Why now is the perfect time to visit Spain's most overlooked city

Cruz de Mayo and Corpus Christi celebrations make for a lively May in the Spanish city. 

Why go now?

May is a delightful month in Granada, before the heat makes sightseeing tiring. The colourful Cruz de Mayo festival takes place on May 3, when floral crosses appear all over the city, then from May 26 to June 2 the Corpus Christi celebrations fill the streets with music, dancing and processions. easyJet (easyjet.com) flies from Manchester and Gatwick and British Airways (britishairways.com) has a service from London City. 

Granada city map

Stay here

The Casa Morisca (1) occupies a traditional house around a courtyard dating from the 15th century. Book the Mirador room for a view of the Alhambra (telegraph.co.uk/tt-casamorisca). Doubles from €90 (￡79); breakfast €13. 

Or try the stylish, no-fuss Room Mate Leo (2) right in the shopping centre and within walking distance of most sights (telegraph.co.uk/tt-mateleo). Doubles from €70; breakfast €9.

Room Mate Leo

Granada, Andalucia, Spain

7Telegraph expert rating

It may not be overflowing with facilities, but on just about every other count Granada’s Room Mate Leo delivers. Stylish, sensibly priced rooms, a convenient, central location and some of the best staff around make it an attractive bet for a city break on a budget. Read expert review From ￡43per night Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com

Walk here

Fall under Granada’s spell in the steep cobbled lanes of the Albaicín opposite the Alhambra (3), where flowers tumble over high white walls. Just off Plaza Nueva (4), walk up Calle Calderería Nueva, lined with Arab tea rooms, then wiggle on upwards, following signs to the Mirador de San Nicolás (5), for stunning views. 

See this

Wandering around the intricately decorated rooms and the voluptuous gardens of the palace created by the Nasrids, the final Islamic dynasty to rule in Andalucía, is an unforgettable experience. You can buy Alhambra tickets online in advance (tickets.alhambra-patronato.es; €14).  

Try this

Soak up a bit of Moorish culture while relaxing in the thermal pools at the Hammam Al Andalus (6) (Calle Santa Ana 16; granada.hammamalandalus.com) below the Alhambra. From €35.

Shop here

Embossed leatherwork is just one of Granada’s craft traditions. Munira (7) (Plaza Nueva 15; munira.net) has brought the technique into the 21st century with covetable handbags, as well as silk scarves and jewellery created from patterns in the Alhambra. You can see the artisans in action too.  

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Drink here

Order a tinto de verano (red wine with lemonade over ice) on the roof terrace at El Huerto de Juan Ranas (8) (Callejón Atarazana Vieja 6&8; elhuertodejuanranas.com), which has a mesmeric view. Drinks from €4. 

Eat here 

You usually get a free tapa with every drink in Granada, so often don’t actually have to order food at all. But for a contemporary take on local cuisine, try La Milagrosa Irreverente (9) (Calle Jáudenes 1, Plaza Alhóndiga; lamilagrosairreverente.com) where you can have tapas, cocktails or coffee as well as a sit-down meal. Around €30 for dinner with wine.

Off the map

There are regular buses to the village of Fuente Vaqueros, 15 miles (25km) west, where the poet and playwright Federico García Lorca was born. His family home is now a museum (patronatogarcialorca.org; €1.80).