podtour
At a glance
- Country
- Spain
- Region
- Andalusia
- Language
- Spanish. Hello: hola or buenos días. Thank you: gracias.
- Currency
- Euro (€)
- Population
- Around 250,000 people
- Sockets
- Types C and F, 230 V; bring an adaptor for UK plugs
- Emergencies
- 112
- Tap water
- Yes. Mains water is drinkable; bring a reusable bottle.
- Card payments
- Cards are widely used; some cash is useful for small purchases.
- Tipping
- Tipping is optional; leave something if you want to thank staff for good service, without assuming a fixed percentage.
- Driving side
- right
When to go
| Season | Approximate temperature | Rain | Daylight | Atmosphere |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Roughly 6–24 °C. | Possible showers. | Increasing daylight. | Good for hills, with layers. |
| Summer | Roughly 17–35 °C; it can be hotter. | Little rain. | Long days. | Dry heat, particularly in exposed areas. |
| Autumn | Roughly 6–26 °C. | Rain becomes more likely. | Shortening days. | Mild initially, cool after dark. |
| Winter | Roughly 1–14 °C. | Rain and cold; frost possible. | Short days. | A coat matters even in sunshine. |
- For several neighbourhood walks: spring or autumn, without assuming every evening will be mild.
- March or April · Holy Week: processions and busy central streets; allow for detours.
- May · Cruces: festive activity in squares and streets.
- June · Corpus: celebrations around the city; arrange accommodation ahead.
- Book well ahead if you want to go inside the Alhambra: tickets sell out. Don’t leave that decision until you arrive in Granada.
Walking the city
- Hills: Albaicín, Sacromonte and the Alhambra demand uphill walking. The lower centre is gentler, though not entirely flat.
- Underfoot: cobbles and steps; attractive stone patterns don’t guarantee grip. Slow down in rain.
- Weather: marked differences between sun and shade, and day and night. Summer uphill walks in sunshine are tiring.
- Distances: areas facing each other may require a descent and another climb to connect. Choose one hillside per outing.
- Crossings: traffic drives on the right, unlike Britain. Narrow streets carry authorised vehicles and buses; listen off the carriageway.
- Daily rhythm: meals come late and people walk when heat eases. Viewpoints are shared neighbourhood spaces too.
Getting there and around
- Airport: bus and taxi connect with Granada. For hillside accommodation, consider the last stretch with your suitcase.
- Rail and coach stations: both sit outside the monumental heart; continue by urban transport or taxi as appropriate.
- Around Granada: local buses help with hills. The metro serves the lower city; it doesn’t climb to the Alhambra or Albaicín.
- Local tip: check the gradient and route starting point before choosing transport. Following a downhill street by instinct can take you far from your start.
The neighbourhoods
| Neighbourhood | What it's like | Who it suits | Our routes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alhambra surroundings and Antequeruela | Woods, slopes and monumental gates. | A first outdoor introduction with hills. | The Alhambra from Outside: Hill, Woods and Gates Free |
| Centre and Cathedral | Squares and shopping streets with gentler gradients. | A break from hills, with monuments. | Central Granada: the Cathedral, the Alcaicería and Bib-Rambla |
| Carrera del Darro | A narrow passage beside the river and historic buildings. | Slow walking with attention to traffic. | Legends of the Darro: from Santa Ana to the Paseo de los Tristes |
| Upper Albaicín | Hills, cobbles and small squares. | Views and local life; good shoes. | The Upper Albaicín: from San Nicolás to the Puerta de Elvira |
| Sacromonte | Hillsides and exposed stretches. | A walk requiring energy and suitable weather. | Sacromonte: From the Abbey to the Casa del Chapiz |
| Realejo | Neighbourhood squares, convents and rising streets. | Characterful streets near the centre. | The Realejo: The Jewish Quarter You Can't See and the Convent District |
| San Jerónimo and University | Lower central streets with student life. | Literature and fewer demanding climbs. | Lorca and the University Quarter: from San Jerónimo to the Romanilla |
What to try
| Dish or drink | What it is |
|---|---|
| Habas con jamón | Broad beans cooked with ham. |
| Fried aubergines with cane syrup | Crisp slices or strips with a sweet contrast. |
| Remojón granadino | Orange and salt-cod salad, with varying accompaniments. |
| Tortilla del Sacromonte | An omelette with potato and offal; ask what is included. |
| Plato alpujarreño | A substantial plate of potatoes, eggs and pork products. |
| Migas | Bread or semolina worked in a pan with assorted accompaniments. |
| Pionono | A small rolled cake associated with nearby Santa Fe. |
| Soplillos | Light almond and egg-white sweets from the Alpujarra tradition. |
| Mint tea | An aromatic break without having to make a ritual of it. |
- A drink usually comes with a tapa, often chosen by the house. Ask what it includes and how it’s chosen, as arrangements vary.
What to pack
- Grippy soles: worn-in shoes suit hills better than smooth sandals.
- Small rucksack: less weight makes climbs more enjoyable.
- Summer: water, hat and sunscreen, with a long break planned.
- Winter: coat and layers; nights are cold.
- Spring and autumn: a jacket even when you leave in sunshine, and packable rain protection.
- Types C and F sockets. Bring an adaptor for a UK plug.
- Podtour works offline: download what you want to listen to before heading out.
For the trip
Customs and common mistakes
- Share viewpoints and keep access clear.
- Don’t photograph inside a lived-in house or cave without asking the resident.
- Conversations carry in narrow lanes; keep voices low late at night.
- Listen out of the way, particularly along Carrera del Darro.
- Say hello and take time to say thank you.
- Respect quiet and clothing guidance in places of worship.
- Check before taking stepped shortcuts with a pushchair or limited mobility.
If it rains (or it's very hot)
- Rain: postpone cobbled slopes on The Upper Albaicín: from San Nicolás to the Puerta de Elvira and stretches of Sacromonte: From the Abbey to the Casa del Chapiz if the ground is slippery.
- A more compact plan: combine Central Granada: the Cathedral, the Alcaicería and Bib-Rambla with separate visits to the Cathedral, Royal Chapel or a museum.
- Heat: The Alhambra from Outside: Hill, Woods and Gates Free passes through woods but includes climbing and steps; trees don’t remove the effort.
- Indoor culture: Casa de los Tiros or the Federico García Lorca Centre can fit your area.
Itineraries with Podtour
Allow a break between routes. Indoor visits are separate plans from the walk and the audio.
Days Plan
1 day
Begin with The Alhambra from Outside: Hill, Woods and Gates Free. Leave the rest of the day for a break and the Antequeruela area; visiting inside the Alhambra is separate.
2 days
Day 1: as above. Day 2: Central Granada: the Cathedral, the Alcaicería and Bib-Rambla and Lorca and the University Quarter: from San Jerónimo to the Romanilla, linking lower central areas with a rest between routes.
3 days
Days 1 and 2: as above. Day 3: The Upper Albaicín: from San Nicolás to the Puerta de Elvira, descending towards Puerta de Elvira. After resting, reach the start of Legends of the Darro: from Santa Ana to the Paseo de los Tristes. Allow for that connection and avoid adding another hillside.
What to see with Podtour
marks places covered by the free route. Outdoor listening doesn’t include admission to interiors.