Popular Places to Visit in Granada Nicaragua

Granada is a must-see location for anybody visiting Nicaragua. As the Americas’ oldest colonial city, Granada is rich in cultural heritage, scenic wonders, and a plethora of famous tourist attractions!

Continue reading to learn about all of the popular places to visit in Granada, Nicaragua.

Granada’s Colonial Churches

Granada_s colonial churches

Nicaragua, as a Catholic nation, has an abundance of magnificent churches. Among the most notable are Iglesia de Guadalupe, Iglesia de La Merced, and, of course, the brilliant and gorgeous Granada Cathedral, which is well worth a visit.

Volcano Masaya

Volcano Masaya

Everyone should add a visit to this enormous volcano to their Granada bucket list! Who wouldn’t want to observe magma inside a volcano firsthand? Indeed, a night visit to Masaya Volcano offers exactly that experience. When weather and magma levels cooperate, you can peek down and witness the lava up close. Furthermore, Masaya Volcano sits just outside the little community of Masaya, about 40 minutes from Granada.

Apoyo Lagoon

Apoyo Lagoon

The Apoyo Lagoon is a crater lake nestled between two volcanoes. It offers ideal swimming temperatures and works great for paddleboarding, tubing, and kayaking. Meanwhile, the Paradiso Hostel draws many tourists with daily activities, a relaxed atmosphere, community dinners, and evening cocktails. In fact, it ranks among Nicaragua’s top-rated hostels. However you choose to reach Laguna de Apoyo, it rewards every visitor and is well worth the short trip from Granada.

Municipal Market of Masaya

The Mercado Municipal, Masaya’s primary market, is a bustling and colorful food and crafts market that captures the true heart of the city. Additionally, the nearby Mercado de Artesanias showcases traditional Nicaraguan handicrafts such as woven blankets, handbags, and sandals. Fortunately, Masaya is just a short drive from Granada. You can get there independently by catching one of the buses that depart from the bus station regularly.

Lake Nicaragua’s 365 Islets

Lake Nicaragua_s 365 Islets

Exploring the 365 islands in Lake Nicaragua ranks as one of the top things to do in Granada! Whether you travel by kayak, boat, or stand-up paddleboard, it offers a wholly unique experience. Thousands of years ago, Mombacho Volcano erupted and scattered rock formations across the lake’s edges, creating these islands. For the best experience, plan your tour around midday so you can enjoy the scenery and catch the sunset before returning to land.

The Chocolate Museum

Did you know that Nicaragua produces some of the world’s finest chocolate? That’s right – the country’s climate is perfect for growing cocoa beans, the essential ingredient in chocolate. Moreover, visitors can tour the museum, join a chocolate workshop, or even explore a cocoa farm. There, you’ll discover the full history of chocolate production. Best of all, the museum lets you sample chocolate in its purest form.