CONFERENCE VENUE
GETTING TO GRANADA
Granada is well connected by air and land, allowing easy access to the city by various means of transport: bus, taxi, car, train and plane.
The airport Granada-Jaen (GRX) is located at 17 km from the city center. Upon arrival, the connection to the city can be done by taxi (around 30€) or by bus. The bus transfer is cheaper (3€) and has several stops along the city center. The bus departure schedule is synchronized with the flights arrival and typically takes place around 30 minutes after landing. The bus stop is to the right of the building as you leave the airport.
GETTING AROUND GRANADA
other options to get to granada
As international connections to Granada airport are quite limited, the best option for reaching Granada by plane is to take an international flight to Málaga or Madrid and then a connection to Granada.
Málaga
Málaga is the closest international airport to Granada (125 km). International direct flights land at Málaga airport (AGP) coming from the main cities of Europe.
Once arrived at Málaga Airport, the possibilities of reaching Granada by public transport are the following:
- Direct bus from the airport to Granada bus station (12€ approx. and around 2 h trip). This is the easiest transfer possibility. There are around 10 departures per day. In order to check if the timetables fit your flight schedule you can check here.
- If the direct bus connection is not an option for you, then the most convenient solution is to take a train to Málaga Central Station (María Zambrano Station). To get to the station from the airport the easiest way is to get the suburban train (line C1). To check if the timetables match with your flight you can have a look here. From there, you can take a direct bus to Granada (the Central Train Station is in front of Málaga Bus Station) almost every hour.
- Another option is to take a taxi from Málaga Airport to Granada (145€ approx. and around 1.30 h trip). Málaga airport has several areas with public taxi ranks distributed throughout the terminals. Take a look here to check the prices and book.
Madrid
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport (MAD) is 418 km from Granada. It is the first airport in Spain and serves a total of 171 destinations operated by 69 companies. Thus, Madrid airport is one of the main entry points for tourists from the rest of European countries and the world at large.
Once arrived at Madrid Airport, the possibilities of reaching Granada by public transport are the following.
- Direct bus from the airport to Granada bus station (from 20€ and around 5.15 h trip). This is the easiest transfer possibility. To check if the timetables fit your flight schedule you can take a look here.
- If the direct bus connection is not an option for you, then you can take a train from Madrid – Puerta de Atocha Station. To check if the timetables match with your flight you can have a look here. To get to Atocha Station from the airport, you can travel by underground (line 8), bus (line 203) or taxi.
- You can also take a taxi or VTC at Madrid airport. All terminals have taxi ranks outside the arrival areas, which are clearly signposted. You can take a taxi directly from the corresponding rank at the airport. This is the most expensive option for a single person but it may be affordable if several people share a taxi.
WHAT TO DO IN GRANADA?
Alhambra and Generalife
The Alhambra is a city, fortress and palace built by the kings of the Nasrid dynasty of the Kingdom of Granada. It is the symbol of Granada and is the most visited monument in Spain, a true masterpiece of Muslim art in Europe.
- Price: 19,09€ (complete visit)
- Where to purchase tickets: https://tickets.alhambra-patronato.es/en/ or at the Main Entrance (subject to availability)
- Schedules: https://www.alhambra-patronato.es/en/visit/opening-hours-and-prices
Extra info: There is a general ticket called Dobla de Oro (20€) wich includes the ticket to the Alhambra and other Andalusi monuments (Bañuelo, Casa Morisca (C/Horno de Oro), Palacio de Dar al-Horra, Casa del Chapíz and Casa de Zafra). The ticket is valid for three days, execept for the Alhambra which has a specific day and time to visit. More info: https://www.alhambra-patronato.es/en/visita/monumentos-andalusies-visita-diurna-general
The Royal Chapel
The Catholic Kings, who saw Granada as a symbol of the unity of Spain and the Christian kingdom, ordered this Royal Chapel to be built as their final resting place. Currently, you can visit the Royal Chapel by entering on the side of the Lonja de Mercaderes, where businessmen and financiers used to meet. Building began in 1518 based on plans by Enrique Egas, although these plans changed during its construction. The Gothic balcony on the top floor is one of the most attractive elements of the building.
