Best Time to Visit Granada

Spring and early summer: the sweet spot

From April to June, Granada is at its best. April is mild, with highs around 19°C, and a few showers still pass through. By May the streets feel warm and the evenings are easy. June is dry and sunny, and the days are long.

This is the time for the Alhambra and its gardens, the Generalife. Walk the Albaicín, the old Moorish hill quarter, and watch the sun set from the Mirador de San Nicolás. Spring is also busy. The Alhambra sells out fast, so get tickets early. Easter week, Semana Santa, brings solemn night processions through the centre and packs the hotels. The Corpus Christi fair in early summer fills the city with music and lights. The Granada International Festival of Music and Dance runs in June and July, with concerts in the Alhambra's palaces.

July and August: hot and quiet

Summer is hard going in the middle of the day. July is the hottest month at 33°C, and it has almost no rain. Nights stay warm, with lows around 21°C. Locals eat late and stay out late.

Do your sightseeing in the evening or at opening time. Spend the hot hours in the Arab Baths or a shaded patio. Many Spaniards leave town in August, so some small shops close. Still, you'll find fewer big crowds than in spring. Want a break from the heat? The Sierra Nevada, close by, is much cooler.

September to November: golden and calm

September is still warm, with highs of 27°C, and it has far more sun than spring. October is gentler, with a few more showers. Both are good for hiking the Sierra Nevada foothills or the Darro valley path below the Alhambra. Crowds ease off, and tapas bars feel relaxed. Granada's habit of serving a free tapa with each drink makes a long evening cheap and fun.

November brings more rain, about 53 mm, and cooler days around 17°C. It's quiet, and it suits museums and cosy bars.

Winter: cool days, snow nearby

December to February is the low season in town. Days are cool at 13–14°C, nights get close to freezing, and showers are common. Many hotels have lower rates. Ski season runs at Sierra Nevada, about 45 minutes from the centre, so you can ski in the morning and eat tapas by night. If you hate queues at the Alhambra, winter is your best bet. Bring a warm coat, since the old stone buildings can feel chilly.