Things to do in Granada – An Off-Season Budget Travel Guide
One Planet Journey’s Hannah Pentin finds herself in Granada during the off-season, absorbing the atmosphere without the crowds and taking the time to explore the city in a deeper way. Enjoy this complete budget travel guide for things to do in Granada, covering transport, heritage attractions, vibrant neighbourhoods, places to stay, and unmissable food.
Travel connects people. The thought bounced around as I found myself in Granada, on the way to my friends’ place in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Friends who I had met doing yoga teacher training in India a few months prior. They recommended that I first explore Granada, the well-known and charming town in Andalucia, situated at the foothills of the mountains.
Granada may sound familiar to you. It’s home to the famous UNESCO landmark Alhambra – a Moorish (the prevalent culture of North Africa and Muslim Andalucia) palace, which sits in front of the snowy peaks, and dominates the skyline, maintaining the rich cultural tapestry which defines the city. Arriving in November with limited funds, I challenged myself to maximise the Granada travel experience while on a budget. Meaningful and deep travel is, after all, not dependent on your budget. Rather, it means travelling with purpose.
One thing I love to do when I travel is to meander through the streets, observing contrasts between old and new, history and modernity. Granada encapsulates this in every aspect, and it’s a place which you may find yourself falling for, merely by walking around…I certainly did.
But it goes beyond the iconic architecture, and what meets the eye from that first glance. It’s the delicious snippets of Spanish culture that capture your heart – from the taste of authentic tapas to the live guitarists playing traditional rhythms for visitors who pass.
Granada in the off-season
Visiting the city in November meant that summer had come to a close. I expected a slightly cooler temperature and came packed with winter layers. However, to my pleasant surprise, 20 degrees plus greeted me during the day! No wonder southern Spain draws the crowds as others escape their icy winters.
Travelling in the off-season is always a great option when you’re trying to keep to a budget. And it’s definitely possible to enjoy and experience a place even when it’s not the designated peak time to visit. In fact, I would say it can be better as locals are more relaxed, you don’t have to queue as long, and generally, you have a more stress-free environment. So, without further ado, here is my suggested guide on things to do in Granada on a budget while experiencing the city’s cultural allure to the fullest.
How to get to Granada
I got a flight from London Gatwick to Malaga for around £100 – the cheapest option, as flying into Granada costs way more. This included a cabin bag, but if you’d rather go without, you can find tickets for as low as £60 return (especially if booked in advance). Use tools like Skyscanner to compare fares for different airlines and make sure you get the best price.
If you’re up for more of an adventure, and not constrained for time, then an even cheaper option is to take the bus from London to Madrid, or Malaga, via Flixbus, for example, and then connect to Granada from there. There are also train options but sometimes they are more expensive than flying.
From Malaga, I hopped on the bus which you can book online via Alsa. This makes the process smoother when boarding, as some people had to stay behind because of the fully booked departure. Save yourself the hassle and pre-book your seat online for £14. The bus takes less than 2 hours to reach Granada.
Public Transport
In Granada, there is metro, Uber, or even BlaBlaCar (a budget-friendly carpool service). Granada’s metro system is ideal – 10 trips for 5 euros – quite a bargain. It’s the same with bus fares, which is also a great way to gain insights into local life.
I love a city that’s walkable, and this is something I always keep my eye out for when researching a destination – will I be able to explore by foot and save money? Granada definitely meets these criteria. You can easily get lost in its streets, and for me as a solo traveller, this is the best way to understand the place, and even come across the odd hidden gem.
If you want to visit nearby attractions like Sierra Nevada, or one of the other villages in the mountains, then I highly recommend renting a car. Another alternative is to join a tour through GetYourGuide or at the accommodation you’re staying (hostel or hotel) at.
Granada Budget Travel Accommodation
As November is outside the peak season, various accommodations will have discounted stays.
