Things to do & places to visit in Granada Department, Nicaragua

Granada Department #1 destination in Nicaragua 2023. The average rating score is 4.35 based on 7.845 traveler reviews, of 30 attractions. Timezone: America/Managua, current date and time: Sunday, May 12, 2024, 0:22.

Top things to do (20)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Magician Lounge (22 reviews)
- A mind-blowing mentalist show
Sunday: 6:00 PM - 12:00 AM Spent 1-2 hours Theaters

Magic shows every night, tickets only 5$ with a reservation, a third-generation tarot reader, mystery cocktails, and over 150 five-star reviews from travelers just like you. We provide a unique entertainment experience. The magic shows are sure to amaze and delight audiences from all over the world. And with a third -generation tarot reader, you can delve deeper into the mysteries of the universe while enjoying a delicious cocktail. But it's not just our entertainment that sets us apart. Our menu features an exclusive selection of cocktails made with the finest ingredients available. 4 shows every day & night at 6pm & 9pm. Always make a reservation, before we are fully booked. Night out Bachelorette party Cocktails lounge Contact us here. See more..
4.5 Islets of Granada (1.942 reviews)
- Memorable! A must see!
Islands • Nature & Wildlife Areas

The Islets of Granada in Granada, Nicaragua is a must see! Our 7 year old son absolutely loved the tour around the Islets. We saw monkeys and so many birds during the tour. The tour guide was a local Spanish speaker and he would narrate throughout the entire tour. He was extremely friendly and personable. There's so much to see: the locals who live on the Islets, private islands, wildlife, restaurants, and so much more. Make sure to bring some fruits with you if you can, so you can hand it to the monkeys! Tips are voluntary for most tours, but they are much appreciated. A recommendation, talk to people for the best price for a tour. We paid $35 for 3 people; the $35 included private car service to and from our hotel as well as the tour. That pans out to a little over $10 a person which isn't all that bad. We were recommended from a English speaking guide in the "Central Parque". Some guides will charge you extremely expensive prices, so shop around. See more..
4.5 Mombacho Volcano (1.137 reviews)
- Nice hike shame about the expensive shuttle
Volcanos

I took a local bus from Granada heading to Rivas and jumped off at the crossroads by the volcano. A short walk up this road leads to the office where you must pay your entry fees. The prices for the hikes are not too bad if you have enough people for the guide fees required for the puma or el tigro trail but the real rip off is the 4x4 shuttle to the top of the volcano for around $20pp I opted to walk the 5k road and do the creator trail which cost me $7. The hike up wasnt too bad and the creator trail was nice - very easy. I had the view point to myself for some lunch and just missed a large group who had come up on the shuttle. Fairly cheap to do yourself without organising a tour as long as your up for the hike up and down the steep cobbled road! My advice would be to set off early. See more..
4.5 Iglesia de La Merced (876 reviews)
- Worth a visit
Churches & Cathedrals

This is probably the most accessible viewpoint of Granada. Although the stairs are a bit complicated, the view and photos that can be obtained, definitely worth it. Climbing the tower of course is something nice, just make sure you are not with very old people, because can be a little bit exhaustive. The church also is very beautiful and could be a nice place to rest if you feel tired after the climbing. See more..
4.5 Catedral de Granada (767 reviews)
- Michaelangelo, eat your heart out!
Spent < 1 hour Churches & Cathedrals

The murals that adorn the ceiling and walls of this church are absolutely phenomenal! Each panel depicts a different scene from the Bible, including the creation story and Noah's arc. This is still a work in progress, and it was cool to see some work in progress. For 60c you can enter the bell tower, which has nice views of the area and some great vantage points for photos. The exterior of the church is also very pretty and it is painted a distinctive shade of yellow, which is repeated in other buildings in the city. See more..
4.5 Favilli Mansion Lounge (239 reviews)
- Hidden gem in Granada
Temporarily closed - Closed until Apr 28, 2023 Spent 2-3 hours Speciality & Gift Shops • Bars & Clubs • Cigar Bars

