10 Things to Do in Granada in Fall

I'm sure you are eager to start your trip and discover all there is to see and do in Granada. No wonder! The Nasrid city is full of culture and in autumn it also enjoys an enviable climate, which makes it even more appealing to stroll through its streets, participate in the festivals of its most famous neighborhoods or taste typical fruits of these months.

With the golden color of the leaves of the trees, autumn landscapes arrive in Granada that I encourage you to know. The best thing is that this season is like an intermediate step between summer and winter, so you can either go down to the coast or up to the snowy mountains. How much do you want to go to Granada now? Take a pen and paper and write down all my recommendations.

There are many ways to welcome autumn, but if you are in Granada you have to do it through the popular festivities of some of its most important and traditional neighborhoods, such as the Albaicin.

September is the month in which these festivities take place, which kick off the new season and say goodbye to summer with music, dances and many visitors. Are you going to miss them?

The Albaicín festivities

There is nothing like visiting the Albaicín neighborhood of Granada at the end of September, specifically on the 29th, when the pilgrimage of San Miguel is celebrated. This is one of the original neighborhoods of the city (it is located next to the Alhambra), so when you walk through it you will see how the Christian culture is mixed with the Arab past of the city.

What is the pilgrimage of San Miguel? In the past the origin of the festival was in the Cerro del Aceituno; the local people climbed this hill and there were organized craft markets and the young girls waited with their mothers to be sought after by the boys. Nowadays part of the tradition is maintained, although the festivities have been opened to the whole neighborhood and even to the whole city of Granada.

The Zaidín festivities

Another place where they enjoy the arrival of autumn is in the Granada neighborhood of Zaidín, although its history is more recent, since it began to be built in the 50s.

Originally, the character of its festivities was more communitarian but today it has a more vindictive objective: it aims to give visibility to the needs and projects that are developed in the neighborhood, such as dance groups.

In addition to a lot of flamenco, there is also a lot of rock, since in Zaidín they organize a festival dedicated to this musical style. The concerts are outdoors, taking advantage of those last days of summer and early autumn that allow you to be (and dance) outside. The best part?

Admission is free and it is an opportunity to discover new international and national groups.

Interesting facts

• When: during the month of September.
• Where: Albaicín and Zaidín neighborhoods.
• Price: free.
• Recommended if: you want to join the local people in their celebrations.

Granada is a very artistic city, something you will notice as soon as you arrive and see the amount of flamenco tablaos, theaters and museums there are. At the end of autumn in particular, an event takes place that puts this in value: the Autumn Festival of Granada.

Every year different shows are organized in various locations in the city, such as the Isabel la Católica Theater. Tickets cost approximately 30€-40€ per event.

The Granada Autumn Festival is organized with the aim of showing the prestige and identity of the city through music, dance and performing arts. As you can imagine, flamenco is the main protagonist, although there is also room for ballet and music of other styles.

If you feel like attending a concert of great artists of flamenco singing, do not miss the opportunity. Of course, you can also go to one of the best flamenco tablaos in Granada.

Interesting facts

• When: late November and early December.
• Where: Isabel la Católica Theater and other locations in Granada.
• Price: approximately 30€-40€.
• Recommended if: you like flamenco and performing arts.

Are you planning a visit to the Basilica de las Angustias in Granada? If you go in autumn you will be lucky to see it as never before: full of flowers. Why? Because throughout the autumn months (especially in September) several floral offerings are organized to the Virgen de las Angustias, patron saint of the city. In total, thousands of flowers are placed to give a special light and color to this temple of the seventeenth century.

The good thing is that you will have several opportunities to see how the facade looks even more cheerful than usual. In addition, so many flowers make the surroundings also enjoy a good atmosphere and there are stalls selling handicrafts and the famous Torta de la Virgen, a traditional sweet made of flour and filled, usually with angel hair.

When you go to see the flowers of the Basilica de las Angustias, take the opportunity to visit it. Its interior was made by the best artists of the Castilian Baroque, so be prepared to see a lot of ornamentation and a large altarpiece presiding over the room.

