Islands • Nature & Wildlife Areas
Top Things to Do in Granada
Things to Do in Granada
Book these experiences for a close-up look at Granada.
Top Attractions in Granada
Churches & Cathedrals
Speciality Museums
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Churches & Cathedrals
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Fountains
Speciality Museums
Open now
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
What travellers are saying
- Patti SMinneapolis, MN4 contributionsWe toured the Islets via Kayak. Our tour guide - Lorenzo from Abdalah Tours - was knowledgeable and friendly. He made sure that our expectations were being met.Written 4 April 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Rowan HCairns, Australia1,332 contributionsThe 1345m Mombacho volcano dominates the Granada skyline. Responsible for the creation of the Islets of Granada after a massive explosion some 20000 years ago, it still steams and smokes although thankfully hasn’t erupted for many decades.
A popular day tour from Granada you can visit the Caldera of this volcano, its cloud forest, take in the surrounding views of granada and undertake one of its three hiking trails.
Logistically you have a couple of options here.
* Most hostels offer an all inclusive tour for 33USD. This includes transport to and from the hostel, the truck up the hill (See later) and a guided tour of the crater.
* You can travel here yourself. We did this. You walk to the ‘Nueva terminal de buses a Rivas’ in granada (look this up in google maps) and get one of the buses going to ‘Nandaime’ (this will be written on the front of the bus). Ask to be dropped of at ‘La Entrada de Mombacho’. It takes about half an hour to get here and it costs 10 cordoba (although we were charged 10, 12 and 13 respectively so they may make up the price a bit). This will drop you off adjacent to the round about where the entry comes off. You can monitor yourself on google maps as the bus drives. From here you can walk the relatively flat 2km or so to the entrance to Reserva Natura Volcan Mombacho or get one of the numerous tuk tuks there. We walked. Once you get to the entrance of the Mombacho volcano you’ve once again got a couple of choices. You can pay the entry fee of 5USD and walk up to the caldera (where the hiking trails start) yourself. This is a truly terrible idea. The walk has virtually no views and has inclinations of up to 45 degrees at a time. It’s truly exhausting and takes a couple of hours. Your second choice would be to pay 22USD and get the truck return. The truck leaves when it gets a certain number of people (7) or otherwise at set times (1030am was quoted). There is also a couple of private tour companies that will take you up for 22USD in their 4WD’s and give you a guide. It is worth noting that the 22USD includes the 5USD entry fee so its only 17USD.
Once at the Caldera you can chose between 3 different hiking trails.
(1) Mombacho crater trail - this 1.9km (88m elevation) trail is free and does a loop of the caldera. You are afforded some lovely views of Granada and the Islets of granada from some set miradors. You don’t need a guide for this.
(2) El Tirgillo Trail - Must be done with a guide at a cost of 17USD. It comes off the Mombacho crater trail and takes you to two additional viewpoints. It takes 2.5 hours to compete.
(3) El Puma Trail - Must be done with a guide at a cost of 17USD. This trail is 4km long and takes four hours to complete. It is the most difficult of the hikes.
The day we visited the weather wasn’t the best and this is often the case at the top of Mombacho which seems to have its own microclimate within the volcano caldera. Unfortunately we did not encounter any sloths or notable wildlife and our views were impacted by cloud. We did the crater trail. The road leading to the top had been damaged by hurricane Julia but they were in the process of repairing it.
I think on a better day the experience could’ve been better.
Overall I thought it was fairly overpriced particularly compared to other attractions in Nicuragua.
I think it’s probably worth doing but pick a day of better weather.Written 15 October 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Michele LLangley, Canada19 contributionsAll the churches here are amazing to pop into. The views from the bell tower are so worth seeing! Especially at sunset.Written 27 February 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- MichelejodouinOttawa, Canada48 contributionsWe were 4 adults who each paid $25 US for a 90 minute workshop. The guide was very knowledgeable and we enjoyed this learning experience. However, another person first sat close to our group to listen, then decided to join the activities, without paying, and our guide never said anything! On the contrary, he started to include the intruder in all activities, and all tastings. I felt it quite unfair. Charge us less if you are going to let others join free.Written 7 December 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Veronika WHuntington Beach, CA8 contributionsWhat an awesome and unique experience!!!! My friend and I went to the Magician Lounge during our stay in Granada and we are so glad we did. This is so much more than magic. Go there and check it out for yourself.Written 14 February 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Michele LLangley, Canada19 contributionsBeautiful old chuck, amazing the history in here! Try to go up every bell tower you can! The view will not disappoint.Written 27 February 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- LolaGo1Washington DC, DC6,081 contributionsThis is one of the Catholic Churches that I visited in Granada on my first day in this city. It was the only one where I was required to wear a mask and my hands were sprayed with disenfectant.
