Travel tips · Granada · Spain
Granada travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Brett Hodnett, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
Granada is a university city with a large student population and a long, layered history: Moorish, Jewish, Christian and Roma traditions all shaped its architecture, food and music. Locals are proud of the free-tapa custom, of Federico García Lorca, who was born nearby, and of their flamenco heritage, and life follows a late Andalusian timetable.
Key facts
- Language
- Spanish
- Currency
- EUR
- Plugs
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe and comes partly from the Sierra Nevada.
- Emergency
- 112 (European emergency number)
Things to know
- Greet with 'Hola' or 'Buenas' when entering bars and shops.
- Do not ask for the free tapa; it comes with your drink automatically.
- Cover shoulders and knees in the cathedral, the Royal Chapel and the monasteries.
- At flamenco shows, stay quiet during songs and save photos and applause for the end of each piece.
- In the Albaicín and Sacromonte, remember people live in these houses; keep noise down at night.
- Book Alhambra and the Nasrid Palaces ahead: Tickets with a fixed Nasrid Palaces time slot sell out weeks ahead in spring and autumn; buy only from the official Alhambra ticket website and bring the ID named on the ticket.
- Book Generalife ahead: Included in the main Alhambra ticket; garden-only tickets also exist but sell out in peak season.
- Book Flamenco in a Sacromonte cave ahead: Book a day or two ahead in high season; many venues include transport from the centre.
- A free-tapas crawl of three or four bars can replace a restaurant dinner for the price of the drinks.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected. Rounding up in bars and leaving around 5–10% in restaurants for good service is appreciated.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Buenas | Hi (informal greeting) |
| Una caña, por favor | A small draught beer, please |
| ¿Qué tapa me pones? | What tapa are you giving me? |
| La cuenta, por favor | The bill, please |
| ¡Olé! | Shout of encouragement at flamenco |
What to wear
Bring comfortable shoes with grip for steep cobbled lanes, sun protection in summer, and warm layers from November to March, when nights are cold.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is safe and comes partly from the Sierra Nevada.
- Emergency number
- 112 (European emergency number)
- Phone and internet
- 4G and 5G coverage is good across the city; EU roaming applies to European SIMs, and eSIMs work well for other visitors.
- Time zone
- Europe/Madrid
Pickpocketing occurs at the Mirador de San Nicolás, Plaza Nueva and on crowded buses, so keep bags closed. Some sellers near the cathedral press sprigs of rosemary on visitors and then ask for money; a firm 'no, gracias' is enough. In summer, avoid strenuous walks in the afternoon heat.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Spain's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Granada?
Tipping is not expected. Rounding up in bars and leaving around 5–10% in restaurants for good service is appreciated.
+Can you drink the tap water in Granada?
Tap water is safe and comes partly from the Sierra Nevada.
+What plugs are used in Granada?
Type C and F sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Granada?
Spanish.