Interesting facts

• When: Throughout the month of September.
• Where: Basilica of Las Angustias.
• Price: free.
• Recommended if: you plan to visit the Basilica and want to make it even more special.

In Granada autumn smells and tastes of chestnuts, medlars, quinces, pomegranates... Where can you taste them? In the area of Puerta Real and the Fuente de las Batallas, which are located in the Realejo neighborhood (near the Cathedral) there are several stalls where local producers sell these delicacies that are only available during the autumn months.

The fair of the autumn fruits of Granada is a unique opportunity to taste typical products of the city. I recommend you take advantage and buy some not only to try at the moment, but also to take as souvenirs. My favorites are the acerolas, fruits that grow in Central America but also in Granada and that look like cherries, although they are more acidic and have segments inside.

As you can see, in this market you can find fruits that are not available in other areas of the country or even the world. In addition to the flavors, I am sure you will be surprised by the smells, which you may not have known before.

Interesting facts

• When: from September.
• Where: Realejo neighborhood (around the area of the Puerta Real and the Fuente de las Batallas).
• Price: free access.
• Recommended if: you like to try new things, especially fruits and nuts.

In autumn Granada hosts one of its most special musical events: September in the Generalife. This series of concerts lasts a whole month, brings together national singers and groups and, as a stage, is the Generalife, the summer palace of the Alhambra. The ticket costs approximately 60€.

My advice is to buy the ticket for this festival and, after taking a guided tour of the Alhambra and also visiting the Generalife and its gardens, stay for one of the concerts.

It is an opportunity not only to listen to good music, but also to have as a backdrop the forests of the palace complex, which in autumn look even more impressive golden.

The September message in the Generalife is also very special. Since its foundation, the Alhambra has been linked to art and many musicians have performed there over the years. This festival aims to continue mixing tradition and avant-garde in this unique and historic setting.

Interesting facts

• When: during the month of September
• Where: The Generalife of the Alhambra.
• Price: approximately 60€.
• Recommended if: you like music and want to make the most of your visit to the Alhambra.

Do you like poetry? It could be said that Granada is a very poetic city; on the walls of the Alhambra, for example, there are beautiful verses written. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the Autumn in Verse festival is held in autumn.

It is organized in mid-autumn (between October and November) and consists of poetry readings and cultural proposals by young people from Granada. Admission is free.

Although at first the poetry reminds us of something "old", the Otoño en Verso festival in Granada gives it a modern touch. In fact, cockfights are organized between rappers and there is also space for other artistic compositions, such as circus, magic or dances.

The locations are distributed in theaters or cultural centers of Granada and nearby towns, such as Vegas de Gentil or Cúllar Vega, which are about an hour away from the capital.

Interesting facts

• When: October and November.
• Where: several theaters and cultural centers in Granada and nearby towns.
• Price: free access.
• Recommended if: you like to keep abreast of new artistic proposals.

Who says that music festivals can only be in summer? In Granada they are clear that it is not so, and that is why every autumn (a weekend in mid-September) Granada Sound is organized. This festival brings the best indie music in Spain.

The entrance costs approximately 50€ and, although it is held in the Paseo del Cortijo del Conde (on the outskirts of the city), it includes the shuttle bus to get there.

The Granada Sound was born several years ago and since then it has become a must for lovers of the most modern music. In addition, this event wants to give visibility not only to recognized groups, but also to emerging ones, so it is an opportunity to learn new rhythms.

The best thing is that, to also promote tourism within the city of Granada, other concerts are organized within the city and they are free! You can also join routes through those places in Granada that are important in the world of music.

Interesting facts

• When: mid-September.
• Where: the main event is in Paseo del Cortijo del Conde, but there are secondary locations throughout the city of Granada.
• Price: approximately 55€.
• Recommended if: even when traveling you can't get enough of discovering new music.

I would dare to say that autumn is the best season to go hiking in the Alpujarra; when you try it, I'm sure you'll agree with me. The Alpujarra is a region of Andalusia very close to Granada; there are traditional villages and also a lot of itineraries for all levels. Getting there is quite easy (in less than two hours you are there) and the landscapes are worth it.

