Granada is the oldest town of Nicaragua, founded in 1524 and nicknamed “the Great Sultan” in honor of the Moorish Granada in Spain. Due to the location at the Lago de Nicaragua, it grew to an important trade center in even whole Central America. The city was rebuilt many times and lost the fight of capital of Nicaragua to León and later Managua. The Spanish influences are everywhere to be seen in this this colorful historical city.
Granada is often the base for most travelers who visit Nicaragua, from here you can visit a lot of the beautiful surroundings like Isletas de Granada next to the vibrant city itself. Granada has a lot of nice restaurants and cafes. The vibe is really good in Granada, with the famous yellow church and the volcano Mombacho in the background, perfect for a couple of days in your Nicaragua travel itinerary. See below the things you can do in Granada and area, how to get to this stunning city and where to stay in one of the many boutique style accommodations.
How to travel to Granada?
All the main bus companies from north to south Nicaragua, go via Granada, so it’s almost impossible not to travel to Granada! I booked a 25 USD shuttlebus of Gekko to travel from the Managua airport (from Corn Island) to Granada. Of course you can take a taxi as well. The total trip took 1-1.5 hour, but from Isla de Ometepe it will take probably two hours to get to Granada. The same for the outbound of Granada, check your hostels for transportation for shuttles and local busses to your next destination or Granada surroundings. The main shuttles from Granada to San Juan del Sur leave at 13:00 PM, I preferred to leave in the morning and booked a private shuttle/taxi for 40$, for 1.5 hours. Easier if you can share of course, that is the downside of traveling by yourself.
8 things to do in and around Granada
In total I have spent four nights in Granada and surroundings, three in Granada city and one in Laguna de Apoyo, which was a perfect combination to do. See here my suggestions when exploring Granada and here surroundings:
1. Explore Colonial Granada
Granada has a lot of history and that is what this city breaths, the location is stunning with volcano Mombacho in the background. Perfect to stroll through the colorful streets and have a good coffee in one of the trendy places in the city. Granada has a lot of churches but Catedral de Granada with the striking yellow color build in the 16th century located at Parque Central is the most iconic one of all. But don’t miss the baroque style Iglesia La Merced, which you can climb too and search for Iglesia Xalteva as well.
2. Go Kayaking at Islas de Granada
I was told to do the kayaking tour around the Islas de Granada in the evening, to see the sunset as well. The birds are active in the morning and afternoon. Don’t forget to bring your “underwater” camera! The kayaking could get tough with the strong winds and currents, but I shared my kayak with the guide. You make a stop at the fort on one of the islands. You can spot many birds and monkeys during the tour and admire the stunning houses on the private islands in this area. Great activity to do! You can book your tours including transport (±45$) all over Granada.
3. Taste the locally made Chocolate and or Cigars
There is a chocolate museum in Granada, in the center with a whole tour and great explanation of how the chocolate is made, great for kids too. I went also to the Argencove Chocolate factory near Iglesia de Xalteva. Argencove is an award-winning chocolate of Nicaragua. Here they make very tasty chocolate with several assorted flavors. I got a brief explanation of the process and how the chocolate is growing and made here in the area. The styling of the packaging is spot on and matching the taste!
If you are a cigar lover, next to Argencove Chocolate you can visit the Doña Elba Cigar Factory and shop. The real factory is in the Estreli area, but in Granada they make a small batch of Premium Private Cigars. You can even try to make your own cigar in this Granada Factory next to the daily demonstrations. Nice to visit both of these shops with local products of Nicaragua on your stroll through Granada.
4. Swim in Laguna de Apoyo
A perfect day trip or I even recommend you to spend a night at Laguna Apoyo. The crater lake is only 1 hour away with a taxi (450 Cordobas) from Granada. Hostel Oasis is also organizing day trips where you can stay at their location Paradiso at Laguna Apoyo during the day. The lake is a nice break of the city vibes of Granada. I loved the natural environment to chill and enjoy the silence. I booked a lovely room at Casa Única, see below more at the accommodation part. I swam in the 200-meter deep and 200 centuries old crater lake and went kayaking again! The water is clean and pretty clear and not to cold, I understood that you could even do dives in it. The nature around the lake is lush and green, with birds chirping out of the trees all the time!
Go kayaking in the morning, in the afternoon the wind picked up and it was not as glassy as in the morning.
5. Visit the local Mercado Municipal
One of my favorite activities during my travel is to visit the local markets. You get to know the locals and see the food and products they use. Great to practice your Spanish and try the local dishes. The market in Granada is located in a neoclassical building at Call el Comercio and is closed on Sundays.
