Things to see and do on a trip to Granada Nicaragua

Granada is one of Nicaragua’s most beautiful colonial cities, and as a result, the most visited place in the country, so it’s very tourist-friendly. This colourful city, which for a time was disputed as the capital of the country, was founded in 1524 by Spanish settlers, and is characterized by its rich history and great cultural legacy. Initially, there was a Xalteva settlement on the site where the city now stands. Later, in the 17th century, the city suffered numerous pirate attacks and looting until it was destroyed by fire in 1856. Fortunately today Granada Nicaragua is as good as new after the post-war reconstruction.

In this post we tell you all about what to see in this beautiful colonial-style city of colourful buildings, pretty churches and pleasant squares. Don’t miss the views from the cathedral’s bell tower or the colourful buildings in the Plaza de la Independencia. We also tell you about some excursions to do in the surroundings, such as the Masaya volcano or the tour of the islands of Lake Nicaragua. Are you ready to discover more things to do in Granada, Nicaragua? Let’s get started.

What are the best places to see in Granada?

1. The churches to see in Granada

In Granada, there are numerous churches from whose bell towers you can see the whole city and the surrounding natural parks. The main ones are the churches of Xalteva, La Merced, San Francisco, Guadalupe and the Chapel of Maria Auxiliadora. Entrance to all of them costs around €1 per person.

If you don’t have the time or inclination to visit them all, then we recommend a visit to the church of La Merced. Entrance costs 30 córdobas and the views are the best in the city. From up there you can see Lake Nicaragua and the Cathedral.

2. The Cathedral of Granada, Nicaragua

The Cathedral of Granada is one of the symbols of the city. You’re sure to see many postcards with the cathedral and Lake Nicaragua in the background. It is located in the Parque de Colón and is easily recognisable by its characteristic reddish and ochre colours. The cathedral is of neoclassical architectural style.

It’s free to visit any day of the week, but to climb the bell tower you have to pay 30 córdobas. It’s worth it, it’s barely €1 and the views from there are incredible.

3. The House of Lions

This building is now a cultural centre that hosts art exhibitions, workshops, concerts, film screenings and readings. Of the façade, only a stone arch dating from the 18th century remains, the rest has had to be rebuilt. What is most striking is the interior. It is definitely worth peeking inside to contemplate it.

The House of the Lions is open Monday to Friday from 8:00h to 12:00h and from 14:00h to 17:00h. Admission is free.

4. Independence Square in Granada, Nicaragua

Independence Square is one of the most photographed corners of Granada because of the colourful colonial-style buildings that surround it. Here you’ll find the National Palace, which dates from the 18th century and has had to be rebuilt several times, the Episcopal Palace and the Palace of Communications.

After strolling around the square you can head to the nearby The House of Lions or Columbus Park.

5. Stroll through the streets of Granada, Nicaragua

The charm of this city lies in its colourful streets full of life, markets and people. We recommend getting lost in the centre of the city by walking along Calle la Calzada and gradually discovering the parks and the most beautiful façades. This street is the busiest and, at the same time, an important artery of the city and a cultural centre. This artery is part of a tour through the city of Granada where you can see important buildings such as the Church of La Merced or the Convent of San Francisco. At night, the street is closed to cars and nightlife emerges in the form of improvised stages for musical performances and tables for the overflow of customers in bars and restaurants. Walking from end to end is about a 20-minute walk.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

6. San Francisco Convent Museum

The Museo Convento de San Francisco offers a beautiful collection of historical objects, paintings and statues. It is divided into rooms with permanent exhibitions, and others where the collections are changed from time to time. The museum is located in a former colonial convent, with a beautiful internal courtyard.

In the permanent collection are: pre-Columbian statues from Zapatera Island (800 to 1200 AD), 31 photographs from the history of Granada (1890 – 1940), 27 works by famous painters from the Solentiname archipelago (Pinturas Primitivas, a very famous type of Nicaraguan painting). The other exhibitions show archaeological discoveries and other objects that show more about the history of Nicaragua.

What to see in and around Granada, Nicaragua?

1. Islets of Lake Nicaragua

Lake Nicaragua, also known as Lake Cocibolca, is home to 365 islands that you can sail between. Most are uninhabited, but there are also private ones filled with mansions, more modest ones home to fishermen, and others teeming with monkeys.

The boat tour lasts 2.5 hours and costs €15. It’s a very nice activity to do if you have time to spare in Granada.

