Car Hire Granada

A quick guide to Granada

With its long, colourful past and spectacular scenery, the city of Granada has always had a gripping story to tell. It has managed to balance tourism and tradition to keep its charms truly intact. Whether you’re planning a short city break or you’re visiting as part of a longer trip, when you hire a car in Granada you can see so much more.

Granada’s masterpieces

One of the biggest attractions in the area is the Alhambra of Granada, a breathtaking palace and fortress. The incredible Moorish architecture is beautifully preserved and tells the Islamic and Spanish history of the country, and you can discover how the structure has evolved through the centuries.

Another must-see is The Royal Chapel of Granada, the resting place of Spanish monarchs Isabella and Ferdinand. They built it to house their bodies, but with Isabella dying in 1501, Ferdinand in 1516 and the chapel – known as Capilla Real – unfinished until 1517, they lay elsewhere before being interred here. There’s stunning art to be found in the interior, although the tombs are actually empty – the royal pair are buried in the crypt in coffins.

A city of energy

Though Granada has a tumultuous history, it’s certainly not stuck in the past. Granada has emerged as a vibrant and energetic city filled with trendy cafes, flamenco clubs and amazing graffiti. Spend time exploring the Alcaiceria market, selling an eclectic mix of souvenirs and clothing as well as silks and trinkets. In Moorish times, it was a bazaar and, if you search hard enough, you may well unearth a couple of stalls selling spices – a hint of the scented riot this place once was.

Coastal cool

If the coast tempts, you’re in luck. Málaga is a glorious port city just 90 minutes away from Granada on the A-92. It sits on the Costa del Sol and is popular with tourists thanks to the beautiful blue sea and miles and miles of golden, sandy beaches. However, it’s not just a place for soaking up the sun as Málaga is historically significant and has a rich artistic history – it was the home of Picasso. Tour the Alcazaba – an architectural cousin to the Alhambra.

Looking for somewhere with a little more glitz and glamour? In two hours you can travel to Marbella, which has long attracted the rich and famous. Wander along the yacht-lined harbour and stop for a cool drink so you can appreciate the beauty of the area, or perhaps just spend a little time shopping in the city’s upmarket boutiques.

Moorish munches

Granada is a great place for those fascinated by food. Close to the Alhambra, you’ll find numerous outstanding tapas bars, but also places that hint at the Moorish past. Tasty Moroccan tagines vie with jamon and croquetas for your tastebud’s attention. You can start a meal with gazpacho and then head to a tea house for a sense of Arabic theatre. With car rental in Granada, you get the best of both worlds – a fine city to explore and the pleasures of Spain outside its boundaries.

Driving in and around Granada

With its dramatic mountain range and Islamic architecture, incredible food and Gothic churches, Granada is a truly majestic place. Within the city, roads are good and usually only congested at peak travel times. Plenty of parking is readily available, but do expect to pay, as free on-street spaces are limited. Around the Alhambra, in the old town, the roads are narrower and, in the Albayzin area, pedestrian only.

For anyone wanting to explore further afield, the beauty of a trip to Granada is that you’re close to the coast, a number of ‘hidden’ mountain villages and there is sensational Spanish countryside right on your doorstep.

Head south on the E902 and you’ll reach the popular beaches of the Costa del Sol in under two hours. For a more laidback beach adventure, head due east on the E15 for about three hours to the coastal city of Murcia.

For a road with a view, journey inland to Córdoba, a fascinating medieval city with mysterious streets and squares to discover. Take the A-92 and A-45 and you’ll journey through many authentic Spanish towns, which will give you a true flavour of life in the country.

Wherever you decide to visit, it’s good to be aware of local speed limits. The faster autovias (dual carriageways) and autopistas (motorways) connect major cities. Autovias are free to use, and autopistas are toll-roads, and have maximum speed limits of 100 km/h and 120 km/h respectively. Typical speeds in towns are 50 km/h, with top speeds on single carriage roads set at 90km/h. As in all of Europe, seat belts are compulsory for the driver and all passengers, while mobile phone use is not allowed while driving.