This lakefront has beautiful views of Lake Nicaragua, as well as the volcanoes and mountains encompassing it. You can easily reach this spot from the town centre. A nice, 20-minute afternoon stroll will take you from the Central Plaza right to the water.
Small, white villages located around Granada are an amazing day trip from Granada. They are known as Pueblos Blancos (White towns) and are full of handicrafts and beautiful views of the nearby Lagoon Apoyo. Towns worth visiting are: Cataria, Diriomo and Diriá. You can reach these easily with a local chicken bus from a terminal in Granada. The bus ride costs around 2 USD.
Granada is a colonial town with a ton of rich history. Reminders of colonisation are to be found everywhere around. The beautiful architecture of Granada make it a Nicaraguan must-see. Young travellers will have a blast here, since many of the hostels host fun activities every night. Think mingling with other international travellers and bonding through trivia nights, booze cruises, and parties!
⭐ Fun – 10/10
⭐ History – 9/10
⭐ Architecture – 9/10
⭐ Local life – 8/10
I got to Granada by a shared taxi from Rivas. It was 200 córdobas per person if sharing between 5 people, the ride took 2 hours. Buses come regularly and usually cost around 3USD if arriving from Rivas/Ometepe Islands and take around 4 hours.
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Most days, the Townhouse Hostel is pretty chill, but there are fun parties some days.
This lakefront has beautiful views of Lake Nicaragua, as well as the volcanoes and mountains encompassing it. You can easily reach this spot from the town centre. A nice, 20-minute afternoon stroll will take you from the Central Plaza right to the water.
Small, white villages located around Granada are an amazing day trip from Granada. They are known as Pueblos Blancos (White towns) and are full of handicrafts and beautiful views of the nearby Lagoon Apoyo. Towns worth visiting are: Cataria, Diriomo and Diriá. You can reach these easily with a local chicken bus from a terminal in Granada. The bus ride costs around 2 USD.
Volcan Masaya counts among one of the few volcanoes in the world from which you can see hot lava spewing out. Every hostel and hotel in Granada offers tour booking possibilities, with costs starting at 30 USD. Tours leave in the evening, so that hikers can watch the sunset from the summit before seeing the spectacular lava spectacle against the inky night sky, all before returning to cosy accommodation for the night. If you have a car, you can do this adventure independently. I wouldn’t recommend doing it without a car, though, as getting a bus back at night is very tricky.
Masaya is popular for the handmade crafts curated by the local people. Head to Mercado Artesanias and Mercado Municipal to window-shop or purchase souvenirs!
For the most stunning view over Granada, the islands, and the lake, you need to climb the stairs of this gorgeous cathedral. I recommend going at sunset to be wowed by the fantastic panorama. Expect to pay 27 córdobas to get up there.
Calle La Calzada is a great place to go out at night and enjoy a lively atmosphere. Many local families with people of all ages gather here on weekend nights. You have plenty of bars and restaurants with all types of music and food to choose from! A visit to the Calle La Calzada is a great way to check out local culture and customs.
There are many beautiful buildings, cathedrals and plazas to be explored around the historic town centre. This area is safe to walk around during the day, but do take care at night. It is best to start at the Central Plaza where the Immaculate Conception of Mary Cathedral Church is. It is possible to go up to the top to see the views of Granada and the Central Plaza. More points of interest are: Iglesia Xalteva, Iglesia Guadalupe and Iglesia de la Merced, where you can also climb up for views of Granada and its main cathedral.
This 1,344 metre-high volcano towers above Granada – you can really see it from anywhere! You can go it alone or join a group tour to the summit. There are three different hikes to choose from. The more advanced routes, El Tigrillo and El Puma, do need to be done with a guide, however, which does add to the cost. The Crater Trail can be done independently and costs just 2 USD to enter. You can take a shuttle to the summit for 20 USD.
The Islands of Granada have been formed by the explosion of the Mombacho Volcano in the 16th century. Today, most of them are inhabited by local people, but some of them have tourist infrastructure. Kayaks can be rented from the Granada Malecon for 15 dollars for the whole day.
