When it comes to Europe, it’s almost impossible to pick just one place to visit.
It’s a beautiful, culturally diverse continent where almost every city has its own unique look and feel.
Europe is also a destination with a reputation for knowing how to get your wallet out of your pocket!
But visiting Europe doesn’t have to be expensive. You just have to choose the right destination!
Spending time in London, Paris, or Copenhagen isn’t going to come cheap.
But according to new research from Omio, the best low-budget destination for travelers in Europe is the beautiful and historic Spanish city of Granada.
Free Things To See And Do
One of the main reasons Granada ranked so highly in the Omio report is the abundance of free things to see and do in the city.
In fact, the report states that there are a whopping 112 free attractions in the city. This includes 10 free-to-enter museums.
The best of these include The Federico García Lorca Center, which is an arts and culture center hosting regular events and changing exhibits.
The center also includes a permanent exhibit of one of Granada’s most famous sons: The poet Federico Garcia Lorca.
Close to the Alhambra you will find the Carmen de los Mártires which is a beautiful building with an orchard and European-style garden. A great place to take a moment of calm and relaxation.
The Outstanding Alhambra
The most significant thing to do in the city is visit the iconic Alhambra: by far the most famous building in Granada.
The Alhambra is a palace and fortress complex. It is built in Islamic style, and is the best and most well-known example of Islamic architecture not only in Spain but in Western Europe.
There is an entrance fee to see the main palace complex in the Alhambra (with prices starting from 10.60 euros or $11.50 per person) but if you only visit one sight in Granada, this should be it!
The Palace is famous for its stunning fretwork, perfectly maintained courtyards, and numerous fountains.
But the Nasrid building, which is considered the heart of the complex, is where the royals actually lived and is the most ornate as a result.
If you want to visit the site without spending a penny, then you can visit The Palace of Charles V, which houses the Alhambra Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts within the Alhambra complex, completely free of charge.
Incredible Architecture
The architecture in Granada is so outstanding that it should be considered an attraction in its own right.
Granada was the last city to be reconquered by the Catholic Monarchs in 1492 so many of the buildings here have a distinctive Moorish influence.
In fact, you’ll wonder if you’re in Europe or in North Africa at certain points!
Be sure to see the Catedral de Granada, even if you only admire the exterior architectural details.
Then go inside the Monasterio de San Jerónimo, which was built in a Renaissance style and is as beautiful on the inside as it is on the outside.
This was the first Christian monastery to be constructed after the reconquest of the Catholic Monarchs and it exudes a spirit of celebration.
You will need a ticket to enter, which you can buy in advance and each ticket is priced at 6 euros ($6.50)
Granada isn’t the most walkable city in Europe. But the good news is that you can get a sightseeing bus tour ticket for just 6 euros ($6.50), meaning that you can hop on and hop off between all the city’s main attractions.
This is one of the most affordable sightseeing buses in Western Europe.
Granada’s Nightlife
Finally after all that sightseeing, it’s time to hit the town. Because Granada has a very active (and affordable) nightlife scene. According to Omio, there are a whopping 86 bars and nightclubs in the city where you can buy a beer for just over $2.
What’s more, there’s no need to fork out for a pricey meal before you hit the bars.
Granada has a long-standing tradition of offering free tapas with each drink ordered, adding to the value of your night out even more!
In most bars, you won’t have a choice of the tapas you are offered: a small plate will just be brought to your table with your drinks.
Other bars will have a chalkboard on a bar, and you can choose from several options, which often change on a regular basis.
Some of the best free tapas dishes to try in Granada include calamares (squid), gambas (shrimp), Jambon iberico, or croquettes.
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