Granada was a cute college town with beautiful sights and a unique tapas culture.

These are all the posts I made about the city:

I loved the unique tapas culture here, where basically every round of drinks comes with a “free” tapa (some of the prices are a little higher)—if you’re cheap and out to drink, you could get away with eating for free. We never intentionally did this because we wanted larger portions and not to drink so much, but it was fun to see what each restaurant would bring out first for free.

We only went back to one restaurant multiple times (Restaurante Oliver), but we were also only here for four nights, so we didn’t have as much time for repeats. I wish we had been able to go back to Rincón de Rodri, and there were still more places in my Apple Maps guide that I wish we had been able to visit.

On separate nights we walked up to the Mirador de San Nicolás and Jardines y Generalife; both were a good workout. I’m bummed we didn’t get to go into the Alhambra itself, and I’d want to return and make sure we got tickets for that.

Our Airbnb near the city center was great, and the city was relatively small anyway so it was easy to walk around. We never used the bus system because we walked from the train to our apartment.

Overall, I’d love to come back to Granada to see the Alhambra and experience the unique tapas culture again.

Close-up view of ornate pinnacles atop the Royal Chapel of Granada, showcasing the elaborate late Gothic (Isabelline) stone carvings against a cloudless blue sky. The vertical structures are highly detailed with vegetal and geometric motifs, emphasizing the grandeur of the architecture.Panoramic view of the Alhambra palace complex illuminated at twilight, perched atop a forested hill with the Sierra Nevada mountains faintly snow-capped in the background. The warm lights cast a golden hue on the ancient stone walls, contrasting beautifully with the blue sky and shadowed trees below.Narrow cobblestone street flanked by whitewashed buildings in the Albaicín neighborhood, with wrought iron balconies and leafy vines draping over the path. The alley gently slopes uphill, drawing the eye toward a small tower and distant mountains beyond.Intricately detailed ceiling of the main chapel in Granada Cathedral, featuring a coffered dome with geometric patterns, sculpted cherubs, and ornamental stucco work. Natural light streams through stained glass windows, highlighting the richness and symmetry of the Renaissance design.Framed view from a narrow alleyway toward the Sacromonte hillside bathed in golden evening light. The foreground is lined with traditional white Andalusian buildings and wrought iron balconies, leading to a sunlit cluster of houses atop the dry, grassy slope.Exterior corner of the Royal Chapel of Granada with its pale stone walls and decorative Gothic tracery. The vertical spires and cresting finials are richly carved and silhouetted sharply against a vivid blue sky, underscoring the building’s historic and architectural significance.Spanish graffiti on a pinkish-brown wall written in black marker, expressing a wistful message in Spanish about love, longing, and missing the chance to see the Alhambra together. It’s dated 07/04/2025 and written in a casual, personal script.Wall with multiple pieces of graffiti, including a poetic quote in Spanish referencing Granada, a stylized Instagram handle, and a black wavy line. The quote is written diagonally and speaks to the hardship of being blind in such a beautiful place.Busy pedestrian street in Granada lined with multistory buildings featuring wrought iron balconies and hanging lamps. A dense crowd walks beneath leafy trees, with a few people in the foreground wearing casual clothes. The vibrant scene captures the energy of an early evening paseo.