Where to stay in Granada: hotels and accommodation in the most beautiful neighbourhoods

During the planning of your Andalusia itinerary, the time will come for you to choose a neighbourhood and a hotel in Granada. You will soon realise that this is an extremely pleasant task, but one that involves a decidedly difficult choice: there are many areas where it would be lovely to stay, and each preserves its own personal and inimitable charm.

So… where to stay in Granada? Think of the thrill of spending the night in a hotel in the centre, with the Alhambra framed by the peaks of the Sierra Nevada! Or, why not, imagine the (expensive!) privilege of staying in an establishment located right on the Alhambra hill, a stone’s throw from the Moorish palaces. Or perhaps you’d prefer to look for a hotel among the narrow lanes of the Albaycín or the Jewish quarter of Realejo? And what if, for you, the answer was to spend the night in a cueva of Sacromonte, in the true gypsy spirit?

With this article we will try, on the one hand, to instil in you a little healthy scepticism, offering points for reflection that will entice you to delve deeper into the urban geography of Granada; on the other hand we will give you advice and ideas, briefly outlining the pros and cons of each neighbourhood and of some interesting hotels in the area.

Guide to the neighbourhoods

All the accommodation available in Granada

Granada City Centre, a stone’s throw from the Alhambra

Finding a hotel in the centre of Granada is an appealing option from many points of view: the most decisive advantage is undoubtedly its strategic location. Yes, because around Plaza Nueva, besides the proliferation of tapas bars, restaurants and venues (we talk about them in our article on the best restaurants in Granada), the routes begin that lead to all the city’s main points of interest: the Alhambra hill, the neighbourhoods of Albaycín and Sacromonte, the Cathedral and the Royal Chapel, etc. As for parking, bear in mind that it is practically impossible to find in Granada’s centre: our advice is to look for it in outlying neighbourhoods and reach the centre by bus or on foot. Here are some recommended hotels:

• Hotel Posada del Toro: for us, definitely in the top five of the best hotels to stay at in Granada. The rooms are arranged around an Andalusian patio, but the whole hotel is decorated in a traditional style and finished with attention to detail. Tiny but cosy, this hotel has everything to win over the traveller.
• Hotel Inglaterra: a very classy hotel, featuring a notable Andalusian patio. The rooms are furnished in a classical style, but travellers find them very pleasant; indeed, if you’re lucky, you may secure a room with a view of the Alhambra.
• Hotel Mercader de Sedas  in a very central location, you’ll find this hotel very charming, which offers well-kept, tastefully furnished rooms. Some people have complained about the noise in the street, but nobody has ever had anything to criticise about the price or location!

All accomodations available in the centre of Granada

On the Alhambra hill: palaces and a dream parador

This is the solution for those who… won’t settle. There’s bound to be someone among you who, when planning the ideal trip to Granada, simply cannot resist staying right on the hill of the Alhambra in Granada, so they can feel for a few hours like the Nasrid sultans: you can’t really blame them!

Obviously, it is not possible to sleep in the palace’s halls, but there are some establishments that  allow you to sleep right on the hill, if not within the walls of the ancient royal residence. Among these, the parador de Granada, is a typical and exclusive Spanish luxury hotel (usually converted from ancient castles, convents, or palaces). Here are the available accommodation options in detail:

• Parador de Granada: this property is widely regarded as the most beautiful parador in all of Spain, and rightly so, given its location (within the Alhambra) and the exceptional setting in which it is housed (an ancient Franciscan monastery). If you choose to stay here (and can afford it!), expect princely hospitality in a sumptuous palace steeped in history and atmosphere. Please note, the parador is highly sought-after and requires booking well in advance;
• Alhambra Palace: although it is the forbidden dream of many travellers, staying in the sophisticated, exquisitely appointed rooms of the Alhambra itself is not possible. However, you can come very close if you sleep in the impressive Alhambra Palace, a hotel furnished in Moorish style at the foot of the Alhambra hill. Choose this beautiful hotel if you want to immerse yourself straight away in the city’s Moorish atmosphere.
• Hotel America: if you want to stay on the hill but can’t afford a suite at the Parador Granada, you can opt for this slightly cheaper solution. That said, despite the incredible location of the property, the hotel could perhaps do with a bit of modernisation, but overall it guarantees a more than satisfactory stay.

