Granada sits at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, and the city’s best known for the Alhambra, the huge Moorish palace complex on the hill above town. Below the palaces lies the Albaicín with its narrow streets and white houses, and down in the centre you’ll find the cathedral, the shops and the tapas bars, where you’ll often get a free tapa with your drink.
Granada isn’t a big city, but it’s built on hills, so your choice of area matters a lot. If you stay in the Albaicín or by the Alhambra, you’ll get views and peace and quiet, but also steep streets. Here are my recommendations for six areas and hotels in several price ranges.
Contents
The Best Areas in Granada
- Centro and Catedral - best area for first-time visitors
- Plaza Nueva and Carrera del Darro - best area for a romantic weekend
- Albaicín - best area for views and atmosphere
- Realejo - best area for tapas and local life
- By the Alhambra - best area close to the palaces
- Sacromonte - best area for cave houses and flamenco
Below, I’ll take you through the six areas one by one, with a map, practical facts and three hotels in each area from luxury to budget, so you can find the base that suits your trip to Granada.
1. Centro and Catedral - best area for first-time visitors ⛪
- 📍 Distance from the centre: You’ll be staying right in the middle of the city, with the cathedral, the Capilla Real and the shopping streets around Calle Reyes Católicos just round the corner.
- 🚌 Transport: You can walk to most places. The C30 minibus runs to the Alhambra from Calle Pavaneras by Plaza Isabel la Católica, and the C31 and C34 run to the Albaicín and Sacromonte from Plaza Nueva.
- ✈️ Time from Granada Airport: Around 45 minutes on the airport bus, which stops on Gran Vía de Colón by the cathedral.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £85 to £370 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: The centre is safe, in the evening too. Watch out for pickpockets in the crowds around the cathedral and in the narrow streets of the Alcaicería.
Centro is the most practical place to stay if it’s your first time in Granada or if you’ve only got a weekend. The streets here are flat, and that matters more than you’d think in a city where most of the other neighbourhoods sit on steep hills. You’ll have restaurants, supermarkets and pharmacies right outside the door.
In the middle of the area stands Granada Cathedral, and right next to it is the Capilla Real, where the Catholic Monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand are buried. Behind the cathedral lies the Alcaicería, the old silk market, which today is a maze of narrow streets full of souvenir shops, and the square Plaza Bib-Rambla with its cafés and flower stalls.
The ALSA airport bus stops on Gran Vía de Colón by the cathedral, so you can walk to most of the hotels in the area with your suitcase. Many people fly into Málaga instead and take the bus on from there, and my guide to getting from Málaga Airport to the city centre will help you with the first leg.
If you’re arriving by train, for example from Madrid, where I’ve also written about where to stay in Madrid, you can take bus 4, 21 or 33 from the station and get off at the Catedral stop, according to Granada’s tourist office.
The downside of Centro is that it’s the least charming of the areas. Gran Vía and Calle Reyes Católicos are big, busy streets with traffic and chain stores. On the other hand, Plaza Nueva is only a few minutes’ walk from the cathedral, and I’d choose Centro if you want things to be easy, you’re travelling with a suitcase or you’re not a fan of steep cobbles.
Places to Stay in Centro
Hospes Palacio de los Patos - best luxury hotel with a spa and garden
Palacio de los Patos is a five-star hotel in an old mansion close to Puerta Real, with a garden, a restaurant and a spa with a hammam. It’s the most luxurious choice in the centre and had one of the highest guest ratings in my search. A few guests do mention that it can be noisy in the evening in some parts of the hotel, though.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Beautiful hotel, excellent location and very helpful staff.”
See photos and book Hospes Palacio de los Patos here.
Hotel Maciá Granada Five Senses Rooms & Suites - best mid-range hotel with a roof terrace and pool
Five Senses is on Gran Vía de Colón, a few minutes’ walk from the cathedral, and has a roof terrace with a small pool that’s open in season, as well as a sauna and spa. The rooms are spacious for the price, but if your room faces Gran Vía, you’ll hear the traffic.
One guest highlights on Booking.com: “The location and the size of the room.”
See photos and book Hotel Maciá Five Senses here.
Hotel Boutique Párraga Siete - cheapest pick with a high guest rating
Párraga Siete is a small boutique hotel on a side street close to Puerta Real and was the cheapest of my three picks in Centro when I searched. The hotel has a restaurant and bar and a guest rating of 9.0, but some guests mention noise from the street.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Lovely room … we’ve stayed here before and love it.”
See photos and book Hotel Boutique Párraga Siete here.
