Heyo grrls and bois, have you ever heard of Granada? Maybe your school’s study abroad office has a brochure for a program here tucked behind a bunch of others for Madrid or Barcelona. Perhaps you’ve have heard that there is a castle here, which is true. What you may not have heard is that in this tiny little city of about 270,000, there are by my count, 70,000 lesbians. At least.
I moved to Granada to study abroad in February and let me just say it’s probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’m going to attempt not to gush too much but really, aside from the above mentioned abundance of cool, queer ladies and queer culture, it almost never rains, the architecture is beautiful, you can almost always hear someone playing flamenco guitar, the city is really progressive and safe for us, the cost of living is unbelievably cheap and you get a completely 100% free plate of food with every drink you order.
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Tapas, Tapas, Tapas!
If I didn’t have you at THOUSANDS OF LESBIANS, I bet I had you at free food. Granada is the only city in Spain where literally every bar will give you a free tapa with every beer or wine you order. Here’s a list of some of the gay/lesbian owned tapas places as well as a few extras I’m including just because they’re really good.
Bar 380 (c/ Carcél Alta, Plaza Nueva area) – is a cute, spacious bar off Calle Elvira that lets you choose which tapa you get (this is a big deal — whenever you go into a bar be sure to ask “Puedo elegir la tapa?”). I recommend the berenjenas, fried eggplant with honey.
Pöe (c/ Verónica de la Magdalena 40, near Plaza Trinidad) – Pöe isn’t gay or gay owned as far as I know, but it is owned by a British guy, which is great if you don’t speak any Spanish. He has really unique and amazing tapas like Thai curry chicken, tofu or chicken in coconut sauce and piri piri pork casserole. Bonus points for all the vegetarian and gluten free options!
Sol (Barrio Realejo) – Truth be told I have only been to Sol twice and I didn’t get a real tapa either time because I ordered mojitos (some bars only give you tapas with beer/wine). However, the mojitos are incredible. In fact, the inside of the bar looks like a mojito. It’s worth it.
Shambala (c/ Fábrica Vieja, Plaza Trinidad area) – Also has wonderful mojitos. Maybe you are starting to get the picture that if this guide inspires you come to Granada to visit me, you could buy me a mojito and that would be great. On top of great mojitos Shambala also has lesbian bartenders and delicious tapas (think hummus, little chicken/veggie skewers, and spring rolls). Bam.
Buena Vida (c/ Almireceros 12, off Calle Elvira) – Always packed with ladies including cute lesbian moms, a huge wine selection and the most delicious goat cheese and honey plate in the whole city (probably).
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Get Dancy
La Sal (c/ Santa Paula 11) and Zona (c/ Pedro Antonio de Alarcón) are the only two exclusively lesbian clubs in Granada. La Sal was started 14 years ago by this precious lesbian couple and Zona is brand spankin’ new but both have a similar vibe, super cheap drinks on Thursdays, play your favorite songs from your middle school dance days and attract lesbians of all ages. To be honest, though, neither really tops my list of places to out. All the hip grrrls hang out at Playmobil Club (c/ Pedro Antonio de Alarcón), Vogue (c/ Duquesa) or Polaroid (c/ Gran Capitán 25). All three play a great mix of popular and indie Spainish/American music and throw great silly parties that sometimes involve things like free candy. Even though aren’t exclusively gay or lesbian, I promise you’d never know it and you’ll never have problems because all the Spanish bros and their girlfriends will be at Granada 10 or Mae West or El Camborio which are huge gross clubs that I do not recommend. At all. Thursday nights the place to be is usually Tornado Pub (c/ Pintor Velázquez) because you can get 4 beers for 2 euros and then dance your pants off at Twist and Shout with Little Girl and Lily Ramone (aka the cutest DJ set and possible couple on the planet).
Although none of the gay bars have ladies nights, they’re all pretty welcoming to girls as well. I’d especially recommend Six Colours (c/ Tendillas de Santa Paula 6, Plaza de la Universidad) and Folk (Plaza de Toros) but avoid XXL and TicTac (both in Plaza de Lobos), which I’ve heard are more for cruising.
