It’s impossible to get around Granada by driving. The city is extremely compact and congested. A rental car is best left for exploring Andalucía and the surrounding Sierra Nevada. If you are renting a car we suggest you pick it up as you depart the city to avoid excessive rental/parking expenses.

Granada is very compact. The best way to get around most neighborhoods, especially the hilly Albaicín and the Alhambra, is on foot.

Violent crime is uncommon, but petty crime can be a problem. Watch out for so-called ‘guides’ milling around the Alhambra; they may just be interested in picking your pocket. In order to keep yourself and your wallet safe you should always maintain your personal space. Lastly, do not pull out large amounts of money while shopping or using public transportation. Pickpockets generally prey on slower or distracted people. Families with children, confused tourists or older people are popular targets. Be alert, look confident and keep your valuables well hidden.

The currency of Spain is the Euro. US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for euros upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city. For more detailed information, consult our guide to tipping in Spain by clicking here.

English may be spoken at your hotel and in the tourist areas, but not everywhere. We suggest you get a good English-Spanish dictionary and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.

Eating out is an intrinsic part of the Andalusian lifestyle and most Granadinos eat out at some point during the day. Lunch usually happens from 2:00pm and dinner is from 9:00pm at the earliest, though 10:00pm is the norm. It is a bit cheaper to have drinks and tapas at the bar rather than sitting at a table. Locals usually leave very small tips – just odd change for drinks and snacks. Unless you are somewhere upscale, where International rules apply, a 10% tip for a meal is considered generous while 5% is more the norm.

Note: You often have to show your passport when paying by debit or credit card. And you must carry your passport with you by law.

The narrow streets of Alcaicería, once the Moorish silk market, are filled with vendors selling the handicrafts of Granada province. For the souvenir hunter, the Alcaicería offers one of the most splendid assortments of tiles, castanets and Spanish jewelry that can be found.

Handicraft stores also line Puerta Real, Gran Vía de Colón, Reyes Católicos and Angel Ganivet. Calle Cuesta de Gomérez, a narrow and steeply sloping street in Old Granada, is the centerpiece of the city’s guitar making trade. Upscale Moroccan handicrafts can be found on Calle Calderería Nueva while connoisseurs of the fine art of marquetry (the craft in which tiny pieces of bone and colored hardwoods are arranged into geometric patterns and glued into wooden frames) may purchase elaborately patterned and exquisitely beautiful pieces each emulating a different 17th century Iberian design in the Alhambra at Laguna Taracea, Real de la Alhambra 30 (tel. 95-822-70-46).

Flights

Granada Airport, situated in the area known as Vega del Genil is 9 miles west of the city. It mainly handles national flights to Madrid and Barcelona but now also a daily international flight to London Stanstead.

To reach the city from the airport by taxi should cost around 25 euros, however, do be aware that on public and national holidays it may be more.

Buses from the airport to the city are only 3 euros and leave after the arrival of each flight, if a flight is delayed the bus will wait. Be aware though that once you get to the bus station you may need a taxi to reach your final destination as the bus station is a little out of the city center.

Trains

The RENFE train station in Granada is situated at the meeting of Calle de Halcon and Calle Doctor Jaime Garcia Royo.

Long distance services from this station are provided by Altaria, Arco and Tren Hotel. The station also has Media Distancia trains that travel across Andalucía, and Cercania trains which serve Granada’s localities.

Inside the train station there is a cafeteria and car hire offices. Outside of the station there is a taxi rank and a bus stop.

Buses

Granada’s bus station is at Avenida de Juan Pablo II, 1 miles northwest of the center. All services operate from here except for a few to nearby destinations such as Fuente Vaqueros and Viznar.

The Estacion de Esqui Sierra Nevada has seasonal buses, information on these can be found here. Consigna lockers are available and there is a large cafeteria.