2. Plaza Nueva and Carrera del Darro - best area for a romantic weekend 🌉
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Plaza Nueva is a few minutes’ walk from the cathedral, and from there Carrera del Darro follows the river towards Paseo de los Tristes.
- 🚌 Transport: The C31 minibus to the Albaicín and the C34 to Sacromonte leave from Plaza Nueva, and on foot you can walk up to the Alhambra via Cuesta de Gomérez.
- ✈️ Time from Granada Airport: Around 45 minutes on the airport bus to Gran Vía de Colón and then a few minutes’ walk. Taxis can’t always drive all the way up the narrow streets.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £85 to £135 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: The area’s full of people until late in the evening. Keep an eye on your bag on Plaza Nueva, where there are lots of tourists, and take care on the slippery cobbles after rain.
Plaza Nueva and Carrera del Darro are my pick for the best area for a romantic weekend in Granada. You’ll be staying right where the centre meets the Albaicín, with the Alhambra on the hill just above you. It’s the place in the city where you’ll get the most atmosphere without having to drag your suitcase up the steepest streets.
Carrera del Darro is a narrow cobbled street that follows the little River Darro, with stone bridges and old houses on both sides. Along the way, you’ll pass El Bañuelo, an old Arab bathhouse, and at the end you’ll reach Paseo de los Tristes, where you can sit on a terrace with the Alhambra lit up above you in the evening.
See hotels near Plaza Nueva here.
From Plaza Nueva, Cuesta de Gomérez climbs up through the woods towards the Alhambra, and it’s a beautiful but steep walk. You’ll need to buy Alhambra tickets well in advance wherever you stay, and according to Granada’s tourist office, they can be bought up to three months ahead. The same page explains which minibuses leave from the square.
The downside is that the area is one of the most visited in the city. Plaza Nueva is packed with tourists, street musicians and restaurants with menus in several languages, and the food isn’t always the best. Walk a few streets up into the Albaicín or over to Calle Elvira if you want tapas at a more sensible price.
I’d choose the area for a couple who want the classic Granada atmosphere right outside the door and still want to be able to walk to the cathedral and the shopping streets in a few minutes. It’s also a good choice for a short weekend, because you can reach both the Albaicín and the Alhambra on foot.
Places to Stay near Plaza Nueva and Carrera del Darro
Palacio de Mariana Pineda - best luxury pick by the River Darro
Palacio de Mariana Pineda is a four-star hotel in an old mansion on Carrera del Darro with views over the river. Guests praise the building and the location, but there’s no lift, and some mention noise from the courtyard by the entrance.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Good location with views over the river. Beautiful building.”
See photos and book Palacio de Mariana Pineda here.
Casa del Capitel Nazarí - best mid-range hotel in an old townhouse
Casa del Capitel Nazarí is on a narrow side street a few steps from Plaza Nueva, and the rooms are set around a courtyard. It’s a good choice for a couple who want historic atmosphere at a sensible price, but the bathrooms are small, and sound from the courtyard can carry up to the rooms.
One guest describes the hotel on Booking.com: “Comfortable hotel with a beautiful design and a fantastic location.”
See photos and book Casa del Capitel Nazarí here.
Hotel Macià Plaza - cheapest pick right on Plaza Nueva
Macià Plaza is right on Plaza Nueva and was the cheapest of the three here when I searched. The location’s hard to beat for the price, but the rooms are small and the walls are thin, so pack earplugs.
One guest highlights the location on Booking.com: “The location was excellent, right in the centre.”
See photos and book Hotel Macià Plaza here.
3. Albaicín - best area for views and atmosphere 🌅
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Around 10 to 25 minutes’ walk down to Plaza Nueva, depending on how high up in the neighbourhood you’re staying.
- 🚌 Transport: The C31 minibus runs from Plaza Nueva up through the Albaicín, and the C32 links the neighbourhood with the Alhambra. Many streets are so narrow and steep that you’ll have to walk the last bit.
- ✈️ Time from Granada Airport: Around 45 minutes on the airport bus to Gran Vía and then a minibus or taxi up into the neighbourhood.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€. The three places below cost roughly £80 to £145 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: The Albaicín is quiet, but the streets can be dark and deserted late in the evening. Stick to the bigger streets, and look after your things in the crowds at the Mirador de San Nicolás at sunset.
The Albaicín is the neighbourhood most people fall in love with. It’s Granada’s original town, and the Moorish street plan with its narrow, winding lanes has largely been preserved. Together with the Alhambra and the Generalife, the neighbourhood is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and here you’ll find the white houses and the so-called carmenes, old houses with gardens behind high walls.
