Granada, Nicaragua, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Central America. It is a city steeped in its historic past dating back to the Spanish conquistadors with their tradition and culture. The architecture of the buildings and central square remains frozen in its former colonial style. Located on the northwestern shore of Lake Nicaragua, it was founded by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba in 1524, and named after the Spanish city of Granada. By using routes through Lake Nicaragua and the San Juan River, the city maintained economic and political power by flourishing in commerce and trade with ports all along the Atlantic Ocean,
The economy of Granada is based primarily on tourism. The city maintains this focus in everything it does, from cleaning the city, opening museums, running attractions and festivals, and most importantly, restoring former colonial structures into some of the top hotels in the country. Many of them offer not only the best rooms and service in the area, but some of the finest Nicaraguan cuisine as well.
Things to Do in Granada, Nicaragua
Based in any of the following centrally located hotels, there are a number of things to do in Granada including a walk on the main square, called the Parque Central, or a city tour in one of the many horse-drawn carriages. The Parque Central offers in a single view, what Granada is all about: the beautifully restored Granada Cathedral, the colonial buildings, restaurants, gazebo, and the general warm heart of the city. The horse-drawn carriage tour is a wonderful way to see the rest of the city and some of its landmarks: the narrow streets, colorful houses and most importantly, the Iglesia San Francisco, painted in its pastel blue, which reminds one of a wedding cake.
For a day trip away from the city, the shores of the large Lake Nicaragua and the Isletas of Granada are nearby. The Isletas consist of over 360 small islands that were once the former cone of the once active Mombacho volcano. Today, this extinct landmark is a quiet nature reserve that offers tours and scenic hikes to its highest point at 4,953 feet where spectacular views can be seen of the lake and Granada.
Best Hotels in Granada, Nicaragua
La Gran Francia
La Gran Francia is located near one corner of the Parque Central. Historians date the building back to the beginning of Granada in 1524. It was beautifully restored in1995 to its original glory and transformed into one of the best hotels in Granada. It offers 21 air-conditioned rooms, a pool and a restaurant with some of the finest cuisine in the area. The dining area of the restaurant is inside the building in a quiet courtyard with soothing fountains.
Hotel Granada
The Hotel Granada is the largest hotel in the city. Once a fortress, it was transformed into a beautiful colonial style resort hotel in 1976. It offers 34 air-conditioned rooms which includes 14 junior suites. The suites are designed in a 16th century colonial style with locally made wood carvings and furniture. Each room also includes all of the modern amenities such as wireless Internet, private baths and hot water.
Hotel Plaza Colón
The Hotel Plaza Colón is located right in front of the Parque Central within walking distance of all of the major attractions that Granada has to offer. It is a restored antique colonial house in its original design with balconies that offer a great view of the square and the Granada Cathedral. It offers all of the amenities of a modern hotel including large comfortable beds, air-conditioning and their very popular private balconies.
Hotel Dario
The Hotel Dario, named after the country's most respected poet, Rubén Darío, is located approximately 300 yards from the Parque Central. It is a restored Neo-Classic building from the early 19th century complete with a beautiful and peaceful courtyard. It offers 22 modern rooms with all of the amenities of a modern hotel including air-conditioning and wireless Internet. The in-house restaurant La Tranvia offers gourmet cuisine with a fusion of Latin and Caribbean flavors. It has received high ratings by the Frommer's Travel Guide.
Booking.com
All of these hotels in Granada, Nicaragua offer modern amenities and are centrally located to the major attractions of the city. Tourism for the city is of vital importance for the local economy as well as for the country. Former colonial structures that were once nearly destroyed by neglect have been restored to their original glory and offer tourists not only a luxurious hotel stay, but a glimpse into history.
Author Paul Linus
The economy of Granada is based primarily on tourism. The city maintains this focus in everything it does, from cleaning the city, opening museums, running attractions and festivals, and most importantly, restoring former colonial structures into some of the top hotels in the country. Many of them offer not only the best rooms and service in the area, but some of the finest Nicaraguan cuisine as well.
Things to Do in Granada, Nicaragua
Based in any of the following centrally located hotels, there are a number of things to do in Granada including a walk on the main square, called the Parque Central, or a city tour in one of the many horse-drawn carriages. The Parque Central offers in a single view, what Granada is all about: the beautifully restored Granada Cathedral, the colonial buildings, restaurants, gazebo, and the general warm heart of the city. The horse-drawn carriage tour is a wonderful way to see the rest of the city and some of its landmarks: the narrow streets, colorful houses and most importantly, the Iglesia San Francisco, painted in its pastel blue, which reminds one of a wedding cake.
For a day trip away from the city, the shores of the large Lake Nicaragua and the Isletas of Granada are nearby. The Isletas consist of over 360 small islands that were once the former cone of the once active Mombacho volcano. Today, this extinct landmark is a quiet nature reserve that offers tours and scenic hikes to its highest point at 4,953 feet where spectacular views can be seen of the lake and Granada.
Best Hotels in Granada, Nicaragua
La Gran Francia
La Gran Francia is located near one corner of the Parque Central. Historians date the building back to the beginning of Granada in 1524. It was beautifully restored in1995 to its original glory and transformed into one of the best hotels in Granada. It offers 21 air-conditioned rooms, a pool and a restaurant with some of the finest cuisine in the area. The dining area of the restaurant is inside the building in a quiet courtyard with soothing fountains.
Hotel Granada
The Hotel Granada is the largest hotel in the city. Once a fortress, it was transformed into a beautiful colonial style resort hotel in 1976. It offers 34 air-conditioned rooms which includes 14 junior suites. The suites are designed in a 16th century colonial style with locally made wood carvings and furniture. Each room also includes all of the modern amenities such as wireless Internet, private baths and hot water.
Hotel Plaza Colón
The Hotel Plaza Colón is located right in front of the Parque Central within walking distance of all of the major attractions that Granada has to offer. It is a restored antique colonial house in its original design with balconies that offer a great view of the square and the Granada Cathedral. It offers all of the amenities of a modern hotel including large comfortable beds, air-conditioning and their very popular private balconies.
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Hotel Dario
The Hotel Dario, named after the country's most respected poet, Rubén Darío, is located approximately 300 yards from the Parque Central. It is a restored Neo-Classic building from the early 19th century complete with a beautiful and peaceful courtyard. It offers 22 modern rooms with all of the amenities of a modern hotel including air-conditioning and wireless Internet. The in-house restaurant La Tranvia offers gourmet cuisine with a fusion of Latin and Caribbean flavors. It has received high ratings by the Frommer's Travel Guide.
Booking.com
All of these hotels in Granada, Nicaragua offer modern amenities and are centrally located to the major attractions of the city. Tourism for the city is of vital importance for the local economy as well as for the country. Former colonial structures that were once nearly destroyed by neglect have been restored to their original glory and offer tourists not only a luxurious hotel stay, but a glimpse into history.
Author Paul Linus
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