Getting Around Granada: Walking, Buses, Taxis & the Alhambra

Granada's centre is flat enough to walk comfortably. The cathedral, the old silk market, Plaza Nueva, and the Carrera del Darro are all close together and mostly pedestrianised.

The problems start when you look up. The Alhambra sits on a hill above the city, the Albaicín is a steep maze of cobbled streets, and Sacromonte climbs further still. You'll walk a lot, but you'll also need buses or taxis for some journeys.

We've lived in Andalusia long enough to know which hills are worth climbing and which ones deserve a bus. Here's the honest version.

Is Granada Walkable?

Yes, if you stick to the centre.

The area around the cathedral, Gran Vía, and Plaza Nueva is flat and easy to navigate on foot. Most of the restaurants, shops, and tapas bars are here, and you can cover the whole area in 15 minutes.

The moment you head toward the Albaicín or the Alhambra, things change. Both involve serious climbs. Comfortable shoes aren't optional here, they're survival gear for the cobblestones.

In summer, the heat makes midday walking miserable. Locals disappear indoors between 2pm and 6pm, and you should too.

Where is Everything?

The city centre sits in a valley with hills rising on either side.

To the east, the Albaicín climbs steeply from the River Darro. This is the old Moorish quarter with narrow lanes, whitewashed houses, and the famous Mirador San Nicolás viewpoint at the top.

Above and to the southeast, the Alhambra complex sits on its own forested hill. It's visible from most of the city but reaching it means a proper uphill walk.

To the northeast of the Albaicín, Sacromonte is the traditional cave neighbourhood, home to flamenco shows and a fascinating abbey.

The train station is about 1.5km northwest of the centre along Gran Vía. The bus station is further out, about 3km from the centre.

From	To	Walking Time	Notes
Cathedral	Plaza Nueva	5 min	Flat, easy
Plaza Nueva	Mirador San Nicolás	20-25 min	Steep climb through Albaicín
Plaza Nueva	Alhambra entrance	20-30 min	Uphill via Cuesta de Gomérez
Cathedral	Train station	20 min	Flat, along Gran Vía
Plaza Nueva	Sacromonte caves	30-40 min	Steep and winding

On Foot

Walking is how you should see the city centre. The streets between Plaza Nueva and the cathedral are mostly pedestrianised, and the Carrera del Darro alongside the river beneath the Alhambra walls is one of the most beautiful walks in Andalusia.

The Albaicín is also best on foot, but it's hard work. The streets are narrow, cobbled, and often stepped. There are no shortcuts and no flat alternatives. If you want to reach the Mirador San Nicolás viewpoint, you're earning it.

The best time to walk is early morning before the heat builds, or after 6pm when the city comes alive again. Late afternoon light on the Alhambra walls from the Carrera del Darro is worth timing your walk around.

Wear sturdy shoes. The cobblestones in the Albaicín are uneven and can be slippery, especially on the steeper sections.

Buses

Granada's bus network is run by Transportes Rober. For most visitors, the useful routes are the small minibuses that navigate the narrow historic streets.

The C1 and C2 run circular routes between Plaza Nueva and the Albaicín, passing the Mirador San Nicolás and Plaza San Miguel Bajo. They go in opposite directions, so check which way you want. The C3 runs from Plaza Isabel la Católica directly to the Alhambra entrance. The C4 goes from Plaza Nueva up to Sacromonte.

Route	From	To	Key Stops
C1	Plaza Nueva	Albaicín (circular)	Mirador San Nicolás, Plaza San Miguel Bajo
C2	Plaza Nueva	Albaicín (circular, opposite direction)	Same stops, reverse order
C3	Plaza Isabel la Católica	Alhambra	Direct to Alhambra entrance
C4	Plaza Nueva	Sacromonte	Caves, Abadía del Sacromonte

A single ticket costs €1.40, bought on the bus. Exact change helps. If you're staying more than a day, pick up a Credibus card from a kiosk or shop. It brings the fare down to €0.83 per journey, and one card can be shared between multiple people by swiping it more than once.

Buses run roughly every 8-12 minutes during the day, with reduced service on Sundays and evenings. The C3 to the Alhambra gets very busy in the morning when everyone has early tickets.

For longer journeys, the LAC is a high-capacity route through the city centre. Bus 33 connects the bus station to the centre. Night buses (SN1, SN2) run on weekends.