Established in 1925. The famed architect, sculptor, & founder of Granada's Ladrillaria Favilli, completed building his mansion in 1925, with its first official extension of the 3rd floor in 1945. Having became a luxury, boutique cigar factory and lounge, the 4th floor was built in 2016, making the Favilli Mansion Granada's tallest home and highest residential view. Currently, there are three operation bars throughout the four floors, with a walk in humidor, boutique manufacturing for tour guests who want to experience a send back in time to a better, more classic age, and an all around luxurious experience which is Pisa, Italy meets Central America in all its blend of flare and chic style. See more..
4.5 Guadalupe Church (225 reviews)
- Go up the Tower!!
Architectural Buildings

The views from up in the tower are incredible! It's a tight, winding staircase up, but so worth it. Beautiful!!! See more..
4.5 Parque Colón de Granada (155 reviews)
- Pleasant
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Fountains

It’s pleasant to sit down in the heat and rest a bit. Cathedral, shops, caffeteria, souvenirs and horse riders are all there. Market is just round the corner. See more..
4.5 Cementerio De Granada (49 reviews)
- Just impressive..
Spent 1-2 hours Cemeteries

This is the largest cemetery in the central America .but also made me think that the between richest and poorest .. sad. See more..
4.5 Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve (28 reviews)
- CANOPY TOUR MIRAVALLE
Spent More than 3 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas

Amazing experience worth every penny and more. We got there late to hike to the top of the volcano, but had enough time to do the lower canopy. The guides were amazingly friendly and helpful. Looking forward to next time. See more..
4.5 Iglesia de Xalteva (26 reviews)
- Nice
Spent < 1 hour Churches & Cathedrals

It’s about 8-10 mins walking further North from the central park. It’s a nice church with a park in front of it. See more..
4.5 La Capilla Maria Auxiliadora (22 reviews)
- Pristine Sculpture & Artistry
Spent < 1 hour Churches & Cathedrals

I am happy I took the time to observe this well maintained operational place of worship. Many sculpted & painted historical scenes. We took a Horse Drawn Carriage Ride from Central Park Granada See more..
4.5 Zapatera Island (17 reviews)
- Ancient wonders
Islands

Zapatera is the second biggest island in Lake Nicaragua. It has cultural significance due to the petroglyphs that are found on the island. We took a boat ride here from Granada, which was a full day outing. We got to see a primary school that is located on the island as well as many statues and interesting plants and trees. This is an off the beaten path place to visit and a fun day out. See more..
4.0 ChocoMuseo Granada (1.280 reviews)
- Chocolate Tour
Sunday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM Speciality Museums

ChocoMuseo is the new Cacao and Chocolate Museum in Granada Nicaragua.It offers a great overview of the history, the nature and the manufacturing of the cacao and the chocolate. There is a chocolate factory located inside the museum and Cacao farm tours are offered.. See more..
4.0 Avenia La Calzada (167 reviews)
- Super friendly and cheap restaurants
Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks

It’s a beautiful street, with a lot of restaurants and a lot of tables in the street so you can eat outside. They have a lot of people selling things, awesome leather bags at a really good price . It’s really nice to take some drinks in the afternoon and also for dinner. Since it is really hot during the day won’t recommend to eat since it’s extremely hot and sunny, but it’s kinda windy and a lil but cooler in the afternoon . See more..
4.0 Mi Museo (152 reviews)
- Really Interesting
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

Mi Museo, Granada Collection, is a private collection of Nicaraguan Pre-Columbian ceramics. The collection contains more than 15.000 pieces which originate from the period between 2000 BC to 1550 AD. Mi Museo is located in the historical center of the oldest colonial city on the continent, Granada, in a building dating back to 1868. The building was restored with attention to its original design and preserving as many of the original features as possible. See more..
4.0 Centro Cultural Antiguo Convento San Francisco (141 reviews)
- My Fav Museum in Granada
Speciality Museums

