Granada City in Spain - Population, Geography, Weather and Other Facts

Granada (not Grenada, Grenada is a country in the Caribbean) is in the south of Spain and is capital of the province known by the same name, with a population of 265,000 inhabitants and is located at the foot of Sierra Nevada.



Distances to Granada by road from various Spanish cities: Madrid, 433 km; Cadiz, 454 km; Malaga, 128 km; Seville, 251 km. Granada's airport is 15 km away from the city on the road to Malaga. Sierra Nevada is 30 km and Granada tropical coast is 65 km away from the city.

Granada's climate is friendly and dry, the air clean and healthy, with clear and cheerful skies. Strong winds, fog and snow are rare.

The Granada region offers Spain's richest variety of climate and landscape, from the alpine vegetation of the Sierra Nevada to the tropical coast of Motril, where winter temperatures average 15 C while some villages in the Sierra experience minus 10 C.

Perhaps no other region on the peninsula has such contrasting and manifold variety, unfolding at the foot of snow-topped mountains with the best skiing slopes and rich fertile plains, such as those mentioned for Granada and Motril, and those of Loja, Guadix and Baza.

Granada is situated at the foot of the Sierra Nevada between two hills, separated by the Darro Valley, which cast their views over the wide vega. The River Darro flows through the centre of the city, dividing the hills of Sacromonte and Albaycin, that of the Alhambra.

Granada offers some of Europe's highest mountains, the Sierra Nevada being

the principal mountain range whose peaks are snow covered all year; they reach their maximum altitude in Mulhacen (3,481 m), Veleta (3,470 m) and Alcazaba (3,314 m).



The mean annual temperature is 14C, maximum 40C and minimum 4C. Rain is heaviest in November, March and April. The most stable temperatures are during spring and autumn, which are the best times of the year to visit the city.

Animal life is diverse due to the varied habitats. Wolves, foxes, and large predators such as royal eagles, vultures and hawks exist in mountainous parts.

Granada's flora comprises a wonderful botanical mix, with tropical plants growing but a short distance from alpine slopes.

In Granada, service is already included in the bill, so it is not a must to leave a tip. However, you may wish to leave something if you are happy with the service. People sometimes leave loose change. Related information Eating Out

The coast is the most limited zone of the litoral region, rising moderately towards Malaga and with beaches such as Almunecar, Salobrena and Motril. The main rivers of the province are the Genil and the Guadalfeo.



Granada is ideal for visiting all year round. July and August temperatures average 35 C, sometimes reaching 40 C. However, the nights are usually comfortable but chilly.

During the summer months, Granada's provincial array of beaches offers a more refreshing option.

In winter, the arrival of snow in the Sierra Nevada leaves a most beautiful mark on Granada. It is then that winter sports are practised in the ski resorts.

Granada shops usually open at 10 a.m. and close between 1.30 and 2 p.m., opening again between 4.30 and 5 p.m. In winter (a little later in summer) and closing finally at 8.30 p.m. (9 p.m. in summer).

They are closed on Sundays and feast days and occasionally on Saturday afternoons, with the exception of the larger department stores which open on some Sundays during the year, at Christmas and during the Sales.

Bars and restaurants serving food and tapas open around 1 p.m. and close about 4 p.m. Evening opening times are about 8 p.m. and closing time is between 11.30 p.m. and midnight.

Bars serve tapas while the kitchens are open, more or less within the above hours. Cafeterias or bars serving breakfast open very early, some even before 7 a.m. and others a little later. They may close at midday (if it is only a cafeteria and not a bar), between 1.30 and 3 p.m., and re-open for coffee around 3.30 p.m., remaining open until 8.30 or 9 p.m.

To see a map of each route with its stops, frequency, and first and last buses, visit Granada Buses.

Timetables often change, so it is preferable to call Transportes Rober Customer Services free on 900 710 900, lines open from 7 a.m. to midnight 7 days a week.

Here you can find out about timetables, journeys, fares and any other information on Granada's urban bus network.

Granada has good hospitals and medical services. Anyone from the European Union visiting Granada receives free medical treatment, providing they have form E-111/128 with them. Visitors from beyond the European Union are advised to obtain travel insurance before leaving their country.

Spanish legislation prohibits smoking in enclosed public places.

There is a bus service from the airport to central Granada.

The journey lasts around 50 minutes depending on the time of day, since traffic levels vary and the bus makes several stops in the city centre.

You can also reach the centre of Granada from the airport by taxi, which costs around 25 to 30 euros.

The Customer Service and Lost Property Office of Granada's bus company is situated in Calle Joaquin Costa 4, Bajo.

Telephone: 958 22 04 50. From here you can get bus maps, collect lost property found on Granada's buses, make comments, suggestions or complaints on transport services, request a youth pass or recharge your ticket.

There are passes called City Pass and CrediBus which the visitor can use when travelling by bus in Granada. More information in bus fairs

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