(Newswire.net — March 4, 2019) — Granada, situated in the south east of Spain in the Andalucia region, is a true jewel of the Iberian Peninsular. It simply cannot be missed if you are planning to visit the country and has some amazing things to see and do, that you will never see anywhere else.
But if you are on a budget, don’t fret. You can still see and do everything you could possibly want with a bit of extra planning.
Getting there cheaply
Once you’re actually in Granada, most of the exploring can be done on foot within the city. But getting there can be pretty cheap too. The nearest airport is Malaga, and there is a bus service that connects the two – although you might want to spend at least one day in Malaga just to take in the beach. Bus fare in Spain is notoriously cheap, and the journey from Malaga to Granada is around 2 hours, so perfectly reasonable and great for seeing the rolling Spanish countryside as you make your way along.
Book ahead for the cheaper accommodation
With it being a tourist hotspot, there are plenty of places to stay that suit every budget. Of course a backpackers hostel dorm room is always going to be the cheapest – usually around 10 euros per night per person.
But if that is not really your thing then Airbnb is usually a good option, and can be found as cheap as 29 euros for your own room.
Book onto a free walking tour
Being shown around by a local tour guide doesn’t need to cost money. In fact some of the best tours in the city are absolutely free. Book onto a Free Walking Tour Granada and see all the sights like the City Hall, the Santa Ana Church, the Puerta del Sol de la Alhambra, the cathedral and many more.
If you are going to spend money – it has to be on the Alhambra
This palace is absolutely beautiful, and cannot be missed. So if you are going to spend out on something, make it on this. It is absolutely iconic.
It is an UNESCO World Heritage Site first built as a fortress by the Romans, and later developed into the palace you see today by the moors. Definitely plan ahead on this one, the ticket timeslots can sell out months in advance. And do not be late for your time slot or you’ll end up disappointed.
Treat yourself to some Spanish tapas – for free
In many of the bars, ordering a round of drinks will also mean a small plate of something yummy to pick at will also turn up. This can be anything from a bowl of olives to bread and cheese. This can be great for a little snack here are there, when you would have likely stopped for a drink anyway.
And speaking of drinks, here is another top tip – avoid the sangria and order tinto de verano instead. They are very similar yet because the sangria is for tourists it is quite often more expensive. Tinto de verano is simply red wine diluted with lemonade and it is very refreshing in the summer – and tastes almost the sangria anyway.
Don’t miss the Sierra Nevada
You really should get out into the countryside while you are visiting. So pack up a little picnic, your swimming kit and get your best hiking shoes on and head out to the Sierra Nevada.
You can hop on a bus for a short ride to Monachil, and from there there are a few routes to choose one, some passing over scary rope bridges or alongside rivers so you can take a dip to cool off.