Granada is vibrant all year round, especially in winter. Monuments and museums are open, tourist numbers are lower, and the city is marked by numerous celebrations. Granada lies at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, so you can even go skiing!
Here are our tips for discovering the city in winter: activities, weather, temperatures…
Plus information on how to spend Christmas and New Year’ s Eve on site.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Visiting Granada in winter: is it worth it?
Our review
Yes, Granada is well worth a visit in winter! Granada is a city where tourist pressure is quite high, especially in spring. You must book your visit to the Alhambra several months in advance. In winter, you’ll have more peace and quiet, and can be a little more spontaneous in organizing your visits.
For peace of mind, however, we advise you to book your visit to the Alhambra now.
If you enjoy sports, winter is the best time to visit Granada. In fact, you can go skiing in the nearby Sierra Nevada. Finally, in December and January, you can enjoy Christmas markets and illuminations, as well as concerts in the Manuel de Falla auditorium. January 2 is also the day of the taking of Granada, to celebrate the reconquest of the city by the Catholic kings in 1492. It’s a celebration you won’t see anywhere else!
WHERE TO STAY IN Granada
Our favorites: hotels and neighborhoods
Downtown
Hotel Luna Granada Centro – See prices, photos and availability
Hotel Corrala del Realejo – See prices, photos and availability
At the Alhambra
Alhambra Palace – See prices, photos and availability
See our complete selection of the best hotels in Granada
Benefits
- fewer tourists,
- it’s easier to park and get around the city,
- temperatures are ideal for those who fear the heat,
- hotels are less expensive,
- almost everything is open,
- you can go skiing,
- there are events and celebrations even in winter!
Disadvantages
- it’s cold and not so sunny,
- it may snow,
- you’ll find it harder to enjoy the lively atmosphere of the terraced bars and restaurants.
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- Book early for choice.
Weather, temperatures and conditions
The weather in Granada is different from that in other Andalucia cities, as the city is located at an altitude of 738m. It is surrounded by the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains. As you can see, it can snow if you go to Granada in December, January or February! In winter, temperatures average around 7°C. December is generally the coolest month, with temperatures as low as 2°. It’s also the wettest month on record, although this remains reasonable (7 days of rain maximum over the month).
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Things to do in Granada in winter
In Granada, you can do all the things you’d do in any other season!
- Visit the Alhambra (Generalife, Alcazaba, Palacio Nazaries…),
- Explore the cathedral,
- Discover the magnificent monasteries of La Cartuja and San Jerónimo,
- Explore the city’s best museums,
- Take an excursion or go skiing,
- Attend a flamenco show,
- Take the city’s sightseeing train, which stops at the main landmarks,
- Enjoy the illuminations, Christmas markets and celebrations.
Check out our article on the best things to do in Granada for more ideas!
What you can’t do in Granada in winter:
- Relax under the sun on the terrace,
- You may not have very clear views from the Alhambra in bad weather.
DISCOVER Granada
How to get to Granada
You can get to Granada by train, which is well served by Spain’s other major cities, including Málaga (1h15), Sevilla (2h30), Madrid (3h30), and Barcelona (6h30). You can book your tickets on the Renfe website here. If you’re travelling from France, trains now run between Barcelona and Paris, and Madrid and Lyon. Visit the official scnf website here to find out more. To get to Granada station from the city center, we recommend you take a cab.
If you’re flying in, you can come from Sevilla or Málaga airports, both of which are served by major European cities, including Paris, London, Amsterdam and Vienna.
Granada is easily accessible by car, with major highways such as the A-395 and the E-902.
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Christmas in Granada
In our opinion, spending Christmas in Granada is a great idea! First of all, you can enjoy the Christmas illuminations (December to mid-January). You can also explore the Christmas markets, which are usually located in Plaza Bib-Rambla, Puerta Real, Paseo del Violón and Plaza del Humilladero, where there are usually rides and games for the little ones. As in Sevilla, you can follow the Route of the Nativity Scenes, to see the original nativity creations of downtown institutions and stores. For the occasion, a competition is even organized to reward the most beautiful!
If you’re with the family, don’t miss the Juveandalus, usually held from mid-December to mid-January. It’s an annual fair dedicated to children’s entertainment. Find out more on the official website here. You can also bring your children to the Town Hall in mid-December, where they can hand in their letter of greeting. Don’t forget that in Spain, it’s addressed to the Three Wise Men, not Santa Claus!
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New Year’s Eve in Granada
As in the rest of Spain, New Year’s Day in Granada is marked by the tradition of eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight (1 grape for each sound of the bell). Inhabitants usually gather with their families or in their town’s main square. In Granada, we head for the Plaza del Carmen, where bags of grapes and confetti are distributed. A fireworks display accompanied by an orchestra brings the celebrations to a close (around 2am). You can also enjoy the New Year’s symphony concert at the Manuel de Falla auditorium.
January 2 is the day of the taking of Granada: the inhabitants celebrate the reconquest of the city by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492. After a tribute at the tombs of these sovereigns and a mass, parades take place through the streets to the town hall. Then, on January 6 (Epiphany), the Three Wise Men parade takes place, which has been held in Spain since 1917. Trick-or-treating and music are on the agenda. Finally, San Antón, the patron saint of animals, is celebrated on January 17. This is the occasion for the San Antón pot, a pork-based dish resembling a stew.
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