When I lived in Granada a few years ago as an exchange student, we were always looking for inexpensive (or even free!) ways to have fun while getting to know the city better at the same time.
Luckily, the south of Spain is generally pretty cheap. The cities are so full of history and interesting stories that you don’t need to spend a lot to see a lot. And when you need refreshment drinks range from one to three Euros and food from three to five on average. Granada is especially great for someone traveling on a budget too! Why? Read on!
Visit the Alhambra Grounds – Free!
Located into the hills surrounding the city, the Alhambra is a Moorish Palace and Fortress that is one of the most famous sites of the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tickets to visit the interior and the gardens are 14,00 Euro for adults and I would absolutely recommend going inside, it is worth every cent.
However, what many visitors don’t know is that the area before the ticket point is also really nice! There is a beautiful view of the city below and you can get at least an initial impression of the massiveness of the palace. So just follow signs from the city center to the Alhambra and go as far as your free pass will get you!
Walk through the Albayzin and Sacromonte –Free!
I mentioned in an earlier article all of the cool things that the Albayzin district of Granada has to offer. Head away from the city center on Carrera del Darro and just wander through the winding streets. What I didn’t mention before is that just a little farther is the neighborhood known as Sacromonte, the traditional Gitano section of the city formed by the slopes of the hills. This is a bit more rural, but you can see a more traditional way of life where some of the residents live in the caves built into the hills.
Sample some tapas! –Cheap!
Granada is one of the best budget cities to eat and drink in because each drink comes with a free tapa! Not just some chips or olives, either. You can expect anything from a sandwich to a plate of fried fish. In some bars you can even choose your own from a list of many options. One of my favorite areas for great tapas bars is in the center near the Cathedral, but you can absolutely find so many great places all over the city.
Go inside the Granada Cathedral- Cheap!
No matter what your religious beliefs, to get a full understanding of the history, traditions and culture of Spain, you should start with the church. In most Spanish cities, these are located in the heart of the city center and typically are some of the most ornate, architectural creations. The Granada Cathedral is not the most stunning of the ones I’ve seen in Spain, but nonetheless it is really nice inside and, you guessed it, cheap to enter! Adult’s tickets are 5 euros and students 3,5 euros.