The most famous spot is the Mirador de San Nicolás, where you’ll see the Alhambra with the Sierra Nevada behind it. The viewpoint is free and always open, but it’s packed at sunset, so get there early or go up in the morning when it’s quieter. Around Plaza Larga in the upper part of the neighbourhood, there are small bars and bakeries where the locals do their shopping.
See hotels in the Albaicín here.
At the bottom of the neighbourhood lies Calle Calderería Nueva, with tea rooms and shops selling lamps and rugs. The street feels more like a souk in Morocco than the rest of Spain, and it’s a lovely place for a stroll in the afternoon. The tourist office has a good overview of the Albaicín’s sights if you’d like to see more than the viewpoints.
The downside is the hills. The streets are steep and cobbled, so the neighbourhood isn’t a good choice if you’ve got bad knees or big suitcases. Large parts of the Albaicín are closed to ordinary traffic, so it can be hard to get a taxi all the way to the door.
I’d choose the Albaicín if you want to wake up with a view of the Alhambra and don’t mind walking. Stay in the lower part by Paseo de los Tristes if you’d like to be close to the centre and the restaurants.
Places to Stay in the Albaicín
Hotel Casa Morisca - best luxury pick with historic atmosphere
Casa Morisca is on Cuesta de la Victoria just above Paseo de los Tristes in the lower part of the Albaicín, so it’s a short walk both down to the river and up into the neighbourhood. The hotel has a terrace, and guests highlight the history of the building. Several mention sounds from the neighbouring rooms, though, and parking is difficult.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Fantastic location, lots of character and plenty of history in the building.”
See photos and book Hotel Casa Morisca here.
La Posada de Quijada - best mid-range pick with a high guest rating
La Posada de Quijada is a small guesthouse in the southern part of the Albaicín and had the highest guest rating of my three picks here, 9.4. Guests praise the host and the breakfast, but the place can be hard to find the first time, and there’s no tea or coffee in the rooms.
One guest praises the place on Booking.com: “Fantastic location, a lovely owner and host and a delicious breakfast!”
See photos and book La Posada de Quijada here.
Casa Po - cheapest pick with a sun terrace
Casa Po is a bed and breakfast in the western part of the Albaicín with a sun terrace and a shared kitchen. It was the cheapest of the three in the Albaicín when I searched and suits you if you’d like a quiet stay and don’t need hotel service. A few guests mention problems with the hot water.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Very quiet, clean and comfortable.”
See photos and book Casa Po here.
4. Realejo - best area for tapas and local life 🍷
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Around 5 to 15 minutes’ walk to the cathedral and Plaza Nueva.
- 🚶 Transport: You’ll walk most of the time. The C30 minibus to the Alhambra leaves from Calle Pavaneras on the edge of the neighbourhood.
- ✈️ Time from Granada Airport: Around 45 minutes on the airport bus to Puerta Real or Gran Vía and then a short walk.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€. The three places below cost roughly £75 to £195 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: Realejo is a quiet residential neighbourhood. The bars around Campo del Príncipe can be noisy at the weekend, so ask for a room away from the street if you’re a light sleeper.
Realejo is Granada’s old Jewish quarter, which was called Garnata al-Yahud in Moorish times. Today it’s a lively residential neighbourhood with schools, small shops and plenty of tapas bars, and it’s where I’d stay if you’d like to experience Granada more like the locals do.
The heart of the neighbourhood is the large square Campo del Príncipe, where the restaurants put their tables out on the square. Calle Navas, right on the edge of the centre, is one of the city’s best-known tapas streets. In Granada, you’ll often get a free tapa when you order a beer or a glass of wine, so an evening in the tapas bars doesn’t have to be expensive.
Take a walk through the steep streets up towards the Alhambra hill too, where you’ll find street art on the walls and small squares such as Placeta de la Puerta del Sol with views over the city. Granada’s tourist office has a good description of Realejo with the neighbourhood’s sights, including the Corrala de Santiago courtyard house from the 16th century.
From the upper part of Realejo, it isn’t far up to the Alhambra, but the walk is steep. The downside of the neighbourhood is that there are fewer hotels than in Centro, and most of them are guesthouses or small hotels. On the other hand, prices are often a little lower than around Plaza Nueva.
I’d choose Realejo if you’ve been to Granada before, or if you want to stay centrally and eat well without being surrounded by tourists all the time. The neighbourhood also works well for a longer trip, when you’d like a base that feels more like an ordinary Spanish town.
Places to Stay in Realejo
Carmen de la Alcubilla del Caracol - best luxury pick with views over the city
Carmen de la Alcubilla del Caracol is a small hotel on the slope below the Alhambra in the upper part of Realejo, with a garden and terraces. Guests particularly highlight the view and the host. Parking is tricky, and some find the beds narrow.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The view and the host were truly exceptional!”
