After the winter months that have colder temperatures and shorter days, April has people in Granada celebrating the arrival of spring. The days are becoming warmer and at the end of the month even the evenings can be mild and temperate.
Those who decide to holiday during this spring month will miss the crowds that come throughout the summer, even the Alhambra can be visited with some solitude. As well, hotel deals and lower prices are still available.
The average temperature in April is 12°C (54°F), The average high temperature during the month is 17°C (63°F) and there is an average low temperature of 6°C (43°F). The month typically warms from beginning to end, and the end of April features some gorgeous sunny days where the plazas of Granada are crowded and the streets come to life.
After the cold air of winter, locals and visitors in Granada in April are ready to escape their homes and hotels and be outdoors. The sunny and warmer days of April see the first terraces open across the city.
April has more precipitation than later in year, for example in June and July, and even experiences more rain than in May. Historically, 52 mm of precipitation fell in Granada in April, and there has been an average of 12 rainy days throughout the month. Visitors should be prepared for a few days of rain while on holiday in April.
Throughout the month the days become longer. Overall, there is an average of 7 hours of daylight during the month of April. The month of May continues to experience longer days as well and sun setting later and later over the Spanish city.
April is a month of good days and bad days, the weather is occasionally unpredictable and can change as a single day progresses. Visitors should be optimistic that there will be plenty of sunshine, but be prepared for some rain and cool temperatures as well.
The five guest rooms at the Hotel Palacio de Mariana Pineda are a mixture of traditional and contemporary design, which results in a surprisingly charming space to relax while on holiday. The comfortable, four-poster beds are complimented by exposed dark woods, yet contrasted against colorful and modern chairs. Throughout the hotel, the décor is combination of things that should not work, but do. The stately bathrooms are ideal for relaxing at the end of a crisp April day, and the cozy courtyard is perfect for a drink and conversation day or night.
If the weather is warm and pleasant the Carmen del Cobertizo delivers beautiful spaces to enjoy the outdoors, yet if the April weather turns to clouds and cold there is likewise indoor space to relax at this old-school hotel. The carefully decorated rooms at Carmen del Cobertizo are bright and welcoming. The design is a beautiful balance of creams and pastel colors that comes across as soothing, instead of boring. The true elegance of the Carmen del Cobertizo comes across through the outdoor areas of the hotel, the gorgeous gardens and rooftop terrace.
For a modern take on cosiness and comfort, guests should consider Room Mate Leo. The hotel is conveniently located down a pedestrian street near the Plaza de Bib-Rambla and near many of the shops and restaurants of central Granada. A top floor terrace has views of the Alhambra, and the guest rooms are sleek, trendy and contemporary. A stay at Room Mate Leo is both tranquil and chic.
Many visitors to Granada take the opportunity to visit the Sacromonte neighborhood, whether on their own or through a guided tour. However, most people do not move past the touristy restaurants that line the main street, Camino del Sacromonte. It is a mistake, this hippy enclave has some great places to eat. One of which has long been Casa Juanillo. The owner of Casa Juanillo comes from a family of flamenco dancers, and from impromptu performances to a menu based on the cuisine of the gypsies living in the Sacromonte neighborhood, this restaurant embraces and pays homage to all aspects of life in this fascinating neighborhood. Oh, and the sweeping view of the Alhambra isn't bad either.
Another restaurant in tune with the traditions and culture of its surroundings is Bar Casa Julio. Located in Plaza Nuevo, Bar Casa Julio specializes in creating amazing tapas, specifically fish tapas. Frequently considered one of Granada's best tapas restaurants, Bar Casa Julio is always crowded. However, the crowds quickly feel like a necessary part of the restaurant's atmosphere and ultimately add to the entire experience. There is no website, for this old-school place so turn up and hope for some space at the bar.
Great Spanish food is served at all meal times at La Cuchara de Carmela. The staff at La Cuchara de Carmela provides friendly and efficient service and the food is delicious. There are tapas on the menu, and per tradition in Granada a free one comes with each drink, however this is one restaurant where the main dishes are just as much a highlight as the small plates.
The mild days of April can be the prefect time of year to visit the Alhambra. The Alhambra is the most popular tourist attraction in Spain, and the reason many visitors come to Granada. At the height of summer 6,000 tourists will visit the Alhambra every day. The impressive building, which is part Moorish fortress, part Arab palace and later the building site for a Christian church and the Renaissance palace named Palacio de Carlos V. The Alhambra is situated on a hillside that overlooks the entire city. With the Sierra Nevada Mountains on its other side, the Alhambra had an impressive and strategic location for battle and protection during the time of the Moors.
A visit to the Alhambra is a history lesson, within an architecture class, all wrapped in an art exhibit. There is so much to see and experience; a visit to the Alhambra literally transports visitors to another place and time. It can take hours to wander the impressive structures still standing at this historic monument, and as a visit to the Alhambra is akin to a spiritual journey for many, there is no need to rush a single part of the experience.
The Albaicín, known by its original Arab name as El Albayzín is the most historical and one of the oldest neighborhood in Granada. In 1984 the entire Albaicín area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors could spend an entire day wandering up and down the tiny, hillside streets and still find there is architecture to see, restaurants to visit, and terraces on which to sip a glass of red wine. The Albaicín was the center of Arab culture and life in Granada for a long time, and a stroll through the historic neighborhood reveals fascinating signs of this influential culture.
