Best area to stay in Granada?
 

HI,

I am looking to stop into Granada for two nights. May arrive in afternoon around 4pm (contemplating stay one night or two nights). Then off to Malaga for 2 nights.

What would be the best area to stay in Granada?
How close is it to the rail station?

If you had good stays somewhere please list them so I can see if available in the next two weeks of October.

Thanks,

I stayed at the Hotel America, up by the Alhambra - http://www.hotelamericagranada.com/en/home.html. I had a ticket for evening entry, so it was especially convenient. If you want to spend the money you could stay at the parador, also next to the Alhambra, but I settled for eating dinner there. I used a combination of taxis and buses for transport.

There are several nice places, depending on your budget. Check Maribel's Guide to Granada.

I would second the Hotel America and the Parador as first choices. They are in the grounds of the Alhambra and one can walk round at least part of the grounds at night after the crowds leave. There are buses up and down the hill during the day too.
The Hotel America is really quirky and a good spot for lunch in the central courtyard - go early though.
The Parador is considerably more expensive but as you can imagine has more comforts and class. The building has an interesting history.
Otherwise stay in the Bib-Rambla area at the bottom of the hill. Lots of eating places, a market if you like them, the Cathedral, shopping etc. However, would not recommend the Albayzin (Albaicin) especially at night. The streets are narrow and it does have a reputation for unsavoury characters; while you are most likely fine, why take the chance?

I have a dilemma as I relized the nights I will be there are sunday (late afternoon) and monday night. However, Things are closed I presume Sunday and the only slot I see open for Monday Alhambra is 18:00. Is it still worthwhile to make a trip out to granada? Would it be crowded? I gather they don't have any night visits for Sunday/monday.

Just saw Anthony Bourdain's newest show on CNN last night and he was in: GRANADA! suddenly put it on my short list. I would definitely go to the Alhambra anytime of day. As for the rest -- yes, things are open on Sundays and this time of year crowds should be down considerably.

Re the parador...it used to be THE most popular parador in the entire network and when I stayed there I had to make a reservation almost one year out. For your timeframe it may not be so difficult. You can see the America from the parador so they are close to one another. if nothing else, eating at the parador overlooking the illuminated Alhambra at night is memorable.

uhoh_busted: Coincidently I also watched Anthony's Bourdin's take (more tapas and more) and felt like it was a sign okay goo. But, then as I kept trying to research and see how to get tickets to alhambra (only slot is late day 18:00), and realized I'd be there sun/mon (So, I'd miss out seeing alhambra at night) and too boot, I realized stuff would be closed that day. So I wasn't sure if it would be a waste of time to head on over there.

Will you have another opportunity? Because I think the Alhambra is the single best sight in Spain.

Why do you keep saying you are going to miss out on seeing it at night? 18:00 is not high noon in Spain in October...

I stayed at a hotel across the street from the Cortes Ingles Department Store. I think it was a Mercure hotel--something with an M. There is a square behind Cortes Ingles with outside cafes. Lots of trees for shade. That sun will kill you.

There is some sort of religious holiday in May in Spain and everything shuts down Thurs. thru Sunday. That was when we were in Granada.

And when we were there it was 102 F. I thought I was going to die.

Thin

Well given all have read and your advice, it appears that while in the andalusia area, if need to see something that it would be the Alhambra; so will make it out there.

Dukey1: in response, noticed the night shift is rather 8pm to 11:30 pm exception of sun/mon closed; and so the 18:00 falls in the day shift. I know it has been advised if can to see it in the day and also night).

Which areas should I stay at? Alhambra, Cathedral, Albayzin and Sacromonte...which area is not safe to stay.

The Alhambra, Cathedral and Albayzín areas are all fine. If you'd like, you can stay in one of the caves in Sacromonte, if you can find one that's available for your dates. If staying in the Albayzín, just take normal precautions.

Casa Morisca (14 rooms), is just up from Ladron de Agua on Paseo de los Tristes. It's where Matt Damon and his family where staying a couple of years ago just before we arrived. This part of the Albayzín is comfortable and the hotel looks up at the Alhambra (www.hotelcasamorisca.com).

Robert2533: unfortunately that Casa Morisca is not available for my dates. Do you have any mentions of the Albayzín area (I know a lot have stated not walk in the area at night/ but I like to travel and walk aimlessly so depending on our travel we may be out in middle of night). Please advise. As for the Sacromonte, I noticed those cave like homes and looks like a good experience, however how far is that from the main centro area? Would I be able to get easy access to/from train station?

Agre to stay near the Alhambra. We stayed at the Alhambra Palace (were too late for the Parador) and loved it. Easy walk to the site and a quick walk down the hill to (and a nice after-dinner stroll back up) to eat dinner in the center of town.

Have no clue about the train station - we drove.

Hotel Puerta de las Granadas was great at the bottom of the hill to the Alhambra, closer to great bars and restaurants than staying up near the Alhambra. Sacromonte is kind of far, it's the Gypsy neighborhood (or used to be). Definitely make a trip up there to see the cave houses though.

Uh oh. We are booked at the Casa 1800 in the Albayzin in a few weeks. Mistake? Dangerous at night? It has the number one spot on Trip Advisor. When I was doing my research, it seemed others loved staying in this area.

Thanks.

You absolutely must see the Alahambra. Wish that I had known about the Hotel Americana before visiting Granada last year.
We stayed in the city and it was fine but I would have stayed at the Americana instead, had I known.