See photos and book Carmen de la Alcubilla del Caracol here.
Hotelito Suecia "Hotel & Gallery" - best mid-range pick with a garden and terrace
Hotelito Suecia is on a quiet side street at the foot of the Alhambra hill, around five minutes’ walk from Campo del Príncipe. It’s a cosy guesthouse with a garden and terrace and a guest rating of 9.1. The stairs are steep, so it won’t suit everyone.
One guest describes the place on Booking.com: “A beautiful place with a fantastic location.”
See photos and book Hotelito Suecia here.
Hostal Costa Azul - cheapest pick close to Campo del Príncipe
Hostal Costa Azul is a simple guesthouse a few minutes’ walk from Campo del Príncipe and the tapas bars. It was the cheapest of the three, and guests praise how clean it is. The bars in the neighbourhood can be noisy in the evening, and some find the entry system a hassle.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location was fantastic, and it was very clean.”
See photos and book Hostal Costa Azul here.
5. By the Alhambra - best area close to the palaces 🏰
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Around 20 to 30 minutes’ walk downhill to Plaza Nueva, and the walk back up is steep.
- 🚌 Transport: The C30 and C32 minibuses run between the centre and the Alhambra, so you can take the bus up and down when your legs are tired.
- ✈️ Time from Granada Airport: Around an hour on the airport bus and a minibus. If you’ve got a lot of luggage, a taxi all the way is the easiest option.
- 💰 Price range: €€ to €€€€. The three hotels below cost roughly £90 to £340 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: The area is very safe and quiet in the evening. Don’t walk down through the woods alone after dark, and take the bus or a taxi instead.
If you want to stay as close to the Alhambra as possible, you can actually stay inside the complex itself. The Alhambra is a whole little hill of palaces, fortress walls and gardens, and you should allow at least half a day to see the Nasrid Palaces, the Alcazaba and the gardens of the Generalife.
Tickets are sold on the Alhambra’s official ticket website, and the ticket for the Nasrid Palaces has a fixed time slot that you’ll need to stick to. The best slots sell out quickly, so book as soon as you know your dates. If it’s sold out, or you’d like the history explained, you can book a guided tour of the Alhambra with tickets here.
See hotels near the Alhambra here.
The advantage of staying here is that you don’t have to plan your transport to your fixed time slot at the Nasrid Palaces, and you can be at the entrance when it opens in the morning and see the gardens before the big day-trip groups arrive. The Alhambra also has night visits, and if you’d rather walk around on your own than follow a guide, you can buy a ticket including the Nasrid Palaces here.
The downside is that there are few restaurants and no nightlife to speak of. You’ll have to head down into town for tapas, and that means either a long walk back up or a ride on the minibus. The hotels inside the complex are also among the most expensive in Granada.
I’d choose this area if the Alhambra is the main reason for your trip, if you want to celebrate something special with a night at the Parador, or if you’d like quiet evenings far from the traffic down in town.
Places to Stay near the Alhambra
Parador de Granada - best luxury pick inside the Alhambra
Parador de Granada is in a former convent inside the Alhambra complex itself, and it’s the most famous hotel in the city. You’ll be staying a few minutes’ walk from the Nasrid Palaces and can enjoy the hotel’s garden in the evening. Some guests mention that not all rooms have a view and that breakfast can get busy.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location is absolutely fabulous, and the staff are excellent and helpful.”
See photos and book Parador de Granada here.
Hotel América - best mid-range pick inside the Alhambra
Hotel América is a small hotel on Calle Real de la Alhambra right next to the Parador, so you’ll get almost the same location for less than half the price. The rooms are traditionally furnished, and there’s a restaurant and a garden. Breakfast isn’t always included, and parking is difficult.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location is brilliant, and I love the traditional rooms.”
See photos and book Hotel América here.
Porcel Alixares - cheapest pick with a pool close to the Generalife
Porcel Alixares is a large four-star hotel on Paseo de la Sabica close to the Alhambra’s entrance by the Generalife. It has an outdoor pool that’s open in season and was the cheapest of the three by the Alhambra. The decor is a bit old-fashioned, and rooms facing the road can be noisy.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location is fantastic, the rooms are really comfortable, and the staff are very friendly.”
See photos and book Porcel Alixares here.
6. Sacromonte - best area for cave houses and flamenco 💃
- 📍 Distance from the centre: Around 20 to 40 minutes’ walk to Plaza Nueva along Carrera del Darro, depending on how far out you’re staying.
