Why visit Granada, Nicaragua?
Granada is a historic Spanish colonial city founded in 1524 by Spaniard Francisco Fernandez de Cordoba (the currency of Nicaragua is named after this guy). Its many beautiful colourful buildings, contrasting wonderfully with the green trees, make it a lovely picturesque city.
An effort has been made to preserve many of the buildings; others have peeling paint, adding to the city’s charm and authenticity. It is a little more refined and larger than León.
There are plenty of places to eat and drink, and the city is a buzz with activity throughout the day and night. There are many things to do in Granada, Nicaragua and many fantastic day trips.
Where is Granada, Nicaragua?
Granada is located in the west of the country, on the shores of Lake Nicaragua, and overlooked by Volcano Mombacho. It is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the whole of Central America.
Granada is a great place to base yourself as it’s close to Masaya, Ometepe, and San Juan Del Sur.
Make sure to add this city to your Nicaragua Backpacking itinerary as there are many things to do in Granada, Nicaragua.
13 Awesome Things to do in Granada, Nicaragua
There are many things to do in Granada, but make sure to sit, relax, and soak in the atmosphere.
#1 People watch at Parque Central
One of the first things to do in Granada is to get your bearings in the city by heading to the bustling Parque Central. Parque Central (Central Park) is the main square, surrounded by grand buildings, lush green trees, water fountains, and statues. Dominated by the immaculate bright yellow Granada Cathedral, the plaza is the postcard picture of Granada.
The many trees in the plaza provide welcome shade from the sun. Find one of many park benches and enjoy the hustle and bustle of all the goings on around you.
Dotted along the streets on the western side of the plaza are horses and carriages waiting to take tourists on city tours. There are multiple street vendors selling ice cream, food, and drink.
#2 View Granada from above at Cathedral Iglesia la Merced
From the outside, the crumbling façade and peeling paint on the Iglesia la Merced is the perfect building that I love in this part of the world. The highlight of this Cathedral, though, is from above.
Carefully make your way up the narrow spiral staircase to the Cathedral Iglesia la Merced rooftop. Once on the rooftop, enjoy gorgeous panoramic views of downtown Granada. Make sure to walk all four sides as each offers a different perspective of the city or the nearby Volcano Mombacho.
The entrance is only 35 Cordoba.
#3 Eat and Party at Calle de Calzada
Calle de Calzada is a pedestrianised street full of restaurants, bars, and hidden courtyards. You must visit during the day and the night as the vibe is entirely different.
During the day it’s a nice relaxing place to have a coffee and lunch.
As night falls, the place livens up massively. All the bars compete with each other as to who can play the loudest music.
You can’t walk past a bar or restaurant without having a menu shoved in your face. This was my first experience of this behaviour in Nicaragua and Guatemala. Most restaurants sell similar cuisine at similar prices so choose a place you like the look of best.
Try to sit in the middle seating of the venue to avoid hearing music from rival bars.
I went when there was a huge boxing match on TV with a famous Nicaraguan boxer fighting, and the place was crazy. The locals were big supporters of their local hero, and it provided a great atmosphere.
#4 Join a Free Walking tour of Granada
Granada is small enough to walk around alone, and most of the highlights are centred around Parque Central. If you want to learn a little more about the history, I would advise taking a free walking tour. Ask at your hostel or go to Parque Central and you will find someone offering a walking tour.
Free walking tours are, of course, not free as you are expected to pay a tip. Be fair, and if you enjoyed the time, tip well.
#5 Enjoy the beach in Granada
Does Granada have a beach? You wouldn’t have thought so as it’s inland; however, it does. Granada has a beach you can enjoy on Lake Nicaragua’s shores, but not many people make it there.
From Parque Central, it’s a 45-minute walk which may be too much in the heat of Granada. A better option is to take a taxi; the drive is only 10 minutes.
I went on a Saturday, and it was buzzing with people cooling down in the water. Many stalls are selling food and drink, and I encourage you to support these local businesses.
This is also the starting point for the tours to the Islets of Granada.
#6 Cruise around the Islets of Granada – Tour 365 Islands on Lake Nicaragua
Visiting the Islets of Granada is one of the most interesting things to do in Granada for sure. It’s a relaxing and intriguing way to visit Lake Nicaragua, Central America’s largest lake.
The 365 small islands were created when the Mombacho volcano erupted thousands of years ago. Many of the islands are very small, with nothing built on them at all. Others are home to grand houses of the rich and famous. Surprisingly these islands are some of the most expensive land in the country.
There are many operators based in the centre of town that offer this guided boat ride tour. They sell tours of varying lengths of time, from 2 hours to 4 hours. The longer tours include time to stop at one of the islands for lunch or dinner (not included in the price), which wasn’t particularly interesting to me. They also have private and group tours, sunset tours, etc.