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Social Activist Groups
at the International Women's Day March with a group from
There are two major LGBT centers in Granada: ColegaSur and Nos (c/ Lavadero de Tablas 15, Plaza de los Lobos). My program has a volunteer requirement so I’ve been working two days each week at Nos and the staff and resources they provide are absolute outstanding. You can also visit the website to find more information on support for queer parents, free testing services, etc. Right now I’m helping to organize Granada’s National Lesbian Visibility Day celebration for April 26th; we’re having a kiss in! Other than that, there are a variety of different interest groups that meet at the office every week and on the weekends we host parties at one of the gay or lesbian bars to raise money (read: cute girls, lots of Madonna and cheap drinks).
via Bianca Anderson Photography
One of my jobs at Nos was that I got to plan the Día de Visibilidad Lesbica (Lesbian Visibility Day) with a bunch of other rad queer girls, bois, and boys. We sit up in the middle of Plaza Bib-Rambla (which is one of the biggest in the city and also, as a sidenote, has the very best churros) and played lesbian trivia games, held a safe sex workshop, talked about our feelings and posed for a really lovely portrait series done by my friend Bianca. The goal of the series to have everyone write down a word or two or three that they felt described them, apart from their sexual orientation. For some people, it was a chance to say, I’m a lesbian but I’m also a cook, an activist, a musician. For others it was a chance to say I’m in your classes at school, I’m happy just like you are, I dance just like you do and also guess what: I’m a lesbian. We were met with nothing but support from the local granadiños and tourists passing through the plaza. Basically, it was the best day of all the days.
One of the most helpful resources for me has been Granada Entiende (Granada Understands). They’ve published a map of all the gay-owned and gay-friendly businesses which you can find at almost any of the restaurants or clubs mentioned above or online.
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College Life
Like I said, I’m here studying abroad and I love it. If you’re looking for a program here in Granada I highly, highly recommend SIT — the classes and excursions are wonderful and, on top of that, the staff was incredibly helpful in placing me with a welcoming family and helping me find volunteering opportunities at Nos. The University of Granada is one of the most prestigious and progressive universities in Spain and has students from all over Europe. In fact, if you’re reading from this side of the pond, you should know that the University hosts more Erasmus students every year than any other university in Europe. There are always interesting events being held by different facultades that are usually open to the public. For example, this Thursday the School of Social Work is starting a new dialogue group about sexuality, stereotypes about LGBT people and LGBT people’s experiences with Sex Ed that should be pretty rad. Because there are so many people from Somewhere Else studying, working andliving in Granada, the community on CouchSurfing is really active. It’s a great way to meet people with similar interests and get to know the city a bit better!
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Do Work
la qarmita courtesy of la qarmita facebook
Sitting in a coffeeshop for hours on a Sunday to get work done, read Sunday Funday, or nurse your hangover is not really a big thing in Spain. Luckily, two weeks after I got here, Lamita opened and it is now my favorite place to do all of those things. It’s a coffeeshop and bookstore tucked away on a side street in the center of the city. The coffee is bomb, the chairs are super comfy, and they have TWO queer and feminist lit sections (one in Spanish and one in English). Lots of cute queer-ish looking girls have been popping up at the shop, but because it’s still brand new and kind of hidden you can basically always find a seat near an outlet for your laptop.
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Neighborhoods of Interest
Despite its small size, Granada is one of those cities where each neighborhood has a different feel. The two biggest Gayborhoods are the Plaza Trinidad/Plaza Lobos area (although it tends to cater more to the boys) and the Calle Elvira area at the base of the Albaycin. Around Plaza Lobos you’ll get more of a feel for the newer center of the city — it’s full of the typical gay bars you’ll find anywhere else and is also home to two big LGBT organizations. The Albaycin is the old Arabic part of the city (Granada was the last stronghold of the Moors before they were expelled from Spain). There you’ll find Granada’s claim to fame, the Alhambra, which is a huge, incredible castle surrounded by lots of expat hippies. You’ll also meet lots of dreadlocked queers with their dogs, which is always a great thing.
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Getcha Ears Lengthened
I lucked out and ended up with a host sister who a) has a pixie cut like mine and b) is a real life professional hair dresser. While I haven’t had any haircuts in salons here, most of my queer lady friends have told me that they trust the stylists at Underground Hair Factory (c/ Moral Magdalena 22) to keep their mullets under control.
Underground Hair Factory courtesy of Granada entiende
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Places to Avoid
I wouldn’t really say that there are any neighborhoods to avoid entirely in Granada, except perhaps the caves of Sacromonte at night because they will be pitch black and you’ll probably trip and roll down the mountain. My girlfriend and I had a pretty bad experience at El Camborio and so, while I’ve had fun going to the bigger clubs just to dance with friends, there are sometimes lots of seedy guys and they aren’t exactly welcoming places for queer couples.
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Date Night
lesbian moms at the Mirador de San Nicolas
Here’s what I would recommend:
1. Get a moped from Ecoway Rentals (Plaza Nueva) and take your girl up to the tippy top of the Albaycin.
2. Stop into a market and get some bread, Serrano ham, Manchego cheese and cheap red wine then head to the Mirador de San Nicolas to listen to the flamenco guitar and castanet players and watch the sunset.