- 🚌 Transport: The C34 minibus runs between Plaza Nueva and Sacromonte, but less often than the other minibuses. In the evening, a taxi is the easiest option.
- ✈️ Time from Granada Airport: Around 45 minutes on the airport bus to Gran Vía and then the C34 minibus or a taxi.
- 💰 Price range: € to €€€. The three places below cost roughly £65 to £185 a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
- 👮 Safety: The neighbourhood is quiet, but the paths between the caves are dark and uneven in the evening. Have the torch on your phone ready, and walk with others when you’re heading home late from a flamenco show.
Sacromonte sits on the hill east of the Albaicín, and it’s the neighbourhood with the famous cave houses dug into the hillside. It’s known as the cradle of flamenco in Granada, and this is where you’ll find the zambras, the caves where there are flamenco shows every evening.
The easiest way to understand the neighbourhood is a visit to the Museo Cuevas del Sacromonte, where old cave houses show how people lived and worked here. Higher up on Valparaíso hill stands the Abadía del Sacromonte, one of the city’s most important religious buildings. Granada’s tourist office has a good introduction to Sacromonte.
See hotels in Sacromonte here.
In the evening, you can see flamenco in one of the caves. The shows are short and intimate, and you’ll sit close to the dancers and musicians. You can book tickets for flamenco at Cuevas Los Tarantos here.
The walk from Plaza Nueva to Sacromonte follows Carrera del Darro and Paseo de los Tristes and carries on up Camino del Sacromonte, where the caves line the road. It’s a lovely walk during the day, but in the evening it’s easier to take the C34 minibus or a taxi, especially if you’re heading home after a late flamenco show.
Staying in a cave is a fun experience, and the caves keep a pleasant temperature even when it’s hot outside. The downside is that there are often few windows, and you’ll be a long way from restaurants and supermarkets. Many of the places to stay are apartments and holiday homes without a reception.
I’d choose Sacromonte for one or two nights as an experience, ideally combined with a few nights in the centre. It’s a good fit for couples and friends who want to try something different.
Places to Stay in Sacromonte
Luxury Cave 100m super terraza vistas Alhambra WIFI - best luxury pick with a large terrace
This cave house has a large terrace with views of the Alhambra and had a guest rating of 9.7 when I searched, but there aren’t many reviews yet. It’s a whole property without a reception, and guests mention that it’s quite a walk up to it.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Absolutely incredible to stay in a cave with a fantastic view of the Alhambra.”
See photos and book Luxury Cave here.
Cuevas El Abanico - best mid-range pick close to the cave museum
Cuevas El Abanico are cave houses with a terrace on Verea de Enmedio, a few minutes’ walk from the Museo Cuevas del Sacromonte. They suit a couple or a small family who’d like to try staying in a cave. A few guests have complained about the cleaning and the beds.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location was perfect, and the host was very friendly.”
See photos and book Cuevas El Abanico here.
Cueva de David - cheapest pick with free parking
Cueva de David is further out along Camino de Beas, east of Sacromonte itself, and was the cheapest of the three when I searched. There’s free parking, which is rare in this part of the city, and guests praise the host. On the other hand, there are few windows and it’s a long way into the centre, so it works best if you’ve got a car.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The host was incredibly helpful, the communication was excellent and made everything so easy.”
See photos and book Cueva de David here.
Where should you avoid staying in Granada?
I wouldn’t stay in the newer residential areas south and west of the centre, such as Zaidín and the area along Camino de Ronda, if you’re visiting Granada as a tourist. The hotels are often cheaper, but you’ll spend a lot of time walking or taking the bus to the Alhambra, the Albaicín and the tapas bars. The same goes for the area around the bus station north of the centre.
Be careful with the upper parts of the Albaicín and Sacromonte too if you find walking difficult. The distances look short on the map, but the streets are steep, and you can rarely drive all the way up.
If you’re coming by car, choose a hotel with parking. Granada’s centre has streets with restricted traffic, so check the rules on the tourist office’s page of practical questions before you drive in.
If it’s your first time in Granada and you’ve only got a weekend, I’d stay in Centro or near Plaza Nueva, where everything’s close by. If you want views and atmosphere, the Albaicín is the obvious choice, Realejo suits you if you’d like to eat tapas with the locals, and the area by the Alhambra is best if the palaces are the main reason for your trip. Sacromonte is perfect for a night or two in a cave.
Many people combine Granada with other cities in Andalusia. Seville is around three hours away by train or bus, and I’ve written about where to stay in Seville. If you’d like to finish your trip on the coast, you can read my guide to where to stay in Málaga and my tips on things to do in Málaga and on the Costa del Sol.
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇
• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers
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