Things to do in granada

Granada is one of the most fascinating cities in Spain and if you are looking for things to see and do in this majestic part of Andalucia, you won´t be disappointed.

Visitors flock from all over the world to see the Alhambra Palace, which is often described as being the  8th wonder of the world, and Granada is also known as being the home of the ´tapa´, with scores of lively tapas bars around every corner. Whether you are visiting Granada for a few days, a few weeks or simply for a day trip from Malaga, you will find plenty of attractions, events and superb Granada accomodation to suit all tastes and budgets.

Airport Car hire in Granada and Malaga

If you are planning to fly in to Granada or Malaga Airport, the best way to arrive at  your holiday destination is by hire car from the airport. Cheap car hire at Malaga and Granada Airport starts from just €69 per week, and you can compare prices from over 50 car hire websites in minutes by filling in the car hire search box on this site. Car hire at Malaga Airport and at Granada Airport can save you plenty of money on expensive taxi fares from the airport, and you will have the freedom and independence you want on holiday. Whether you plan to stay in your holiday hotel in Granada, or travel around Andalucia and explore the Alpujarras, Seville and Malaga, pre-book a hire car from the airport and you can make the most of this beautiful region of Spain. With secure payment guaranteed and many extras, airport car hire at Granada is easy to pick up and drop off, and by booking before you travel, you can avoid delays when you arrive. We guarantee cheap airport car hire and we can offer you deals and special low cost car hire offers that are not available elsewhere.

The Moorish Alhambra Palace Granada

The Alhambra Palace is a fortress complex which was built in 1348 by Yusuf I when the south of Spain was under Moorish rule. This was the residence of Moorish rulers and most of this stunning building still stands today. With a view over the whole city of Granada, the Alhambra complex was thought to have partially existed before the Muslims arrived in Spain. The gardens and surrounds, make this one of the most visited attractions in Spain, and The Alhambra Palace highlights the very best examples of Islamic architecture in Europe. To make the most of the Alhambra Palace, it is worth booking accommodation in Granada and staying a few days in a small hotel to make the most of this incredible Arabic monument. The Patio of the Lions and the Garden of Ramparts are particuarly worth visiting, and if you are planning a trip to the Alhambra Palace, buy a ticket before you go, particularly in summer, as it can get very crowded.

Skiing Sierra Nevada

Sierra Nevada, meaning ´snowy mountain range´, is situated just north of Granada, and visitors can enjoy snow and sunshine in this southern Spanish     resort. Spain, surprisingly is the second most mountainous country in Europe, after Switzerland, and the Sierra Nevada is one of the most popular ski resorts in the country.

There are several ski schools in the village of Sierra Nevada and boot and equipment hire, including snowboards is readily available from the shops at the entrance. Children are also well catered for here, and there are two crèches in the main square of the village plus a kids ski club including lessons for the younger enthusiasts. Skiing in the Sierra Nevada, Granada is one of the most popular outdoor sports in the region, and keen skiiers, beginners and professionals flock to the slopes here every winter. The ski season in the Sierra Nevada usually lasts from November to March, and the beauty of this mountain range is that it is only a two hour drive from most resorts on the Costa del Sol, including Marbella and Puerto Banus.  Granada is only 30 minutes away by car, or you could choose to stay in the Sierra Nevada where accomodation ranges from the cheap and cheerful cabins to luxury five star hotels nearby.

Granada accommodation

Whatever type of accommodation you are looking for in Granada, you can find it. Small hotels and boutique hotels in Granada, now compete with the larger luxury hotels and hostals, which have always attracted visitors to the city.  Bed and breakfast accommodation in Granada is also available in the centre of the city, so budget-conscious travellers need not worry about cost and comfort. Most Granada Attractions are situated in and around the city centre, and by taking your time to look around, you can choose a suitable small hotel or boutique hotel within easy walking distance of the Alhambra Palace and the restaurants, bars and main centre of Granada. If you want go upmarket and splash the cash in Granada, then check out the Granada Parador which is one of the most stunning hotels in the city.

