Granada Anti-Tourist Guide

Here’s our Granada Anti-Tourist Guide to make sure you take the best of it while feeling like a local

Granada is a city in Andalusia, in the south of Spain. It’s not the biggest city in the region though, as Andalusia still has three cities that are bigger. These cities are Sevilla, Málaga and Córdoba. Granada might be seen as the little sister of these other cities, but that shouldn’t stop you from visiting this beautiful destination!

This impressive city is located 738 meters above sea level at the feet of the Sierra Nevada mountain range. On top of the city, you’ll find a historic palace with a lot of cultural and historic remains. Many tourists don’t think much of Granada when they visit Spain, but I’m going to show you what it’s really like.

How many days should I save to visit Granada?

It’s really up to you, and it depends on what you like and what you’re planning to do in Granada. If you only want to see the main tourist attractions, two days in the city should be enough. But if you want to check out some of the lesser-known spots and have a bit of time to chill in the city or your accommodation, you’ll probably want to set aside 3-4 days.

What are the main highlights of Granada?

1. Granada’s Music Scene

a) Live Music in Granada

La Chien Andalou

Spain and Granada in particular have amazing live music scenes. As you probably already know, flamenco is a very popular dance and music style in Spain, which is one of the many reasons why you’ll find loads of venues offering flamenco evenings. Le Chien Andalou is one of them. It’s in a small cave and they put on flamenco shows every night. The best thing is, it won’t break the bank. It’s way cheaper than the tourist flamenco caves in Sacromonte. You can enjoy a flamenco performance there for only 6 euros.

Mirador San Nicolas

If you’re after a place to chill for free and enjoy an amazing view of the city with some live music in the background, this is the spot for you. You’ll mostly find students and younger people there, jamming on their instruments just for fun. It’s not a proper venue, but there’s often some live music, especially at sunset.

Booga Club

Booga Club is a local nightclub. It’s not really the place to go if you’re looking for a place to party or if you want to go clubbing. This small venue is perfect if you want to enjoy a evening or night full of music. They mostly play funk and jazz, but they also put on other kinds of events, like flamenco and jam sessions.

b) Clubbin in Granada

Efecto Club

If you’re into electronic music, this is the place to be in Granada. This little club in the Albaycin area of the city is a hidden gem, mostly known to the locals. The interior is also something special, and you probably haven’t seen anything like it before. It’s got a cool vibe, with a giant lip-shaped bar.

Discoteca Fleming

Granada doesn’t really have many clubbing options in the city itself. But Discoteca Fleming is one of the few places to be found. You’ll hear all kinds of music there, and the interior atmosphere and lighting systems are amazing!

2. Where to eat in Granada

Spain’s got some great food spots. Most people know about paella, a dish made with rice and fish or meat, and tapas, a mix of different small dishes. But where can you find the most authentic paella and tapas in a city like Granada? Let us show you where to eat like a local and where to find the hidden gems.

La Mancha Chica Chaoen

This little gem is tucked away down a side street in the Albaicín neighbourhood. It’s not on most tourists’ radars, and you’ll probably walk right past it on first glance. They mostly specialise in Moroccan food, as it’s just across the sea. Granada also has a long Moorish history – they controlled the region for more than 800 years.

La Bodega De Antonio

This authentic Spanish restaurant is another amazing hidden gem. It’s also really cheap, which is perfect if you’re on a budget and looking for some cheap eats in Granada. They’ve even got a day menu for just 12 euros!

3. What to see in Granada

Granada itself is already a true hidden gem. Obviously, you’ve got the stunning palace perched on the hill. This is a must-see, but there are also some other beautiful and cool spots for you to check out. The Sacromonte and its caves are also well worth a visit. It’s a really cool and unique neighbourhood, but it can get a bit crowded and touristy at times. Another great spot is the Parque de Las Ciencias. It’s a pretty cool interactive museum where you can learn about science at a European level. There are also lots of exhibitions for all ages in this area. It can get a bit touristy at times, but don’t let that put you off! As we mentioned, Granada has a Moorish past, and you can still see evidence of that. There are still a lot of Moroccan remains in the city. There are also some hammams, like the Hammam Al Ándalus. These beautiful baths are great for unwinding. It’s an amazing experience to relax!

4. Alternative places in Granada

Realejo neighborhood

This area doesn’t usually top the tourist list, but it’s definitely worth a visit. It’s got a lot of cool monuments and statues that show off the Jewish side of the city. And the views of the city are simply stunning!

Street Art in Realejo

In the old Jewish district, you’ll see loads of graffiti and other street art. The graffiti paintings are really high quality and are made in an amazing way. There are also some tours that pass by these graffiti paintings, which is a great way to learn more about them.

Waterfalls in the Sierra Nevada

You won’t find the start of the famous Sierra Nevada in Granada itself. If hiking is your thing, then the Sierra Nevada is the place for you. The park is 2000 metres up, and it’s got amazing waterfalls and bridges.

5. Bonus tip:

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