Where to stay in Granada

In 2019, my husband and I stayed in an apartment with Chezmoihomes.com. The flat was lovely with two bedrooms, two full baths, a washing machine, kitchen, etc. We will be staying with them again in January 2023 in the Albaicin district near the Alhambra. The reviews have all been positive, plus I wanted to stay in that charming area. It is central to the sights we want to see. Good luck!

We were just in Granada in October. We stayed at Ricks recommended Anacapri. It was one block from the old town and Cathedral and much flatter. The Albaicin neighborhood is nice but I wouldn’t stay there, very hilly. Bring thick soled shoes, the streets, especially in that area, are rocks imbedded in concrete. Worse than cobblestones. Also, they had the best price for laundry - €16 all you could stuff in the plastic bag. We got a lot in there. Go to La Tarta for their cheesecake, it’s all they sell. I wrote a Trip report - 3 weeks in Spain- Ole, if you are interested.

The Albaicín is more on the outskirts of town, towards the mountains so it is very hilly, and a night is dark and difficult to navigate, not my cup of tea. Like Barbara I opted to stay in the flatter centro histórico, next to the Cathedral, the streets are more inviting and there are more shops and restaurants

My wife and I stayed at Hotel Anacapri for 3 nights last week and enjoyed our stay. It is clean, comfortable (great shower pressure!), quiet, and centrally located. The staff was very helpful and friendly.

There are countless tapas bars and restaurants nearby (2-15 minute walk) , including some great places just around the block. All of the major sights and areas to explore are within a short leisurely walk from Anacapri, including an invigorating 20-minute walk to the Alhambra.

The Albazin neighborhood is actually not on the outskirts of town. It is a core and an absolutely fascinating part of the city. In fact, the neighborhood begins only a 5-min. walk from the Anacapri. The San Nicolas viewpoint (a must-visit at sunset and night) is a very manageable 15-20 min. walk. My wife and I never felt unsafe in the Albazin, though we did stick to the main streets after dark as a precaution.

Our trip included 4 days in Madrid, 3 days in Sevilla, and 2 full days in Granada. We loved each of them, but Granada was our clear favorite for its history, mall shops, charm, and vibe. In fact, we would have traded a day in Sevilla for an extra day in Granada just to explore the streets, food, plazas, and shops of the Albazin even more.

The last time I was in Granada I stayed in and Airbnb up at the top of the Albaicin, beautiful view, quiet at night, good value for money. We walked down the hill to get to town and took a taxi up the hill when returning to the Airbnb. As far as safety goes I don't feel uncomfortable in Granada at all, even on the two trips when I was alone. I hope your stay is over the weekend as the town is so much fun. I have also stayed in hotels and in other Airbnbs in different areas of Granada, but the top of the Albaicin was the best place. J

I wouldn't stay in the Abacyin, personally. It is very steep in some places, with 3inch rock on their side in the walkways. Some areas have cars that come through and there's about a 2 ft. sidewalk, you have to hug the building to not get hit. Other areas are under construction and are dark and no pedestrians anyway...we didn't see or hear of any crime, but I definitely prefer areas that are easier to navigate and with people around some. We stayed at Hotel Casa Capitel Nazari which is closer to the river and a more populated area.

Agree with above comment regarding hilly around that area. We were just there last week and stayed in lower Abaycin ( near Gregorio church) and we wandered all over. Felt very safe during day time but the area you asked about is a bit hilly. Not worried about crime,more about getting lost at night even with googlemap… some of the street were narrow alleys with twists and turns and we were sure we would get lost at night.

Last time I booked an AirBnB just across the Darro on Carrera del Darro (so a bit removed from the sometimes crowded street) and loved it so much I booked the same general area for next March. Both times for myself and one of my daughters (but different daughters 🤣). It’s an easy interesting walk to the main plaza and the Albaicin, but not in it or up the hill. The minibuses run along Carrera del Darro but last time we just walked.

Years back, we stayed at Hotel Santa Isabel La Real hotel in a quiet corner of the Albacin. It was enchanting and there is nowhere else in Granada that I would have preferred to stay other than in the Albacin.

Granada is a fairly large city and we did not go to Granada to see a city, we went to see the Alhambra, the Cathedral and also the Albacin. The area of the hotel is below the Alhambra in the lower part of the Albacin and it is a pretty easy walk, both to the Cathedral, as well as the Alhambra, and, of course, up the hill in the other direction further into the Albacin.

The hotel's website is https://www.hotelsantaisabellareal.com/# That website seems to be entirely in Spanish. We found it through i-escapes, at https://www.i-escape.com/hotel-santa-isabel-la-real . I-escapes is a British-based site/booking service that offers an amazing array of small, quirky and enchanting hotels and rural accommodations largely in Europe, but also around the world. For the most part, their lodgings are beyond our budget, but we have found the less expensive hotels on their site to be in our price range and we have ALWAYS been extremely satisfied at places we have booked on that site. Their lodgings are very much "through the back door."

