Granada is situated in the Southern Andalucia region near the Sierra Nevada mountains. It is one of the most compelling cities to explore in Spain, rich in historical and medieval architecture.
Explore this beautiful city and what it has to offer with these free ideas for your holiday to Granada on a budget.
Free food: Granada is well-known for the complimentary tapa offered when buying a drink. Most bars and restaurants through the city give you a free snack when you order a beer, wine or a soft drink. They charge you the cost of the drink only. There are many varieties of free Tapas to be found in Granada.
Free garden visit: Carmen de los Martires is a beautiful location, a short walk from the Alhambra entrance. This Carmen is set in large formal gardens on two levels. The grounds are full of fountains and flowers. You will also see peacocks wandering around the grounds. There are good views of Granada from the terrace which makes a great way to see the city at a glance. 
Free magazines: Many bars, shops and restaurants around the city have free guides to take away with you. The Sentinella is in English and has information about the Costa Tropical and Granada. La Balconada has information about the Valley of Lecrin, Durcal and surroundings. Pocket Guia, Guia Go and Yuzin are all in Spanish. They have listings for Granada city. Even though they are in Spanish, they are easily understood as the times and places are clear even if you don´t speak the language.
Free palace visit: The Alhambra Museum is on the ground floor of the Palacio Carlos V. So that´s a free visit to a palace and a museum at the same time! (You don´t need to have a valid entrance ticket to the Alhambra to get here.) The museum has ceramics, some furniture and even antique coin pieces on exhibit. They were all part of the Alhambra Palace centuries ago. The temporary exhibitions are always of interest. Expert volunteers often organize guided tours (usually at 12 noon) which are full of fascinating facts too.
The best view in town: One of the ´must see´ places in Granada is the view from the Mirador de San Nicolas. Walk up from Plaza Nueva through the Albaicin and find an area on the wall. Enjoy the sunset over the Alhambra palace, the Sierra Nevada Mountains and across the city below. The Andalusian sunsets in Granada are amazing.
Free story: The history behind the building Corrala del Carbon always captures the imagination of visitors. Located behind the town hall, just off Reyes Catolicos. This was built in 1336. It is the only remaining caravanserai left in Spain. This was an inn and warehouse built around a large court for accommodating the foreign merchants. These salesmen would travel with their caravans along trade routes from central and western Asia into Europe. The lower part of the building was for storage of goods and animals. The upper part was for the merchant's rooms. The detailed entrance consists of a large archway with a small door which helped to protect the privacy of the traders inside. During different periods of time, this was used for coal trading, a comedy show and even as an inn.
Free information: Visitors to Granada have three tourist information offices available. They have plenty of information on the city and province. Take away free leaflets and city maps with you to plan your day. Find offices are in Mariana Pineda Square and Plaza Nueva (Calle Santa Ana), the office at Calle Virgen Blanca specializes in Granada province. (this is near to Calle Neptuno & Frederico Garcia Lorca park)
Free internet: Free Internet or Wifi is offered in shops and restaurants. Some newspaper kiosks even offer free connections. So keep your eyes peeled for the typical black and white WIFI sign on the walls of places you visit.
Free day out: Granada is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Hiking trails around the Sierra Nevada are not to be missed and if staying in one of the Alpujarras Villas you can take advantage of the walking trails which are free of course. There are also routes that lead from Granada city itself around the woods above the Alhambra or across the Sacromonte neighbourhood. 
Free prayers: Many of the churches in Granada do not charge to enter. Some of them have wonderful architectural features and altar decoration. Some of the churches in the city used to be mosques. Their redesign would have been done after 1492 by the Catholic Kings. The Santa Ana church in Plaza Nueva is a clear example of this reuse of buildings.
Free scenery: Taking photos is free in Granada. With such varied scenery you´ll be sure to take some impressive holiday photos home. Whether it is a whirling flamenco dancer or intricate Alhambra mosaic you will find plenty to capture on your camera.
Free Spanish Lessons: In Granada, as there are lots of University students learning Spanish, there are lots of Language exchanges taking place. Casa Lopez Correa at Calle Molinos runs a Spanish/English exchange each week. There are several other ones too. The Spanish person will speak English for 10 mins and then you get to practice your Spanish for 10 minutes.
Free museum entrance: In Granada, many exhibitions are on offer around the city in the museums and historic buildings. You´ll often find that many are free, currently there over free 20 museums in Granada. The information is often in local newspapers the day before an exhibition opens. As well as the Alhambra museum, the Museum Casa de los Tiros is also free to enter. The highlight here is the Cuarto Dorado or Golden room. Another place of interest is on Paseo de Los Tristes, just up from Plaza Nueva, an 11th-century Arab bathhouse. Known as El Bañuelo, the entrance is free, they may ask you which country you come from as you go in, for their statistics. This is one of the oldest Moorish buildings remaining in Granada. Notice the beautiful star-shaped vents in the ceiling which would have once let the steam out from the baths.
Free swim: Stay in a villa on the Costa Tropical and visit the unspoiled beaches on the coast of Granada. Head to Torrenueva, La Herradura or Salobreña and take a free, refreshing swim in the sea.
Free children´s ticket: Many museums and places of interest don´t charge children under 12.Check the conditions when paying at the ticket desk. The local buses in Granada are free for children 4 years old and under.