If you’re a solo traveller, I always suggest opting for a hostel. You’ll meet people, you can join activities and it’s safer, in my opinion. I stayed in El Granado Hostel and from the moment I arrived, there was a cosy, welcoming vibe to the place. I paid around 15 euros per night for a 6-bed mixed dorm. It had a kitchen on the rooftop, and various social spaces to hangout, as well as a co-working room.
Another guesthouse which is centrally located and a good value for money is Rooms Vita, at £35 a night. Casa de la Catedral has studio apartments available with views of the Cathedral, for a nightly price of around £50, and there’s even an on-site tapas bar where guests get a discount!
To save more money on accommodation, make sure to book early, also during the off-season, or consider staying outside the city centre.
Budget options for food in Granada
Did you know you get free tapas every time you buy a drink at a tapas bar in Granada? Visiting these bars means you spend around 5 euros for a drink and food while enjoying a local tradition. Perfect for Granada budget travel. Here are my tips for delightful places to sample your way through.
Bodegas Castañeda
A true Granada institution. Come to this historic bodega to grab a glass of local wine or vermouth and enjoy shared platters as well as classical dishes. A plate of jamon, cheese, and hearty Andalusian tapas. The atmosphere is lively and packed with locals.
Los Diamantes
A no-frills kind of place where you likely have to stand and eat. It’s legendary for its fried seafood. Fresh, crispy, and bursting with flavour, the gambas, calamares, and boquerones come served hot off the grill. The fried prawns… order them.
La Tana
Search and you shall find. This tiny, family-run wine bar sits hidden in the Realejo district and is a dream spot if you love good wine and rustic, home-cooked flavours. Their jamon ibérico and regional cheeses are worth every cent.
Café 4 Gatos
Head to the Albaicín neighbourhood for this one. A cosy café known for amazing coffee, delicious breakfasts and tostadas with local olive oil, tomato, and jamon. And the views of the Alhambra make it even more special.
There’s also Puesto 43, located in the picturesque Plaza de Gracia, as well as El Conde. Don’t miss out on the famous tapas street – Calle Nuevas – packed with restaurants and bars, and a bustling population of locals and tourists! Another budget-friendly idea is to head to the Mercado San Agustin, in the centre of town, where you can find freshly made food, with places to sit indoors.
What to See and Do in Granada
Granada is the perfect place to aimlessly navigate narrow, cobbled streets. The alleys are steep and twist and turn until you don’t know which way you came from. Each corner of Granada reveals something unexpected. From hidden courtyards, to views of the Alhambra from different Miradors (viewpoints). The city maintains its Moorish influence, and you can find loud echoes of this by walking through Caldereria Nueva, a street ladened with artisanal shops, shisha spots, and restaurants. Not to mention, it’s got a real buzz in the evening. For the major sights in Granada, here are the budget travel considerations.
The Alhambra
The sprawling Moorish fortress is breathtaking. As the crown jewel of Granada, it draws crowds. So much, in fact, that they regulate visitor numbers. You have to book well in advance. It’s easier to secure passage in the off-season, but to avoid any disappointments, I would plan ahead.
Here’s an overlooked budget travel tip for Granada, a way to experience the magic of Alhambra minus the price tag. On the 16th of November, there is free entry, as it is International World Heritage Day. Year round, there are actually parts of the complex which are completely free and spectacular in their own right. These include the Gate of Justice, Plaza de los Aljibes, Palace of Charles V, the Pomegranate Gate, and, of course, the surrounding woods. Some say the name Granada comes from the Spanish word for the pomegranate fruit. Others claim it to be an influence from the Moorish term Karnattah. Even when on a budget, I’d recommend paying to see the Nasrid palaces.
You must go to Mirador de San Nicolas at sunset – a free viewpoint recommended by locals. At the top, you can see the Alhambra on the horizon while listening to live music. On the way up, you wander through the historic neighbourhood of Albaicin.
