Granada Essentials

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Granada Essentials & Tourist Information

Currency
Euro
Flight Time
 UK 3 hours approx
Time Zone 
 GMT = +1 hour
Language  Spanish
Voltage 220 V (European two-pin plugs)


Granada Tourist Attractions
Perhaps the most satisfying way to see the attractions of the city is on a leisurely guided walking tour of old Granada. Tours leave from Plaza del Carmen each morning and last around 3 hours, costing €10 per person. Historic sites that will be seen include the Puerta de Elvira, the 16th century Iglesia de Santa Ana and Mirador de San Nicolás. Of course a Granada city break would seem incomplete without a visit to the remarkable Alhambra. This is Spain's most visited monument and is incredibly popular with long queues daily. A three hour tour is needed to fully appreciate its alluring splendour and fabulous mixture of Mediterranean and Moorish architecture confirming it as a truly unique palace that will astound and inspire all. Entrance is €10, or take a special guided tour from €30.

Useful Spanish Phrases

Good morning
Buenos días
   I'm sorry
Lo siento
Good afternoon
 Buenas tardes   I don't speak Spanish No hablo español
 Good-bye
Adiós
  
Please speak more slowly
Hable más despacio, por favor 
Yes
Sí
   Where is...?
Dónde está...?
No No  
Train Station
la estación de ferrocarril
Please Por favor   Airport aeropuerto
Thank you  Gracias   Beer la cerveza
Currency exchange cambio   The bill, please La cuenta, por favor

Opening Hours
The afternoon shutdown for a siesta break is still an important aspect of Granada life and almost all businesses will adhere to this. This normally takes place between 1.30pm and 4pm. Large stores and shopping centres often stay open throughout the day from 10am until 8pm with some in the busy tourist areas open until 10pm from Monday to Saturday. Virtually all shops are closed on Sundays.

Tipping & Etiquette in Granada
The tipping policy in Granada restaurants is neither obligatory nor has any fixed rules to abide by but in general diners are expected to tip around 10% for good service. Tour guides, hotel porters and taxi drivers should also be rewarded with one or two Euros.

Granada Food & Drink
Cuisine in Granada features many hearty stews and casseroles such as Olla Podrida which is a stew of lamb, pork, veal, chicken, pigeon, sausage and ham with vegetables and enough to satisfy the most ravenous appetite. A city break to Granada should definitely sample some delicious seafood of which boquerones adobados (fresh marinated anchovies) and cazuela de pescado frito - a fried fish casserole are particularly renowned while game dishes such as pheasant and partridge are popular. Exquisite cream-filled cakes soaked in a light syrup, known as Piononos are a treat not to be missed or finish off a meal with equally delicious sweetened pumpkin, apples and wild blackberries. 

 
Granada Useful Numbers
• Calling the UK from Granada – 0044 + area code minus zero + number
• Police – 112
• Ambulance – 112
• Fire – 112
 
Disabled Access in Granada
Apart from the main attraction of the Alhambra, which is sited on a steep hill, most of old Granada is relatively flat and streets are wide enough and free of obstacles for pleasantly strolling with a wheelchair, which includes many pedestrian only shopping avenues. There is a good bus network that covers all the points of interest with virtually every route operated using wheelchair accessible vehicles. For a visit to the Alhambra, it is preferable to book well in advance as long queues and waiting is inevitable especially in summer months. Accessible buses run frequently up its steep hill to within a few metres of the entrance and facilities here and inside include audio loops, a limited number of ramps and disabled toilets.
 
Spanish Embassies
• Spain Embassy - 39 Chesham Place, London SW1X 8SB Telephone: 020 7235 5555
• British Consulate - Carmen de San Cristobal Ctra de Murcia s/n 18010 Granada Telephone: + 958 274724

city breaks in Granada Granada City Breaks
getting around in Granada Getting Around Granada		 Granada things to do Things To Do In Granada
weather in Granada Granada Weather

 

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