3. Go to the Alhambra Cafe in Plaza Bib Rambla for the best churros con chocolate in the city.
4. Hike up to the actual Alhambra for the nighttime tour.
That’s all, folks! Have have lots of fun, let me know if you have more questions and feel free to buy me a mojito.
granada is my favorite non-US city… can’t wait to visit again with this in tow!
this city made me hate overpriced, americanized tapas so hard. YES, I WOULD LIKE OLIVES WITH THAT ALWAYS
Oh, if only this article had been written a year ago! I did my study abroad in Madrid and loved it, but the days I spent in Granada were some of the best. There’s just something about that city. I would highly HIGHLY recommend that anybody who travels to Spain spend at least a couple days in Granada.
This is an excellent guide, you’ve made me all nostalgic, and I second what Taylor said- can’t wait to go back with this guide in mind.
i’m living in madrid right now and i do love Granada. I took my gf there in december and we both agreed that it seemed like the perfect place to study abroad.
ugh i need to get on board with my madrid city guide. i don’t know why the thought of it is overwhelming me
spain is equal parts awesome and progressive and with a heaping dash of racism. Oh spain, my love for you causes so much inner turmoil.
Madrid is the greatest city, and I would LOVE to read your guide, because when I lived there I had no idea where the queer scene was. Write it, please!
Hi Gaby I know this might be a long shot but could you give some tips on queer girl city guide for Madrid? I will be traveling there next month and would more than appreciate some advice! Cheers to you!
Oh my god, this article made me so nostalgic. I spent a semester in Madrid and traveled to Granada for a weekend and fell in love. I wish I was still a student so I could study abroad there.
Anyone know of a way to live in Granada if you’re no longer a student?
yes! lots of my friends are teaching english here! I can give you more info on the programs if you’re serious about it!
Awesome guide! Teaching English in Spain from September is my Plan B if I don’t get postgrad study funding, how would I go about it?
Great Article!
I’d be interested in any additional info on Teaching English in Granada too please!
I worry that I may suck at teaching (hah) but would definitely appreciate any info on programs that you may have. Thanks a lot!
I, too, would love information on teaching in Granada, please. Thank you!
i am feeling both confused and intrigued by this free tapas thing. especially the part about the free tapas with beer/wine, but none for you, mojitos. why are mojitos getting left out of the tapas fun?
also, you have now made me want to go to a place i didn’t really know i wanted to go to!
actually there are places that will even give you tapas if you order juice or a soda. free tapas is what Granada is known for. some places are more traditional, but for example, there is this bar named Bella Kurva that has more of fusion/international food aspect. some places you can get them big as well. if you really wanted to, you could make a dinner out of multiple tapas!
for some reason, i find this place to be super intriguing and amazing! thank you for clarifying this for me. and i don’t know why, but i am having so many feelings about this city.
look for me in a bar/tapas place near you soon!
You can also get free yummy tapas with every drink you order in León (Northern Spain) and some other cities across the country, and in many small towns. Other than that Granada is indeed beautiful and definitely worth a visit!
I have been wanting to go to Granada for a few years now as I am a dancer and they have some excellent Flamenco schools there.
This article has cemented my decision. I will definitely be planning a trip soon!
I’m going to be in Granada next week: this is perfect!
I’m doing an SIT program in Buenos Aires this fall! I’m enormously excited, but now deeeeply jealous of the Granada program (though maybe AS will do a city guide for Buenos Aires and then my heart will explode with joy). You say the cost of living is really low, do you know about how much a cheap apartment/room costs per month, in general? I’m considering doing a teaching position in Spain for 6+ months after I graduate and this article is pushing me even more firmly in that direction.
So I was in Buenos Aires for 6 months about 2 years ago, and don’t worry, they have a cool scene. Check out the ladies at La Fulana group because they are awesome and will show you around :)
I have a friend who lives right smack in the center of the city and only pays 150 euros per month
http://planv.com.ar/
This lesbian Argentine series will get you started with your lunfardo!
I will actually be teaching english in Spain. Not sure where yet but I preferenced Andalucia as my number one. If your not a student anymore, you can do it through the North American Language and Culture Assistance. That’s what I’m doing it thru. The app is already closed for this coming year but you can apply for next year.
Here’s the link: http://www.educacion.gob.es/eeuu/convocatorias-programas/convocatorias-eeuu/auxiliares-conversacion-eeuu.html
Can I just say that this wonderful little blurb on good ole GranAAAA finally made me sign up for an account on this website?
Anyway, how nuts is this?! I’m super stoked right now to see this article up because I’ve been living and studying here since August 2011 and I still have about another month and a half to go.
Good job on naming some of my fave places! And yes, agreed that El Camborio is not awesome at all whatsoever even though it is in a series of caves. Hahaha, and I totally have gotten my hair cut at Underground more than once and well… yes I know a lot of what has been mentioned in here. On top of that, it has been in Granada that I finally became comfortable with my sexuality. For this, and many other reasons, this little city will definitely have a place in my heart forever.