Taking an excursion from Granada to the Alpujarra is a great plan to enjoy your autumn trip without being too hot or too cold. During the tour you can combine a guided tour through traditional villages with a few routes through the mountains. There are many to choose from, but I would like to recommend some of my favorites:

• Barranco de Poqueira: perhaps not the easiest (it has a drop of more than 600 meters), but it goes through the three most famous white villages in the area (such as Pampaneira, Capileira and Bubión), where you can taste Arabic gastronomy and learn about the art of carpet weaving.
• Sendero de las Acequias: it is a more accessible route, as it runs through the shade. It also passes through places of great beauty (especially in autumn when the fruits come out of the trees) and of great historical value.
• Sendero de las Encinas: it is only 5 kilometers, so I recommend it if you do not have much time or do not usually hike. The most notorious thing is that it passes through the Camino Real, which linked Granada with Almeria.

Interesting facts

• When: during the whole autumn.
• Where: the Alpujarra.
• Price: free.
• Recommended if: you like hiking and want to get to know the villages of Granada.

One of the best tours of Granada is through its historic center. The good thing is that in autumn the chestnut stalls, which have been picked directly from the Alpujarra, start to appear on the streets. You will see that the smell of this fruit permeates every corner, so it will be hard to resist trying them.

From the end of October (although sometimes earlier) the center of Granada is full of chestnut stalls. Since there are many chestnut trees in the Alpujarra area, this fruit has become a staple in the gastronomy. In fact, it is possible that some restaurants in the city serve a special dish, such as chestnut stew.

In any case, I advise you to buy a cone (it costs about 2€ for half a dozen) and eat the chestnuts as you stroll through the old town of Granada. They will warm your hands (and your stomach) while you discover emblematic places such as the Cathedral of Granada, the Royal Chapel or the narrow streets of the Alcaicería.

Interesting facts

• When: throughout the autumn.
• Where: historic center of Granada.
• Price: approximately 2€.
• Recommended if: you want your walk through the old town of Granada to be more special and tasty.

Who says you can't go to the beach in autumn? Especially during the month of September (and even at the beginning of October) you can take advantage of the last days of sunshine to take a day trip to the Costa Tropical.

There you will find towns like Salobreña or Almuñécar that, about 1 hour from Granada, stretch out the summer so you can swim in their turquoise beaches.

Moreover, it could even be said that in autumn they are much more enjoyable, as there are fewer people, but the Mediterranean Sea still creates a perfect climate to spend a day sunbathing and taking a dip in water that is warmer than in early summer.

The reason is that all these towns are protected from the wind by the mountains and are close to North Africa.

Besides going to the beach, you can take the opportunity to visit these places. For example in Salobreña, a town that you can reach by car on the A-44 in just 45 minutes or by bus, there is a famous medieval castle. Almuñécar, although its beaches are made of stone, is also very close and in autumn there is also a jazz festival.

Interesting facts

• When: during the whole autumn.
• Where: Costa Tropical.
• Price: free.
• Recommended if: you like to go to the beach and extend the summer.

The best thing about going to Granada in autumn is that you can enjoy very good weather, with temperatures between 25ºC and 10ºC (although these drop to a minimum of 5ºC in November), without the oppressive heat of summer in Granada.

As for rainfall, it is more likely, especially at the end of the season, although if it rains it is usually not much.

What you should keep in mind when packing your suitcase is that during the day is when temperatures reach their maximum (exceeding 20ºC), but at night it will cool down, so you will need a jacket.

Although Granada's autumn temperatures, especially at the beginning, are somewhat reminiscent of late summer, tourist crowds do drop. Generally, there are not many less visitors during these months, so you can take advantage of the low season to find cheaper hotels.

Be careful, even if there are fewer people, the Alhambra is always of great interest, so it is always advisable to book your tickets in advance. This way you can make sure you can go on the day you want and at the time you want.

Are you all set to travel to Granada in autumn? I hope these plans will help you enjoy your visit even more.