Granada
Granada has some of the country’s greatest cultural heritage, located in eastern Andalusia, in the south of Spain.
In addition to the world-famous Alhambra and the Albaicín, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Granada boasts a Renaissance Cathedral that was begun in the 16th century.
Granada is considered one of the world’s cultural capitals and one of the most important tourist destinations in the world.
Granada is geographically surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Natural Park and is also very close to the Mediterranean sea. Less than 30 minutes from the capital is the Sierra Nevada ski resort, the southernmost ski resort in Europe and one of the most extensive in terms of kilometers of slopes. The coastal towns of Motril and Almuñecar are 50 minutes from the capital.
Granada is the birthplace of illustrious figures such as Federico García Lorca, an outstanding poet, playwright and storyteller
La Alhambra
The first visit to the Alhambra, the world’s most spectacular and renowned Arab construction, is an unforgettable experience.
The Alhambra’s ship-like outline surrounded by cypress trees can be seen from anywhere in the city. The monument has been the emblem of Granada for twelve centuries.
The Alhambra has been a palatine city, a royal palace and citadel, all in one. The construction of the complex is amazing: it has no main façade, no centre or no core attraction. Buildings, towers, palaces, courtyards and gardens follow each other naturally, as though designed by the inhabitants’ everyday lives.
Parque de las Ciencias
The Parque de las Ciencias is an interactive science museum of 70,000 m2, located just a few minutes walk from the historic center of Granada. Since its inauguration in 1995, it has been the most visited museum in Andalusia.
More than 15 million people have already visited its facilities, a figure that has consolidated it as an international reference center for the popularization of science in southern Europe. It is open all year round, from Tuesday to Sunday, and offers activities and exhibitions for all audiences.
It is managed by a Public Consortium formed by the Junta de Andalucía; the City Council of Granada; the Diputación Provincial de Granada; the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas and the University of Granada.
Seven permanent exhibition pavilions, 5,000 m2 of temporary exhibitions, the digital planetarium, the BioDome, the cultural gallery, the biblioLAB, the cinemas, the auditorium and the Windows to science are some of its spaces. They bring together health, environment, architecture, literature, physics, chemistry, mechanics and astronomy, among other topics. Its activities include international exhibition and research projects, as well as being the Spanish headquarters of the European Space Agency Educational Office (ESA – ESERO).
HOW TO GET AROUND GRANADA
Bus
There are city, intercity and Suburban buses in Granada. Dedicated lines will take attendees to the most important monuments (as the Alhambra, Albaicin or Sacromonte), the airport or the nearby cities. Single tickets cost is €1.40 and different travel cards are available.
Light metro
The Granada Metro crosses the city from north to south, joining the capital with the nearby villages of Armilla, Albolote and Maracena. The metro has a length of 15.9 km and 26 stations. Single tickets cost is €1.35 and travel cards are available.
On foot
Although the public transport is really cheap and accesible, Granada is a walkable city and most of the main touristic attractions can be visited on foot. Attendees will be able to enjoy the great weather of Granada in September through its gorgeous streets and monuments.
Climate
Granada has a continental Mediterranean climate, which is dry with little rainfall. It is cold in winter and hot in summer. The temperature difference between day and night can reach 20°C at certain times of the year.
Granada Bus
Services
To see a map of each route and bus stops, frequency, schedules, visit Granada Buses. Here you can find out about timetables, journeys, fares and any other information on Granada’s urban bus network.
There is a bus pass called CrediBus which the visitor can use when traveling by bus in Granada.
How to Reach Granada from the Airport?
There is a bus service from the airport to central Granada. The journey lasts around 50 minutes depending on the time of day, since traffic levels vary and the bus makes several stops in the city centre.
You can also reach the centre of Granada from the airport by taxi, which costs 25-35 euros.