Located in the more northern part of Andalucia and at the feet of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, the Granada weather is optimal. Not only is the weather optimal, but it has the perfect location for sea and mountain lovers! Want to start the day skiing and end it by the beach? Granada will offer you just that! Overall, the best time to visit Granada depends on what you want to experience and see; keep reading to learn about everything to keep in mind!
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Are you Preparing for your trip?
- Find the Best Stays in Granada!🏠
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- Itinerary: 2 -3 Days in Granada, Spain 🗺️
- Here are Affordable Car Rentals for your day trips from Granada.🚗
When is the best time to visit Granada, Spain?
There are various factors to keep in mind when deciding your personal best time to visit Granada, Spain. Do you want colder or warmer weather? Are you on a budget and want to visit during the cheaper times? Do you want to experience a festival or a holiday? Do you want to go skiing or do you want to swim in the warm waters of Costa del Sol? I’ll share all this information to help you visit Granada at the best time for YOU.
How is the weather by month?
Overall, Granada is an incredibly sunny location that doesn’t experience rain often. There can be some out-of-the-ordinary weeks where it rains more than usual; however, this is a rare occasion.
Temperature-wise, the coldest months are November to early March, where the lowest temperatures are 39 degrees (4 Celsius) and the highest are around 64 degrees (18 Celsius). Depending where you come from, you may consider these temperatures almost warm!
The hottest months are mid-June to early September, where the lowest temperatures are around 14 degrees and the highest are 35 or more. Due to this, temperature-wise, the best months are April-May and September-October.
Overall, weather wise, Granada is amazing all year round except for July and August, when the temperatures are absurdly hot. As mentioned earlier, Granada sees little rain. Due to this, the winter months are still pleasant as they are mostly sunny and the direct sun warms you quickly.
Personal Weather Note From Experience
With this being my first year of living in Granada, I must say that the March weather was perfect – but it had its downfall. The saying is “Cuando Marzo mayea, Mayo marcea” – meaning if you have May weather in March, you’ll have March weather in May. With this being said, keep an open mind for March, and watch out for May!
If you come for winter in Granada, the two main upsides are skiing in, or even simply seeing, the Sierra Nevada mountain range and its white caps. Additionally, you will have all the excuses to stuff yourself with Churros and Hot Chocolate in stay cozy spots like Granada’s oldest café, Café Fútbol.
When are the Granada Feria and other holidays?
Listed below are the four biggest holidays in Granada; if you are traveling on a budget, these are the weeks to avoid. If you want to experience Granada’s festive side, then these are the holidays to choose from.
Granada Semana Santa (April)
Semana Santa, “Holy Week”, is the week that leads up to Easter – starting with Palm Sunday and ending with Easter Sunday. Differently from countries like Italy and the United States, Spain doesn’t (traditionally) celebrate with chocolate bunnies and easter egg hunts.
Semana Santa is a week-long celebration filled with hour-long processions, traditional outfits, and Pasos (elaborate floats made for religious processions). The Semana Santa of Granada is renowned for the beauty and simplicity of its pasos and is known as an International Tourist Interest since 2009.
I’ve personally never experienced larger crowds than those of Granada during Semana Santa. Unless you are visiting for religious purposes and want to attend, I highly recommend NOT visiting in April.
Cruz de Mayo (May)
Cruz de Mayo, “Cross of May”, is celebrated every May 3rd and commemorates the day that the real crucifix was discovered.
To celebrate, the city hall, religious sites, and all will create giant flower crucifixes and surround them with beautiful decorations. Furthermore, the city hall sets up a stage on which people of all ages perform the Flamenco art – from Flamenco dance to singing, to guitar playing.
Many people dress up in traditional flamenco outfits, making a beautiful day even more beautiful. I got to experience my first Cruz de Mayo this year and had an amazing time.
Fun fact: I wore a beautiful flamenco dress and at least six tourists photographed me.😂💃
Granada Feria (June)
Throughout Spain, various cities, usually the bigger ones, have a week-long local festival, known as the Feria. Each Feria has a different name, and the name of Granada’s is “Feria del Corpus (Christi)” – commemorating the religious and cultural heritage of the city.
Something very common during Feria, all around Spain, is having an Amusement park and endless “casetas”. Casetas are little “homes”, usually private, where people gather around to party and enjoy their time with friends and loved ones.
During the Feria of Granada there was an important religious procession which took place in the beautiful Catedral de Granada. Something unique that happened was rose petals pouring down from the beautiful starry ceiling.
Granada Tips for Your Visit
Alhambra Essential Tips
Chances are that if you’re visiting Granada, Alhambra was one of the main reasons! Here are all the ESSENTIAL tips you need to know for your visit and before booking.
The Best Airport to Fly into For Granada Spain
Granada has a small airport, the Federico García Lorca Granada Airport, which sits a 24 minute car ride from the city center. Despite having an airport, flying directly into Granada, Spain is not always the best option. Why?
Granada’s airport is incredibly small and doesn’t have too many flight selections. Due to this, depending on where you’re flying from, you may find ridiculous routes or outrageous prices.
My biggest tip is to ALWAYS check out the nearby airports, such as Malaga and Madrid, and compare prices and journeys. Most times, the best airport to fly into for Granada, Spain will be Malaga. Being only 1.5 hours away from Granada, you can easily take a bus for a reasonable price.
If you’re looking for a smooth and affordable commute from Malaga to Granada, I highly recommend booking a bus with Omio. I’ve personally had amazing experiences with them and am a big fan of their affordable fares.
Where to Stay in Granada
The best area to stay in Granada is the city center, where everything is easy and quick to reach. The only place I do not necessarily recommend is the Albaicin neighborhood. Despite being central and absolutely beautiful, it is very uphill and hard to navigate with suitcases. By staying in the true center, you will have a much smoother experience and be able to save your energy for the many other hills you’ll be walking.
Here are some of the best places to stay in Granada:
More Information On Granada
Here are more blog posts that will help you with your upcoming Granada Travels!👇
- 2 Days in Granada, Spain: The Ultimate Itinerary
- All the Best Things to Do in Granada, Spain
- The Ultimate Guide to Granada’s Hidden Gems
- 8 Best Flamenco Shows in Granada: All You Need to Know
- The Best Gluten Free Restaurants in Granada
- The Best of Andalusian Food and Everything You Need to Know
- The Ultimate Guide to Granada Tapas: Tapas Bar, Tips, & More
Summary
Overall, Granada always has amazing weather. The best time to visit Granada definitely depends on what you want to see and experience – whether that is cultural events, religious events, winter sports, and so forth. Summers in Granada are brutally hot, so I highly recommend avoiding July and August – and June if you can’t handle the high 80s (30 Celsius). I also highly recommend avoiding the Semana Santa week in April – that is unless you are religious and wish to attend.
The best seasons to visit Granada are Winter, Spring, and Autumn, and the months of June and September. Truly, the only months that are best to avoid are July and August, as the temperatures are unbearable.
Thatch Services
One of the main reasons I became I travel blogger is my love and passion for helping others experience the best of their destination. To take this passion a step further, I am now offering three services on Thatch. Customized Itineraries, Customized Recommendations, and Consultation Calls.
My goal with these services is to help you with your upcoming travels and feel confident. Do you want direct help in figuring out the best time to visit Granada is for YOU? Hop on a consultation call with me!
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