The tour takes place in little long boats. I went on a private tour with just two of us, so we had the boat to ourselves. There wasn’t a significant price difference, so we chose this option. We paid 800 Cordobas for a two and a half hour tour.
Highlights include visiting a Spanish Fortress (the only time you exit the boat), getting up close to Capuchin & Spider Monkeys on Monkey Island, and bird spotting. You also see where some of Nicaragua’s wealthiest and most prominent people have bought holiday homes (including past presidents).
Be clear what you are purchasing
Make sure you are really clear what you are purchasing in terms of how long the our will be and what you will see. I had a massive argument with the guide after my tour as it lasted less than two hours, as opposed to the two and a half hours I had paid for.
On top of this when we got to the beach they tried to put us on a group tour for the same price as wed paid for a private tour.
They promote Monkey Island a lot, but the visit here is very brief, like less than a minute and we didn’t have any monkeys climbing on our boat as the photos in the brochure suggest, so just be aware of this.
Despite all of the above I still had a good time and recommend this tour.
#7 Visit the Market in Granada
Granada has quite a large market which is centred along Calle El Comercio. You can find anything you want here from fruit and vegetables to clothes and souvenirs. There are stalls on both sides of the streets and a large covered market in a beautiful old building.
Many guys are repairing shoes, watches, phones, and anything else that is broken. If you need anything repairing, this is the place to get it done. I had my shoes repaired here; the guy fixed my shoe’s sole that was falling apart. For 150 Cordobas, it was well repaired, and the shoes are still ok today.
#8 Enjoy Nicaraguan Nightlife – Granada Style
There are a few places to head for a night out in Granada. Calle de Calzada gets very loud, and the bars and restaurants all have outdoor seating available. There is a good mix of locals and tourists here.
If you want to avoid the central tourist area and find something cheaper, head to Tito’s Restaurant. Once you enter, there are two bars to choose from, offering TV screens for sports, dance floors, and cheap drinks.
I had many a good night here dancing and partying with locals.
Another popular place to go for a night out is Selina’s, the famous hostel/hotel chain throughout Latin America. I went here for a free Salsa lesson but got burnt with the cost of a beer.
I don’t understand why they charge so much for a beer as it’s directed at budget travellers. However, I paid 125 Cordobas for a small bottle on Tona, which is expensive compared to the regular price of 50-60 Cordobas for a litre.
#9 Treat yourself and have a massage in Granada
If you’ve been travelling a while, you may want to treat yourself. Why not have a massage in Granada for only $15 an hour.
You can choose a therapeutic, shiatsu, or reflexology massage to unwind for an hour. There are a lovely husband and wife team of masseurs who offer two 1 hour massages for $30. I didn’t get a massage myself as my friend bailed on me, and I didn’t need two massages! Other friends I met did go and were raving about it.
The place is not so easy to find as it’s not on google. From Parque Central, keep walking down Calle la Calzada past all the restaurants and look for a little sign in the street.
Best Day Trips from Granada, Nicaragua
As well as all the fun activities to keep you busy in Granada itself, there are quite a few excellent day trips from Granada.
#10 Day Trip to Apoyo Lagoon
My favourite day trip from Granada and one of the best things to do in Granada is to visit Apoyo Lagoon (Laguna de Apoyo).
The best way to visit Laguna de Apoyo is to spend a day at one of the waterfront hotels. I spent a day at Paradiso Hostel and Restaurant with three friends I met while travelling.
They charge an entrance fee of $7, allowing access to the waterfront and the use of kayaks, deck chairs, and inflatable rubber rings.
They also have an excellent restaurant providing food and drink, a pool table, and table tennis.
We really enjoyed the day in the water, having fun jumping off the platform, playing with the rubber rings, and using the kayaks.
I would actually recommend to stay here for a couple of nights, and it would work out better value.
A night in a dorm costs little more than the $7 day entry price and then all the facilities are free to use. Unfortunately there was no availability when I wanted to go so book ahead if you can (follow the red link above)
How to get to Laguna de Apoyo
There are a couple of options to get to the lagoon. Most hostels offer an organised day trip, and it’s quite often doubled up with a visit to Volcano Masaya as they are in the same direction.
Alternatively, if you want to visit on your schedule, it’s not too expensive to take a taxi from downtown Granada. We paid $15 for the 4 of us, so $3.75 each for the 30-minute journey.
We took the taxi driver’s number and later organised for him to take us to Masaya Volcano and back to Granada. He charged us an additional $30, including him waiting for an hour at Masaya while we explored and took photos.