- Price: 5€
- Where to purchase tickets: https://ticketsgranadacristiana.com/en or at the Entrance.
- Schedules: Monday- Saturday 10 am – 6.30 pm Sunday and Holidays 11 am – 6.30 pm.
The Cathedral
The Cathedral of Granada is the first Renaissance church in Spain and is one of the finest examples of its type. The Catholic Kings began building it in 1492, intending for it to echo the Gothic style of the Cathedral in Toledo.
- Price: 5€
- Where to purchase tickets: https://ticketsgranadacristiana.com/en or at the Entrance.
- Schedules: Monday- Saturday 10 am – 6.15 pm Sunday and Holidays 3 pm – 6.15 pm.
Albaicín
The Albaicín quarter was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984. It is the original core of the town of Granada and still maintains the captivating magic of its Moorish past.
Paseo de los Tristes: La Carrera del Darro leads to the Paseo de los Tristes, another typical part of the Albaicín quarter. This is where the Cuesta del Chapiz hill begins its steep ascent leading you to the Sacromonte district. On the Cuesta del Chapiz hill you must stop to admire the splendid Casa Morisca, or the Palacio de los Córdova, based on a 16th-century building that was reconstructed on the same site in the 1960’s. Today it houses the Municipal Archives.
Viewpoints: On your right hand side, going down through the Plaza Aliatar and the Calle Panaderos, you will reach the Plaza Larga, the main square of the Albaicín district. From there, you can go to the Mirador de San Nicolás to enjoy the best views of the whole of the Alhambra. Alternatively, you can walk along the Calle Larga de San Cristóbal to the viewpoint there, from where you can see an amazing panoramic view of the city. Nearby is the Iglesia de San Cristóbal, which has an Arabic cistern.
Sierra Nevada
The Sierra Nevada district is located next to the districts of Alpujarra and El Marquesado del Zenete. It is home to the highest mountain range within the Iberian Peninsula. From the top of the Veleta and the Mulhacén peaks you can see the Mediterranean Sea. It is a natural alpine paradise in the heart of Andalucía with mild summers and cold winters. Between its snow-covered peaks, its rivers and forests, there are many charming villages tucked away between the monumental city of Granada and the imposing mountain ranges of the Sierra Nevada.
More info: https://sierranevada.es/en/
Parque de las Ciencias
If you are looking for an attractive place to enjoy cultural leisure, your place is Parque de las Ciencias in Granada. Located at 15 minutes on foot from the historical center of the city, it is an interactive science center and museum that dedicates 70,000 m2 to smart fun and educational entertainment. With more than 600,000 visitors a year, it has become established as the most visited museum in Andalusia. Nature, astronomy, mechanical games, optical effects or a journey inside the human body are some of the permanent contents of the museum for all ages. 27,000 m2 of green areas, 5,000 m2 of temporary exhibitions, rest area, free picnic and café-restaurant for having a good day.
- Tickets: 7-11€
- Where to purchase tickets: https://reservas.parqueciencias.com/ventaOL/ or at the Entrance.
- Schedules: Tuesday-Saturday 10 am – 7 pm; Sunday 10 am – 3 pm (Monday closed)
Flamenco
Granada is one of the centres for flamenco in Spain, especially its Sacromonte district. This gypsy quarter is the heart of what flamenco experts called jondura or duende, a musical form that stems from zambra, a flamenco song and dance party that first began in the 16th century to celebrate Moorish weddings.
More info: https://www.turgranada.es/en/things-to-do/knowing-the-art-and-culture/flamenco/
City Tour Granada (train)
Hop on the Granada City Tour tourist train and explore at your own pace!
- Ticket: 9,10€ (1 day)
- More info: https://granada.city-tour.com/en/