While waiting for the Catedral San Francisco to open, I visited this museum. Entrance fee is $5 or its equivalent in cordobas. Like most houses in historical parts of Granada, there is a courtyard. Surrounding this courtyard are rooms full of exhibits that include pre-historic sculptures, statues of Virgin Mary and St.Francis, oil paintings depicting Nicaraguan sceneries, a big map of Granada, history of Nicaragua, etc. Note that explanations of the exhibits are in Spanish. There is a free, modern restroom towards the back of this museum. The staff are friendly. Highly recommended to visit! See more..
4.0 Cathedral San Francisco (119 reviews)
- Nice
Spent 1-2 hours Churches & Cathedrals

It’s only a block away from the central park. Easy to access but it’s a bit hidden. Roads around are very crowded. See more..
4.0 Central Parque (115 reviews)
- Lots to see and do here!
Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks

Facing the Catedral, this parque has a lot to offer: Statues, Gazebo, fountain, vendors selling clothings, souvenirs, etc. Along its side, are carriages lined up, waiting for tourists to come and take their rides/tours.. I took a lot of photos here. Enjoy your visit! See more..
4.0 Casa de Los Tres Mundos (91 reviews)
- Concerts, Dance & Music & Art classes & more ...
Art Museums

Gorgeous building that hosts a number of cultural group activities throughout the week. They offer both children and adult art classes. Nicaraguan Folklore Dance classes with the dance group called Nicarocalli. They also offer private and group vocal and musical instrument lessons there. You can walk in to see artwork displayed by local artists inside the building. Some of it is offered for sale. During the week you will also find concerts and movies offered free or for very low prices also. Worth taking time to stop by and checking it out to see what it has to offer and the beautiful setting inside. See more..
4.0 Nicaragua Butterfly Reserve (67 reviews)
- Butterfly Paradise
Sunday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas

We weren't sure if this preserve was open because there were no reviews posted after 2018. Upon asking some locals, and eventually telephoning the preserve, we hired a taxi to take us. We were very grateful previous reviews advised against walking. The road is a bumpy dirt road with many potholes; but it's not insurmountable, and our cab driver took it very slowly. It was about a 10 to 15 minute drive from the cemetery. The butterfly sanctuary that greeted us was our reward and worth every effort to get there. For $5.00 US per person we had a guided tour in this beautiful and tranquil space. Hundreds of stunning butterflies enchanted us. We were so happy to have experienced this preserve. We loved it! Hopefully tourists will resume going to this haven, which promotes the sustainability of these magnificent winged creatures. The best way to go is to take a taxi from the cemetery. Or take a Tuk Tuk. It's worth it! See more..
4.0 Pico de Garza (42 reviews)
- The view and the place is just breath taking
Beach & Pool Clubs

I recommend this amaizing place 100%. The view that is around the place is one of the most beautiful you could see in your entire life.. The attention is great, they always want to know if you are enjoying your time there.. just with a rate of $10 per person you can use all the installation's ammenities from 9am to 6 pm.. The restaurant has lots of food choices but you can bring your own food and drinks.. to get to the Isleta you have to take a boat for just one payment of $21 for both go and back way.. Its a great tourist choice to enjoy Granada, Nicaragua :) See more..
4.0 Marina Cocibolca (24 reviews)
- Great lake
Sunday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Marinas

Marina Cocibolca is located on Asese Bay, right accross from the famous Isletas and with Mombacho Volcano on its same shoreline. The Marina is a hub for tourism attractions in the area and for exciting, yet safe, watersports, including kayaking, canoeing, and stand up paddle boarding. Speed boats and jet skis can be rented and Zapatera Island and Ometepe can be accessed in half an hour and two hours, respectively. The Marina has one of the best rated restaurants in the Granada area, and other restaurants in the Isletas with intriguing cuisine are 15 or 20 minutes away. Forests in the Marina's unique surroundings and nearby areas are ecologically well preserved with strong avian and other fauna activity. Tours to La Calera Private Reserve, 15 minutes away by boat, offer birdwatching and horseback riding through cacao plantations, as well as swimming at the property's thermal waters. From its Casa Hacienda, at 350 meters altitude, viewing Mombacho's total outline so close one feels it can almost be grasped, while on the opposite side there is a full view of Asese Penninsula sorrouded by the Isletas. Further South along the Lake, only half an hour away, is Zapatera Island with all its ancient archeological wealth. Hotel Santa Maria there offers all modern conforts and its well regarded drink "Passion for Zapatera". Rural communities located just accross from Zapatera, along beautiful spots on Cocibolca's lakefront, such as Charco Muerto Cooperative, offer dramatic views of the coastline and the chance to taste one of the best guapotes, taken out of the water just for the visitor. See more..
4.0 monument of Cordoba (19 reviews)
- A Statue along the Avenida Calzada
Spent < 1 hour Monuments & Statues