For four people this price was equivalent to the organised tours. If you are by yourself, I would advise a tour as it’s much easier and you’re more likely to meet people for the day.
#11 Day Trip to Masaya Volcano National Park
Masaya Volcano (or Volcan Masaya in Spanish) is part of Nicaragua’s largest national park and overlooks the town of Masaya as well as the capital Managua. It is one of the world’s most active volcanos, and last erupted as recently as 2015.
Have you ever wanted to see red hot lava up close and personal!? Here is your opportunity.
The highlight of visiting Masaya Volcano is the crater where you can see lava bubbling beneath. Due to safety, there is a small boardwalk you can walk to have the best view. You must stand on tiptoes and fight to get to the front, but it’s all worthwhile!
I would recommend visiting close to sunset, about 5.30 pm. During the day, you can appreciate the surroundings and still see the lava glowing in the crater. At nightfall, you enjoy the brightness of the lava in the black sky.
I took better photos during the day, but it may depend on your camera. The entrance fee for the national park is 360 Cordobas.
How to get to Masaya Volcano
It’s best to plan a visit to Masaya Volcano combined with Laguna de Apoyo. Like Apoyo, you can visit as part of an organised tour or with a taxi as we did. As well as day tours, you can book a volcano night tour from many agencies.
You can take public transport from downtown Granada to the national park entrance. Take a bus that is going to Managua and ask the driver to drop you off at Volcan Masaya. Buses depart regularly; ask your hostel for the nearest bus stop. The cost is only 70 Cordobas ($2).
It is still a bit of a trek from the entrance to the summit of the volcano, and your only option here is to get a taxi. They generally charge about $5 to take you to the crater and back.
#12 Day Trip to Masaya Town and Masaya Crafts Market
Another popular day trip from Granada is to Masaya, the town. The main attraction in Masaya is the handicraft and artisan market. Browse one of the largest in the country; they sell everything from hammocks, shoes, bags, belts, and various knitwear.
I’d had enough of markets by the time I reached Granada, so I didn’t go myself. I heard good reviews from other travellers, although prices can be high compared to other places in the country.
How to get to Masaya from Granada
Take the bus heading to Managua, which departs every 30 minutes or so from Granada. The journey will take about 30 minutes, and you need to exit the bus outside the market in Masaya. There are several bus terminals in Granada which can be confusing. Check with your hostel to ensure you go to the correct bus station.
#13 Rave in the jungle at the Treehouse Party
If you want to party in Nicaragua, why not do it in the middle of the jungle? Treehouse Nicaragua is a hostel 20 minutes outside Granada, near Mombacho Volcano Nature Reserve.
Every Friday, they host the notorious Jungle Rave, face paint and all. You can buy tickets for $20, including free transportation from a few downtown Granada locations.
As a 40-something, this is one of the things to do in Granada that I missed out on. I thought I’d leave this rave to the youngsters. I saw several returning to the hostels at various times on Saturday morning, most reporting a good, albeit late night!
They run quite a few activities throughout the week, and I kind of wish I had stayed for a few nights, maybe next time.
Where to Eat in Granada
If you follow me, you know I like to travel on a budget and find cheap places to eat. I ate a couple of times at Tito’s Restaurant; it’s nothing fancy but has a good menu at reasonable prices. The best deal here was ceviche, a good-sized portion for only $130c.
I also visited Pan De Vida Granada for a pizza. This was really good, too, and reasonably priced for pizza, which is somewhat of a luxury in Central America. This place is just off Calle La Calzada.
Where to stay in Granada, Nicaragua
I stayed at Hostel Oasis, and I would highly recommend it. It’s a big hostel, but I found it easy to meet people because there are many good communal spaces.
Best of all, Hostel Oasis has a swimming pool to cool down. It’s at the back of the hostel in a lovely open courtyard. Most of the time, it is in the shade, which is preferable apart from those looking to top up their tan.
The hostel has table tennis and pool tables to keep you entertained. They also have plenty of places to sit, relax, or work if required. There is also a fully fitted kitchen for those who like to cook.
Best of all, to get people mingling, they offer three free drinks every evening (run & coke or rum lemonade), which I think is a pretty great initiative. They are served between 6pm and 8pm every night.
If all of that isn’t enough, they also have a rooftop you can enjoy and see the red-tiled rooftops of the nearby buildings. There’s space here to do a little yoga, too, if you’re that way inclined.
How long should you stay in Granada, Nicaragua?
As you can see from the list above, there are many things to do in Granada, including a few day trips. As a result, I would recommend staying in Granada for five days to avoid rushing everything.
It’s very central within Nicaragua and easy to get to from many destinations, so you could always come back or extend your stay.
