Granada

Granada is a city in Granada Department, Nicaragua, situated on the shores of Lake Nicaragua. It features colonial buildings, churches with bell towers, a central park surrounded by historic structures, and residential areas with arcaded corridors extending around traditional squares.

The city was founded in 1524 by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba and named after the Spanish city of Granada. It suffered pirate raids in the 1600s and major destruction in 1856 during conflict, after which it was rebuilt with colonial and neoclassical structures.

Granada displays the legacy of Spanish colonization through colorful houses, narrow streets, and a layout built atop the former indigenous settlement of Xalteva. The city remains a cultural center where locals and visitors gather in public squares and along Calle la Calzada to experience daily life and local traditions.

The city is walkable and invites leisurely strolls through its streets past old buildings, churches, and markets. Warm weather year-round makes walking pleasant, and most accommodations are located near the center with easy access to main attractions and pedestrian areas.

The city was built atop the former indigenous settlement of Xalteva, whose traces remain visible in the street layout and in artifacts found throughout the area. This blend of precolumbian and Spanish history makes Granada a distinctive place to explore Nicaragua's layered past.

Location: Granada Department

Inception: April 21, 1524

Elevation above the sea: 73 m

GPS coordinates: 11.93038,-85.95359

Latest update: December 12, 2025 17:38