How Much Does Granada Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Granada is one of Europe’s most budget-friendly cultural gems, offering a significantly lower cost of living than major Spanish hubs like Madrid or Barcelona. Daily expenses typically range from $53 / €45 for solo budget travelers to $565 / €480 for those seeking high-end luxury in converted palaces. The city is famous for its Moorish history and student-driven economy, which helps keep prices for food and local transport accessible. While the primary attraction, the Alhambra, requires a planned expenditure of $26 / €22, many of the city's most atmospheric experiences involve simply wandering through historic neighborhoods. Visitors can expect exceptional value by taking advantage of local dining customs and the city's compact, walkable layout.
Is Granada expensive to visit?
Granada is an remarkably affordable destination where travelers can expect to spend between $53 / €45 and $565 / €480 per day depending on their preferred level of comfort.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Granada
$53
per person /day
$147
per person /day
$565
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $159 | $441 | $1,695 |
| 5-Day Trip | $265 | $736 | $2,825 |
| 7-Day Trip | $371 | $1,030 | $3,955 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
It is wise to maintain a 15% buffer to cover the standard $1.77–$3.53 / €1.5–€3 'cubierto' (bread and service) charge in restaurants and potential terrace supplements. This also helps account for the local tourist tax, which typically ranges from $1.18 / €1 to $2.94 / €2.5 per night depending on the accommodation category.
How Does It Compare?
See how Granada stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Granada
Food & Drink (2)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Beer or Glass of Wine (Includes Free Tapa) In Granada, ordering a drink almost always includes a free plate of food (tapa). | $3.53 €3 |
| Mid-range 3-Course Dinner Cost per person for a full meal with wine in a sit-down restaurant. | $26 €23 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Single City Bus Ticket Valid for a single journey on city buses. Transfers are ~$0 within 60 minutes if using a Credibús card. | $1.88 €1.6 |
| Credibús Multi-trip Card (10€ Reload) Reduces the per-trip cost to ~$0.65 / €0.55. Card itself costs ~$2.35 / €2 (refundable deposit). | $12 €10 |
| Airport Bus (Line 245) Connects Granada Airport to the city center (Plaza Nueva/Cathedral area) in ~45 minutes. | $3.53 €3 |
| Official Taxi (City Center to Airport) Flat rates apply to/from the airport. Expect to pay ~$29–$35 / €25–€30 on weekends or late nights. | $26 €22 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| El Granado Hostel (Dorm Bed) Lowest rate for a shared dormitory bed. Includes central location and social activities. | $17 €14 |
| Casa de Reyes (Budget Hotel) Traditional guesthouse in the city center. | $60 €51 |
| Hospes Palacio de los Patos (5-star Hotel) Luxury stay in a converted 19th-century palace. | $316 €268 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Alhambra General (Nasrid Palaces, Gardens, Generalife and Alcazaba) Includes full access to Nasrid Palaces, Alcazaba, and Generalife. Book 2–3 months in advance. Children under 12 enter free. | $26 €22 |
| Granada Cathedral Entrance Standard adult rate. Includes an audio guide in multiple languages. | $7.06 €6 |
| Sacromonte Abbey (Abadía del Sacromonte) Covers the historic abbey and the caves. Tours are usually guided and last ~45 minutes. | $5.89 €5 |
| Hammam Al Ándalus (Bath & Massage) Traditional Arab bath experience in the city center. Weekend prices are ~$5.89–$12 / €5–€10 higher. | $88 €75 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Spain eSIM 5GB (15 days) Reliable digital SIM card for data usage across Spain. | $10 €8.5 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
The city is legendary for its tradition of serving a substantial free tapa with every beer or glass of wine, which usually costs around $3.53 / €3. A more formal mid-range three-course dinner averages $26 / €23 per person, making it easy to eat well without a large budget. Local institutions like Bar Los Diamantes and Bodegas Castañeda allow visitors to experience high-quality Andalusian cuisine for the price of a few drinks.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Los Manueles
$14–$21 / €12–€18Plaza Nueva / Reyes Católicos · Local chain
Their giant croquetas are famous; two units and a drink make a filling snack for under ~$12 / €10.
Bar Los Diamantes
$18–$29 / €15–€25Calle Navas · Street food area
Legendary for fried seafood. It is always standing-room only; arrive at 13:00 sharp for lunch.
Bodegas Castañeda
$12–$24 / €10–€20Albaicín / Elvira · Local chain
Order the 'Vermut'—the tapas here are traditional and very generous.
Bar Poë
$9.42–$18 / €8–€15Near Calle Recogidas · Local chain
Unlike most bars, you choose your tapa from a numbered menu of international flavors.
Saint Germain
$5.89–$14 / €5–€12Plaza de la Trinidad · Local chain
A more local, sophisticated spot where the wine selection is superior to standard draft beer bars.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Most of the historic center is easily navigated on foot, though the city bus system is efficient with single tickets at $1.88 / €1.6. Frequent travelers can use a Credibús card for a $12 / €10 reload, which significantly lowers the price to approximately $0.65 / €0.55 per trip. For arrivals, the Airport Bus (Line 245) is a cost-effective $3.53 / €3, while an official taxi to the center costs a flat rate of $26 / €22.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging in Granada offers excellent variety, from social beds at El Granado Hostel for $17 / €14 to traditional guesthouses like Casa de Reyes for $60 / €51. Those seeking a high-end experience can stay at the 19th-century Hospes Palacio de los Patos for $316 / €268. Staying in the Centro or Realejo districts provides the best balance of price and proximity to major sites.
