Where to stay in Granada? You can sleep in a historic townhouse, a design hostel or even a cave. With that much choice, finding the real gems takes some digging. Granada has several neighbourhoods, each with its own character, plus a large old town, so the options pile up fast. In this guide, we help you choose. Which are the best neighbourhoods to stay in, and which hotels do we recommend there?
Why Granada Is Worth a Visit
Granada is one of the most visited cities in Spain, and it’s not hard to see why. It has the lot: a rich history, stunning architecture, unique sights and mountains on its doorstep. Add charming squares, buzzing tapas bars and steep little lanes made for wandering, and you’re sold.
→ Discover the 10 best things to do in Granada
Granada’s story goes back centuries, but its most important chapter belongs to the Moors. They lived in and ruled the city for hundreds of years, and you can still see their mark everywhere. Their gorgeous Moorish architecture is one of the main reasons to visit Granada today, and the Alhambra is the most famous example of all.
The Alhambra is a world-famous palace complex and one of the most visited monuments in Spain. Think elegant arches, peaceful courtyards and gardens, plus incredibly fine stucco work and colourful tiled mosaics. It’s one of the best-preserved Moorish monuments anywhere in the world.
The old town is packed with other sights too. Don’t skip the cathedral, built on the spot where a mosque stood in Moorish times. The mosque was torn down and replaced with a Christian church, which became one of the largest cathedrals in Spain. Funny thing is, it was never quite finished. The original plan had two grand towers, but only one was built, and even that one never reached its full height. The huge building is hemmed in by houses on all sides, so it’s hard to take it all in. Walk all the way around it to see it from every angle.
Granada is also full of characterful neighbourhoods. The Albaicín is the oldest part of the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with whitewashed houses and steep lanes that are a joy to get lost in. Next door is Sacromonte, known for its flamenco shows and cave houses. Throw in endless squares lined with tapas bars and you’ll understand why Granada is worth the trip.
The Best Neighbourhoods in Granada
Looking for a place to stay in Granada? Get to know the neighbourhoods first, because each one has a completely different feel. If you want to be close to the main sights, you basically have three options: the historic Albaicín, the old town around the cathedral, and Sacromonte, the neighbourhood of the cave houses.
The old town is the most convenient base for exploring Granada and the Alhambra. The Albaicín is our favourite neighbourhood in the city. And for a night you won’t forget, head to Sacromonte, home to Granada’s gitano (Spanish Roma) community for centuries, where you can sleep in a cave. The three neighbourhoods sit right next to each other and are all within walking distance of the sights, so you’ll end up exploring all three anyway.
Where to Stay in Granada: The Best Hotels
A Special Stay Inside the Alhambra
The Alhambra is Granada’s most famous sight and, for many travellers, the reason they come to this Andalusian city in the first place. Is this old Moorish citadel on your bucket list? Then a night inside its walls should be too, because there’s a hotel inside the complex: the Parador de Granada.
The Parador de Granada is set in a 15th-century former convent inside the citadel we now know as the Alhambra. The Alhambra is much more than its famous palaces. It’s a whole citadel, really a town within a town. Staying at the Parador means you can explore it outside peak visiting hours. A large part of the complex is free to visit, too. You only need a ticket for the Nasrid Palaces, the Alcazaba and the Generalife. The Palace of Charles V, the gates and some of the paths and gardens are free to enter, and the Museum of Fine Arts inside the Palace of Charles V is free for EU citizens.
Check prices and availability at the Parador de Granada
Just outside the citadel walls is another special place to stay. The Alhambra Palace is a gorgeous luxury hotel in a top spot, and a little easier on the wallet than the Parador. Expect Moorish details throughout and a fantastic view over Granada.
Check prices and availability at the Alhambra Palace
The Best Hotels in El Centro
The old town around the cathedral, El Centro, sits in the low part of Granada between the hills. That makes it a handy base if you don’t fancy climbing a hill back to your hotel every evening. The cathedral, the old Alcaicería silk market, the Royal Chapel and most of the tapas bars are right here, and so are most of Granada’s hotels.
#1 Toc Hostel Granada is a trendy, beautifully designed hostel with dorms as well as private and family rooms with their own bathroom. You’re 200 metres from the cathedral, and downstairs there’s a bar and a coffee bar where it’s easy to meet other travellers. There’s also a shared kitchen, handy if you don’t want to eat out every night.
#2 Hotel Anacapri is set in a typical 18th-century townhouse, 50 metres from the cathedral and Plaza Nueva. The restoration kept plenty of original features, such as the inner patio and the handcrafted woodwork in the reading room. A boutique hotel with real personality, and the walk up to the Alhambra (about 20 minutes) starts close by.
#3 Khu Hotel is a good choice if you want to stay right in the middle of Granada. It’s on lively Plaza Bib-Rambla, 100 metres from the cathedral, and the rooms are spacious and modern. Some rooms have a balcony overlooking the square. Light sleeper? Ask for a quiet room when you book or pack earplugs, because the square stays busy until late.
#4 Casa de Reyes is a small hotel a 7-minute walk from the cathedral, with classic rooms full of antique furniture and wooden floors. Every room is decorated differently, so it feels like staying in an old Granada townhouse. The tapas bars on Calle Elvira and the Albaicín are just a few minutes away on foot.
The Best Hotels in Albaicín
The historic Albaicín sits on a hill opposite the Alhambra, with sweeping views over the city. Lots of students and artists live here, so you’ll find small boutiques, cool cafés and good restaurants. The steep lanes are paved with river stones, colourful plants climb the walls, and street musicians and playing children fill the squares. It’s a great neighbourhood to wander by day and by night, and you’ll feel at home in no time. Every place to stay here is a little treasure.
#1 Hotel Casa Morisca is set in a late 15th-century noble house at the foot of the Alhambra. You sleep under traditional wooden beamed ceilings and look out over the Alhambra and the Generalife. This is where you really feel Granada’s Moorish past.
#2 Shine Albayzín mixes modern luxury with a 16th-century palace and courtyard on the Carrera del Darro, one of Granada’s prettiest streets, right along the river. Some rooms look out over the Alhambra and the River Darro, and Plaza Nueva is around the corner.
#3 Hotel Santa Isabel La Real is a lovingly restored historic townhouse in the heart of the Albaicín, with colourful rooms in traditional Andalusian style. There’s an inner courtyard to cool off on hot summer days and a terrace with Alhambra views. The generous fresh breakfast is a great way to start the day.
#4 Hotel Casa 1800 Granada is in a historic building close to Plaza Nueva, at the foot of the Albaicín. Think grand antique furniture, a cosy courtyard and its own restaurant, which also serves high tea. Ideal if you want to stay in the Albaicín without climbing steep streets every day.
The Best Places to Stay in Sacromonte
Like the Albaicín, Sacromonte sits on a hill, right on the edge of the city. It has long been home to Granada’s gitano community, who live in cave houses carved into the hillside. Artists and hippies followed later. Flamenco is a big part of life here, and you’ll find plenty of zambras: flamenco shows in a cave. The neighbourhood is about a 20-minute walk from the historic centre. A great place to stay if you’d rather be away from the crowds and get a taste of a unique culture.
You won’t find proper hotels in Sacromonte. Here, you sleep in a cave house, and that’s an experience in itself. Thanks to the thick rock walls, caves stay at a pleasant temperature all year round, so even in Granada’s hot summers you’ll sleep nice and cool.
#1 Cuevas El Abanico is our pick for a night in a cave. You get a cave house with its own kitchenette and bathroom, plus a garden and a sun terrace with mountain views. The famous Mirador San Nicolás viewpoint is less than a kilometre’s walk away.
