Backpacking Guide to Granada

The south of Spain is home to some of the country's very best backpacking destinations, with Sevilla, Cadiz and Granada all wondrous places that should come high on people's ‘must-see' places to go. And yet this is an area continually overlooked by the masses, who frequently don't make it past the (admittedly significant) attractions of Barcelona and Madrid.

The result is that the southern cities remain untouched and authentic, which makes them perfect for budget travel exploration. Granada in particular is a veritable treasure chest waiting to be uncovered. Full of astounding sights, top hostels, and great eating and drinking options, it's simple a backpacker's dream…

Granada Hostels

Hostels in Granada are uniformly impressive, which is a trait common to the cities of the south of the country. These Granada hostels are not only largely affordable and comfortable, but they're also home to exceptional atmospheres; the perfect places, then, in which to spend a day, a week, a month or more.

Oasis Backpackers hostel Granada is one such standout Granada hostel. Oasis is a small chain that features prominently in Andalusia; they're hostels are highly ranked across the board, and the Granada iteration is no exception. Both the décor and the staff invite you to spend happy hours here, and most who are asked happily oblige!

For something a little more private, El Granada Apartments are a good option. Set within a traditional Arabic house of one of Granada's most evocative areas, the recently renovated apartments are well equipped with swish and comfortable furnishings - perfect for couples looking for a bit of peace, quite, and romance.

Sights

The one sight that everyone simply must see while in Granada is the Alhambra. This stunning Moorish palace looms over the town; inside, it's all beautifully mosaics and immensely tranquil gardens. A visit to Granada just is not complete without a few hours spent in trall to its Alhambra.

Away from the Alhambra, it's worth spending quality time exploring the Albayzin quarter. Here you'll find numerous cobbled alleyways flanked by steep whitewashed houses - needless to say, this is the type of place where you come across numerous enchanting coffee shops and art galleries, not to mention the odd memorable church or two!

La Cathedral del Granada and the Paseo de los Tristes are also among the top tourist sights in Granada.

Moving On

Having finally exhausted the delights of Granada, the south of Spain offers a slew of excellent destinations to explore. Grand Seville and chilled-out Cadiz are only a short train ride away, while the studenty fun of Malaga is similarly nearby.

Another option is to head off into the hills around Granada, or make it over to the shoreline between Seville and Cadiz: in both areas, you'll find incredibly picturesque and quintessentially Andalusian villages, where day to day life consists of little more than eating, drinking, chatting and sleeping!

Before settling down and becoming a copywriter for Hostelbookers, Jonny Cooper did a backpacking tour of Spain, he checked out a variety of the country's budget accommodation, including a number of most Spain hostels