Granada, Spain Travel Guide - What To See & Do In 2012
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Hotel Plaza Nueva, Plaza Nueva, 2, ☎ +34 958 215 273, [38].
House at Mirador Cruz de la Rauda, Calle Cruz de la Rauda 10 (in the upper Albaycin), ☎ +34 958 201 557, [39]. checkin: 15:00; checkout: 12:00. €85-€200.
NH Inglaterra, Cettie Meriem, 6, ☎ +34 958 221 559, [40]. In the center of town.
Oasis Backpackers' Hostel, Placeta Correo Viejo, ☎ +34 958 215 848 (granada@hostelsoasis.com), [41]. Pleasant hostel on the edge of the Albayzin district with a lively atmosphere. 24hr tea & coffee, welcome drink, daily activities, internet & wifi and a lovely patio and big roof-top terrace. from 15€. (37.178134,-3.597137)
Pension Alcazaba, San Juan de Dios 38, ☎ +34 958 291 380. Clean, cheap and cheerful with comfy beds, the owner speaks excellent English and gives great recommendations on what to do, see, and eat in town. Double with bathroom €32.
Pension Suecia, Huerta de los Ángeles, 8 (just off Calle Molinos), ☎ +34 958 225 044, [42]. A quiet hostel with a charming terrace to have breakfast. A bit far from the busy city center but very close to the Alhambra. 40€.
Rambutan, 5 Vereda de Enmedio, ☎ +34 958 220 766, [43]. checkin: 08:30; checkout: 11:30. A true "backpacker" hostel. Provides house instruments to play with, free towels to use, and a bike you can borrow. A huge garden and terraces to enjoy. €14.50. (37.182162,3.588268)
White Nest Hostel, Calle Santísimo San Pedro 4, ☎ +34 958 994 714 (info@nesthostelsgranada.com, fax: +34 958 995 701), [44]. A good budget backpackers hostel. Clean and cheap with shared or private rooms. €13. (37.178766,-3.591006)
Central Apartments, Plaza Nueva, [45]. Apartments in Plaza Nueva with views of Plaza Nueva, The Alhambra and the Albayzin.
Safety & Security
Around the Cathedral, try to be very, very careful about your bag as there are many thieves walking around who will wait for the suitable moment and then take your bag, run and disappear in the small streets. And don't expect the Spanish police to be much help in these cases, as police officers generally do not speak English - instead they will direct you to the police station, connect you with someone who can understand your language and have you make a report.
Another note of caution is to be aware of Gypsy women, particularly around the Cathedral (though you may find them in other tourist locations), who "offer" you sprigs of rosemary. They'll hold one out to you, but take it and they'll demand payment (and if that's not bad enough, they consider coins bad luck so they won't accept anything less than €5). Though not really a grave threat, their persistence can be quite alarming. Avoid eye contact, firmly but politely say "No, gracias" and don't let them shove anything into your hands.
Local & Day Trips
Cordoba is just a few hours' drive, train or bus ride to the northwest. If you've seen the Alhambra and want to see more architecture from the height of Muslim civilization in Spain, visit the Mezquita with its peppermint striped arches, wander the old streets of the Jewish quarter or visit the nearby Medina Azahara archeological site.
The Sierra Nevada Mountains lie to the south of Granada and offer skiing within thirty kilometers of town (accessible by bus from the main station) in the winter as well as good hiking or mountain biking in the summer.
Beyond the Sierra Nevada range, the Costa del Sol offers sun and sea just a couple of hours from Granada. The nearest beach towns to Granada are Salobreña, Almunecar and Nerja, each of which offer pleasant beaches without the massive crowds of much of the rest of the Costa del Sol. To the west sits Malaga, the largest city on the Costa del Sol and home to a handful of lovely cultural attractions as well as beaches.
Seville is a few hours west of Granada, possible as a long day trip but better as an overnight or weekend excursion, and home to many incredible cultural attractions, most notably the massive Cathedral and the Alcázar.
Disclaimer & Information
We aim to provide accurate information but errors are possible. Travel conditions change frequently so please check locally at time of travel to avoid disappointment.
Cover Photo: Granada Collage [1]
Some contributors from Wikitravel and Wikipedia and some content uses Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 license.
Table of Contents
Welcome To Granada
Overview
History
Climate
Arrivals
Local Transportation
Sightseeing Highlights
Central Granada
The Alhambra
Albayzín
Sacromonte
North Granada
South Granada
Fun Activities
Shopping Highlights
Dining Guide
Bars, Clubs & Drinking
Accommodation Guide
Safety & Security
Local & Day Trips