GRANADA – GUIDE TO NICARAGUA’S MOST BEAUTIFUL TOWN

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Granada is one of the oldest colonial cities in the Americas, founded in 1524 by Spanish conquistador Francisco Hernández de Córdoba. It’s located on the shores of Lake Nicaragua and is renowned for its well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture, colorful buildings, and rich cultural heritage.

Granada is known as a ‘colonial city’, but actually, many of the buildings have been reconstructed over the years due to fires, invasions, and natural disasters. After each destruction, efforts were made to rebuild Granada in a style reminiscent of its colonial past, using traditional techniques and materials. As a result, much of the architecture you see in Granada today reflects the Spanish colonial influence from the 16th and 17th centuries, with features such as colorful facades, ornate balconies, and central courtyards.

Here’s a video with our first day in Granada, in which we can discover together the past and present of this special place in Nicaragua. Warning: we also had a ‘bad’ incident happening to us, but it still didn’t ruin our experience. We let you discover it!

We loved Granada and we ended up spending a week here, because not only the city is absolutely beautiful, but also there are so many things to see and do around, and it has a special energy that makes you don’t want to leave.

Where to stay in Granada

There are so many options in terms of accommodation in Granada, for every budget, each with its own beautiful feature, that makes it really hard to decide.

Luxury Hotels:

Hotel Dario is one of the most popular hotels in town, and it’s easy to understand why, because it just can’t go unnoticed. We didn’t know about it before, as it’s not in our budget range, but while walking on the street, we saw it and it looks amazing that we even went in the garden to see more of it.

Affordable accommodations: 

We are long term travellers, so we try to optimize our budget and search for cheap places, but of good quality, so these would be my reccomendations:

Hotel La Gran Sultana – we stayed here and we could reccommend it. Some great features are: location right by the central market, delicious big breakfast, air conditioning and pool.

Oasis Hostel – we didn’t stay here but we saw it while walking down the street. It looks really pretty and it’s a popular option for backpackers.

El Arca de Noe – a budget hotel where we also spent a few nights. It has a beautiful interior garden, a shared kitchen and a delicious breakfast.

Things to do in Granada

There are many things to do in Granada and around, but our favorites were just strolling around the streets, admiring the beautiful cathedrals and houses, eating our way through the city in pretty cafes and restaurants and interacting with the lovely locals and other travellers (probably not relevant, but we’ve met the most amazing people in our travels, here, in Nicaragua!)

1. Explore the Colonial Architecture:

Wander through the picturesque streets of Granada adorned with colorful colonial buildings. Visit landmarks such as the Granada Cathedral (Catedral de Granada), which is one of the oldest cathedrals in Central America, and admire its beautiful neoclassical architecture.

Here’s a great tour that combines a city tour of Granada, a visit to the active Masaya volcano, and a boat ride on Lake Nicaragua.

2. Wander Through Central Park (Parque Central):

Spend some time in Granada’s Central Park, a bustling hub surrounded by historic buildings, restaurants, and street vendors. Relax on a bench, people-watch, and soak up the lively atmosphere. Don’t miss the opportunity to try local snacks like vigorón (a traditional dish with yuca, pork rinds, and cabbage) from the vendors in the park.

3. Wander Through the Central Market:

Experience the vibrant atmosphere of Granada’s Central Market, where you can browse stalls selling fresh produce, local crafts, clothing, and souvenirs. Don’t forget to sample some delicious Nicaraguan street food while you’re there!

4. Climb the Bell Tower of Iglesia La Merced:

Climb to the top of the bell tower of Iglesia La Merced for panoramic views of Granada and its surroundings.Capture breathtaking photographs of the cityscape, Mombacho Volcano, and Lake Nicaragua from this elevated vantage point.

5. Take a Boat Tour of Lake Nicaragua:

Lake Nicaragua, one of the largest freshwater lakes in Central America, is just a short distance from Granada. Take a boat tour to explore the islands dotting the lake, including the famous Isletas de Granada, where you can see wildlife, visit local communities, and enjoy stunning scenery.

6. Visit the Masaya Volcano National Park:

Embark on a day trip to Masaya Volcano National Park, located just a short drive from Granada. You can witness the mesmerizing sight of molten lava glowing within the crater. Explore the park’s visitor center, trails, and viewpoints offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The best part is that there’s no physical activity involved, the tour will take you straight next to the crater!

7. Mombacho Volcano Nature Reserve:

Delve into the lush cloud forest of Mombacho Volcano, located just a short distance from Granada. This is the best tour that will take you with a 4wd to explore the cloud forest of Mombacho Volcano and enjoy amazing views of Granada, Lake Nicaragua, and the Laguna de Apoyo!

8. Laguna de Apoyo:

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and retreat to the serene waters of Laguna de Apoyo, a pristine crater lake nestled amidst lush tropical foliage. Spend the day swimming, kayaking, or paddleboarding in the crystal-clear waters, or simply relax on the shore and soak up the tranquility of this natural paradise.

Where and what to eat in Granada

1. Vigoron

Vigorón is a traditional Nicaraguan dish made with boiled yuca (cassava), chicharrón (fried pork rinds), and curtido (a cabbage slaw). It’s a popular dish throughout Nicaragua, not just specific to Granada. However, Granada is known for having particularly delicious versions of vigorón due to its rich culinary heritage and vibrant food scene.

2. Garden Cafe

Is a very popular cafe, often highly regarded by visitors for its pleasant atmosphere and tasty food. They typically offer a variety of dishes, including breakfast options, salads, sandwiches, and vegetarian fare. It’s a popular spot among tourists and locals alike, known for its cozy garden setting and friendly service.

3. Granada’s Grill

Delicious food in a beautiful setting with really good prices for the quality and for how good the service is!

4. Cafetin Claudia

If you’re looking for authentic Nicaraguan food in Granada for probably the cheapest prices in town, pay a visit. The portions are big, the food is tasty and the prices are more than reasonable!

In conclusion, Granada, Nicaragua, is definitely worth visiting for its rich history and culture, stunning natural beauty, vibrant cuisine, warm hospitality, affordability, and overall travel experience. So why not plan your next adventure to Granada and discover all that this enchanting destination has to offer?

On an extended trip in Nicaragua? You might want to read about our other favorite destination in Central America: San Juan del Sur. San Juan del Sur is a picturesque coastal town located on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua, mostly known for its stunning beaches, vibrant nightlife, and laid-back atmosphere.

Travel resources:

For accommodation, I usually use Booking.com

The best travel insurance for long term travellers and digital nomads is SafetyWing

For tours, if I don’t find something good locally, I always search on Getyourguide

To find the cheapest flights, I search them on Skyscanner

PS: Want to go on a trip, but you don’t know how to start planning? I’m here to assist you with everything – book a call with me and let’s make the trip of your dreams possible!