If you are planning a trip to Granada and your budget is tight you are in luck, because the city of the Alhambra is one of the best cities in Andalusia for those who want to travel and save at the same time. In this post we tell you some of the best things you can do for free in Granada.
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Book a free tour
It’s the best way to get situated when we arrive in a new city. The free tours are usually very complete and pleasant walks that help you understand much better the history of the city and some of its main monuments. As a first contact and starting point they are a great option. Booking these tours is free but at the end of the tour you can pay the guides according to how much you liked their work .
Walking around the Albaicin and Sacromonte
Two of the most representative and beautiful neighbourhoods in Granada are a must see in Granada and will not cost you anything! Put on your most comfortable shoes and start discovering these neighbourhoods without hurry. During the walk your steps will take you to the hidden corners of the Albaicin, with its narrow, cobbled streets, charming squares, amazing viewpoints with spectacular views of the Alhambra and the steep streets of Sacromonte where you can see the cave-houses.
H3. On your walk through the Albaicin you are likely to come across some “Carmen”, stately homes with gardens and, in many cases, wonderful views of the Alhambra. You can visit for free the Carmen de los Mártires, the Carmen de la Victoria, owned by the University of Granada, and the Carmen Max Moreu, which is the artist’s museum. Also free is one of the most beautiful buildings in Granada: the Cordova Palace, a Renaissance palace with Gothic and Mudejar elements.
Enjoy a sunset from the Mirador de San Nicolas
In the heart of the Albaicin is one of the best viewpoints in the world. We assure you that the views of the Alhambra as the sun goes down and the atmosphere there at sunset with live music provided by street artists will make you take away one of the best memories of your trip to Granada (without having to take out your wallet)
Visit the Alhambra site
Although the entrance to the Nasrid Palaces is paid, the Alhambra enclosure is enormous and contains walls, gates, tree-lined walkways and a large number of buildings that you can visit for free. Among them is the Parador Nacional de Turismo or the one that is one of the most impressive buildings of the Alhambra: the Palace of Carlos V. This incredible palace is also the home of the Museum of Fine Arts of Granada, whose entrance is also free for EU citizens.
Visit the Cathedral of Granada
It is one of the most representative monuments of Granada, one of the most imposing cathedrals of Andalusia and the place where the Catholic Kings are buried. The cathedral of Granada can be visited free of charge at specific times. By planning it in advance you can save a few euros and then walk around the Alcaicería and enjoy its colourful souvenir shops – buying them or not is up to you!
Take a walk in the García Lorca Park
It is one of the most beautiful parks in Granada. It is located in the southern part of the city, just a short walk from the centre and houses the Huerta de San Vicente, the summer residence of the brilliant writer Federico García Lorca, which can also be visited. It is a very pleasant park at any time of year and is also an ideal plan if you are travelling with children because it has a large play area for the little ones.
If you are interested in the life and work of the Granada writer, you can also visit the Centro García Lorca free of charge (in the beautiful Plaza de la Romanilla, very close to the Cathedral of Granada), which organises exhibitions and conferences on the life and work of the author.
Discover the best preserved alhóndiga on the Iberian Peninsula: The coal yard
In the heart of Granada, just behind the town hall, you will find this building from the 14th century, from the Nazarite period, which will undoubtedly surprise you. It is usually not very crowded and the best thing? It is free.
Visit a botanical garden in the centre of the city
The botanical garden of the University of Granada can be visited free of charge during its opening hours. Few people know about it, so it is a quiet plan. It is also a very good visit if you travel with children.
Eat!
Just as you read it… Eating in Granada is free! The tradition of tapas makes Granada one of the best cities in Spain to eat out. Paying only for the drink, the bars in Granada always offer us some snacks, usually generous and hearty tapas that will make you forget about cooking on your visit to Granada.
Also you can check our best Tours in Granada on the next links:
Alhambra Guided Tour
Cathedral of Granada Guided Tour
Free Tour Granada