This might be a random question, but are you and your gf still here? Would you guys be willing to meet up for a tapita o dos?
yes! she actually is living in paris this semester and just came for a visit but I am always down for a tapita. I’m here until thursday (sobs)
awww, at least she was able to come and visit you. =]
oh man! thursday! el tiempo pasa rapidamente, no? when’s a good time to meet up for you? is today better or wednesday?
i find out where i’ll be assigned to work in Spain for the next year this week and this article has me praying for granada!
Now i am kicking myself that i didn’t choose Grenada for my Erasmus when i was studying. Ended up in France (Montpellier),and allthough it was a fun experience,not much from a lesbian viewpoint
Oh man memories, I studied in Granada for a year! Best. Year. Ever. I recognized those tapas bars’ names, and I’m pretty sure I had my hair cut at that salon, it looks super familiar. Yaay Granada!
This post made me super nostalgic for my semester abroad in Granada! I wish I knew all about this back in 2010.
PS – the photo that accompanies this article on the autostraddle homepage was taken in Grenada, the island in the carribean, not the andalucian paradise of Granada
Hi Lauren! Thanks for pointing out the photo mix-up. We’ve made the correction.
i wanne come there but how i need it tell how can i get the bar there
Hi!
I’m a granadian girl and I appreciate your amazing article about Granada!
I invite you to have a lock my website http://www.asomateagranada.com/ and If you want to write something about tapas, bars or another thing of the city, we’ll be happy about that!
Cheers!
I’m in Granada, doing my Erasmus. Thanks for the tips, they’ll be useful! But I don’t know where do you see all these lesbians…Where are yooou?? :P
Hay mas que piensas — estan en todos los partes. Just keep your eyes open!
like the Nos facebook page! http://www.facebook.com/pages/NOS-Asociaci%C3%B3n-Andaluza-LGTB/312468532134405
they post links to all their events and there are always ladiez. also most of them are my friends and I miss them (my program ended a few weeks ago) so bonus points if you give them a hug for me. also go to la sal!
Dear Nicole,
We want to thank you for your kind post of La Qarmita-Bookshop Café!
We wish we could have had a conversation during your staying here in Granada.
Nevertheless we wish you all the best and congrats for your website!
Lidia & Javier
La Qarmita
Hey!! This article is perfect. Me & my travel partner are in Granada just for just a few days (doing that backpacking across Europe thing)… this is exactly what we’ve been missing in our trip. If you’re still studying abroad here, send an email or something. :)
-Nicole & Kelsey
Hey I just started an English teaching program here in Granada. I wasn’t too sure what the queer scene was like so this was exciting to see. If you’re still here you should totally send me an email!
hey! I’m visiting Granada for a week, starting today. I’m travelling alone and would love to have someone to check out some of these places with. if you’re still here and keen, let me know. :)
Hi! I strongly recommend the copas bar ROJO in Calle Laurel de Tablas 10 (Plaza Trinidad) managed by Raquel, also lesbian.
Regina
Hello! Im lloking for a internship, volontrary work in Granda, I tried to find some contact-information at the Nos-webbsite, but it would not work. do you have an email?
Lisa
Hi Nicole! I realize this post is a little old now, but I gleaned some super helpful info! I’m having trouble finding a wealth of info on Granada from a queer girl’s perspective, and if you’re still around/checking this, it’d be great if I could ask you just a couple of quick questions. I was hoping I could find your contact info through the site, but no dice. Shoot me a quick e-mail at ameliarodgersjones (at) gmail (dot) com, or let me know how I can get in touch if you wouldn’t mind- I’d really appreciate it! Thanks!
I am Granada at the moment until Sunday. Anyone wants to meet for tapas? Email me at [email protected]
Hey guys I currently live in Granada! If anybody also lives in Granada or will be stopping by, i’ll be here until September (or maybe longer) and would love to meet up with any of you, and show you around. Also if you need any info on Granada, just send me a message here on Autostraddle. :) Celu
Hi, I’ve been living nearby in Cordoba, Spain, for a few months now and have visited Granada a handful of times. I just recently found out that I’m going to be moving there for the fall semester start and I’d love to get in contact with someone who knows more about the city.
I only came across this article about Granada now but I used a different Granada gay guide to find La Sal. This article has lots of places I didn’t know about before so I’m definitely going to be checking some of them out.
If you’re still in the area and wouldn’t mind meeting up sometime, send me a message!
Any chance you still live there?
Great article! Any chance you still live there??
Hello,
in 2016 La Sal is not an only Lesbian place anymore :-(
we were there yesterday (Sunday) and there were mostly guys and just three (already drunk) girls – so we left…..
I love your blog, but it should be updated :-)