Getting around Granada

The best way to discover and experience any city is on foot - and Granada is no different. In fact it is perfectly set up for pedestrians as the city centre has areas of traffic restriction due to its unique layout and historical heritage.

Walking in Granada

Walking in Granada is really a pleasure as the city centre is both beautiful and compact.  The Albayzin has retained its narrow winding streets which date back to its Moorish past, and provide fascinating strolls at any time of the day, perfect for browsing  the many spice stalls and souvenir shops.  Alternatively head for the city centre with its beautiful Cathedral and stop off at the Alcaiceria, the silk market, for that special gift.  If you need a break simply drop by one of the many coffee shops or tea rooms en route and enjoy some refreshment and let your feet have a rest – far away from any traffic noise and pollution that you may normally find in other cities…

Cycling and Segways in Granada

You may see people exploring Granada by bicycle or by Segway and these are certainly a fun way to see the city. There are a number of Segway and electric bike tour companies popping up and they are a great way to get a good overview of the city - especially when you first arrive. Most tours offer some tuition to start with and then you set off with your guide. Find yourself exploring the heart of the city and taking in some fantastic views as your guide fills you in on all the local history and provides you with useful tip bits of information along the way.

If you want to be a bit more independent you can always hire a bike. Bicicletas La Estacion rent out urban bikes with helmets and locks for just 12 euros per day, and will even deliver to your hotel on request.

Buses in Granada

If your feet do get tired you can always hop on a bus. There is a central shuttle bus through the centre of the city run by LAC, or you might also want to explore outside the city centre and visit one of the shopping malls to stock up with bargains! You will need to buy a ticket before you get on the bus, and you can purchase these at the ticket machines located at the bus stop. You can also buy a ‘Credibus’ card from newspaper kiosks or tobacconists – as well as from some bus drivers (although not LAC bus drivers). The ‘Credibus’ cards can be topped up to any amount and have a refundable 2 euro deposit. You simply swipe the card on each journey and 0.83 euros is deducted for each journey. You can even share your card with other people in your party, just swipe the card for each person travelling.

The main shuttle bus through the city centre is run by LAC and runs every few minutes. There are two main routes:
The northwest to southeast line stops at:

• Cruz del Sur
• Juzgados
• Andaluces
• Fuente Nueva
• Padre Suárez
• Marqués de Falces (Gran Vía)
• Catedral
• Puerta Real
• Puente Blanco
• Violón
• Rotonda Aviación (NO STOPS)

The southeast to northwest line stops at:

• Rotonda Aviación (NO STOPS)
• Palacio de Congresos
• Humilladero
• Acera del Darro
• Gran Vía
• Sagrado Corazón
• Triunfo
• San Juan de Letrán
• Caleta
• Cruz del Sur

Granada City Tour

The Granada City Tour is the official tourist hop-on hop-off bus in Granada. With a fantastic daytime or magical night time route to choose from, the buses run every 15 to 20 minutes and you can hop on and off as often as you like. These are an informative way to see the city - especially for overseas visitors as there is an audio service available in 12 different languages.

Buses further afield

You can also get buses further afield in Granada. The out of town buses all have Wi-Fi, power outlets air-conditioning and toilets, so are really a comfortable way to travel. Why not visit the coast for the day? Jump on a bus to Almuñécar and in a little over an hour you can be having a dip in the Mediterranean followed by lunch with a sea view - all for a bus fare of around 16 euros.

Taxis in Granada

Taxis in Granada are cheap and plentiful and are another option to the many buses in Granada. You can either hail them in the street or find them in one of the many taxi ranks dotted around the city centre. They are not covered by the city centre restrictions so they can take you to places you can’t get to in a private car. They are especially useful if you have shopping or heavy luggage to carry.

Cars in Granada

If you are planning your trip to Granada and thinking about hiring a car, our advice is not to bother due to the car restrictions throughout much of the city centre. If you’re flying in to Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén Airport you can easily get to the city centre by train bus or taxi. Alternatively if you’re arriving in the city by car there are plenty of car parks where you can leave your car for a few days and enjoy your visit without the hassle of driving.
Where to stay in Granada

If you are looking for accommodation which is in a great location for exploring Granada, El Ladron de Agua is perfectly located at the heart of the Albayzin, giving you easy access to the Alhambra and surrounding areas. All our rooms have been lovingly restored and individually designed, then carefully enhanced and brought right up-to-date with WiFi andFlat screen TVs. From our windows you can enjoy views of the Alhambra, the Darro River and the Plaza Nueva.

If you are planning on visiting us by car we do not advise to arrive directly to the hotel as we are located in a part of the historic city centre which is a traffic restricted area. The San Agustín Car Park isnext to the Cathedral which is a five minute walk away and costs 26€/24h. The average price for parking in Granada is 20-22€/24h and you might also consider Parking Trex near Plaza de los Campos or Parking Puerta Real (close to El Corte Inglés store) which are a ten to fifteen minute walk or a taxi ride which is around 6€ or 7€.