Getting Around Granada: A Practical Transport Guide

Granada is a city of hills. The Alhambra sits above everything, the Albaicín climbs steeply from the river, and the centre sprawls between them. Here's how to navigate it all.

The short answer: Granada's centre is walkable, but the hills make public transport essential for some journeys. The Alhambra sits high above the city, the Albaicín is a maze of steep cobbled streets, and the Sacromonte caves are further still. You'll walk plenty, but buses and the occasional taxi will save your legs.

Granada has an excellent local bus network, including special minibuses that navigate the narrow streets of the old quarters. The city is compact enough that you rarely need a car within the urban area, though one is useful for exploring the surrounding region.

Compare hotel prices in Granada

Find the best deal across booking sites

Booking.com Hotels.com Expedia

The Quick Summary

Getting Around Granada

Walking covers the city centre and most main sights
Local buses connect all neighbourhoods (€1.40 single)
Minibuses C1, C2, C3, and C4 serve the Albaicín and Alhambra
Taxis are affordable and useful for hills or late nights
A car is unnecessary in the city but helpful for day trips

Walking: The Heart of Granada

Granada's historic centre is best explored on foot. The cathedral, the old silk market (Alcaicería), Plaza Nueva, and the Carrera del Darro are all within easy walking distance of each other.

What you need to know:

The city centre around the cathedral is flat and pedestrian-friendly
The Albaicín is steep, cobbled, and tiring to climb
The walk to the Alhambra is uphill (about 20-30 minutes from Plaza Nueva)
Comfortable shoes are essential, especially for cobbled streets
Summer heat makes midday walking exhausting

Local tip

The Carrera del Darro, running alongside the river beneath the Alhambra, is one of the most beautiful walks in Spain. Do it in the late afternoon when the light on the fortress walls is golden and the cafés are filling up.

Walking Distances

From	To	Time	Notes
Cathedral	Plaza Nueva	5 min	Flat, easy
Plaza Nueva	Mirador San Nicolás	20-25 min	Steep climb through Albaicín
Plaza Nueva	Alhambra entrance	20-30 min	Uphill via Cuesta de Gomérez
Cathedral	Train station	20 min	Flat, along Gran Vía
Plaza Nueva	Sacromonte caves	30-40 min	Steep and winding

The Hills

Granada is hillier than most visitors expect. The main challenges:

Albaicín: The old Moorish quarter climbs steeply from the river. Streets are narrow, cobbled, and often stepped. Beautiful but exhausting.
Alhambra: The palace complex sits on a hill above the city. The walk up via Cuesta de Gomérez is scenic but tiring, especially in heat.
Sacromonte: The cave neighbourhood is further uphill from the Albaicín. The walk is rewarding but long.

Tip:

Take the C1 or C2 minibus up to the Albaicín or Sacromonte, then walk down. Your knees will thank you, and you still get the views.

Local Buses

Granada's bus network is operated by Transportes Rober and covers the entire city. For most visitors, the most useful routes are the small minibuses that navigate the narrow streets of the historic quarters.

The Essential Minibus Routes

Route	From	To	Key Stops
C1	Plaza Nueva	Albaicín (circular)	Mirador San Nicolás, Plaza San Miguel Bajo
C2	Plaza Nueva	Albaicín (circular, opposite direction)	Same stops, reverse order
C3	Plaza Isabel la Católica	Alhambra	Direct to Alhambra entrance
C4	Plaza Nueva	Sacromonte	Caves, Abadía del Sacromonte

Practical information:

Single ticket: €1.40 (buy on the bus, exact change helpful)
Credibus card: Rechargeable card offering cheaper fares (€0.83 per journey)
Buses run approximately every 8-12 minutes during the day
Reduced service on Sundays and evenings
The C3 to the Alhambra is extremely popular; queues can form

Local tip

Buy a Credibus card if you're staying more than a day or two. You can buy and top up at kiosks, some shops, and the bus station. One card can be shared between multiple people by swiping multiple times.

Other Useful Bus Routes

Route	Connects
SN1, SN2	Night buses (Búhos) on weekends
LAC	High-capacity route through city centre
33	Bus station to city centre

Warning:

The C3 bus to the Alhambra can be very crowded, especially in the morning when everyone has early tickets. Consider walking up or taking a taxi if the queue is long.

Taxis

Granada taxis are white with a green stripe and are readily available throughout the city.

Where to find taxis:

Taxi ranks at Plaza Nueva, Gran Vía, train station, and bus station
Hail on the street (if the green light is on, it's available)
Call Radio Taxi Granada or use the PideTaxi app

Typical fares:

From	To	Approximate Cost
City centre	Alhambra	€7-10
City centre	Train station	€6-8
City centre	Bus station	€7-9
City centre	Airport	€25-35
Plaza Nueva	Sacromonte	€6-8

What you need to know:

Fares are metered
Supplements apply for airport trips, night hours (10pm-6am), and luggage
Most taxis accept card payment
Uber and Cabify do not operate in Granada

Tip:

A taxi from Plaza Nueva to the Alhambra costs around €7-10 and saves you the steep walk. Worth it in summer heat or if you have mobility concerns.

Getting to Granada

From Granada Airport

Granada Airport (Federico García Lorca) is about 17km west of the city centre.

Method	Time	Cost	Notes
Airport bus	45 min	€3	Runs to city centre, connects with flights
Taxi	25 min	€25-35	Fixed fare to city centre
Private transfer	25 min	€30-50	Pre-booked, door to door
Rental car	25 min	Varies	Airport has all major companies

Local tip

Granada Airport is small with limited flights. Many visitors fly into Malaga (about 1.5-2 hours by car or bus) where connections are much better.

