12 Things to Do in Granada in September

The Alhambra and all its landmarks, the Generalife, the Nasrid Palaces, the Alcazaba and the Medina; even the smallest villages are dazzling. Many tourists agree that visiting Granada in autumn is a good option because it is the best time of the year. Between September and November, temperatures are much more pleasant and the crowds are lower. In addition, in September the city offers many recreational and cultural activities to please and entertain all its visitors.

If you visit Granada, this time of the year or any other time of the year, one of your obligatory stops is the Alhambra, but we do recommend that you book your tickets for the Alhambra and the Generalife or a guided tour of both the Alhambra and the Generalife well in advance online.

But if you plan your trip to the city in September, you can't miss the concert series '1001 musics' within the framework of "September in the Generalife", which usually takes place during this month. It is a whole proposal of concerts with some of the best artists of the moment that take place on the stage of the Generalife Theatre. A cultural event that was born in 2020 and that is committed to musical quality and cultural excellence within the incomparable setting of the Alhambra in Granada. The last editions brought together renowned artists such as Ara Malikian, Luz Casal, Andrés Calamaro and Pablo López.

The Alpujarra is well worth a visit if you book an excursion from Granada. You will learn about its history and culture through the beautiful villages that make up the Alpujarra: Lanjarón, Pampaneira, the Poqueira Valley, Bubión and Capileira. You will walk through its steep streets and narrow paths with a local guide who will tell you all the details of the area, how the locals live, what are the most typical foods, the most common activities...

Discover the Andalusian legacy of this mountainous region that will surprise you from the very beginning of the excursion. You will travel about 100 km by bus and it will take you about 7 hours. An ideal plan for these dates due to the pleasant temperatures in late summer and early autumn throughout the province of Granada.

One of the first things to see and do in Granada, in this case in September, is to stroll along the coast. Although it may sound a little strange to visit the coast in Autumn, it is actually the best time of the year to do so. At the beginning of September the temperatures have dropped a little but the sea is still warm thanks to the sunshine it received during the summer.

As the holiday season is coming to an end, the coasts remain a little desolate. The low influx of people makes visiting the beaches at this time of year one of the best experiences of your trip.

Among all the excursions around Granada we recommend you to go to the festivities in Lecrín during the first weekend of September. The festivity of the Musketeers of the Holy Sacrament is one of those experiences that you have to live if you are visiting Granada in September. If you book an excursion to the Lecrín valley from Granada at this time of year it will be a great idea; and what's more, this excursion offers you a tasting of olive oils.

The commemoration, also known as the Musketeers of Béznar, takes place in this town in Lecrín. The origin of this tradition dates back to the rebellion of the Alpujarras in the mid-16th century. It is based on honouring the victory of a small local army over the Moorish rebels of the time.

Béznar is a small village, with just over 250 inhabitants in 2018. Despite being a small town with a population that is dropping year on year, it is a good destination in September, both for getting to know the area and for cultural traditions such as the Musketeers of the Blessed Sacrament.

Definitely one of the most joyful celebrations in Granada is that of the Cascamorras, on the 6th of September. The story goes that a farmer, while working the land, discovered an image carved in stone of what looked like a virgin. There was a conflict between the inhabitants of Baza and Guadix that went all the way to the courts of that distant era, cities that you can visit by booking an excursion to Guadix and Geopark from Granada.

The story goes that, in the end, the Virgin of Mercy stayed in Baza, with the opportunity for Guadix to have her for one day a year. A group of rebellious Accitanos organised a visit to Baza to bring the image of the Virgin by force. When they arrived in Baza, the Bastetanos beat them out of the town.

With the formation of the Brotherhood of the Virgen de la Piedad in Guadix in the 19th century, this dispute was brought back and has now become a tradition. Nowadays, a person from Guadix (Cascamorras) makes the journey to Baza to take the figure. He can only take it if he arrives where the virgin is, without a single black paint stain, while the people of Baza paint themselves black and arm themselves with black paint to chase the Cascamorras and cover him completely to prevent him from taking the virgin.

One of the most endearing and deeply-rooted traditions that you can find in Andalusia is definitely the Virgen de las Angustias. Her festivity is commemorated in Granada during the month of September. The first floral offering takes place on the 15th of September and until then the region opens its doors to the festivities.

The festivities begin a week before the day of the Marian devotion. During the whole week before, the town of Guadix prepares to receive visitors from all over Spain and the world to celebrate the patron saint, and you can get to know the area by booking an excursion to Guadix and the Geopark from Granada, for example. The excitement, joy and faith, marked above all by the presence of older people, is part of the feeling and atmosphere that you will feel during these days.

