Granada
Granada is known for the Alhambra palace complex, the medieval Albaicín quarter and tapas that come free with a drink.
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Granada is a city in Andalusia, southern Spain, and the capital of the province with the same name. It sits at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, on the Vega de Granada plain, at about 680 m above sea level. Until 1492 it was the capital of the Nasrid Emirate, the last Muslim-ruled state on the Iberian Peninsula. Its Alhambra palace complex is the city's best-known site, with the Generalife gardens just to the east.
The Albaicín, the hillside quarter north of the Alhambra, keeps a medieval street plan and carmen houses with walled gardens. Sacromonte, on a neighbouring hillside, is known for whitewashed cave houses and flamenco. The Mediterranean coast is about 50 km away, so a beach day trip is possible. Summers are very hot, with July averaging about 34 °C and temperatures over 40 °C not uncommon, so July and August call for care in the heat.
Granada in five
- Book the Alhambra weeks aheadBuy on the official site as soon as your dates are set. The Nasrid Palaces can only be visited at the time printed on your ticket.Alhambra official site
- Plan around your Nasrid Palaces slotArrive well before the time on your ticket, since the walk from the gate takes a while. Opening hours change by season, so check the official site for the current schedule.
- Watch sunset from the AlbaicínThe Mirador de San Nicolás faces the Alhambra with the Sierra Nevada behind. Walk up or take the small city buses through the lanes.
- Order a drink, get a tapaMany Granada bars still serve a small free tapa with each drink. Move bar to bar rather than ordering a full meal.
- Reach Granada from Málaga without a carMany visitors fly into Málaga and continue by bus or train. The Málaga day-trip guide covers the route and how to time it.Day trips from Málaga
Things to do in Granada
See all attractions in Granada
Need to know
- Airport
- Granada (GRX), about 45 min by bus
- Getting there
- High-speed trains from Madrid in about 3.5 hours
- Getting around
- Walk; small buses climb to the Alhambra and the Albaicín
- Best base
- The center for convenience, the Albaicín for views
- Time needed
- 2 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryClear8 rainy daysHigh13°Low2°Cold nightsJanuaryClear
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 41 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold nights
- FebruaryClear7 rainy daysHigh15°Low4°Ski seasonFebruaryClear
Good
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 39 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Ski season
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh16°Low5°MildMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 100 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh19°Low8°Spring, busyAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, busy
- MayClear6 rainy daysHigh24°Low12°Warm, clearMayClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, clear
- JuneClear3 rainy daysHigh30°Low16°HotJuneClear
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 15 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- JulyClear0 rainy daysHigh35°Low20°Very hotJulyClear
Mixed
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 1 mm
- Rainy days
- 0
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh35°Low20°Very hotAugustClear
Mixed
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Very hot
- SeptemberClear3 rainy daysHigh29°Low16°HotSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 17 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot
- OctoberClear7 rainy daysHigh24°Low12°MildOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- NovemberClear7 rainy daysHigh16°Low7°CoolNovemberClear
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
- DecemberClear7 rainy daysHigh14°Low4°Cold nightsDecemberClear
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 56 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold nights
Average daily high and low in Granada, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Granada
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
14
- Feels like
- 11°
- Humidity
- 34%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Granada
09:46 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today21°8°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue20°8°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed16°9°53%Wednesday: Rain. High 16°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Thu19°10°12%Thursday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 12%.
- Fri20°10°6%Friday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Sat21°9°6%Saturday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Sun21°13°47%Sunday: Rain. High 21°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 47%.
Updated 06:53 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Sierra Nevadaabout 1 hour by car or busSkiing in winter and high walks in summer.
- Las Alpujarrasabout 1.5 hours by carWhite villages on the south slopes of the Sierra Nevada.
- Sevilleabout 2.5 hours by trainBetter as a stay of its own.Read the guide
Before you go to Granada
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Rules for Granada, checked
Plan around Granada
Regions, rail, entry rules and money
Read the guideAndalucía in 7 daysSeville, Córdoba, Granada, Ronda and Málaga
Read the guideSevilleAlcázar, cathedral and flamenco
Read the guideCórdobaThe Mezquita and flower-filled patios
Read the guideMálagaThe nearest big airport and a coastal base
Read the guideGetting around SpainHigh-speed trains, buses and ferries
Read the guideGranada FAQ
How far ahead should I book the Alhambra?
Book as soon as your dates are fixed; spring and autumn slots can sell out weeks ahead. Buy only on the official site.
What happens if I miss my Nasrid Palaces time?
The Nasrid Palaces can only be visited at the time on your ticket, so arrive at the Alhambra with time to spare to walk to the entrance.
How many days do you need in Granada?
Two days: one for the Alhambra and the Generalife, one for the Albaicín, the cathedral and Sacromonte.
When is the best time to visit Granada?
Spring and autumn, roughly April to May and September to October, when it is warm without the peak summer heat. July and August afternoons are often in the mid-30s, and winter can be cold at night.
Do you need a car in Granada?
Not for the city, where you walk and use small buses to the Alhambra and the Albaicín. A car helps only for the Alpujarras villages and the Sierra Nevada.