I saw this statue while walking from the Cathedral to the lake. It is at the middle of the street, no plants or trees surrounding it. I quickly took some pictures and left. See more..
4.0 Parque Xalteva (17 reviews)
- Across from the Xalteva Church
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks

This is the park built by the Spaniards which has two sections: one of the indigenas or locals, the other one was for the Spaniards. It has the monument of the poet named Diario, some beautiful flowering plants, etc. After your visit here, visit also the church across the street. For me, it is the most beautiful Catholic Church in Granada. See more..
4.0 Palácio Episcopal (9 reviews)
- Right in Central Park
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings

Located right in Central Park this row of buildings is impossible to miss Free to see and a wonderful photo opportunity See more..
4.0 Cruceros Familiares Granada (6 reviews)
- A Nice Family time
Spent < 1 hour Ferries

Nica K&V is a highly especializaed nicaraguan leathergoods store, all our leathers are prime selected from a variety of nicaraguan artisan tanneries. Our artesian are very skillfull craftmen trained by european advisor our designs are very fashion oriented towards the international look. Our designer participades in all local and central american fashion shows See more..
4.0 Pico de Garza (42 reviews)
- The view and the place is just breath taking
Beach & Pool Clubs

I recommend this amaizing place 100%. The view that is around the place is one of the most beautiful you could see in your entire life.. The attention is great, they always want to know if you are enjoying your time there.. just with a rate of $10 per person you can use all the installation's ammenities from 9am to 6 pm.. The restaurant has lots of food choices but you can bring your own food and drinks.. to get to the Isleta you have to take a boat for just one payment of $21 for both go and back way.. Its a great tourist choice to enjoy Granada, Nicaragua :) See more..
4.0 Marina Cocibolca (24 reviews)
- Great lake
Sunday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Marinas

Marina Cocibolca is located on Asese Bay, right accross from the famous Isletas and with Mombacho Volcano on its same shoreline. The Marina is a hub for tourism attractions in the area and for exciting, yet safe, watersports, including kayaking, canoeing, and stand up paddle boarding. Speed boats and jet skis can be rented and Zapatera Island and Ometepe can be accessed in half an hour and two hours, respectively. The Marina has one of the best rated restaurants in the Granada area, and other restaurants in the Isletas with intriguing cuisine are 15 or 20 minutes away. Forests in the Marina's unique surroundings and nearby areas are ecologically well preserved with strong avian and other fauna activity. Tours to La Calera Private Reserve, 15 minutes away by boat, offer birdwatching and horseback riding through cacao plantations, as well as swimming at the property's thermal waters. From its Casa Hacienda, at 350 meters altitude, viewing Mombacho's total outline so close one feels it can almost be grasped, while on the opposite side there is a full view of Asese Penninsula sorrouded by the Isletas. Further South along the Lake, only half an hour away, is Zapatera Island with all its ancient archeological wealth. Hotel Santa Maria there offers all modern conforts and its well regarded drink "Passion for Zapatera". Rural communities located just accross from Zapatera, along beautiful spots on Cocibolca's lakefront, such as Charco Muerto Cooperative, offer dramatic views of the coastline and the chance to taste one of the best guapotes, taken out of the water just for the visitor. See more..
3.5 Mercado Municipal (42 reviews)
- Local experience
Flea & Street Markets

The Mercado Municipal is the life blood of Granada. Located in the heart of the city, this is where the locals do their shopping. There’s plenty of stalls selling anything and everything you could imagine including fresh fruit and vegies, toiletries, clothes, traditional Nicaraguan food and a whole lot more. The market has both indoor and outdoor sections. In the streets shoppers compete with buses, cars and all manner of vehicles for right of way. It’s definitely an experience! See more..