On the 15th the virgin goes out in procession. This is the perfect time to enjoy the many stalls selling typical Granadian food and sweets. Not only will you be able to enjoy an enriching cultural experience, but you will also delight in the wide range of recipes native to this region. After the good experiences in the middle of the month, the Virgen de las Angustias is back in procession on the last Sunday of September, a perfect plan to go with your partner or family!

Andalusia is one of the regions where flamenco is most deeply rooted. Granada is the epicentre of tablaos and places to enjoy it, such as the flamenco show in the Zoraya Gardens, the flamenco show in a cave-restaurant or the flamenco show in the Tablao La Alborea. Dances that will make your skin crawl thanks to the talent of the dancers. Although this is not a September activity, it is the best month to enjoy it.

Although another plan you can enjoy at this time of the year is the Milnoff Festival in Sacromonte. This event offers a varied choice of the most traditional and highest quality flamenco, for the ecstasy of lovers of this genre.

While you enjoy the shows, you have the opportunity to accompany the idyllic moment by tasting the typical Andalusian gastronomy, such as the typical Iberian sausages. You can also liven up your stay in the bars with a glass of white wine or any other drink of your choice. You can't miss this delightful experience!

On the last Sunday of September the town of Albaicín fills with joy to celebrate the festivities of its patron saint, San Miguel Arcángel. In keeping with the religious festivities, this is one of the Granada events not to be missed if you visit the area in September.

This is above all a family event. Being present at the San Miguel festivities will make you feel at home. The locals of Albaicín organise the procession of San Miguel Arcángel and propose different activities for the family enjoyment of the community.

A good way to get to know the area in detail is to hire a tour of Sacromonte and Albaicín in Granada. Also, among the most common events that you can enjoy during the festivities is the usual friendly football match played by the neighbours. There is also a big family meal that takes place on the Cerro San Miguel. As well as being a very family friendly celebration that makes you feel at home, you will take home a nice souvenir of the colourful decorations and native costumes.

A beautiful story that has become a legend in Jerez del Marquesado is the beginning of the Marian celebration of the Virgin of La Tizná. The story goes that during a very strong storm, lightning struck and took the lives of three little children. The virgin is said to have worked a miracle on the children, bringing them back to life. The inhabitants of the region promised since then to commemorate every year the presence of the virgin and to thank her for the miracle granted.

If you want to see a beautiful, representative and magical example of the patron saint festivities of the villages around Granada that you can visit thanks to all the excursions and organised tours that exist, you will love the Virgen de La Tizná. The villagers organise different raffles, sell tickets for the bullfighting shows and buy the festival magazines to cover the costs of the celebration.

In this Marian devotion the children are the protagonists. The villagers make sure that the youngest children bring floral offerings to the Virgin in gratitude for the miracle received by the three children in the story. These festivities take place from the 8th to the 12th of September every year.

Researchers' Night is an activity promoted by the European Commission in which the region of Andalusia, and therefore Granada, participates fervently. For science lovers this is definitely an activity not to be missed on the itinerary.

During Researchers' Night , tribute is paid to the people who lend their intelligence to science and the advancement of technologies for a more advanced world. Researchers put science in a more friendly and understandable point for the common society.

The activities of this event vary according to the proposals of the organisers, but the objective is always the same, that society recognises and understands a little more the responsibilities of people of science. Usually organised during the last week of September, don't miss this inspiring and intellectual outing!

If you're a music lover and a fan of high-energy festivals, then you've got to experience theGranada Sound Festival.

This is a festival with the biggest names in indie music in Spain. It usually takes place over two days in the last week of September. It's an excellent plan if you're visiting the city of Granada with friends or your partner, and you can also book a private tour to get to know the city.

The Granada Sound has been held almost continuously since 2012 and has become an important part of the activities you can't miss if you go to the city in September.

Along with the incomparable experience of the last procession of the Virgen de las Angustias, you will not only taste the gastronomy of Granada, but you will also have the opportunity to stroll through the traditional market of autumn fruits. This is an experience not to be missed, as you will be able to taste fruits that you won't find anywhere else in Spain.

The most interesting thing about the market is that the fruits you will get are in season. Many of these species are only available in Granada and can only be found during the autumn season which starts in September.

Going to Granada and not tasting the autumn fruits of Granada is like not having been to Granada at all. This is a succulent experience, especially if you are one of those people who love to taste and savour different textures and unique flavours. Delight your palate with unique flavours!

September is the beginning of autumn. Temperatures are much friendlier during this time of the year. To survive the autumn in Granada, you should take into account cool and light (but not summery) clothing for the daytime.

During the night temperatures can drop a few degrees above freezing. Ideally at night you should bring some warm jackets and jumpers. In general the weather is pleasant and conducive to a pleasant trip to get to know the Grenadian community and its customs.

What are you waiting for to enjoy your holidays in Granada?