If you’re planning a visit to Granada, choosing the right place to stay plays a key role in your stay in this magical Andalusian city. From the shadow of the Alhambra to the winding alleys of the Albaicín, Granada’s hotels reflect that city’s charm, and choosing a place to stay is by no means an easy task. Whether you’re after a luxurious palace with sweeping views, a boutique hideaway tucked into the old Moorish quarter, or a budget-friendly hotel that still puts you in the heart of the action, this guide brings together 18 of the best places to stay in Granada, from restored 16th-century mansions to sleek design hotels with rooftop terraces and views of the Sierra Nevada.
But first, here are a few things you should know before your trip to Granada.
Helpful Resources For Visiting Granada
As always, the first thing to do before traveling to any country is checking the travel documents requirements. If you’re a resident of a European country, you probably don’t require a visa or any additional documents. For all other countries, there are visa and ETIAS requirements.
If you’re traveling via flight, you can get a cheap flight by using this special discount coupon by Qatar Airways and save up to 20% on your flight to Spain.
If you are looking to rent a car in Spain, you can use this Auto Europe special offer to see and compare all car rental options in the area before choosing the best deal.
Finally, you can also use this special offer by Busbud (for more info, check out our review) for booking bus tickets for your trip to Spain.
Last but not least, you should know that travel insurance is mandatory in Spain if you’re an international tourist (coming from outside of the EU). You can always find cheap travel insurance online but the truth is most of these plans only cover some of the most basic costs you can encounter. If you want a plan that will have you covered in all situations no matter what (especially if you’re traveling in Spain alone), I recommend SafetyWing.
Boutique & Cultural Hotels
We’re starting off this list of the best places to stay in Granada with a few boutique hotels. They are not as luxurious as some of the other hotels on this list, but they offer some privacy and a touch of luxury for everyone’s pocket.
Casa Morisca
Casa Morisca is a cute boutique hotel tucked away in the Albaicín, built around a traditional Andalusian courtyard, with a beautiful fountain in the heart of the venue and wooden balconies that will make you feel like you traveled to the 15th century. The hotel is basically a decorated 15th-century Moorish home (as the name Casa Morisca suggests). The rooms feature exposed bricks, period furniture, and windows with a view of the iconic Alhambra — one of Granada’s main highlights. In other words, the hotel combines its Moorish heritage with all the modern amenities you might need on a vacation. Breakfast is served in a cozy vaulted dining room, and the food is absolutely delicious too.
La Corrala del Realejo
La Corrala del Realejo is another beautiful hotel located in the heart of the Realejo neighborhood. Similar to Casa Morsisca, this one is also located inside a beautifully restored 17th-century building, preserving the house’s original features like wooden beams and stone columns. The rooms feature elegant furniture, plush bedding, and a cozy living space perfect for people looking for some extra privacy.
One of my favorite features was the small spa pool on the rooftop, where you can soak while looking up at the Alhambra walls. Yes, the hotel is that close to the Alhambra and is only a short walk from Plaza Nueva and the Albaicín. Breakfast is served in a glass-covered courtyard, which makes it feel like dining in a greenhouse surrounded by lemon trees.
Carmen de la Alcubilla del Caracol
This list of the best places to stay in Granada couldn’t be complete without Carmen de la Alcubilla del Caracol, a gorgeous boutique hotel set on the Alhambra hill that offers some of the most breathtaking views of Granada. The rooms are decorated with antique touches, terracotta floors, and a balcony overlooking the city’s rooftops on one side and the distant Sierra Nevada peaks on the other.
The rooms also come with terraced gardens filled with citrus and pomegranate trees, perfect for reading or sipping wine. There aren’t many flashy amenities like in some of the other hotels on the list, but the atmosphere of tranquility is the perfect environment for a peaceful vacation.
Gar-Anat Hotel Boutique
I was immediately drawn to Gar-Anat Hotel Boutique because of its literary charm, unique character, and gorgeous 17th-century architecture, which are some of the highlights of Granada’s city center. Each room in this hotel is themed around a different story, poem, or local legends that feature archaic elements like canopy beds and old-style lighting. The central courtyard with its stone columns and skylight is a peaceful place to enjoy a cup of tea or read a good book with little to no disturbance.
Palacio de Santa Inés
Palacio de Santa Inés is also located in the Albaicín district, which is just a gem of a neighborhood when it comes to old buildings, houses, and old buildings turned into hotels. The hotel is made up of two connected 16th-century houses, decorated with Renaissance woodwork, frescoes, and a gorgeous courtyard. The rooms come with large arched windows that overlook the Alhambra, and the buffet breakfast is one of the finest in the area. Overall, it’s the perfect place to retire after a long day of exploring some of Granada’s many wonders.
Hotel Párraga Siete
Hotel Párraga Siete is a cozy, modern retreat in downtown Granada with a minimalist boutique style, exposed brick, sleek furniture, tasteful lighting, rooms that aren’t the biggest but feel thoughtfully designed, with an excellent shower, and super comfortable beds. I appreciated the efficient layout, perfect for someone like me who spends most of the day out exploring, but what really stood out was the hotel’s restaurant, Vitola, which had a fantastic menu of local wines and gourmet tapas. The location is also amazing, just a few minutes away from Calle Navas (tapas central), the cathedral, and the spot where you can get buses to the Alhambra.
