Granada Holidays: the Alhambra, Climate and Getting There
Provincia de Granada · Andalusia · Spain · 233,532 residents
Alhambra
Generalife
University of Granada
S.A.I. Catedral Metropolitana de la Encarnación.jpg/500px-Royal_Chapel_of_Granada_(Spain).jpg)
Royal Chapel of GranadaGranada is a city of some 233,000 people set 689 metres above sea level in the province of the same name, inland Andalusia. Most travellers come for the Alhambra, the palace and fortress complex a little over a mile from the centre, with the Generalife, the Partal and the Palace of Charles V close beside it. Down in the city, the cathedral, the Royal Chapel and the Madrasah stand within a mile of each other. Getting here from the UK is straightforward: Granada's own airport is about 9 miles out and has direct flights, with Málaga and Almería as alternatives. Spring and early autumn bring the kindest weather, while July and August reach 35°C.
Why go
- The Alhambra, Generalife and Palace of Charles V sit together about a mile from the centre.
- Granada airport, only around 13 minutes' drive away, has direct flights from the United Kingdom.
- May, June, September and October bring warm, mostly dry days of 24°C to 30°C.
Top sights in Granada
The Alhambra and the City Below
The Alhambra, the palace and fortress complex about 1.3 miles from the centre, is the reason most people book Granada. Its neighbours make a full day of it: the Generalife palace at roughly 1.4 miles, the Partal, a historic palace inside the Alhambra itself, and the Renaissance Palace of Charles V, both around 1.2 miles out. If you visit only one thing, make it this hill.
In the city proper, the Catedral Metropolitana de la Encarnación, the Royal Chapel of Granada, the Madrasah of Granada and the Granada Mosque all lie about 0.9 miles from the centre, so they pair easily on foot. Closer in are the University of Granada at under half a mile, the Granada Charterhouse monastery at half a mile, and the Puerta de Elvira and the Basilica of Saint John of God at roughly 0.6 miles each. The Monasterio de San Jerónimo is about 0.6 miles away, and the Alcázar Genil, a historic building, about 1.7 miles.
Tours and tickets for these sights can be booked directly on this page through the booking cards below.
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S.A.I. Catedral Metropolitana de la Encarnación
1 mile from the centre · Photo
cultural property in Granada, Spain
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Tours & tickets in Granada
Guided tours, day trips and tickets in and around Granada can be booked in advance, priced in GBP.
See tours & tickets (opens GetYourGuide in a new tab)Where to stay in Granada
Choosing Your Base in Granada
Granada is a sizeable city rather than a resort, and there is no coast here, so the choice is about which part of town suits you. Staying near the cathedral and Royal Chapel puts the densest cluster of sights, along with the university and the Puerta de Elvira, within a short walk. Staying towards the Alhambra side keeps you close to the palaces, about a mile further out, which suits those planning an early start on the hill.
With a population above 233,000, the centre is lively, so if you want quieter evenings consider the villages a few miles out, such as Alfacar or Monachil. Live hotel prices for Granada are shown on this page.
Hire a car
The easiest way to reach Granada and the villages around it is a hire car from Granada (GRX), about 13 min away.
Best time to visit Granada
When to Visit Granada
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- 25°CMay38 mm
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Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
The most pleasant months are May, June, September and October. May averages 25°C with six rain days, June 30°C with only three, September 29°C with four, and October a comfortable 24°C with seven.
July and August are the hottest, with daytime highs of 35°C and nights around 21°C, and almost no rain. March is the wettest month, with about 115 mm over 12 days, and April stays changeable. Winter is cool at this altitude: January averages 13°C by day and 3°C at night. As an inland city, Granada has no sea temperature to consider.
