Saturday 3rd May 2025 • Promotional Content 14 HOURS IN GRANADA


8am Breakfast on churros Nobody quite knows the origin of churros — the indulgent breakfast dish of deep-fried dough tubes, dusted in sugar or dipped in hot chocolate — but one theory is that they came to southern Spain with the Moors. Certainly Granada has plenty of fi ne spots to try this long-standing favourite. Start your day at one of the best, Cafeteria Alhambra. Plaza de Bib-Rambla, 27, Centro


10am Marvel at the Alhambra No trip to Granada is complete without a visit to the Alhambra, one of the world’s greatest buildings. An impossibly atmospheric mash-up of European and Islamic architectural styles, the palace was expanded and added to between the 13th and 17th centuries by successive Christian and Moorish rulers. Booking a ticketed slot online far in advance is essential. tickets.alhambra-patronato.es


12pm The Caves of Sacromonte After the Alhambra, the most atmospheric place in Granada is Sacromonte, a large hill whose surface is riddled with cave houses and fl amenco venues. Get a feel for the unique history of the place, which was traditionally the home of Granada’s Romani community, at the Museo Cuevas del Sacromonte,


where reconstructed caves show you how people lived (and still live) here. sacromontegranada.com


2pm A literary lunch Although the poet Federico García Lorca died almost a century ago, it’s possible to join him for lunch. T e atmospheric Realejo restaurant Chikito was once a cafe where Lorca would meet with his fellow intellectuals. With its dark-wood beams and tiled wall decorations, it looks much the same as in Lorca’s day — and now there’s a full-size statue of him which sits at one of the tables. T e menu includes traditional local delicacies like tortilla del Sacromonte — an omelette with lambs’ brains and testicles. restaurantechikito.com


4pm Moorish relaxation Go for some Moorish-style pampering at the Hammam al-Andalus, a striking modern bathhouse built in the traditional Arabian style. T e treatment menu includes water therapies and essential-oil massages. granada.hammamalandalus.com


6pm Go tapas-hopping Andalucia is considered the home of tapas, and Granada is one of the few cities where most bars still serve a decent portion of food for free with every drink — from hearty plates of patatas bravas (fried potatoes)


to garlicky prawns and bocadillos (mini-sandwiches). Aimless tapas bar-hopping is one of the many joys of visiting Granada, and a cheap way of fi lling up, but if you’re looking for some pointers, options include local chain Los Diamantes, which specialises in expertly cooked fried- fi sh dishes. losdiamantes.es


8pm Sunset at the Mirador Views of the Alhambra draw the eye from all over Granada, but the most famous and beautiful of them all can be enjoyed from the Mirador de San Nicolás, which sits on a hill in the Albaicín quarter directly opposite the palace. Time a visit here for an hour around sunset to gaze across at the storied monument and experience some of the city’s most vibrant street life: expect to see musicians strumming fl amenco guitars, kids playing ball games and plazas lined with terrace restaurants perfect for a casual dinner or a few drinks.


9pm Flamenco auténtico T ere are dozens of options when it comes to seeing live fl amenco while you’re in Granada, but most of them are inauthentic tourist traps. See the real thing at Peña La Plateria, Granada’s oldest fl amenco club, which opened in 1949 in the medieval alleyways of the Albaicín. Scheduled shows are held every T ursday night. laplateria.es fl amencogranada.com


A fried fi sh feast at Los Diamantes ESSENTIAL INFORMATION


Getting there & around T ere are no direct fl ights from the UK to Granada, although the city’s airport is connected by Iberia and Vueling to other major cities in Spain, with daily fl ights from Madrid and Barcelona. iberia.com vueling.com Average fl ight time: 4h40m. Granada is also well connected by train to Seville and Madrid. renfe.com Most of Granada can be explored on foot, although the cobbled streets and steep hills can make for diffi cult walking. A reliable local bus network can take you to most of the sights.


When to go Granada’s summers are some of the hottest in Spain, with average highs of 34C in July. Winters are mild, topping 13C in January; this is also a quieter time at major sights. Spring and autumn have the nicest weather (highs of 24C in May, with little rain), but are also the busiest times of year.


Partake in tapas bar hopping


SUBSCRIPTION OFFER BEGIN YOUR ADVENTURE!


£4 FOR 3 MAGAZINE S


SCAN THE QR CODE OR QUOTE DRMAY2 5 AT CHECKOUT.NATGEOTRAVELLER.CO.UK/OFFERS


Where to stay Hotel Casa 1800, Albaicin. From €93 (£78), room only. hotelcasa1800granada.com Villa Oniria, Centro. From €88 (£74), room only. villaoniria.com


More info turismo.granada.org


How to do it Iberian Escapes off ers three nights in Granada at the Hotel Alhambra Palace from €2,073 (£1,745) per person, including private transfers, guided tours of the Alhambra, Sacromonte and the Albaicín, a multi-course experience and a live fl amenco show. Excludes fl ights. iberian-escapes.com


First published in the January/ February 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK). Read the feature in full at nationalgeographic.com/travel


T e Travel Guide 5


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