What also distinguishes it from the other churches is the image of our Lady of Guadalupe at the upper part of the front facade. I said my prayers and took some pictures here.Written 4 December 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Yoknapotawpha35 contributionsThis museum lays out the entire early history of the San Francisco Convent as well as Nicaragua & Granada. It is good for older children, but not your children.Written 4 October 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Rowan HCairns, Australia1,332 contributionsThis gorgeous central plaza is possibly the most picturesque in Central America.
Featuring colonial architecture its most famous feature is the stunning Granada Cathedral (Immaculate Conception of Mary Cathedral Church). This alone makes it worth the visit.
Unfortunately being the epicentre of a tourist focused town this park also features a lot of tour providers hawking their tours so it isn’t a relaxing place to linger as you are constantly being approached by salemen. I would also advise against coming here at night as I did note a man getting a BJ from a lady of the night at 9pm at night while walking past.Written 15 October 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Marie H9 contributionsA lovely place to visit in the morning. It is a non commercial project. Most important is that the butterflies get good possibilities to survive, not to show tourists around. Still this kind of project costs so just visit the place so it can survive!Written 21 February 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- LolaGo1Washington DC, DC6,081 contributionsI briefly rested here during my walk around Granada. Taking photos of my surroundings, I noted the cathedral near by, statues, vendors selling their wares, horses and their carriages, colonial buildings, Christmas decorations, etc. I enjoyed my rest here.Written 5 December 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Lara HToronto, Canada48 contributionsGood info (some in English) on the history of the peoples and cultures of this area, and when I was there, a very interesting small exhibit of contemporary art at the back.Written 15 February 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- LolaGo1Washington DC, DC6,081 contributionsDuring the day, there is not much to do here. It is a main thoroughfare from the city center to the Malecon or the area near the lake. In the evening, there are restaurans and other establishments open for business here. Have fun!Written 4 December 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Michele LLangley, Canada19 contributionsWe went through the cemetary on horse/carriage but also a cool place to stroll through. Lots of history, beautiful marble - very glad we made this a stopWritten 27 February 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Marianella OSan Francisco, CA11 contributionsWe loved this place! The only thing I did not like was that drinks (even soft drinks and juice) were limited per person (2) for the entire day! We arrived at noon and left at 4:30pm - drinks should have flowed given the hot weather at no additional charge - or, charge a flat rate for non-alcoholic drinks for the day - we would gladly pay, but paying extra per drink per time ordered seems a bit excessive. Other than that, the food was delicious (we ordered caballo Bayo package) and the trip in lancha (boat) was awesome. The lacha driver was knowledgeable of the lake, nearby attractions and history of Granada and the isletas. We will go back!Written 24 October 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Granada
- The top attractions to visit in Granada are: See all attractions in Granada on Tripadvisor
- The best outdoor activities in Granada according to Tripadvisor travellers are:
- Islets of Granada
- Mombacho Volcano
- Nicaragua Butterfly Reserve
- Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve
- Zapatera Island
- The best day trips from Granada according to Tripadvisor travellers are:
- Full Day Nicaragua Tour from Costa Rica
- Private -Full day tour: Granada City + Boat ride+Handicraft Market+Lava Tour
- Nicaragua One Day Expedition from Costa Rica
- Private Full Day in Granada city +lake +handicraft market + Masaya volcano
- Full Day Tour in Granada with Volcano Visit
- The most popular things to do in Granada with children according to Tripadvisor travellers are:See all kid friendly things to do in Granada on Tripadvisor
Granada Attractions Information
| Attractions | 140 |
|---|---|
| Attraction Reviews | 11,512 |
| Attraction Photos | 8,045 |
| Local Time | Thursday 4:46 pm |