Albaicin
This is another UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the oldest neighbourhood in Granada. Even after the Christian reconquest, the Muslim residents of Granada settled here until the 17th century. Many say the city’s essence lives here, in the tangled labyrinth of whitewashed houses, hidden courtyards. I’d really take the time to wander, duck in for a cup of spiced Moroccan tea, or climb to the lesser-visited Mirador de la Lona for a postcard-worthy view without the tourist rush. Off-season means a slower pace, where locals reclaim their streets, and you can slip into the rhythm of daily life.
Granada Cathedral & The Royal Chapel
Granada’s cathedral is an architectural gem. You surrender to its grandeur, soaring columns, and gleaming altarpieces. But the story behind it is what makes it truly compelling. Built atop the ruins of the city’s grand mosque, it symbolised the Reconquista – which marked the transition from Islamic to Catholic rule.
On the other side of it, with a separate ticket, don’t miss the Royal Chapel. Here you will find the final resting place of Ferdinand and Isabella, the Catholic Monarchs who funded Christopher Columbus and his voyage to the new world. Entrance is cheap, and in the off-season, you can take it all in without being herded through in a sea of tour groups.
Sacromonte
In the eastern area of the city, there is Sacromonte. Known for its flamenco shows, a deep-rooted part of Andalusian culture, it’s an authentic district to add to your list of things to do in Granada. Visit picturesque bars and cave houses where people once lived, now converted into tourist homes. Some of them promote flamenco shows called Zambras. There is also the Sacromonte museum – which preserves the heritage of this province. It helps you understand the history behind the neighbourhood and its community.
Off-season means cooler temperatures for exploring and a better chance of experiencing raw, emotional, and unfiltered flamenco in more intimate settings.
Realejo
Once home to Granada’s Sephardic (Jewish) community, Realejo is now a vibrant, artistic neighbourhood with a mix of old-world charm and youthful energy. There are also plenty of churches, palaces, and convents to visit. Or stop by the Campo del Príncipe square, a lively meeting spot surrounded by tapas bars.
In terms of nightlife, if you’re looking to dance into the early hours of the morning, Aliatar is a great option. They offer dedicated nights of various music genres, such as salsa and bachata.
The Markets
If you want to eat like a local and and stick to your travel budget, head to Granada’s mercados. Mercado de San Agustín, near the cathedral, is a paradise of fresh vegetables, jamon, and cheeses. For a more immersive experience, go to the weekly outdoor market in Zaidin, where farmers from the surrounding hills bring their best seasonal produce.
Granada as a deep travel destination
I’ll be back in Granada for more free tapas with my cerveza. Granada represents Spain’s layered history. By this I mean the coexistence of Christian, Jewish and Islamic religions and cultures. And there’s the blend of Moorish architecture with more Renaissance structures like the Cathedral.
By visiting neighbourhoods like Albaicin or Sacromonte, you can also see how past traditions remain very much present today. For example, the city is a hub for Flamenco, which is a symbol of Andalusian history. The Spanish way of life is ever present in Granada. The clear human interaction and community feel with lively streets and plazas, where locals gather to share stories and meals. And if you long for fresh mountain air, you don’t have to go far, with the Sierra Nevada mountains on your doorstep.
Granada is proof that deep travel isn’t about how much you spend, but how being intentional with your time lets you immerse yourself in the destination. In the off-season, when the summer crowds disappear, the city slows down, revealing its true character. There are the tapas bars where locals linger, flamenco performances with raw emotion, and stunning heritage which you can enjoy without the stress.
Budget travel in Granada doesn’t mean missing out; it means experiencing the city as intended. Unhurried, authentic, and rich with culture. I found that whether you’re wandering through the Albaicin, exploring the Alhambra, or savouring a plate of jamon, Granada rewards those who embrace the slower, deeper side of travel.
Have you been to Granada? Which part of the city did you enjoy the most? Let us know in the comment section! Subscribe to our newsletter and benefit from travel guides, sustainable tourism and luxury travel tips, insightful interviews, and inspirational places to visit. One Planet Journey – The World’s First Deep Travel Magazine.
