Top Things to do in Granada
The 10 Best Things to Do in Granada, Nicaragua
Drawn by year-round warm weather, colonial-era architecture and the freshwater Lake Nicaragua, travelers from around the world are flocking to Granada. Eco-tourists will love visiting the dormant Mombacho volcano, sailing on the lake and ziplining through the trees. Fans of spa treatments and shopping will find plenty to do, too.
Restaurants in Granada
1. Mombacho Cigars
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 204 reviews
Cigar Factory and Cigar Lounge.
Reviewed By YogiJuancarlos - New York City, New York
One of the Top attractions in Granada! Highly recommended to those who enjoy beautiful architecture, Good service, Reasonable prices and want to see up close a Nicaraguan Trade.
I honestly did not know what to expect as a non Cigar smoker. From the moment you walk in though you feel totally welcomed and are promptly by one of the friendly staff members. This is not your average factory, as its located in a beautiful old mansion which by itself is a true architectural beauty. We decided to take one of their tours and totally glad we did. Our tour guide was full of knowledge and educated us on the whole Cigar cultivation. We got a nice behind the scene look at how the Tobacco leafs are cultivated, preserved, rolled and all in between. It was a true learning experience.
2. Iglesia de La Merced
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 811 reviews
Reviewed By A TripAdvisor Member
Enjoyed a quick visit up the bell tower of the Iglesia de la merced. Paid 30 Cordobas. Climbed steep, narrow stairs to a lovely view over the city and the Cathedral. Great breeze on a hot day!
3. Islets of Granada
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
We have the best services to make a tours in the islets, with the best boats.
Reviewed By robnkim - alberta
we traveled through the isletas in a boat on a tour. they tell you the story about them, that there are 365 of them, and point out some of the more interesting ones. The only disappointment was the fact that monkey island has 3 monkeys, despite them telling you its a monkey island, its not.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 684 reviews
Reviewed By Michael B
As beautiful as the church’s facade is, the breathtaking moments come inside, as your turn your face toward the ceiling. An artist is currently adorning the ceiling panels with murals depicting the stories of the Bible. At a rate of one painting every three or four months, it will be a while before completion. What is there today, though, is definitively worth a look.
5. Mombacho Volcano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By indefatigable - Sheffielduk
First, if you are looking here for information visit the official website that links at the top of the page! It will give you full information on opening times and hike choices. It's not perfect, after all this is Nicaragua, but it is more accurate than Lonely Planet Guide or Footprint.
So how did we do? It is an easy self drive or taxi from Granada, about 20 minutes. The road to the park is a left turn off the main road and signposted with a large green sign.
This takes you to a reception and car park with signage in english explaining your options. It all seems a bit Snafu particularly as the access shuttle changes on different days of the week- see the website, but at either 8.00am or 8.30am, 10.00am or 10.30am having paid your entrance fee ($20) you climb onto a converted truck and head on into the park. The access road is very long and very steep- don't even think of walking into the park. Honestly, it would be a very serious mistake.
You are allowed to pay to drive in with a AWD ( Four wheel Drive) but I cannot advise an how they time your entry in this circumstance.
Anyway, after a drive up the hill you waste 10 minutes hanging around at a 'half way house'. You have to get off the truck and hang around, whether this is to bring business to the cafe, or to allow the trucks to time the single file track, I don't know but it's irritating. Eventually you get moved up the second stage of the track. Half the fun is getting there!
So, after about 45 minutes from base you arrive at another reception centre where you get a short but helpful talk about the volcano and your options on hikes.
Although the two shorter hikes are supposed to be accessible without guides in our case only the shorter hike was guide free. The longest hike was cancelled because there was only one english speaking guide available.
Our party of two became six and we split the cost of the guide which was to be $17 between us. The guide was good and explained lots of interesting botany and gave us lots of good information.
The hike ( the middle one- 'tigrillo') was two hours and a serious hike with stiff climbing. A reasonable grade of fitness is required. We were lucky, although cloud usually sits on Mombacho we had clear skies and the views were exceptional.
Take a picnic and water to eat either before or after your walk.
The trucks leave only occasionally back down to base reception so checkout the timetable on the volcano top as to when you can get back down.
The journey down is without pause and takes maybe 15 minutes.
If you have made your way to the park by taxi you will find there is a steady stream of taxis dropping people off and taking them back to Granada.
Apart from hanging around at base reception and getting slow access up the volcano, it's a very nice short day trip and recommended. There is OK free wifi at base camp but you need to ask for the passcode at the office.
Some of the organised tours are a complete joke as you spend no time at the top of the volcano. It is easier, cheaper, more fun, and better to organise your own visit.
6. Guadalupe Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 207 reviews
Reviewed By Ginnie S - Cincinnati, Ohio
Great little church in the square of the city. amazing views from the top, so pay your $1 to make the climb. It's about 80 steps each way and get very narrow and short towards the top. Also, make sure you pay the gentleman inside the church, others outside will try to take your money.
7. ChocoMuseo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
ChocoMuseo is the new Cacao and Chocolate Museum in Granada Nicaragua.It offers a great overview of the history, the nature and the manufacturing of the cacao and the chocolate. There is a chocolate factory located inside the museum and Cacao farm tours are offered..
Reviewed By colin_bishop1941 - Budapest
This was not pre planned. We came across the museum by accident - and we are delighted we did. We joined a small group in the inside court yard. The guide was energetic to say the least and believed in all inclusive participation. He had everybody at it and we leant quickly an awful lot cocoa and its possible uses. The liveliest part was sampling the various wares leading on to drinks. The guide made sure every one was involved and nog least himself. This was one of those visits which exceeded all expectations, particularly the Delivery!
8. Parque Colon de Granada
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 128 reviews
Reviewed By marynaturelover - Los Angeles, California
Fun place to shop or sit and have a coffee or local food. Across from the church and in every direction there is something to watch and look.
9. Avenia La Calzada
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 131 reviews
Reviewed By rapha_y_nici - Canton of Zurich, Switzerland
For sure the restaurants and bars on this street are not that cheap and kind of touristic, nevertheless we liked the atmosphere. Just relax by strolling around and enjoy the nice scenery. This streets ands on the Malecon. After dark I would only stroll around on this Avenida (always enough people) but not until the Malecon. We walked here several times and always spotted something new. Recommended.
10. Mi Museo
Overall Ratings
4 based on 149 reviews
Mi Museo, Granada Collection, is a private collection of Nicaraguan Pre-Columbian ceramics. The collection contains more than 15.000 pieces which originate from the period between 2000 BC to 1550 AD. Mi Museo is located in the historical center of the oldest colonial city on the continent, Granada, in a building dating back to 1868. The building was restored with attention to its original design and preserving as many of the original features as possible.
Reviewed By Michelange M
Small museum situated near the main square of the city in a beautiful colonial building with a nice court yard. The collection is not intensive but yet very poignant . It displayed pre-Columbian art craft , ceramic , and also a nice collection of Nicaraguan painting.