Accommodation Budget in Granada
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase a Credibús card for $12 / €10 to drop the price of bus rides from $1.88 / €1.6 to just $0.65 / €0.55 each.
- 2 Maximize the free tapa culture at places like Bar Poë or Saint Germain, where two drinks can often replace a full lunch.
- 3 Book Alhambra General tickets ($26 / €22) directly through the official site 90 days in advance to avoid expensive third-party markups.
- 4 Visit the Sacromonte Abbey for $5.89 / €5 to see historic caves and religious art at a fraction of the cost of flamenco dinner shows.
- 5 Avoid the 10–15% terrace surcharge by choosing to sit at the bar or inside the dining room instead of on the plaza.
- 6 Fill water bottles for free at the historic public fountains (pila) located throughout the Albaicín district.
- 7 Look for the 'Menú del Día' at lunch in the Realejo district for a full three-course meal at a fixed, low price.
- 8 Use a Spain eSIM for $10 / €8.5 to avoid high data roaming charges while navigating the winding streets.
- 9 Walk up the Cuesta de Gomérez to reach the Alhambra gates rather than paying for the tourist shuttle bus.
- 10 Visit local supermarkets for snacks before heading into the Alhambra complex, where food prices are significantly higher.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Mar, Apr, May, Oct
+30-50%
Jan, Feb, Nov
-20-40%
May, Sep
Spring is the busiest time; book Alhambra tickets ~90 days early. Winter (Jan-Feb) offers great value but can be surprisingly cold at 1–10°C (34–50°F).
Events to Watch
- ● Semana Santa (Easter): +100% hotel prices
- ● Cruces de Mayo (Early May): Crowded and expensive
- ● Corpus Christi (June): Local fair prices spike
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Mirador de San Nicolás (The most famous sunset view of the Alhambra and Sierra Nevada).
- 2 Carmen de los Mártires (Extensive 19th-century gardens with peacocks and fountains near the Alhambra).
- 3 Palacio de Carlos V (The impressive circular courtyard inside the Alhambra complex is free to enter).
- 4 Wandering the Albaicín (The UNESCO-listed medieval Moorish quarter).
- 5 Paseo de los Tristes (A scenic walk along the Darro River at the foot of the Alhambra).
- 6 Corral del Carbón (A preserved 14th-century Moorish merchants' inn and courtyard).
- 7 San Miguel Alto (The highest viewpoint in Granada, offering a panoramic city view).
- 8 Federico García Lorca Park (A large public park perfect for a budget-friendly picnic).
- 9 Plaza Larga (A vibrant square in the heart of the Albaicín with local market stalls).
- 10 Bazaar Streets of Alcaicería (Window shopping through the silk market-style alleys near the Cathedral).
- 11 Carmen de la Victoria (University-owned garden with stunning views, often open to the public for free).
- 12 Basilica de San Juan de Dios (Free entry during specific morning mass times for respectful visitors).
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Private Night Tour of Nasrid Palaces
Seeing the palaces at night without the daytime crowds is a magical, romantic experience worth ~$177 / €150 for a private guide.
Sacromonte Cave Flamenco (Cueva de la Rocío)
Authentic 'Zambra' style flamenco performed in a traditional cave dwelling; includes a drink for ~$41 / €35.
Tasting Menu at Restaurante Ruta del Veleta
High-end Andalusian gastronomy in a stunning setting; perfect for a special final dinner.
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Granada
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Granada and what they cost
Las Alpujarras (White Villages)
$15 / €13 by bus
Free
$53 / €45
Sierra Nevada Ski Resort
$11 / €9 by bus
$65 / €55
$100 / €85
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
Euro (EUR)
1 € ≈ 1.18 $
Yes
Widely accepted in hotels and modern restaurants, but traditional tapas bars and smaller shops in the Albaicín often require cash for small totals (~$12 / €10 or less).
Not mandatory. For tapas, rounding up the change is standard. In restaurants, leave ~$1.18–$2.35 / €1–€2 or 5–10% if the service was exceptional.
Use bank-affiliated ATMs (BBVA, Santander, CaixaBank) for better rates. Avoid 'Euronet' machines which charge ~$4.71–$7.06 / €4–€6 in fees plus poor exchange rates.
Connectivity
eSIM: $4.12–$16 (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $18–$24 / €15–€20 for 50GB at Orange or Movistar shops.
WiFi: Excellent in the city center, hotels, and most 'Teterías' (tea houses).
Use an Airalo eSIM for data and rely on WhatsApp for local communication. The 5GB package for ~$10 / €8.5 is plenty for navigation.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Granada.
Updated: February 16, 2026
Ready to Visit Granada?
Book your flights, accommodation, and activities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Granada expensive to visit?
How much does Granada cost per day?
How much does a trip to Granada cost?
What is the cheapest month to visit Granada?
What are the hidden costs in Granada?
How can I save money in Granada?
More Granada Guides
Weather
Historical climate averages to help you pick the best time to visit
Best Time to Visit
Coming soon
Things to Do
Coming soon
Where to Stay
Best neighborhoods and hotel recommendations
Itineraries
Coming soon
Complete Cost Guide
Full budget and cost breakdown