2. Masaya Volcano, the most spectacular thing in Granada

A visit to the Masaya volcano is an experience you will remember forever. From the top of its crater, you can see a lake of red-hot lava. It can be visited both day and night, but when the sun goes down it’s even more spectacular.

The visit can be done on your own or with an organized tour, which costs around €30-40 and leaves continuously from the centre of Granada. If you do it on your own, there are buses that leave from the centre every 20 minutes and cost 30 córdobas. The problem is that they only run from 9:00h to 16:00h. Once in the park, you will have to pay 100 córdobas to enter and another 100 córdobas to take the bus up to the crater. Visiting hours during the day are from 19:30h to 17:30h. After that time it is nighttime and is more expensive.

What to see in 1 day in Granada?

Granada, Nicaragua is a city that can easily be seen in a day. There are no major tourist attractions, the charm lies in its streets, so a long walk will be more than enough to take in the facades, churches, parks and markets.

However, in the area around the city, there are several excursions worth doing that will take more time. We are talking about a visit to the Masaya volcano, the islands of Lake Nicaragua or the white villages. For this reason, we recommend you to spend at least 3 days visiting the area. You can even take a day trip to León, another of the most touristic cities in the region. In this post we tell you what else to see in León: Things to see and do on a trip to León Nicaragua.

Where and what to eat in Granada?

In Granada, you can try some of the most typical dishes of the country such as turtle stew, rice with gaspar or pork with cassava. One of the most typical dishes of the area is the vigorón, cooked cassava served with pork rinds and salad on a banana leaf. And among the drinks we highlight the fresco de grama, a very refreshing fruit drink. Here is a list of some restaurants where you can try these specialities.

• El Zaguan: is reputed to be one of the best restaurants in Granada, Nicaragua. They serve traditional Nicaraguan and Central American cuisine, with a speciality in meats.
• Néctar: is a restaurant specializing in Central American food. The place is very cosy, and you can eat well for less than €15.
• Comidas Típicas y Más: is without a doubt the best place to sample local cuisine at a very moderate price (less than €20). There you will taste the authentic flavour of Nicaragua.

Where to stay in Granada?

Granada has a wide range of hotels with many options to suit all tastes and budgets. In general, accommodation is not excessively expensive compared to Europe, but being such a touristy city, you can imagine that it will be a little higher than in the rest of the country. Here are a few recommendations for accommodation:

• El Caite Hostel: This beautiful hostel is a wonderful value for money option. The establishment has a swimming pool, bar and garden, and also offers family rooms. Rooms with shared bathrooms cost around €20 and private rooms cost €30.
• Hostel De Boca en Boca: This hostel is the perfect choice for backpackers. It’s centrally located, and bunk beds cost €11 a night. Breakfast is included in the price and there is a nice garden where you can meet people.
• Hotel Real La Merced: This luxurious 4-star hotel is one of the most comfortable options in the city. It has a swimming pool and offers a fantastic breakfast for €5.

How to get to Granada?

Despite being the most visited city in all of Nicaragua, Granada does not have its own airport. But this is not a big problem as the nearest airport (Augusto C. Sandino International Airport) is located in the country’s capital, just 50 km away. There are several options to get to the centre of Granada, Nicaragua:

• Taxi: A taxi from the airport to Granada costs €50, and €3 to the bus station in the capital, where you can catch a bus and save some money. In any case, it’s a good idea to agree on the price before setting off.
• Hire a car: It’s a good option if you’re travelling around the country. You can rent a car at the airport, and it costs about €10 a day.
• Bus: This is the cheapest option, but also the slowest. First you have to go to the bus station in Managua. It costs €0.35 and takes 30/40 minutes. Once there, you will have to take another bus to Granada from the Roberto Huembes Market station. The bus leaves every half hour between 5:00h and 21:00h. The price is €0.5.

What should I consider before travelling to Granada?

• No visa is required to enter Nicaragua, but a passport valid for at least 6 months is required.
• The city is safe, but you are advised to exercise caution and keep an eye on your belongings.
• No vaccinations are required to enter the country if you are travelling from Spain.
• The official language in Nicaragua is Spanish.
• The country’s currency is the córdobas.
• It is best to change money before you start your trip, as there are shops and restaurants that do not accept credit cards.
• The climate is warm all year round, but between June and December is the rainy season.
• Avoid eating at street stalls and drinking tap water.
• Be prepared for medical emergencies – travel with insurance.

How to prepare what to see on your trip to Granada?

Sign up or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions.
• Add the stops that interest you most, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can get inspiration from the routes we present in the post).
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates according to your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the modifications you need, and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Granada, Nicaragua.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Granada, Nicaragua