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Surely sounds familiar to you the San Nicolas Viewpoint in Granada, right? And if you don’t hear about it before, as soon as you start looking for information about Granada, you’ll see it recommended in all the guides.
We have many viewpoints in the capital, but this one in particular has been rising as the best known and most popular.
You want to know why?
In this post we explain where Mirador de San Nicolás is, how to get there and what to see once you are there.
Let’s see it!
All you need to know about the Mirador de San Nicolás in Granada…
The San Nicolas Viewpoint in Granada is probably the most famous and widespread picture of the city. And therefore it is a must among all the must for those who visit Granada.
Located in the heart of the Albaicín neighborhood, it receives many visitors every day, both locals and national and international tourists, and can be considered one of the main emblems of Granada.
So whether you come for a 1-day express trip or stay longer, put this place on your list, because you won’t regret it!
Search and compare here the best Granada tours and guided visits 🧡
San Nicolas Viewpoint, why is it so famous?
As much as we describe it to you, until you set foot on this viewpoint you will not understand why it is a place that is difficult to forget.
The Mirador de San Nicolás offers beautiful views of the Alhambra and the Generalife, with the city and Vega at its feet and with the Sierra Nevada in the background.
Specifically, the panoramic view of the Alhambra from here is one of the most complete.
It is also considered to offer one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world. Bill Clinton said it when he visited the city and we’re telling you too!
But not only that, because in addition to seeing the views, you can also enjoy a very lively atmosphere, where tourists and locals mingle with craft vendors and street groups singing and dancing flamenco.
Therefore, although there are many other viewpoints in Granada and the Albaicín, this is undoubtedly the most touristic, but also one that offers the best experience, one of the most romantic and one of the best free plans in Granada.
How to get to the Mirador de San Nicolás?
Visiting the San Nicolas Viewpoint will also help you discover the most beautiful and particular neighborhood of Granada, the Albaicín, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and an extension of the monumental complex of the Alhambra and Generalife.
But in case you didn’t know yet, this neighborhood is also one of the most labyrinthine you’ll see; narrow, winding, cobbled streets, which once served as a defensive place, and slopes (lots of slopes!).
This neighborhood of typical houses is one of the must-see spots, but we have to admit that not everyone finds their way easily.
Therefore, we can say that access to the famous viewpoint is not entirely easy, but you have several alternatives:
- ON FOOT: it is usually accessed from Plaza Nueva or from Calle Caldelería Nueva (Calle de las teaterías). In this case, the entire route is ascending, going up the Cuesta de San Gregorio and connecting either with Calle Almirante or with Calle Aljibe de Trillo, until reaching the Camino Nuevo de San Nicolás, which leads directly to the come down from the lookout Two tips if you are going to get to the Mirador de San Nicolás on foot! Put on your shoes, dress comfortably and go with enough time 😉
- BY CAR: to find out how to get to the Mirador de San Nicolás by car, we do not recommend using the GPS, as driving through the Albaicín is not an easy task and it is also possible that it will direct you through streets where the car hardly fits. But if you need to get as close as possible, a good idea might be to leave your car in the Parking de San Cristobal (the only public car park in the Albaicín) and walk down for about 10 minutes. See here where to park in Granada.
- BY BUS: in Granada we have several minibus lines that run through the less accessible tourist areas. These small red buses have a capacity of about 20 people, so they are often in demand. Even so, it is usually a cheap and comfortable option to go up to the Mirador de San Nicolás. To do this, you can use lines C31 and C32, which pass through Plaza Nueva, Paseo de los Tristes and Carrera del Darro.
- BY TAXI: If you want to know how to get to Mirador de San Nicolás easily, the easiest way is by taxi, but it is also the most expensive way. If possible, we do not recommend it because touring the Albaicín is well worth it. However, if you have accessibility problems to get there, this may be an option to consider.
- WITH A ALBAICIN GUIDED TOUR: If you want to get to know the Albaicín and the Mirador de San Nicolás with a local and official guide, who will also help you discover many other charming corners, be sure to take a look at the best Albaicin guided tours, both private and group.
What to do at the Mirador de San Nicolás?
Once you have seen the most famous Granada Viewpoint, in addition to contemplating the wonderful views and enjoying the pleasant and entertaining atmosphere, you can also do other things in the surroundings.
You will find several restaurants near El Mirador de San Nicolás, some offering practically the same views, such as Restaurante Balcón de San Nicolás, Restaurante Huerto de Juan Ranas, Restaurante Estrellas de San Nicolás or Restaurante el Mirador de San Nicolás. There are also some bars like Bar Kiki.
If you want to know what to see near the Mirador de San Nicolás, just behind it is the Aljibe and the Church.
The Aljibe de San Nicolás is one of the most visited and photographed, probably because of its privileged location. This was part of the system of public cisterns that supplied water to the capital in Christian times. Although it was built on the remains of a cistern from the Muslim era.
The San Nicolas Church forms one of the places that stands out the most in the Albaicín neighborhood, thanks to its tower. It is a simple, austere church in the Gothic-Mudejar style.
We also suggest you continue visiting other viewpoints in the Albaicín neighborhood, which although not as well known, still offer incredible and beautiful views of the Alhambra. Likewise, they tend to be much less crowded. For example, the Mirador de la Mezquita Mayor de Granada, the Mirador de Santa Isabel la Real or the Mirador de San Cristobal.
Without a doubt, unique places that are included in our list of where to take the best photos in Granada 😉
And finally, we also suggest you visit the Mirador de San Nicolás de Granada at night, one of the most romantic and charming plans you can do in the capital 😍
If you want to extend your route, take a look at our post about the best things to do in the Albaicín.
Have you taken note of everything you need to know about this emblem of Granada?