6. Sunset and lava spotting at Volcano Masaya
One of the highlights of my trip to Nicaragua was the trip to Parque Nacional Volcán Masaya. You can book this tour from Granada, but I booked a private taxi (35$)with some other travelers from Laguna Apoyo. The gate opens at 4:30 PM, so you need to be on time to guarantee your entrance to the park (10$ entrance fee). It is recommended to go around sunset; you can only see the bubbling lava when its dark. So walk up the mountains to see the other craters, lakes, and town of Masaya with a sunset in the back. Wait till it’s dark, because you are only allowed to stay 20 minutes in the smelly sulfur smoke.
Bring a scarf to cover your mouth, so you don’t inhale too much of the sulfur smoke during your hike.
I thought it was a perfect trip from Laguna Apoyo because you are closer than Granada. So very efficient and less travel time. But if you skip Laguna Apoyo you can go directly from Granada ass well, a lot of tours offer the ride, but I will recommend you to do the extended version, full sunset walk included.
7. Book a massage!
Time to relax a bid after the kayaking, climbing churches and volcanos! I found a great massage therapist Eco Massage in the Calle La Calzada close to Iglesia Guadalupe in Granada. The location an interieur was genuinely nice and the price of 25$ for 1.5 hours was excellent value for money. I heard you can book massages at your hotel as well, but I was extremely impressed by her. Look for the sign on the streets.
Another tip for you! Go and get a manicure or pedicure (11$) at Calma Nail Salon, on Calle El Consulado, great service, nice decoration, fairly priced and use of quality products.
8. Visit Convento y Museo San Francisco
Sometimes it is nice to visit a museum to cool off! For 5$ you can visit the one of the oldest churches in Central America, Convento San Francisco. It displays the Nicaragua’s pre-Columbian people, primitivist art, a scale model of Granada, and Isla Zapatera states. All the explanations are displayed in English and Spanish, but you can get tours as well. I thought this place was worth the visit because it was divers with displays both in- and outside. Location is right in the center so great to get a good coffee afterwards! Check below where to go.
Where to eat and drink in Granada?
The main and most famous street in Granada is the “Calle La Calzada.” If you walk from the Central Park along the yellow Catedral you will get straight in this lively and busy street. The street consists of colorful colonial buildings with mainly restaurants and bars. On the streets you will find beautiful mosaic art. During the night, the street comes alive with locals and tourists with live music coming out of the many bars. Very enjoyable to see and experience!
The Garden Café has the best cappuccino, so perfect after a morning stroll or museum visit. The vibe is chill with a nice open patio with plants. You can come here the full day; the menu is from breakfast till dinner. There is a little shop next to the restaurant with local souvenirs.
Another favorite is Pita Pita; the name already says it, delicious dices from the Mediterranean or more Middle East. The pita bread with a soda is 5$, and very filling. The first time I had the “Nuesto Especial;” a whole plate with all the different mezzes on the menu. Was so good, but too much for one person!
My accommodation recommended Boca Baco for dinner. It is a fancier place, so the price is slightly higher (23$). They have a sushi bar, where they make everything fresh. I liked it a lot, but I know it was a bit tricky to eat the sushi here. You never know how it is prepared and if you get sick from it or not; I had no problems and loved it! Besides the sushi the have a whole other menu with meat and fish, so also not sushi lovers will love it here.
During my walks I bumped into the Gaia Forest Café & Market. This looked so pretty with the nice decoration and open space with fountain. The ice cream must be exceptionally good here!
Here in Granada they have also a branch of Pitaya. Perfect to cool off with a healthy fruit smoothie, you can find it in the Calle La Calzada.
Where to stay in Granada?
In Granada you can find many good, affordable accommodations. There is a lot to choose from in the range from, hostels to high end resorts. I stayed two nights in the French owned boutique style Casa Bubu. I must admit this accommodation was more on the high end with ~100$ per night, but it was a big 10! All was thought of; welcome drink, water refill, snacks, incredible breakfast, pinpoint styling (even if you don’t like red….), friendly staff, perfect location, pool with comfortable sunbeds and a big hot shower. Could not think of any flaws; big recommendation if you can afford it and if there is availability.
From Little Corn Island I stayed two days in Granada, then I went to Casa Única at the Laguna Apoyo for one night. The boutique style room (~60$) is not spacious but comfortable and great styling. The location of Casa Única at the shore of the volcanic lake is surrounded by nature and a colorful garden. The local breakfast is served on the patio with magnificent view over the lake. A bonus is the free kayak you can use to explore the lake and its shores.
My last night in Granada I booked at Boutique Hotel Secret Garden or in Spanish Jardín Secreto. Also an incredibly good pick for 75$ per night including breakfast, I must say. I do a lot of research in my accommodation. Read the reviews and look at the vibe of the room and rest of the accommodation. This room appealed to me too and the whole styling with the pool and garden, hidden from the street is a gem. The gourmet breakfast with banana pancake, yogurt with granola and fruits, and a real coconut made it even better!
Like a said, enough accommodation to choose from here in Granada. Feel free to check out my suggestions. Now it’s time to pack and go surfing near San Juan del Sur!
