Granada Nicaragua: Everything You Need to Know
Honest Review of Nicaragua’s Famous Colonial City
Granada is the oldest and probably the most famous colonial city in Nicaragua and is located right next to the lake Nicaragua. The city is famous for its colorful houses which give the streets a very special charm. In the old town you will find many churches, cozy restaurants and small cafes with beautiful courtyards.
Still, for us Granada was not one of the highlights of our Nicaragua round trip and we just didn’t catch the vibe. In our opinion there is not too much to see and there are places that have much more to offer. The old town and the cathedral can be explored quickly and even the view of the lake is rather unspectacular. In addition Granada is noticeably more expensive than other parts of the country.
Maybe it is simply because we had just come from El Tránsito which was a huge contrast to Granada, the weather was not ideal or we just had a bad day. To be honest Granada simply did not appeal to us so we left earlier than initially planned. Check out our detailed Nicaragua roundtrip guide for the perfect Nicaragua itinerary, best time to visit and important tips for your Nicaragua trip.
Best Things to Do in Granada Nicaragua
In Granada everything revolves around stories from the colonial era, the colorful streets and the promenade along lake Nicaragua. The stay is perfect for leisurely walks through the old town, visiting churches and museums as well as taking small breaks in cafes and restaurants. If you are in the mood for nature you can, among other things, book a boat tour on the lake or hike one of the nearby volcanoes. Unfortunately both volcanoes, Masaya and Mombacho, were closed at the time of our visit, so it is always worth checking beforehand.
There is also a free walking tour, some local markets and a few art galleries to discover. If you decide on one or two sights and are not particularly interested in the history of the city, Granada can, in our opinion, be explored in one day. However you should then consider whether the travel time is even worth it. On our trip the city was on the way anyway so it was not really a detour. As we have left after just a day most of the activities you find were recommended by other travelers or found by us via research:
Where to Eat: Restaurants in Granada
There are definitely some good restaurants in Granada but the prices are often significantly higher than in other parts of Nicaragua, almost on a European level. The dishes are also more Western inspired while authentic Nicaraguan cuisine is harder to find.
Our absolute recommendation for lunch is El Garaje. There, an older couple cooks all kinds of sandwiches and burritos in their own kitchen while you can relax in their garage repurposed to a cozy courtyard restaurant. You should bring some extra time though because they are only two and prepare everything themselves. For dinner we went to Pita Pita, a cozy restaurant with a mostly oriental menu. In addition we have put together a few more restaurant suggestions for you.
Where to stay in Granada?
Our Stay in Granada
Our accommodation was the Boutique Hotel Secret Garden Granada. At around 83 € per night including breakfast it is a bit more expensive for Nicaragua but the hotel is quiet on the edge of the old town and offers a beautiful garden, a pool and a relatively large room. From here you can reach all the important places within about ten minutes by foot and the breakfast was very good. The accommodation offers a relaxed atmosphere and provides a perfect balance to the busy city trip.
Alternative Stays for Every Budget
You’ll find a lot of hotels and stays around Granada’s center. If you are looking for a budget-friendly stay in Granada we recommend to look for an accommodation with a kitchen as we’ve found Granada quite expensive in regards of eating out. In Granada it also gets very hot in the summer so you should definitely book a room with air conditioning. Of course there are also more upscale options so we’ve summarized stays for every budget below:
budget-friendly € mid‑range €€ boutique luxury options €€€How to get to Granada: Transport & Directions
If you come by bus from León or El Tránsito you have to take a taxi in Managua to another bus station. The shuttles leave from Terminal UCA and you can just get off anywhere in the center of Granada. In Granada taxis honk at you every two minutes, as a sign that they are free for a ride. If it is too hot or too exhausting to walk you can get almost anywhere for roundabout 100 to 150 Cordobas which is about 2 € to 3 €. Especially after dark we recommend using a taxi. Not least because the way to the accommodation may go through a few shady streets.