Andalucia- a stunning location with amazing food, people, views, and history. A true backpacker’s location.
Background
I decided to solo travel to Granada and Malaga for a week in mid-December. This is the best time of the year to visit this hot destination. Malaga is the easiest, cheapest, and closest route to take when visiting Granada via plane. The two cities are perfect to combine into one trip. I recommend following my tips on this journey if you are planning a trip to southern Spain. In general, Andalucía, Spain is an ideal backpacking destination with rich culture and amazing people!
This guide will give you knowledge when planning your budget travel to the Andalucia region of Spain. If you are looking to save money while also exploring the world, this the perfect guide for you. I will describe how to get from place to place, where to stay, and some must-see attractions.
Things to do in Malaga on a budget
Malaga is a nice well-connected city. I used stayed in Malaga for one night before catching a bus to Granada the next morning. It is a large city with tons to do, so I recommend setting some time aside when planning your Andalucia travel itinerary. The following sections are some of the fun things that you can also do in Malaga on a budget.
Playa de la Malagueta
I recommend this beach in Malaga. However, because it is the closest beach to the city center, I’m sure it is overcrowded in the summer as everyone flocks to the beach. It is a very nice place to be in the evening. There is a rock terrace that you can walk out on and take in the view of the city as the sun illuminates the colorful buildings.
Malaga Park
Malaga Park is a pretty park between the city center and the beach. The park has different types of trees that provide cool shade. It is unique because the trees and plants that grow in this park are not native, but it almost seems like they were.
Mercado Central de Atarazanas
This is the famous food market in Malaga. You have likely heard about this as you begin forming your itinerary. I think it is worth checking out, at least from a broke backpacker’s perspective, because the price of food in the market is reasonable.
Alcazaba
The Alcazaba is the lower of the two monuments that share a hill above the Mediterranean and the city of Malaga. The structure is amazing, and I recommend bringing a pair of headphones because there is a QR at the entrance that leads through each station and explains the infrastructure and where the material came from. It costs only 2.50€ to enter the monument and 1.50€ for students!
Castillo de Gibralfaro
This is the highest of the two monuments mentioned in the last section. I did not have the time to visit this, but it seems amazing. It is also only 2.50€ to enter and 1.50€ as a student.
Things to do in Granada on a budget
Granada is my favorite city in all of southern Spain. The bulk of your travel to this region could easily be spent in this ancient city. The following sections will give you an idea for some things to do while on a budget in Granada.
Dehesa del Generallife
This is a beautiful park that you can hike through. It is situated above the Alhambra. Give yourself about 3 to 4 hours to thoroughly enjoy it. There are so many beautiful views of the city, mountains, vineyards, and valleys. There is even a pinnacle point where you can see all these things simultaneously!
Guejar Sierra
This little town just 35 minutes east of Granada should be at the top of your list. You can catch bus 0935 which runs from the Granada Bus Station. You can find a list of all the departure times throughout the day.
If you want to visit the Sierra Nevada Mountain range without having to trek in the snow, this is a beautiful alternative. The trail is marked by green and yellow paint. However, it sounds easier than it is… the area is not heavily trafficked, so the trails are very difficult to follow. Do not even bother using AllTrails for this area. You will start somewhere near the Fuente de Los 18 Canos (19160 Guejar Sierra, Granada, Spain).
After this all-day hike, I recommend taking a glass of wine (and tapas of course) at Bar Casa Maria located right next to the Guejar Sierra Bus Station number 2.
Alhambra
The Alhambra was so amazing that I dedicated an entire section of this article to it. Dive into the inspiration further down.
Albaicin Neighborhood
With so many cultural influences in Granada, the city ranges heavily based on those influences. I recommend wandering into each region of the city to grasp the differences. The Arabic neighborhoods just north of the Alhambra are particularly unique. I recommend wandering into the Albaicin neighborhood to understand the length of the difference between typical Spanish cities and Granada. Here, you will find white-washed buildings with a hint of sky blue. You will also find numerous small bars and restaurants advertising their nightly Flamenco dance shows.
Tapas in Granada
Tapas in Granada are famous. Tapas originated in the Andalucía region and Granada is at the heart of the region. When you order an alcoholic beverage in almost every restaurant or bar in Granada, you will receive a little appetizer. This is not just bread or crackers… this will feed you for the night. A glass of wine will also not cost you more than 3€. This means a small plate and a wine for only 3€.
