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Granada
The Alhambra, below the snows of the Sierra Nevada
- Best time to visit
- Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- UTC+1
- Country
- Spain
The last capital of Muslim Spain, crowned by the Alhambra, with a Moorish old quarter, free tapas and ski slopes an hour away.
- Madrid
- Barcelona
- Valencia
- Seville
- Málaga
Quick facts
- Country
- Spain
- Capital
- Madrid
- City population
- 230,000
- Population of Spain
- 48.6M
- Country area
- 505,990 km²
- Official language
- Spanish
- Currency
- Euro (EUR) · 1 USD ≈ 0.8929 EUR
- Time zone
- UTC+1
- Calling code
- +34
- Drives on the
- Right
- Elevation
- 740 m
- Plugs
- C / F · 230V
- Emergency numbers
- 112
- Best time to visit
- Mar, Apr, May, Oct, Nov
Temperatures through the year
Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.
Temperatures through the year
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 13° | 15° | 18° | 20° | 25° | 31° | 34° | 34° | 29° | 22° | 17° | 13° |
| Low | 1° | 2° | 5° | 7° | 10° | 15° | 18° | 18° | 14° | 10° | 5° | 2° |
Best time to visitOther months
Approximate daily cost
Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.
- ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$57
- HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$120
- LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$320
Top things to do
- ≈ $22
The Alhambra and the Generalife
The Nasrid Palaces, the Alcazaba fortress and the Generalife gardens; entry to the palaces is at a fixed time, and tickets sell out weeks ahead.
- Half day
- The Alhambra
- Free
Albaicín and the San Nicolás viewpoint
Whitewashed Moorish lanes climbing to the terrace with the famous sunset view of the Alhambra and the snowy Sierra.
- Half day
- Albaicín
- Good in the evening
- ≈ $12
Cathedral and Royal Chapel
The Renaissance cathedral and the chapel where Ferdinand and Isabella are buried.
- Half day
- City centre
- Indoors
- ≈ $45
Arab baths (hammam)
Warm, hot and cold pools in a restored Andalusian bathhouse; book a slot in advance.
- Half day
- City centre
- Indoors
- Good in the evening
- ≈ $30
Sacromonte cave flamenco
Flamenco performed in whitewashed cave houses in the hills of the Gitano quarter.
- Half day
- Albaicín
- Good in the evening
- ≈ $20
Day trip: Sierra Nevada or the Alpujarras
Skiing in winter, or white villages and walks in the mountain valleys the rest of the year.
- Full day
- Sierra Nevada
Before you go
Entry and visas
Spain is in the Schengen area: up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Many nationalities, including Indian and Saudi citizens, need a Schengen visa; visa-exempt visitors are registered at the border in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES).
Official websiteFrom the airport
Granada Airport is 20 minutes away by bus; Málaga Airport, with more flights, is about 1.5 hours by coach. Trains from Madrid take about 3.5 hours.
Getting around
Walk the centre and Albaicín; small minibuses climb the hills to the Alhambra and Sacromonte.
Local tips
- Buy Alhambra tickets only on the official site, as early as possible.
- Many bars serve a free tapa with each drink.
- The Albaicín is steep and cobbled; wear good shoes.
- Winter nights are cold; summer afternoons are very hot.
Areas worth knowing
- City centre
- Sierra Nevada
- Albaicín
- The Alhambra
The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on August 12, 2026.
Read the advice on GOV.UKMore cities in Spain
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Sources: European Commission: Schengen visas · Spain.info (Turespaña) · Patronato de la Alhambra y Generalife