Best Time to Visit Granada
Like the rest of Nicaragua, the dry season runs from December through to April; this is the best time to visit. At other times the weather will be constantly hot with more chance of rain.
One advantage to going in the wet season will be lower prices as there will be fewer travellers and more green vegetation. Some of the foliage and fauna can be brown and dead, of course, during the dry season. I would love to see the same sites in the wet season next time.
How to get to Granada Nicaragua
How to get to Granada from Managua
The nearest airport to Granada is Managua, the main international airport in the country. From the airport, it’s possible to get a taxi or a micro-bus to the main bus terminal in downtown Managua.
Then, from the main bus terminal, frequent buses travel to Granada. For more in-depth instructions, follow the link Managua Hostel
How to get from León to Granada
Many backpackers, myself included, had no interest in spending time in Managua, so I merely passed through.
It’s straightforward to take chicken buses from León to Granada, but it does involve a change in Managua. The first step is to take a bus from León to Managua. The cost is 60 cordobas and takes about 2.5 hours.
The bus stop is slightly out of the main town, at Calle 6 and 9th Avenue intersection. It takes only 15 minutes to walk here from Parque San Juan.
The second step is a bus from Managua to Granada. Ask at the station where the buses depart for Granada; even if your Spanish is bad, you will be ok.
The cost of a ticket to Granada is only 34 Cordobas and takes about 90 minutes.
The total cost of the buses is, therefore, 94 Cordobas (less than $3) and is the backpacker’s cheap and smart way to travel.
If you want the easy option, some shuttles run regularly from León to Granada and will charge between $15 and $20.
How to get to Ometepe from Granada
If your next stop is Ometepe Island, as it was for me, you have a couple of options. If you are lucky to be travelling on a Monday, there is a once-a-week ferry that departs Granada and goes directly to Ometepe.
At any other time, you need to take a bus to Rivas ($100c 2 hours). Then, take a second bus from Rivas to the Lake Nicaragua shoreline at San Jorge.
Rivas is a major transportation hub. It’s a crazy hectic place with many buses coming and going every minute. There is nothing to see here and it will be just a passing-through destination.
The buses to San Jorge depart every hour or so. I was travelling in a group of 4, and we took a taxi to San Jorge rather than wait 40 minutes for the next bus. We paid $50c each, and the journey took about 15 minutes.
Looking back, we paid more than we should have, but I won’t lose any sleep over the odd $1 here or there. The return journey cost only $35c. If you take a taxi, agree on the fee upfront and tell the driver you want to go to the ferry terminal
Once at the ferry terminal, you can buy your boat ticket to Ometepe.
How to get from Granada to San Juan Del Sur
If your next stop is San Juan Del Sur, it’s another reasonably easy journey on the buses. As with Ometepe, you will first need to take a bus to Rivas.
From Rivas, regular buses depart to San Juan Del Sur, costing $50c and taking 45 minutes.
I was not fond of Rivas Station at all. It’s one of a few places in Nicaragua where you are immediately approached by taxis trying to tell you there are no buses to your destination or the next bus is in 2 hours or something like that.
When I’m in this situation, I like to take a time out. Try to ignore them all, as you know these are the guys who will be ripping you off. There are plenty of food stalls at the station so go and ask one of these people about buses, don’t ask the taxi drivers.
Is Granada Safe for Tourists?
As in most destinations in Central America, a recurring question is, is it safe to visit Granada, Nicaragua?
I found Granada to be totally safe, even late at night. If you stick to the tourist and busy areas, you shouldn’t encounter any problems. My biggest concern was getting ripped off by guides selling the Islets of Granada Tour. Ensure you are clear on what you will get and how long the tour will last.
Is Granada Nicaragua Worth Visiting?
I hope I have convinced you with everything in this article that visiting Granada, Nicaragua is worth it. I hope you visit this wonderful city as part of a more extensive Nicaragua Backpacking itinerary and enjoy all the things to do in Granada.
Where to Next?
That is my entire list of things to do in Granada, Nicaragua, where to stay and where to eat. I hope you have found it helpful.
There are many options for your next stop in Nicaragua. Close by is San Juan Del Sur if you need some beach time after the city. San Juan Del Sur is a famous ex-pat destination offering plenty of things to do and time to relax at the beach and party.
Another nearby destination is the unique Ometepe. Created by the eruption of two volcanoes, Omepete is a fascinating place to visit.
Leon is a bit rawer than Granada if you need more colonial Spanish cities but equally appealing. Don’t miss out on the famous Volcano Boarding here and the nearby beach village of Las Penitas.
Before heading to León, I would visit Ometepe Island and San Juan Del Sur while you’re nearer to these two top destinations.