Are you planning a trip to Granada and wondering if October is a good month to visit? What’s the weather like in Granada in October? Is it busy or crowded?
This article has all the answers you need, and best of all – it’s written by someone who has spent a lot of time in the city!
My last trip to Granada was this October (my 4th time visiting), so I have lots of fresh practical tips to help you plan your trip.
Are you ready to dive in?
Granada in October: Good Time to Visit?
Let’s get the main question out of the way – is the weather in October good enough to visit Granada? What are the chances you’ll get caught in a rainy spell?
The short answer is YES.
October is a great month to visit Granada, and while there is a small chance of seeing a bit of rain, I think you won’t regret booking a trip there.
October Weather in Granada: At a Glance
October signals the transition to the autumn period, with the night temperatures falling down and the mornings in Granada being very cold (a good jacket is needed!).
While you will see the locals in winter jackets, most of the tourists stroll around with a cardigan and enjoy the last sun rays at the start of autumn.
The weather in October will vary year on year, but here are some monthly average conditions you can expect on your trip.
Granada October Weather Conditions
| Weather Condition | Value |
|---|---|
| Low Temperature | around 9C (48F) |
| High Temperature | around 21C (70F) |
| Night Temperatures | between 5C – 10C |
| Rainy Days | 9 to 12 on average |
| Cloudy Days | 60 to 70% of the month |
| Sunshine Hours | up to 7 hours per day |
Temperatures in October in Granada
The average temperatures in Granada in October can be surprisingly high, in a good year it can climb up to 25C as it did this year (2022!)
BUT, that doesn’t mean it’s warm all day.
It’s usually a matter of a few hours in the afternoon when you can bask in the sun, but you will be freezing in the morning and evening.
The temperature differences in the morning and evenings in Granada are quite big! So much so that it surprised me on my very first visit in May a few years ago. I ended up having to buy some clothing in the city so I don’t freeze in the mornings.
Now that I had to learn my lessons the hard way, I recommend that you check the early morning temperatures, not just the day averages. Especially if you’re planning to do some sightseeing in the mornings.
Sunshine in October in Granada
There is still plenty of sunshine left in October, up to 7 hours per day.
Nature also starts transitioning to autumn, and Granada is one of the best places to witness the change of seasons and admire the beautiful foliage basking in the late autumn sun.
Rain in October in Granada
The rainy spells get more frequent in October, but it’s not something that would put your trip in danger.
You can expect 9 to 12 rainy days per month, depending on the year. These are scattered throughout the month, so there are no extended periods where it would rain for 5 days in a row.
You’re more likely to encounter rain towards the end of the month when the daily temperatures also drop down.
Air Quality in October in Granada
This may be the last thing on your mind when checking the weather, but Granada along with some of the other central locations in Andalusia is prone to bad air quality spells that can last a few days.
I normally get a notification from the weather app which also shows you which way the air is moving.
According to the app it is caused by some residue particles from agriculture, but on some occasions, we’ve also had dust blowing in from the Sahara desert in Africa.
While there isn’t much you can do about it while you’re already in Granada, it may be a good idea to keep an eye on it and avoid doing anything physical outside (a hike up the mountains or similar).
How Busy is Granada in October
I was quite surprised, but October seems to be business as usual when it comes to tourism.
The tickets to Alhambra are sold out a few days in advance (instead of a few weeks like in the summer) and there is a noticeable increase in activity everywhere you go.
It is fairly busy, for what I thought to be the start of the quiet season, but not too crowded that it would annoy you. I think people are tempted to travel in October because they want to avoid crowds and enjoy Granada in the beautiful autumn weather.
It’s certainly a more pleasant time to visit than the middle of the summer, when you have huge numbers of tourists, plus very high temperatures to go with it.
Granada Monuments Tickets & Tours
Here are a few guided trip options for visiting the main sights in Alhambra. To check availability and prices please click on the link below.
- Alhambra & Nasrid Palaces Fast-Track Ticket – enjoy a fast-track access to all the sights within the grounds of Alhambra, including the Generalife Gardens. Does not include a guide.
- Alhambra, Nasrid Palaces, and Generalife Tour – fast track entry to the Alhambra complex with a private or shared tour guide.
- Nasrid Palaces & Generalife Ticket with Audioguide – the same tickets to Alhambra this time including an audio guide in the language of your choice.
- Sacromonte: Flamenco Show at Cuevas Los Tarantos Tickets – entry tickets to the popular flamenco performance in the Sacromonte district of Granada
Things To Do in October in Granada
Things to do in Granada in October:
- visiting the number one place of interest – the Alhambra (get your tickets in advance to make sure you can get in!)
- a stroll through the walls of Alcazaba to enjoy the views
- enjoy the autumn magic in the gardens of Generalife
- visiting Carmen de los Martires gardens
- enjoying a traditional tea in one of the teterias in Albaicin
- booking yourself a bath at a traditional Hamman
- enjoying free tapas on an outdoor terrace in one of the restaurants in Granada
- checking one of the local monasteries, like the Monastery of San Jeronimos
What to Pack for October in Granada
In October, you will need to be prepared for a mix of different weather conditions. The mornings are still very cold, so a jacket and long pants are a must, but the afternoon could be very warm and pleasant, so you will be fine in a t-shirt or a light cardigan.
If you’re planning to spend some time exploring the city and walking to most places, comfortable shoes are a must, because the roads for example in Albaicin have certainly not been built for shoes with heels.
I hope this answered all the questions you might have had about visiting Granada in October.
If there is something specific you wanted to ask, feel free to leave a comment below this article and I will respond as soon as possible. In the meantime, below are some other beautiful places you can check out and add to your itinerary for the Granada trip.
Explore More in Granada
Malaga Airport to Granada: Your Detailed Transport Guide
Huerto del Loro: The Best Views of Albaicin, Granada
Where is Granada in Spain? All Your Questions Answered
How to Spend One Day in Granada, Spain: The Highlights Itinerary
13 Beautiful Photography Locations in Granada: Tips from a Local Expat
Southern Spain Travel Planning Guide
Is it safe to drive in Spain?
YES! The roads in Southern Spain are generally in very good condition, with modern highways connecting the biggest cities. To rent a car, I highly recommend Discover Cars, which will get you the best deals on your car rental for your trip.
WHAT IF I DON’T WANT TO DRIVE?
PUBLIC TRANSPORT — Southern Spain has a well-established and modern network of trains and buses. To get the cheapest bus or train tickets, take a look at Omio to find the timetables and prices.
DAY TRIPS — If you don’t like the hassle of using public transport, local travel companies offer many day trip options from almost all the destinations in Southern Spain. You can check them out here.
WHERE SHOULD I BOOK MY ACCOMMODATION?
BOOKING.COM — I have been using booking.com for all my trips in Spain and abroad, and have never had any negative experiences. Their reviews are very accurate and you get the best deals even on apartments, not just hotels.
ARE THERE LUGGAGE STORE OPTIONS IN THE CITIES?
YES — If you would like to leave your luggage behind to explore the city on your last day, before heading to the airport, you can use Radical Storage service, which lets you book luggage storage options in almost all the destinations in Southern Spain.
DO I NEED TO BUY A LOCAL SIM CARD FOR THIS TRIP?
YES – You can, of course, use your own card if you have roaming data available. If you want to avoid surprising extra charges from your operator, you can use a service like Airalo, where you can buy digital packs for e-sim cards, avoiding the hassle of sourcing local physical sim cards and extra roaming charges anywhere you go.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – if you decide to book using one of the links, I will earn a small commission that helps me run this site. This is at no extra cost to you.
