
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
6 rd
Dec
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
7 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk in the centre; the Albaicín and Alhambra entrances are steep, so use the C30/C31/C34 minibuses (€1.60 a ride, multi-trip cards cheaper). One metro line (Line 1) runs from Armilla and the south side to the north of the city; the bus station is a short walk or bus ride from a metro stop, not on the line itself. Do not drive into the historic centre: cameras fine cars without a hotel permit.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Alhama de Granada
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus from Granada bus station, about 1 h
Spa town on a gorge; half a day is enough.
Almuñécar
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus from Granada bus station, about 1 h 15 min
Costa Tropical beach and a Phoenician site; best May–Oct.
Pitres
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h
Bus into the Alpujarras, about 1 h 45 min
White villages and walking; sleep one night rather than rush back.
Sierra Nevada
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus to Pradollano in season, about 1 h
Skiing Dec–Apr; the bus runs on a seasonal timetable, so check snow and bus times before going.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Centro / Plaza Nueva
Walk to the cathedral, Alcaicería and the Alhambra entrance; best for a first trip with 2 nights.
Albaicín
Steep, quiet guesthouses with Alhambra views; 10–20 min uphill walking to the centre.
Realejo
Former Jewish quarter below the Alhambra; calmer, still walkable to everything.
Around the train and bus stations
Cheaper rooms and easy arrivals, but a bus or metro ride from the sights.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €45–70 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed
- Mid
- €80–130 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, 2-star or guesthouse1 × 2 nights × €95 | €190 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €90 | €360 |
| Alhambra general ticket2 × €19 · check | €38 |
| Airport bus GRX, both ways2 × €9 · check | €18 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €12 | €24 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €63 |
| Trip total≈ €173 per person per day, bed included | €693≈ US$850 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or cortado | €1.50–2.50 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Beer or wine with a free tapa | €2.50–4 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Menu del día at lunch | €12–18 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Alhambra general ticket | €19 (≈ US$25)+ (check; prices vary by date and time slot) |
| Cathedral entry | €5 (≈ US$6) |
| City bus ride | €1.60 (≈ US$2) |
| Taxi across the centre | €6–10 (≈ US$7–12) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Alhambra tickets are dated and timed and sell out months ahead in spring and autumn; buy on the official site as soon as your dates are fixed.
- The historic centre is restricted to buses, taxis and hotel-registered cars; fines are camera-enforced.
- Albaicín and Sacromonte streets are steep, cobbled and uneven; wear shoes with grip.
- Pickpockets work the Alcaicería, Gran Vía and crowded buses; keep bags in front.
- Some tapas bars charge for bread or a terrace seat; ask before ordering.
Emergency numbers
- All services (police, fire, ambulance)
- 112
- National police
- 091
- Guardia Civil
- 062
Pocket card
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GranadaGranada
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- All services112
- National police091
- Guardia Civil062
Embassy
No embassy in Granada; the US, UK, Canadian, Australian and Irish embassies are in Madrid, with consulates in Málaga and Seville for some countries (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- GRX airport → city centre, bus: about €4–5 (≈ US$5–6), roughly 30–60 min (check)
- GRX airport → city centre, taxi: about €28 (≈ US$35)
- City bus, single ride: €1.60 (≈ US$2)
- Alhambra general ticket: €19 (≈ US$25)+ (check; varies by date and time slot)
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (OH-lah)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-thee-as)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (la KWEN-ta por fa-VOR)
- ¿Dónde está la entrada de la Alhambra? — Where is the Alhambra entrance? (DON-deh es-TA la en-TRA-da deh la a-LAM-bra)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWEH-do pa-GAR kon tar-HEH-ta)
- Dos cervezas, por favor — Two beers, please (dos ther-VEH-thas por fa-VOR)
Tapas are free with a drink in many bars; a tip is optional, round up or 5–10% for good service.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Granada. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot, 34°C+), and the Alhambra sells out around Easter and public holidays · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for GRX and AGP: last bus times, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Plaza Nueva and the cathedral, Albaicín, Sacromonte, Realejo.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Alhambra, Generalife, Capilla Real, cathedral) and eat pages with last orders.
- Alhambra ticket-release and sell-out fixtures so gates A–D can go green.