Taxis

Granada taxis are white with a green stripe. You'll find ranks at Plaza Nueva, Gran Vía, the train station, and the bus station. You can also hail one on the street if the green light is on, or call Radio Taxi Granada.

Fares are metered. A ride from the centre to the Alhambra costs about €7-10. The train station is €6-8, the bus station €7-9, and the airport runs €25-35. Night hours (10pm to 6am) and airport trips carry supplements. Most taxis accept cards, but carrying some cash is sensible.

There's no Uber or Cabify in Granada. It's traditional taxis only.

Getting to the Alhambra

This deserves its own section because it's the question everyone asks.

The walk from Plaza Nueva takes 20-30 minutes uphill via Cuesta de Gomérez. It's scenic, passing through a wooded path with views back over the city. But it's tiring, especially in summer heat or if you're carrying anything.

The C3 bus runs from Plaza Isabel la Católica directly to the entrance. It costs €1.40 and takes about 10 minutes. The catch is that the morning buses fill up fast, particularly when everyone has 8:30am Nasrid Palaces tickets. Queues can form at the stop.

A taxi costs €7-10 from the centre and drops you right at the entrance. If you have an early morning ticket, this is the most relaxed option. You arrive calm instead of sweaty and rushed, which makes a difference when you're about to spend three hours in one of the most beautiful places in Europe.

Some hotels run private shuttles to the Alhambra. Ask at reception, it's worth checking.

Driving and Parking

You don't need a car in Granada. The historic centre has a restricted access zone (ZBE), the Albaicín is essentially car-free, and the old town streets will punish you with dead ends and impossibly tight turns.

If you've driven in, park and forget the car until you leave.

Underground car parks in the centre (Plaza Puerta Real, San Agustín) cost €15-25 per day. Blue zone street parking runs about €1.50-2 per hour. Free street parking exists in the outer neighbourhoods, but it fills up quickly.

Do not drive into the Albaicín unless your hotel has specifically told you to and given you directions. The streets are narrow enough to scrape both mirrors at once, and getting stuck is a real possibility.

A car is useful for day trips to the Alpujarras, Sierra Nevada, or the coast. If you're renting, pick it up on the day you leave Granada rather than keeping it parked during your stay.

Getting to Granada

Granada Airport (Federico García Lorca) is 17km west of the city. An airport bus runs to the centre in about 45 minutes for €3, timed to match flights. A taxi costs €25-35 and takes about 25 minutes.

The airport is small with limited connections. Many visitors fly into Malaga instead, which has far more international routes. From Malaga Airport, ALSA buses run direct to Granada's bus station in 1.5-2 hours for €12-15. Driving takes about 1.5 hours on the A-92 motorway.

By train, Granada connects to Madrid in about 4 hours on the AVE high-speed line, Seville in 2.5 hours, Cordoba in 2 hours, and Malaga in 1.5-2 hours. The train station is 1.5km from the centre. Walk along Gran Vía in 20 minutes, take the LAC bus, or grab a taxi for €6-8.

The bus station is further out at 3km. Take bus 33 or a taxi (€7-9) into the centre.

What if You Can't Walk Too Far?

The city centre around the cathedral is relatively flat and manageable. If mobility is a concern, this is where you'll be most comfortable. The main plazas, the tapas bars, and the shopping streets are all accessible here.

The Albaicín is a different story. Steep cobbled streets, steps everywhere, and no alternative routes. Wheelchair access is essentially impossible. If you want the famous viewpoint at Mirador San Nicolás without the climb, take a taxi directly there.

The Alhambra involves significant walking even once you're inside, but it does have some accessible areas. A taxi to the entrance avoids the uphill approach.

Modern city buses are low-floor and accessible. The C1/C2 minibuses serving the Albaicín are smaller and harder to board, so taxis are the better option for that neighbourhood.

Final Thoughts

Granada is a city you explore on foot, but the hills mean you'll lean on buses and taxis more than in most Spanish cities. The centre is easy. The Albaicín and Alhambra take effort. Plan around the heat in summer, grab a Credibus card if you're staying a few days, and don't be too proud to take the bus uphill.

If you're planning your trip, have a look at my guide to things to do in Granada for the full picture. And if you have time, the day trips from Granada are some of the best in Andalusia, from the Alpujarras white villages to Sierra Nevada and the coast.