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Let’s discuss how to enjoy tapas in Granada, shall we!? Recently someone asked me if I could live anywhere in the world where would it be. Well, I want to visit tons of places but out of those locations I have been, Granada definitely holds a special place in my heart. From the food, the culture, the rolling hills, and the history of The Alhambra, this city is so special and the tapas are no exception.
As I continue to travel to new places, I love to explore the local cuisine as much as possible. When I cook, I like trying dishes from other cultures. When it comes to tapas, there are so many variations to pick from. You can simply choose the freshest ingredients you can find and you can create a tapa. I’ve even enjoyed homemade tapas while staying in a hotel room without a kitchen!
So while you can absolutely enjoy tapas at home, let’s dive into how to “go for tapas” in Granada, Spain!
The City of Granada
One beautiful thing about Granada is how pedestrian-friendly the city is. Granada is extremely walkable but you’ll want to keep in mind that it is at the foot of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and it can be rather hilly, especially in the area known as the Albaicín. Be sure to pack reliable walking shoes so that you can get your steps in. Nothing better than working up an appetite before you head out for some drinks and tapas.
You’ll definitely do some walking if you decide to tour The Alhambra and Generalife. The vast “Red Castle” offers breathtaking views and a grand history dating back to the 9th century. If you plan to visit, be sure to book in advance.
This is also one tour I would recommend taking with an actual tour guide. I have done both a self-guided tour as well as one with a tour guide and the latter remains one of my favorite tours to date.
First Things First
If you are unfamiliar with tapas, they are typically small savory bites or snacks served when ordering an alcoholic beverage. Tapas are thought to have originated in southern Spain in the region known as Andalusia. The theory explained to me was that, if bar owners serve salty snacks, patrons will want to drink more.
Whether or not that is true, I may not know but it sure does make sense. It is common to see olives, manchego cheese, chorizo, jamon, and other cured meats served alongside a slice of bread. All of the aforementioned items will definitely have you ready for another drink.
While you will find a version of tapas in different parts of Spain, nothing compares to tapas in Granada. In Andalusia, the tapas culture is ever-present. Going out with friends for tapas is a huge part of the culture.
Typically, I’ve found it best to hop around from place to place to experience the true essence of going out for tapas. This gets very difficult to do once you find somewhere really good as you’ll want to keep trying new things.
Are Tapas Really Free in Granada?
When I traveled to Granada with Courtney and Mom, I’m not sure they believed we would actually get a free tapa with a glass of cava. I didn’t make it up and they saw for themselves just how exciting going for tapas could be!
While you may find tapas throughout much of Spain, they aren’t always free. In fact, even in Sevilla where tapas are found all over, you often will have to order and pay for your food. In Granada on the other hand, tapas are almost always complimentary with the purchase of a drink.
When you get a free tapa with a drink, you often don’t get to choose what type of food you are given. This might be difficult if you have food restrictions so just a heads up. Since I love food and will literally eat anything, this is all part of the fun!
So yes, tapas really are free when you purchase a beverage such as a beer or glass of wine.
You Should Know
- It is important to know that in southern Spain, people tend to eat dinner later. It is not uncommon to go for dinner or an entire meal of tapas around 8 or 9 pm which is later than you might be used to eating.
- In Spain, you won’t really see the locals ordering sangria. Instead, ask for a tinto de verano which is red wine and lemon-lime soda. It can be very refreshing during the warmer months!
- You can typically still order larger portions from the restaurant’s menu.
- Don’t miss these spots:
- Bar Los Diamantés
- Rincón de Rodri
- Ibéricos & Alhambra
How to Enjoy Tapas in Granada
While I try to mix it up when it comes to traveling to new cities, Granada remains one city that I really make an effort to visit whenever I am in Spain.
I hope you found this post helpful as you plan your trip to Spain, I truly hope you find Granada as beautiful and special as I do. More importantly, I hope you get to try some delicious tapas along the way!
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Safe and healthy travels!
