Granada holidays

The Moors weren’t the only ones who left their mark on modern-day Granada, and Romani influences can be seen and experienced throughout. One of the most enduring is flamenco, which is at its traditional best in the tablaos (special venues for flamenco) of the neighbourhood Sacromonte.

The region of Andalusia is renowned for its tapas, and Granada is one of very few Spanish cities keeping the tradition alive – any bar worth its patatas bravas will serve you a free snack with your cerveza or wine. Even better, they can get more generous with each drink.

Mirador de San Nicolás is usually the best way to end a day in Granada. The lookout has a view of the Alhambra, with a backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, that gets extra special at sunset. Speaking of the Sierra Nevada, you’re only an hour’s drive from hiking trails showing off the spectacular range.

Spring and autumn are excellent times to visit, with sun and dry weather likely and shoulder-season deals on accommodation possible. But temperatures can dip sharply at night, so pack a jumper.

One month worth considering is May. The weather is ‘spot on’, with average highs of 22C, and the city comes alive with the Cruz de Mayo festival, featuring colourful floral crosses and, at the end of the month, Corpus Christi celebrations.

You’ll also find plenty going on (but few bargains on accommodation) during Semana Santa, or Easter Holy Week, with grand processions through the streets.

The iconic Alhambra – a majestic relic of Moorish rule in Andalusia – is unmissable. Granada’s then rulers, the Nasrids, rebuilt the majority of the fortified palace complex in the 13th and 14th centuries. Today, it’s considered one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture in Europe.

The Nasrid Palaces are a warren of corridors with intricately designed arches leading to fountain-filled courtyards. Outside, the water theme continues in the peaceful Generalife gardens. Book tickets well in advance.

Granada Cathedral

In the centre of the city, the huge Cathedral of Granada is hard to miss. Built on the site of the Great Mosque to mark Spain’s return to Christian rule, construction began in 1523. It took 181 years to complete, and the unusual mix of Gothic and Renaissance styles won architect Diego de Siloé praise.

While the exterior is somewhat austere, inside is bright with a marble floor and light flooding in from the cupola’s stained glass windows.

El Bañuelo baths

The Alhambra is not the only example of elaborate Moorish architecture in the city. One of the best is El Bañuelo, Arabic baths from the 11th century.

Built underneath a private home, this hammam survived as the Catholic reconquistas destroyed other baths due to their scandalous reputation. The Bañuelo is remarkably well preserved, and the star-shaped ceiling windows that once shone shafts of light on bathers is a highlight.

Carmen de los Martires

Carmen de los Mártires is a pleasant green space where you’ll find statues, fountains and sweeping views. The 19th century gardens combine a French Baroque garden with a large pond, as well as other spaces in English and Spanish styles. The gardens are ideal for a palm tree-shaded stroll to escape the summer heat.

Climb the small tower at the heart of the gardens and you’ll be rewarded with impressive panoramas of the city and Sierra Nevada.

Flamenco

There are plenty of places offering flamenco shows so, inevitably, some will be more packed with tourists than others. Try to find a show in an intimate cave club and you’re unlikely to be disappointed, whatever the crowd.

Set to a hypnotic beat with occasional explosions on the guitar, flamenco performances are intense and full of passion – especially when the sweat-flecked dancers are in full flow. If you’re really feeling the experience, flamenco classes can also be found.

There is a range of accommodation options and a good choice of restaurants, including international cuisine if tapas isn’t to everyone’s taste. The Alhambra can be reached in a 25-minute walk through ancient alleys, but buses are also available if little legs can’t handle the steep walk to the summit.

For travellers on a budget

For cheap holidays to Granada, Centro is an appealing district, with a range of competitively priced hostels. Granada is a university town so cheap eats and drinks aren’t hard to find here, and the tapas culture means you can fill up on free snacks if you’re having a few drinks.

Beiro is another excellent choice for backpackers and travellers looking for affordable accommodation. This buzzing barrio is popular with students and full of reasonably priced bars. It also draws travellers looking to explore further afield, as the city’s main bus and train stations are here.

For food and drink

It’s easy to eat well in Granada. If you’re after tapas, you’ll find bars in every area of the city and some of the most famous in Centro. Calle Navas, known as ‘tapas street’, is a good place to start. You’ll find Mercado San Agustín, a bustling food market, near the cathedral.

Another neighbourhood for foodies is Chana, a residential district northwest of Centro. The area has a reputation as the city’s culinary centre, with more than enough tapas bars to tempt gastronomes. It’s great value, too – with so much on offer, restaurant owners compete with specials and discounts.

For nightlife

With its large student population, there’s always a party somewhere in Granada. In Beiro, you’ll find bars and clubs with a more international feel, as well as a wealth of dining options around the bullring area.

Back in Centro, there’s everything from clubs converted from old cinemas to trendy bars with top DJs. Calle Pedro Antonio de Alarcon is a long street packed with bars serving cheap drinks to a largely-student crowd, plus a few live music venues. If you’re hitting the clubs, prepare for an especially late one: locals don’t arrive until at least midnight.

For culture

Staying centrally ensures you can reach Granada’s main cultural sights, including the Alhambra, without fuss. But the old Moorish neighbourhood of Albaicín is where you might find a more authentic feel for the city, with maze-like streets, tapas bars and teahouses. You’ll also have one of the best vistas of the city here, from the San Nicolas lookout, though accommodation with similar views comes at a cost.

If flamenco is your thing, consider staying in Sacromonte. You can find accommodation – and flamenco shows – in traditional cave dwellings, and the central sights are still walkable too.