Full monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 13°C | 3°C | 50 mm | 8 h |
| Feb | 15°C | 4°C | 56 mm | 9 h |
| Mar | 17°C | 6°C | 115 mm | 10 h |
| Apr | 20°C | 8°C | 69 mm | 11 h |
| May | 25°C | 12°C | 38 mm | 13 h |
| Jun | 30°C | 16°C | 17 mm | 14 h |
| Jul | 35°C | 21°C | 4 mm | 14 h |
| Aug | 35°C | 21°C | 6 mm | 13 h |
| Sept | 29°C | 16°C | 23 mm | 11 h |
| Oct | 24°C | 13°C | 48 mm | 10 h |
| Nov | 17°C | 7°C | 71 mm | 9 h |
| Dec | 15°C | 5°C | 62 mm | 8 h |
Averages 2015–2024. Highlighted months are the sweet spot for warm, dry weather.
Getting there from the UK
Flights, Drives and Ferries
Granada airport (GRX) is about 9 miles from the city, roughly a 13-minute drive, and has direct flights from the United Kingdom. Málaga (AGP), a large airport also with direct UK flights, is about 61 miles away, around 1 hour 25 minutes by car. Almería (LEI), likewise served directly from the UK, is about 72 miles away, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes' drive.
Driving from Calais takes around 23 hours at the wheel, so it is best split over several days. The nearby ferry ports at Motril (about 32 miles), Málaga (about 55 miles) and Almería (about 68 miles) run routes to Morocco rather than the UK, which is handy only if you plan to carry on south.
By air
- Granada (GRX)9 miles, about 13 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Málaga (AGP)61 miles, about 1 h 26 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
- Almería (LEI)72 miles, about 1 h 43 min by roaddirect flights from the UK
By car and ferry
Driving from Calais takes roughly 22 h 58 min without stops. Nearest ferry ports: Motril (32 miles), Málaga (55 miles), Almería (68 miles).
Granada is good for
Around Granada
Villages Within an Easy Drive
Several small towns sit close enough for a half day out. Alfacar is about 4 miles away, Monachil around 6 miles and Güéjar-Sierra roughly 9 miles. A little further, Moclín is about 14 miles and Nigüelas about 15 miles.
For a longer day, Lanjarón is around 20 miles from Granada, Capileira about 21 miles and Órgiva about 22 miles. Capileira, with fewer than 600 residents, and Nigüelas, with under 1,000, make a sharp contrast with the city.
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Tips from Robin
Practical Points Before You Go
Granada stands at 689 metres, so nights are noticeably cooler than on the coast: even in October lows drop to around 13°C, and in winter to 3°C. Pack a warm layer outside high summer.
In July and August daytime highs reach 35°C, and the Alhambra visit involves time outdoors on the hill, so plan it for the cooler part of the day. Booking tours and tickets in advance through this page saves arranging them on the spot.
Questions people ask
Are there direct flights from the UK to Granada?
Yes. Granada airport (GRX), about 9 miles from the city and around 13 minutes by car, has direct flights from the United Kingdom. Málaga and Almería airports also have direct UK flights and are roughly 1 hour 25 minutes and 1 hour 45 minutes' drive away respectively.
How far is the Alhambra from Granada city centre?
The Alhambra is about 1.3 miles from the centre. The Generalife sits around 1.4 miles away, and the Palace of Charles V and the Partal about 1.2 miles, so all of them can be seen in the same visit.
What is the best month to visit Granada?
May, June, September and October offer the most pleasant conditions, with highs between 24°C and 30°C and few rain days. July and August reach 35°C, while March is the wettest month with around 12 rain days.
Does Granada have a beach?
No, Granada is an inland city at 689 metres above sea level. The nearest port, Motril, is about 32 miles away, though the ferries from there run to Morocco rather than serving as a beach base.
Is Granada cold in winter?
It is cooler than coastal Andalusia because of its altitude. January averages 13°C by day and 3°C at night, and December highs are around 15°C, so bring warm clothing for winter visits.
What day trips can I take from Granada?
Alfacar (about 4 miles), Monachil (about 6 miles) and Güéjar-Sierra (about 9 miles) are close by. For a fuller day, Lanjarón, Capileira and Órgiva lie between 20 and 22 miles from the city.