This concept amazed me. Never in my life have I traveled to a place that is cheaper to eat at a restaurant than to go grocery shopping. There are over 2,000 restaurants and bars in Granada, so it is hard to pick out which ones to recommend. All I can say is that I went to the following locations, and they all satisfied: Papas Elivera, Pizzeria La Esquina Argentina, Bar Casa Maria, Bar El Autentico,
General rules with tapas in Granada:
- Go with a group of at least 2
At times, it is too much for the bar to fire a grill just for one person to order a drink. Keep this in mind and do not take it personally!
- Get at least 2 drinks at each place
Every time you order another drink, a new tapa will come to the table. Try the different options! They vary. Some bars that I experienced even brought 4 different plates out! Truly amazing.
- Do not sit yourself an hour or nearer to closing time
I did this. She was angry. Never again.
- Pay in cash
Because it is so cheap, the cost of using credit does not balance out nicely. It is also detrimental to the local business you are supporting due to unfavorable transaction fees.
- Order in Spanish!
Like any non-English speaking country in West Europe, they will appreciate if you at least try and order your drink and food in Spanish. Follow this basic guide for everything you need to know about ordering in Spanish.
How to get around Malaga and Granada on a budget
Metro in Malaga
There are two lines that run via the metro in Malaga. The C1 line (blue) is the one you will likely use when flying to Malaga. It connects the airport to the city center. It only costs around 1.50€ for a one-way ticket.
Atra buses from Malaga to Granada and back
This is generally the cheapest way to travel between the two popular destinations. A train would cost about twice the price. The buses appear every 5 or 10 minutes. If you want to beat this price, download BlaBla Car, a ride-share app that is truly the cheapest form of transportation. It is also commonly used throughout this region.
The bus system in Granada and the surrounding area
The buses in Granada are amazing. Keep in mind that as of December 2022 (when I visited) there was still a mask mandate in place for public transportation. You will not be able to enter the bus without a mask. It is much cheaper to buy your reusable ticket at a bus stop kiosk. Do not buy the tickets on the bus as they nearly double in price. But, if you need to, bring only coins to pay for it. The bus driver will turn you away if you have any bills larger than a 10.
Visiting the Alhambra in Granada
The Alhambra began construction in 1238 and is still one of the most significant cultural sites in the world. It has stunning views from the outside, but nothing beats the intricacies on the inside. It looks like a completely different place. It is also interesting that none of the artwork in the palace has pictures. It is all sculpted in Arabic writing. It is impossible to explain just how unique this place is. Due to its vastness, I will explain the best parts, in my opinion, of each section of the monument.
Generalife
Generalife is famous for its perfect gardens. This well-kept gem cools off the hot air with its fancy hedges and perfectly trimmed landscape. The garden is littered with oranges that have fallen from the orange trees. The garden leads to the Escalera del Agua and other interesting palace rooms. This is a great area to start your day, as it gets more exciting from here. Gorgeous, nonetheless.
Torre de la Vela
This is the fortress that covers the front part of the palace. It is amazing how well-kept it remained. At the top of the fortress, you will be blessed with the best views of the city and the surrounding landscape. If you time your visit correctly, you will be able to catch an absolutely stunning sunset at the top. On the way to the top, I recommend paying attention to the old ruins of Barrio Cantanerse.
Palacios Nazaries
I saved the best for last. Due to the popularity of the palace, you must schedule a time to enter. It honestly helped with cue times, so it was not a problem. Give yourself at least an hour and a half to properly explore the rooms of the palace.
The intricacies of each of the rooms are just amazing. Some of the rooms that I enjoyed the most were Patio de los Leones and Patio de Lindaraja. When you enter the rooms, you will soon realize that you have seen them on a postcard before.
Recommended Accommodations
Malaga – The Lights Hostel
This hostel is located right in the city center. It is a good location if you plan on going out for the night. This hostel invites friendly characters. There are not many long stayers, so it is perfect for meeting some friends for a few nights! The rooftop terrace is also splendid. I only paid 20€ for one night.
Granada – Oasis Backpackers Hostel
This is my favorite hostel of all time! very comfy and perfectly located about a 20-minute walk from Alhambra. What made it special were the cool people that are attracted to a place like this. I met some people who have been to that exact hostel 3 to 4 times before! That has to say something. The price of a single night here was only 18€.
Conclusion
Granada and Malaga are some of the best backpacking destinations in Europe. As I traveled here by myself, I would recommend doing the same. There is an opportunity to meet people here within the hostel life or meet someone on a hiking trail. Give yourself at least a week here! There is truly so much to do and see.