Luxury & Design Hotels
Now that we have covered some of the city’s finest boutique hotels, this list of the best places to stay in Granada wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t cover some of the city’s most famous luxury hotels, starting with…
Parador de Granada
Staying at the Parador de Granada is not just a perfect luxury experience, but it’s also a historical experience. Parador is a word used to describe a type of luxury state-run hotel located in historic buildings. This one is located right within the grounds of the Alhambra, which means you get to stroll through the palace gardens at dawn long before the tourist crowds arrive, and your room will overlook the Generalife gardens. The interiors perfectly blend history and comfort, and the restaurant serves the finest of local Andalusian cuisine.
Alhambra Palace Hotel
The Alhambra Palace Hotel is named after the Alhambra Palace, which lies just across the street. Its interior feels like a palace — ornate ceilings, mosaics, stained glass, Moorish-inspired details, and cute small balconies that offer breathtaking sunset views of Granada. The hotel also has a beautiful dining room, a fine restaurant, and a chic bar that often features soft piano music onsite.
Áurea Washington Irving
Named after the author who brought the Alhambra’s legends to life via his bestseller “Tales of the Alhambra”, Áurea Washington Irving is a five-star hotel located just steps from the Alhambra entrance. As such, it is the perfect base for exploring the palace and the surrounding forested hills. As its name suggests, the hotel follows an elaborate literary theme featuring quotes from Washington Irving adorned on the walls, library-themed décor, and, of course, all the modern amenities you might expect from a luxury hotel.
The rooms are sleek, spacious, and modern, with big, comfy beds, a Nespresso machine, and balconies with views that show what the Tales of Alhambra are all about.
Hospes Palacio de los Patos
This list of the best places to stay in Granada wouldn’t be complete without Hospes Palacio de los Patos, a completely luxurious and serene experience in the heart of Granada. This five-star hotel combines the remains of an ornate 19th-century palace with a sleek modern annex, so it basically has two sections.
The palace section has old-fashioned high ceilings, intricate plasterwork, and grand, decorated windows that give the room a regal feel. The hotel also has its very own, fully equipped spa center with a steam room and massage services, its own restaurants, and is located just a couple of minutes away from the famous Granada Cathedral.
Shine Albayzín
Shine Albayzín is another restored palace turned into a hotel, and even older than the previous ones. The original building dates back to the 16th century, and it’s located on the Carrera del Darro, right along the river that runs below the Alhambra. The hotel is named after the Albayzin, Granada’s historic Moorish quarter, and elements of Islamic architecture and design that the palace once had are still noticeable in this restored version as well.
Some other architectural elements include stone arches, wooden beams, and Moorish decorations. Another thing that I really loved about this hotel is the fact that it’s surprisingly quiet and relaxing despite being just steps away from bustling tapas bars and flamenco venues.
Hotel Casa 1800 Granada
Hotel Casa 1800 Granada is another luxury hotel in Granada, located in a quiet alley just below the Alhambra. Similar to the Shine Albayzin, this hotel is also housed in a 16th-century building with an Andalusian patio in the heart of the courtyard that steals the show. It features marble columns, a stone fountain, and delicate lighting. As for the rooms, they feature four-poster beds, velvet drapes, a window view of the Alhambra’s towers, and a fine onsite restaurant.
Room Mate Leo
Room Mate Leo is a stylish, modern hotel located in the shopping district, minutes from the cathedral and close to pretty much everything. The decor is sleek and fun, with predominantly black-and-white color schemes, bold furniture, and a gorgeous rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the Alhambra (and one of the best angles for sunset photos around here).
Eurostars Catedral
Eurostars Catedral was a fantastic surprise. It’s yet another old building located right behind the Granada Cathedral with a modern interior inside a beautifully restored historical façade. The rooms are bright, spacious, and minimalistic, with balconies that overlook the iconic cathedral. There’s also a wellness area downstairs with a small gym, a spa section, and a restaurant.
Budget-Friendly & Great Value
Lastly, this list of the best places to stay in Granada wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t mention a few budget options that would be a good fit for everyone’s pocket, starting with…
Hotel Anacapri
Hotel Anacapri is an excellent choice in the heart of Granada for travelers seeking comfort and convenience on a budget. It’s located just a short walk away from the Cathedral and the main shopping streets, the rooms are cozy and well-maintained, with a simple yet stylish design. The warm hospitality of the staff really stands out, the rooms come with a complimentary breakfast (which was quite tasty, to be honest), and a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for unwinding after a full day of exploring Granada’s wonders.
Hotel Carlos V
Hotel Carlos V is a budget hotel located in Granada’s historic center in the same neighborhood as the previously mentioned Anacapri. The hotel is named after Charles V (Carlos V), Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain during the 16th century, and according to historical reports, he spent some time in Granada. This hotel has a classic, no-frills style that feels practical rather than flashy, perfect if you’re spending most of your time exploring and your reservation comes with a complimentary breakfast. Overall, it’s a smart pick — excellent value for money in the heart of Granada.
Hotel Granada Center
Hotel Granada Center is a budget hotel located slightly outside the old town, but still only a 15-minute walk or short bus ride from the Alhambra and city center (so yeah, the name is slightly misleading, but we can let that slide). The rooms are modern, clean, and spacious with all the basics covered, a quiet atmosphere, a good buffet breakfast with fresh fruit, cereals, eggs, and local bread, and an on-site gym and sauna, a nice bonus for a budget hotel.
Hotel Macià Plaza
Last but not least, we conclude this list of the best places to stay in Granada with Hotel Macià Plaza, a great base right in the city center. It has modern, bright rooms with large windows that let in lots of natural light, comfy beds, surprisingly spacious bathrooms, and an excellent buffet breakfast. But my favorite thing about it is the rooftop terrace that gives panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada mountains and the city’s rooftops.
How did you like our list of the best places to stay in Granada? Did the article help you narrow down your options? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
Like it? Pin it.