Tapas Granada

Whether the humble tapa actually originated in Seville or Granada is a hotly disputed affair among the Spanish, but with both cities boasting a fantastic range of tapas bars and restaurants,  who are we to complain? There are two ideas behind the creation of the tapa. One is that a small piece of bread with cheese, ham or omelette was offered free to drinkers, so they would not get too drunk before they went home for dinner. Tapa, means cover in English, and it is highly likely that the tapa was used to cover the top of the drink, offering a tasty morsel to drinkers, so they would not fall in the gutter on their way around Granada´s many bars, and that the effects of the alcohol would be lessened. Delicious local tapa specialities include: Spanish omelette, wild mushrooms with serrano ham, lamb stew, kidneys with fino sherry and home made meatballs. Don´t forget to try a refreshing glass of gazpacho, chilled soup made with tomatoes, peppers and garlic.

La Alpujarra Granada

La Alpujarra is situated between the two provinces of Granada and Almeria, and the region boasts some of the most beautiful and rugged countryside in Andalucia. Consisting of valleys, mountainous passes and diverse landscapes, La Alpujarra is rural Spain at its best. The area was made famous by a host of books from well known British ex-pats, including the fascinating ´Driving over Lemons´ by Chris Stewart, ex-drummer of rock group, Genesis. Apart from a few famous residents, La Alpujarra remains relatively unspoilt, and if you want to escape the busy coastal areas of the Costa del Sol for a day, or spend a holiday in La Alpujarra, you can rent a finca, a villa or stay in a small hotel or boutique hotel in the area. La Alpujarra is the perfect place to stay if you enjoy walking holidays, or if you simply want to enjoy the Andalucian countryside.

The largest villages and towns in La Alpujarra include: Lanjaron, which is famous for its spring water, Orgiva, Ugijar, Laujar and Trevelez, the highest town in Spain.

Flights to Granada and Malaga Airport

If you are looking to book a flight to Granada or Malaga Airport, you can fly from most UK airports, including Birmingham Airport, Manchester, East Midlands, Luton, Leeds/Bradford, Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool, Newcastle and Gatwick. With Granada becoming more popular among tourists, many more budget airlines are now operating flights to the region. Malaga Airport is only 80 miles from Granada if you can find a cheaper flight to Malaga it may be worth your while booking it, and driving to Granada by hire car from the airport. Flights to Granada from Gatwick start at around €90 return.

Albaicin Granada

If you plan to visit Granada for the first time, make sure you go to Albaicin, which is the old Arabic quarter opposite the Alhambra Palace. Typically Andalucian, with cobbled streets, quaint shops and whitewashed buildings, Albaicin is home to many workshops selling traditional ceramics, leather goods and a host of hand-made carpets and rugs. The Arabic baths and the St Nicholas Church in Albaicin are well worth a visit. Many of the restaurants and cafés in Albaicin serve traditional Arabic dishes with Moroccan influence, and you can also smoke the Hookah pipe in many bars.

Granada weather

Granada is situated between the Sierra Nevada mountain range and the Costa del Sol in the south of Spain. Due to its proximity to both, its weather changes dramatically from highs of 40ºC in summer to freezing in winter. Unless you are visiting Granada in summer or spring, always take thick coat or winter jacket to keep warm, as, even when the sun is shining, temperatures can plummet. If you are planning to sightsee in Granada, spring or Autumn is probably the best time to visit. If you fancy combining a holiday in Granada with a holiday on the Costa del Sol, the top resorts of Fuengirola, Marbella and Puerto Banus are only around 90 minutes away from Granada by hire car.

Granada map

If you want to travel around Granada and make the most of this exciting region, you can pick up a Granada map at your car hire office at the airport, from any tourist information office in Granada or from hotel reception. Make the most of your stay and drive around the towns of Baza, Orgiva, Lanjaron, Guadix, Huescar, La Herradura, Motril, Santa Fe, Sierra Nevada and Trevelez. The towns and villages around Granada give visitors a taste of the old Spain, and seem a million miles away from the modern beach resorts on the Costa del Sol, although the lively coastal towns are only 120 kilometres away.

Wherever you stay in Granada, in a small hotel, a boutique hotel, the Granada Parador or in bed and breakfast accommodation, you will find plenty of things to do around the city centre. Book a cheap flight to Granada from the UK and take advantage of cheap airport car hire, which can be booked before you fly. Granada is a culture lover´s paradise, and with a ski resort on the doorstep and the Costa del Sol within easy driving distance, this unique city offers visitors the best of both worlds.