Albaycín and Sacromonte: the magical neighbourhoods of Arab and gypsy Granada

Which other areas can you look for a hotel in Granada? We won’t hesitate to mention the Albaycín, the old Arab quarter, which we already touched on in our article about what to do in Granada. When deciding where to stay in Granada, this charming and intense neighbourhood of narrow, steep lanes and cramped little squares could be for you: we like it so much that we’ve published an article with an itinerary through the Albacín of Granada!

And what about Sacromonte, the old neighbourhood where the impoverished flamenco musicians and dancers used to live? In this case too, you shouldn’t expect to find parking easily, but an intriguing and unconventional stay awaits you. Here are some accommodation options available in the Albaycín and, below, an original option for staying in Sacromonte:

• Hotel Santa Isabela la Real: an atmospheric hotel, in an elegant and refined Andalusian style, whose rooms overlook a lovely patio. One of the main draws, aside from the excellence of the building and its services, is the connection to the centre: in front of the hotel you’ll find a very convenient bus that will take you to the main attractions in just a few minutes.
• Casa del Alijarife: b&b small and welcoming in the heart of the Albaycín, with cosy rooms lovingly maintained and styled with passion and taste. The garden that graces the house is wonderful.
• Hostal Moni Albayzín: in addition to its excellent value for money, we recommend this charming hostal for the friendliness of the owners, who are often happy to help travellers discover the neighbourhood and the city with tailored recommendations. Breakfast is served on a terrace with views of the Sierra Nevada.

Hotels in the Albayzín neighbourhood

Where to stay in Granada? In a hotel? No, in the Sacromonte caves!

• Cuevas La Bonica more than just accommodation, a timeless experience. If you choose to stay in the cuevas, you’ll experience the life of the gypsies who made their homes inside the caves of this charming hill. An interesting alternative to a hotel, then: the caves are fitted with every comfort, just like a proper flat.

Other options in the Sacromonte caves

The Realejo, the old Jewish quarter

Another option for staying in Granada is the historic ghetto of Granada, called Realejo, whose beating heart is Plaza Campo de Príncipe, the neighbourhood’s main square. In this area, close to the centre, you’ll find some budget options, but also a couple of hotels with impressive charm. As for parking, unless the hotel has an affiliated car park, ask the hotel if there are any places to park or consult this list of available car parks in Granada.

• Hospes Palacio de los Patos: we are talking about a 5-star hotel, therefore a luxury property that offers the most exclusive comforts. The distinguished building is a 19th-century palace, set in an elegant garden. The hotel also extends into a more modern wing, perfectly integrated with the original core.
• Hostel Vita: hostel modern and friendly, suitable for those who appreciate a youthful style. Clean, cosy rooms, breakfast included in the price and an excellent location for exploring the city.

All available accommodation in the Realejo

Calle Acera del Darro, the shopping street

We now come to the neighbourhood to the south of the centre: this is the perfect area if you are looking for accommodation in Granada’s modern shopping district. Calle Acera del Darro is alive with shopping centres, shops, restaurants and tapas bars… just a stone’s throw from the centre. Here are the places you could choose:

• Hotel Carmen: elegant modern hotel that offers spacious and comfortable rooms. The hotel is located opposite El Corte Inglés, the renowned department store chain.
• Eurostars Puerta Real: a property that isn’t modern but is cosy and able to satisfy travellers looking for a hotel not far from the centre, immersed in the vitality of the neighbourhood.

Hotels available south of the Centre

Choosing a hotel in Granada, but outside the centre: pros and cons

As you move away from the centre, the streets become less attractive, busier and more chaotic, but the chances of finding a free parking space where you can leave your car for the duration of your stay in Granada increase: this is the main advantage of choosing accommodation just outside the centre. We have chosen to point out two hotels located along the Camino de Ronda, a long, busy road that runs alongside the centre and is full of side streets where you may be able to find parking.

• Hotel Granada Center: a 15-minute walk from the centre, this attractive, modern and functional hotel is located here, with a lobby of refined, contemporary design that does not forget Andalusian tradition and aesthetics. An excellent base for exploring the city, offering a little respite from the hectic pace of strolling around the centre.
• Hotel Urban Dream: a hotel that makes up for its lack of personality with an efficient and functional service, spotlessly clean, well-appointed rooms and a fairly modest price for its class.

All accomodations available outside Granada city centre

Map of Accommodations in Granada