Rain in Granada won’t ruin your trip, trust me on this one. There are some lovely things to do under cover and, honestly, the downpours here tend to be short. Let me tell you what to do when the sky turns grey, so you don’t waste the day staring out of the window.
Let’s get to it.
Indoor monuments and museums
- The Cathedral and the Royal Chapel: huge, full of light and steeped in history. A spot-on plan for a rainy day.
- The Science Park: half a day under cover, ideal with the family.
- The Cartuja Monastery, a baroque gem that takes you by surprise.
- Museums in the centre: the Fine Arts Museum and the Alhambra Museum (in the Palace of Charles V).
Arab baths
If it’s raining, there’s no nicer plan than slipping into some Arab baths (a hammam) for a warm soak while the water comes down outside. It’s one of those things that feel especially good in Granada and a real treat for the body after all those hills.
And, if it really pours, go for tapas
As a last resort (or a first one, no judgement here), taking refuge at a bar for tapas is one of the best rainy-day plans there is. You go from bar to bar, dodging the downpours, and you have dinner while you’re at it. To choose well, have a look at the best tapas bars.
And the Alhambra, mind you, can be visited in the rain too (a good part of it is outdoors, but with an umbrella it’s perfectly doable). For more ideas, see the guide on things to do in Granada.
Frequently asked questions
What to do in Granada if it rains?
The Cathedral and the Royal Chapel, the Science Park, the museums, some Arab baths or, simply, take refuge and go for tapas from bar to bar.
Can you visit the Alhambra in the rain?
Yes. A good part of it is outdoors, but with an umbrella or a raincoat you can visit just the same, and it even has its charm with fewer people about. What doesn’t change is your time slot for the Nasrid Palaces.
Does it rain a lot in Granada?
Not too much, and the downpours tend to be short. Even so, in autumn and winter it’s worth having a couple of indoor plans up your sleeve, just in case.