From Malaga Airport

Malaga Airport has far more international connections and is a common entry point for Granada visitors.

Method	Time	Cost	Notes
ALSA bus	1.5-2 hours	€12-15	Direct to Granada bus station
Rental car	1.5 hours	Varies	A-92 motorway
Private transfer	1.5 hours	€120-150	Door to door

By Train

Granada's train station is about 1.5km from the city centre.

Key connections:

Madrid: About 4 hours by AVE high-speed train
Seville: About 2.5 hours (via Antequera)
Córdoba: About 2 hours
Malaga: About 1.5-2 hours

To reach the centre from the station, take the LAC bus, a taxi (€6-8), or walk (20 minutes along Gran Vía).

By Bus

Granada bus station is on the outskirts, about 3km from the centre.

Key connections:

Malaga: Regular ALSA buses, 1.5-2 hours
Seville: Several daily, about 3 hours
Córdoba: Several daily, about 2.5 hours
Madrid: Multiple daily, about 4-5 hours
Costa del Sol towns: Regular service via Malaga

Take bus 33 or a taxi (€7-9) to reach the city centre.

Driving and Parking

You don't need a car to explore Granada itself, and driving in the historic centre is restricted. However, a car is useful for day trips to the Alpujarras, the coast, or other Andalusian cities.

Driving in Granada:

The Albaicín and Realejo are largely car-free
The city centre has restricted access (ZBE zone)
Traffic can be heavy on main roads
Navigation through the old town is confusing

Parking

Type	Location	Cost
Underground car parks	City centre (Plaza Puerta Real, San Agustín)	€15-25/day
Street parking (blue zone)	Around centre	€1.50-2/hour
Free street parking	Outer neighbourhoods	Free
Hotel parking	Varies	Often €15-25/day

Warning:

Do not attempt to drive into the Albaicín unless your hotel has specifically told you to. The streets are impossibly narrow, and you risk fines, damage, or getting completely stuck.

Recommendation: If you're renting a car, pick it up when you leave Granada rather than during your stay. Park outside the centre and use buses or taxis to get around.

The Alhambra: Getting There

The Alhambra deserves special mention because transport there is a common question.

Your options:

Walk: 20-30 minutes uphill from Plaza Nueva via Cuesta de Gomérez. Scenic but tiring.
C3 bus: Runs from Plaza Isabel la Católica directly to the entrance. €1.40.
Taxi: About €7-10 from the city centre. Quick and easy.
Alhambra Bus: Private shuttle from some hotels (check with your accommodation).

Local tip

If you have an early morning Alhambra ticket (which you should, as the Nasrid Palaces have timed entry), take a taxi. The C3 bus can be crowded, and arriving relaxed makes the experience better.

Day Trips from Granada

Granada is well-positioned for day trips, though most require a car or organised tour.

By public transport:

Sierra Nevada ski resort: Regular buses in winter
Guadix: Train or bus (about 1 hour)
Coastal towns via Motril: Bus (about 1.5 hours to the beach)

Easier with a car:

The Alpujarras white villages
The Alhama de Granada hot springs
The Costa Tropical beaches
Jaén and the olive country

Tip:

The Alpujarras villages are difficult to reach without a car. Consider renting one for a day or booking an organised tour if you want to explore this beautiful mountain region.

Accessibility

Granada's terrain presents challenges for visitors with mobility issues:

The city centre around the cathedral is relatively flat
The Albaicín is extremely difficult with steep cobbled streets and steps
The Alhambra has some accessible areas but includes significant walking
Modern buses are low-floor accessible
The C1/C2 minibuses serving the Albaicín are small and not easily accessible
Taxis are the best option for those with mobility concerns

Warning:

The Albaicín is essentially inaccessible for wheelchair users. If you have mobility concerns, focus on the city centre and take a taxi to the Mirador San Nicolás viewpoint rather than attempting to walk the quarter.

Practical Tips

Before You Arrive

Book Alhambra tickets well in advance (they sell out)
Download offline maps of Granada
Consider a Credibus card for bus travel
Bring comfortable shoes for cobbled streets
Plan around the heat in summer (siesta time is real)

Best Times to Walk

Morning (before 11am): Cooler, good light for the Alhambra walls
Midday (11am-5pm in summer): Very hot, locals retreat indoors
Evening (after 6pm): City comes alive, perfect for the Albaicín
Night: Magical atmosphere, flamenco in Sacromonte

Money and Transport

Buses accept cash but exact change is helpful
Credibus cards save money on multiple journeys
Taxis accept cards but carry some cash
ATMs widely available in the centre

Plan Your Granada Trip:

The Bottom Line

Granada rewards those who walk, but its hills demand respect.

The city centre is flat and manageable, but the Albaicín, Sacromonte, and Alhambra all involve serious climbing. Use the minibuses wisely: take them up, walk down, and save your energy for exploring rather than sweating up cobbled lanes.

The transport system is straightforward once you understand it.

The C1, C2, and C3 minibuses will become your friends, a Credibus card will save you money, and the occasional taxi is worth every euro when your legs are tired. Leave the car parked outside the centre and embrace the city at walking pace.

Granada is one of Spain's most captivating cities.

Don't let the hills put you off. Just plan your routes, take the buses when needed, and enjoy the views you earn along the way.