GRANADA - GETTING AROUND

Walking

Granada is very compact. The best way to get around most neighborhoods, especially the hilly Albaicín and the Alhambra, is on foot. There are numerous guidebooks that can advise you on walking tours or you can visit the tourist office to get a suggested route. However, Granada is a big city with a lot of things to see, and if you are under time constraints you might consider one of the following options.

By Bus

Granada's bus station is at Avenida de Juan Pablo II, one mile northwest of the center. All services operate from here except for a few to nearby destinations such as Fuente Vaqueros and Viznar. Services run from the bus station into the city, and there are buses frequently travelling around the city to the suburbs, see timetables for details.

Granada has an extensive public bus network within the city. The red buses are small enough to navigate some, but not all, of the narrow streets leading from the town's commercial center. A single ride costs 1€ while a booklet of nine tickets goes for 5.50€ and a booklet of 20 tickets sells for 11€. Bus no. 32 is the best choice for travelers since it operates from Old Granada to the Alhambra. Another good choice is bus no. 30, running from Plaza Nueva to the Alhambra. A final option is bus no. 31, which also leaves from Plaza Nueva and runs to the old ghetto, the Albaicín. To visit the major streets, which are good for shopping, bus no. 3 runs from the terminal to Avenida de la Constitución, Gran Vía, and Plaza Isabel la Católica. For information about public transportation, call tel. 90-071-09-00.

J. González buses operate from 5:20am until 8:00pm between the airport and the city center. Trip time is approximately 45 minutes and the fare is about 3€ one way.

By Taxi

Taxis can be hailed in the streets; a green dome light indicates the car is available. Taxis often line up outside first class hotels, near the Alhambra and at the Plaza Nueva. Most trips in the city cost around €8. You are not required to tip taxi drivers, although rounding off the amount is appreciated. Call Radio Taxi at tel. 95-828-06-54 to arrange for service.

Taxis are available outside the terminals at the airport and you can expect to pay around €20-€25 for cab fare from the airport to the city center. Legal taxis are metered, but it's a good idea to get an estimate of the fare from the driver before you climb aboard.

By Bicycle

Seeing Granada by bike is a great, eco friendly, energetic way to get around. There are numerous places around the city center to hire bikes, most offer both hourly and daily rates. Hiring a bike means you can get from place to place much quicker, and so you can fit more into your day. Some bike hire companies will even give you the option of a guide.

If a regular bike seems too energetic for your trip then Granada also offers the option of electronic bikes, to give you that extra boost you might need to get you to the top of Alhambra Hill, or up the Sacromonte. Some of these tours also run at night.

By Segway

If you want to see the city in a new and modern way then there is always the option of a Segway. A Segway offers a more relaxed and easy way to travel around the city center. Most segway companies offer guided tours. There are also some that do night tours.

By Car

It's impossible to get around Granada by driving. A rental car is best left for exploring the surrounding Sierra Nevada. Rental prices vary greatly, depending on the time of the year and the agency, but count on spending about €300 ($390) per week, including unlimited mileage and insurance. For most rentals, you must be 21 or older and have had a valid national driver's license for at least a year.