Perhaps at no other time of the year is there a greater contrast in Granada than between August and September. The summer heat, at its strongest during the month of August, makes for a sleepy month in the city. Most locals spend it on the coast and many businesses, including popular bars and restaurants, close for the entire month.
Come September, the city reawakens and bursts back to life. Shops and restaurants reopen, tourists return in droves as temperatures subside, and the influx of students at the Universidad de Granada is noticeable everywhere you look. There is a renewed energy that can be felt about town at this time of the year.
The autumn months are a perfect time to visit and explore Granada. Comfortable weather, what would still be considered summer in many parts of the world, can last into late November. White villages tucked away in the valleys of the Sierra Nevada, hiking trails with breathtaking views and coastal beach towns still buzzing with activity (but without the crowds) lay ready to be explored on a sunny day trip or weekend getaway. The city’s cultural agenda is also busy during autumn, with many festivals, concerts and local celebrations taking place.
The September festivities honoring Nuestra Señora de las Angustias, the patroness of the city of Granada, are covered on pages 32-33 and should be on every visitor’s to-do list. In October, treat yourself to the absurd and the spooky by partaking in the Romería del Meñique, a rowdy and festive procession through the Albaicín paying ode to an amputated toe, and by visiting the bewitching village of Soportújar in the Alpujarra. You will find all the information you need in this edition of the StayLonger Guide. In November, be on the lookout for Granada’s 44th International Jazz Festival and the Hocus Pocus Magic Festival, both featured in our Agenda section.
As the leaves change color and nights become longer and cooler, a late evening stroll through the city center is the perfect way to end the day. Be sure to try roasted chestnuts sold on street corners (see page 28-29), and perhaps even get an early start on your Christmas shopping.
