10 things to know before visiting Granada 

This article is for those first-timers in Granada. I want to give you some pieces of advice that you have to keep in mind before coming to visit the fantastic city of Granada.

My goal with this article is to help you make your visit to Granada unique and unforgettable, showing you the points you need to know before visiting Granada.

This time I want to warn you of a series of aspects that, in case of being misinformed, could negatively influence your visit, which I do not want to happen.

I want that, when you return home after spending a few days in Granada, the only thing on your mind is the day that you will return to visit the city of Alhambra for a second time.

1 The best season to visit Granada 

Keep in mind that Granada is situated in Andalusia, and the south of Spain has hot weather if you decide to come during the summer.

When I least recommend coming it is in summer, since the temperature is very high, which makes it a bit overwhelming to see the city on foot.

Without a doubt, the best period to visit Granada in terms of temperature and good atmosphere is in spring, although it coincides with the high season in the city, and it is usually a bit crowded.

If you prefer not to find crowds, I recommend visiting the city before Easter (between January and March or April). The weather is enjoyable, so you can move around the city on foot, the best way to get to know this wonderful city.

Another good time to visit Granada is November and December (before Christmas and not on holidays).

2 Visit Granada as a local 

Granada must be experienced from a local point of view, just like any other city in the world.

What better way than to contact a guide who will show you the city like a local to do this, a local guide who can show you the secrets of this historical city.

If you already have this idea in mind, do not hesitate to contact me, I can help you!

3 Granada is a good option to travel for many reasons that you need to know before visiting Granada

✳ Safe city. 

Granada is a fairly safe city and there are hardly any worries of violent or major crime. As with most cities, you should be more careful in train and bus stations and around tourist attractions.

✳ Different and full of history.

The city is the most renowned building of the Islamic historical legacy with its many cultural attractions and architectural elements that make Granada a popular destination among the tourist cities of Spain.

✳ The city is easy to visit. 

You will find that most everything of interest to tourists is within easy walking distance of each other

✳ Economic. 

If you have a limited budget Granada is also for you. You can go out for tapas, have a couple of beers and have dinner, for about four euros!

Granada is one of the cheapest cities to visit if you have a limited budget.

4 Granada, university city 

The city is one of the favorites for Spanish students, but foreign university students have Granada in their sights as the ideal place to live their Erasmus experience.

Its significant university influence has allowed the city’s leisure offer to grow.

Many of the University of Granada faculties are located in surroundings very close to the historic center, which contributes to a youthful atmosphere when strolling through its streets.

5 Granada is not just the Alhambra! 

The fact that Granada has the most visited monument in all of Spain does not mean that the city’s magic is summed up with the charms of the Alhambra.

Granada is a city that you have to dedicate more than one day to if you really want to be captivated by its beauty.

Visit this article where I show other 11 plans to do in this city.

6 San Nicolás is not the only viewpoint

This is another important thing you need to know before visiting Granada.

I have not yet met anyone who has visited Granada and has not taken a souvenir in the form of a Selfie from the most popular viewpoint in the whole city.

A viewpoint that represents an entire city.

A place from which everyone is ecstatic as soon as they sit and stare at the spectacular panorama.

There are dozens of hidden viewpoints between the different characteristic neighborhoods of Granada.

I leave you a short list of them:

– Mirador de San Miguel alto

The highest point in the entire city, you can enjoy spectacular views of the city, the Albaicín, and the Alhambra.

Tourists do not usually frequent this viewpoint since it is located a bit further from the urban center.

– Mario Maya viewpoint

From this viewpoint, you can enjoy a different perspective of the Alhambra, the city, and the Albaicín. Here you can contemplate one of the most spectacular sunsets in the entire city.

– Carvajales viewpoint

Usually, tourists come to it by chance since it is hidden among the narrow streets of Albaicín.

It offers sensational views of the Torre de la Vela of the Alhambra.

7 Forget the car! 

Before visiting Granada, you need to know that it is not a city that is easy to get around by car.

The high urban traffic of the city caused that the circulation of any vehicle other than public transport was prohibited through the main downtown streets of Granada.

​​The Albaicín and Alhambra areas have also been limited by vehicle traffic. In this way, the ideal way to move between the main points of interest in the city is on foot or by public transport.

In addition, walking around the city is the best way to discover its charms, since in many it is necessary to get lost a little to get to them.

Leave the car parked in the outskirts, away from the blue payment zone, and go to the center by public transport. There are also many public and private parking to park inside the city.

8 Granada is the pioneer city in Spain in offering free tapas 

So, many people are astonished when they arrive at a bar, order a beer and, suddenly, the waiter appears with some huge sandwiches or a plate with a local culinary elaboration.

Granada is covered with scandal, but of course, you have to find the bars that best suit your needs at the time.

Meanwhile, you can contact me to find out which are the best areas for tapas, and be sure to visit this other article on my blog where I tell you about the cuisine of Granada.

9 What to wear in the baggage? 

If you come in spring or autumn, you will discover that it can be hot and cold on the same day.

In the morning you may need a jacket because you are cold, but at noon you have all your clothes left over, and you need to find a shade-.

So, I recommend you wear warmer clothes for the first hours of the day and stop at night, without forgetting a backpack to put all those clothes that you will have leftover at noon.

If you decide to visit Granada in winter it is freezing, you should bring warm clothes.

10 Last notice: You are going to want to return 

Granada is a city that engages.

After their first visit to Nasrid city, I have friends and clients who decided that they would return later.

In Europe, the city has already positioned itself as the preferred destination for Erasmus students.

Even its inhabitants boast of living in one of the fascinating cities on the entire planet, as its charms captivate anyone.

And it is that nobody dares to deny that Granada has something that everyone is passionate about.

Now that you have already read the things to know before visiting Granada, maybe is your time to visit it!

If Granada is on your wish list and you want to know more about Granada, read this post and do not forget to download my free Ebook with all you need to know before visiting Granada.