Granada in southern Spain’s Andalusia region is a medium-sized Spanish city with less than 500,000 occupants. Most tourists are primarily attracted to the fantastic city, to tour around the Alhambra, the dominating stroke of genius of Islamic culture, on a hilltop with gardens, palaces and fortifications. It’s best not to let that be your only stop in a city that offers so many delights at every turn. With the snow topped mountains of the Sierra Nevada, its worth spending time discovering this Andalusian city, that was the final stronghold of the Islamic empire in Spain. Whatever your reasons for visiting Granada’s historical and relatively compact city there is a holiday rental in Granada, waiting for you. Surf through thousands of accommodation options and book the perfect holiday accommodation or bed and breakfast on Trip Advisor or Airbnb today.
Find an apartment rental, for your stay in Granada
Visit Granada: And be transported back in time
If you're dreaming of a traditional holiday rental in Spain and you want to discover a place steeped in history and you need a little help deciding whether a holiday luxury rental in Spain is right for you, then allow us to suggest that you opt for Granada. You won't be disappointed. Wander through the medieval streets of the Albaícin to the cave houses of Sacromonte, watch flamenco and hangout in the city's renowned tapas bars where you can indulge on dishes of paella, plates of fresh prawns, cured hams and slow-cooked chicken or pork stews, that tend to come for free with alcoholic drinks. Cocktails and soft drinks don't qualify for the freebies.
Walking opportunities around the city and in the mountains are plentiful, with something suitable for every level. It's the perfect way to enjoy the early morning sun before it becomes too hot (in the summer at least). So reserve holiday accommodations in Granada in the Spain that time appears to have forgotten.
When to visit
Spring and Autumn are the best times to visit as the summer months tend to get extremely hot. it can be difficult to find places to escape to avoid the midday sun. The high season also brings inevitable holiday makers and who crave a slice of Spanish sun, so holiday apartments in Granada book up in advance at this time.
How to get there?
Located in Andalusia in Southern Spain, Granada can be easily reached from across the UK. Easyjet operates direct flights to Granada from London Gatwick and Manchester, and British Airways runs flights from London City Airport. Neither are particularly expensive. It's only 12km from Granada airport to the very centre. On arrival there are taxis waiting outside the arrivals lounge at a cost of around 30 euros and a frequent bus service to and from the airport is also available. Both options are very convenient, but if you prefer to go direct to your holiday apartment in Granada then take a taxi.
If you are already holidaying in Spain, then you easily visit Granada's jewels in just one day by hitting the road in a car, or coach, or making the most of the Spanish rail network. If you have already holiday villa in Malaga or an apartment rental in Benalmadena then you are only an hour and a half from the heart of accommodation in Granada, which is the perfect opportunity to escape the costal city and delve into the country's rich heart.
Where to stay
Alhambra
Number one on the list of unmissable things to see in Granada, is the Alhambra UNESCO World Heritage site that is a both a palace and a fort. It's a place where you can spend hours wandering and staring at spectacular medieval architecture. At busy times, you can expect anything of up to 6,000 visitors a day, but if you want to stay one step ahead of the queues, and get there nice and early, it's a fantastic area for luxury holiday rentals in Granada with amazing views of the city below. It is also thought to a healthy option, as the air is clear.
Alcaicería
The Alcaicería is home to the Great Bazaar of Granada. The streets and stalls selling everything from spices to leather bags will remind you of a Morrocan Souk. Dotted around the market are charming and old-styled holiday rentals in Granada.
Albaicín
Granada has a second UNESCO World Heritage site in the heart of the city, Albaicín. It's an area with Arabic influenced winding streets, and B & B holiday rentals in Granada in houses preserved since the 16th century. Just imagine how amazing it would be to stay in one of these. Albaicín is without doubt an open-air museum. After you've experienced all of the sites enjoy one of the many bars with terraces and take in an unforgettable sunset over the Alhambra.
Plaza Nueva
It may be called the new square, but it is in fact the oldest square in the heart of the city. Throughout history it has been used by locals for various activities including celebrations, games, and bullfights. It still gets used today and when something is going on it is the ideal place to discover real Granadian life. It is perfect for a homestay in Granada, to people watch and observe the world go by.
Granada Cathedral
To celebrate defeating the Moors, Queen Isabella commissioned the Santa María de la Encarnatíón Cathedral, located near the Plaza Nueva, on the site of a previous mosque. It's difficult to comprehend how the cathedral and its elaborate sculptures were built by hand and that's just the outside. Inside its walls are numerous chapels to various Saints, each with its own individual character. Santa María de la Encarnacíon Cathedral is a must-visit. The area around the cathedral is ideal for a short term apartment rental in Granada.
Food and Drink in Granada
Breakfast isn't the most exciting affair in this part of the world because it's imperative to have an appetite for lunch and later dinner. Locals will either eat pastries, croissants and donuts early in the day. A popular breakfast that you may not have tried is a brioche called Suizo which is served warm and spread with butter and jam. Toast is also an option, but it's not the same as the toast that we eat in the UK. It normally comes to the table as a small baguette with a side dish of ham, cheese, pate, jam, butter or olive oil. If you want to eat breakfast like a local, we suggest that you have your toast with tomatoes and olive oil.
Lunch can be as cheap or expensive as you like, but you can't go far wrong with the set menu consisting of three courses. The starter will more than likely be a soup or salad, followed by the main, either meat or fish and dessert if you're lucky will be homemade, and if you're not so lucky a yoghurt or some fruit. This type of lunch won't cost the earth, generally anything between 8 and 12 euros. Sometimes when we're on the move we go for a baguette filled with Spanish omelette, Spanish ham or tuna instead. In the evening there are various options available.
If you head out early evening and order a drink, there's a good chance it will come with tapas that is free of charge to yourself. If you fancy something more extravagant and that's not to say that the tapas aren't excellent there are restaurants scattered all over the city serving dinner.
History and Culture in Granada
Choose a holiday apartment in Andalusia which mirrors the regions exotic history, and no city showcases this age-old past quite like Granada. For centuries the city of Granada had a large Jewish population that flourished right up until 1492 when the Catholic Kings came to power. Unfortunately, no synagogue remains in Granada, but in January 2014 as a way of celebrating Granada's Jewish past, a museum was opened called El Palacio de los Olvidados on a street called Cuesta San Inés. Expect to be transported back in time into Granada´s Jewish history. Without doubt nearly everyone that comes here wants to visit Alhambra, but there are lesser known examples that are worth checking out especially La Madraza close to the Royal Chapel. Today it's owned by Granada University.