One word of caution... we arrived there on Friday before Palm Sunday, in March. That day was the end of exam week at the local University, just before spring break. Friday night was a hurge drunk fest with students getting drunk and puking and worse in the large square a few blocks away and throughout the neighborhood. The headline in the newspaper the next day was MACROBOTTEILLA ! When you plan your trip, avoid that day! But, early Saturday, municipal workers were out in force cleaning up the Albacin and we had a lovely full day on Saturday at the Alhambra and the Generalife.

We were there last November and spent 3 nights at the Aurea Catedral by Eurostars. A modern hotel in a great location - the rooms are very comfortable and the breakfast good. It's in a great location across from the Cathedral.

You could splurge and stay at the Parador right at the Alhambra complex. You could also stay at the no frills Hotel America, also at the complex. A better bet, especially if this will be your first time there, would be to stay in town.

We were in Granada in October and stayed at Casa del Capitel Nazari. Our view had a view of Alhambra nd it was perfect. it is a nice hotel. The rooms are a little smaller for my liking but we liked the hotel, its location, and its very friendly staff.

Don't know if you are set on staying at a hotel vs. an apartment, but we stayed here last time we were in Granada and loved it:

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/29879241?sourceimpressionid=p31668975945dIoO39hLrFN%2BjxLA&guests=2&adults=2

Ignore the price -- the website is giving you the rate to rent all 4 apartments (which we did for our group of 10 people). If you are interested, message the host to see what the rate would be for just one of them. The host, David, was very flexible and responsive when we had questions and changes.

All 4 apartments are really nice -- comfortable, clean, modern, a fully-functional kitchen, washing machine, elevator. The location is excellent, in the Realejo, which is a residential area a bit away from the tourist zone; very safe, easy, level walking. The apartments are right on the Plaza Campo del Principe with restaurants just behind, and a grocery store, bread market, and fruit market on the same block. It is only about a 5 minute walk to the Bib Rambla and the Plaza Nueva.

It has been a few years, but we stayed at the Parador in Granada for 2 nights. We loved it, and it was especially nice to be able to tour the Alhambra and the gardens, with the ability to very easily pop into our room to drop of a jacket, or pick up a hat. The room was lovely, with a little French-style balcony that overlooked the gardens, it was quiet, excellent staff, and the meals were very nice. I think (not sure) the breakfast was included in our overnight rate. We were able to walk down the hill to easily jump on the local shuttle bus to see more in Granada.

At the time we went, there was some sort of special for seniors (I think age 55 plus) called the sunset discount or something like that. The special did not show when we made our reservations, but did later before our trip, and I simply reached out and the nice discount was applied.

All that said, if your plans include more than a couple of days and mostly doing things in and around Granada (vs. spending the bulk of your time up by the Alhambra), I can see how having one's overnight "down the hill" could be a bit more convenient. Just a matter of your preference. If we were to return, I would stay at the parador again.

Oh, and you asked about safety: Since we were within the gated Alhambra grounds, it was extremely safe...no question whatsoever.

Maggie is referring to the Golden Days Parador rate. It’s a special rate for those over 55. Generally, it’s the same price as normal but includes the buffet breakfast. According to the website it’s a 10% discount on the room and breakfast. Each Parador has a limited number of room’s available at that rate. The Parador in Granada is the most expensive of all the Paradors. Off season one can get a decent rate, but in March you should be able to get a much better deal in town.

We stayed at the Hotel Comfort Dauro 2. It's in a pedestrian only street with tons of restaurants all around. Fairly close to everything.

We were just recently in Granada and I was dead set on staying in the Albaicin. We had a good little casita type situation and it was comfortable but in retrospect we would have preferred to be on the edge of it, or close by, rather than deep in the Albaicin. It was exhausting to walk up and down whenever we wanted to do anything at all, esp late night. It would have been nice to have a location where we had the option of a taxi dropoff a short distance away. Also Granada is so small you can really walk just about anywhere.

Enjoy strolling in the Albaicin but don't stress like I did about wanting to be right in it.

Another vote for the Hotel Anacapri

My mom and I enjoyed our stay at this hotel a few years ago. The staff are friendly and helpful, and our room was clean and comfortable.

Make sure you book your Alhambra Tickets
3 months in advance for best time selection.

Enjoy beautiful Spain!

We recently stayed at Hotel Casa 1800, great location, staff, and breakfast. Very quiet and easy to explore anywhere from there and located down an alley near Plaza Nueva.

We also stayed at the Anacapri Hotel. Great central location. Close to restaurants, the bus to the Alhambra, and shops. It is in the old part of Granada so the one thing I will tell you is NOT to drive to the hotel or anywhere else in the old city. The streets are extremely narrow. GPS doesn't always work properly. If you are driving, park your car in lot in the new part of town and take a cab into the old city.

As for the Albaicin neighborhood-I recommend doing a walking tour of the area because it is very interesting, especially in the evening. However I wouldn't stay there overnight.

We have stayed at Anacapri on more than one trip to Granada and would stay there again. It’s very well located. And a very nice place to stay.