Granada Highlights: Volcanoes, Islands, and History in Nicaragua's Colonial City

Granada is one of Nicaragua’s most charming and historically rich cities. Here, you’ll not only discover stunning colonial architecture, but also enjoy a wide range of activities. From scenic volcano hikes to kayaking in tranquil islands, Granada offers something for everyone. Here are some of the best things to do in and around the city:

Exploring the Old Town and Colonial Architecture

Granada is famous for its vibrant colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, and relaxed atmosphere. A stroll through the city is a must to admire the pastel-colored houses, churches, and charming squares. Be sure to visit:

Granada Cathedral: The city’s yellow landmark, perched on the central square (Parque Central).
La Merced Church: Climb the bell tower for a fantastic view over the city and the nearby Mombacho Volcano.
Explore the many cafés around town and watch the hustle and bustle of local life.
Stroll along the promenade of Lake Nicaragua, also known as Lago Cocibolca.

Kayak Tour to the Isletas de Granada – Paddling through 360 Islands

Just off the shores of Granada in Lake Nicaragua lies an archipelago of over 300 small islands, known as the Isletas de Granada. Rent a kayak and explore these idyllic islands at your own pace.
From the city center, it’s a 3.7 km (about 45 minutes) walk to the start of the islands, or you can take a cab. On the way, you’ll encounter countless vendors offering kayaks for rent. We walked straight to the beginning of the islands, passing the restaurant “Isla Pirates” or “Cabañas Amarillas” (you can find these locations on Maps.me).

We rented a kayak for about 4 hours for 930 NIO (around 23 euros). Let yourself drift as you explore small waterways and observe local wildlife. At times, you might find yourself in a small (water) dead end, but that’s all part of the adventure. Maps.me helps you navigate easily. We made a small stop at San Pablo Fortress and then continued exploring the islands, spotting pretty houses and hotels. We also paddled against the current at first, which made the small bays perfect for catching our breath. After the tour, we enjoyed a cold Coke at El Pirata restaurant before heading back.

Important: Be sure to use plenty of sunscreen, wear a long-sleeve shirt if you have one for sun protection, and don’t forget a cap and sunglasses.

Visit to the Masaya Volcano

A trip to the Masaya Volcano is a must if you’re in Granada. Without the need for a hike, you can peer directly into the volcano’s mouth and watch the glowing lava. The best time to visit is at sunset when the lava glows more brightly against the evening sky. We usually prefer doing such excursions independently, so we looked into two options:

Option 1 – Rent a Scooter
Several scooter rental companies in Granada offer rentals for around 25 USD per day. You can rent one from your hostel or find one while strolling through the old town.
The drive to Parque Nacional Volcán Masaya takes about 30 km (roughly 45 minutes). The entrance fee is around 10 USD, but if you arrive during the day, it’s cheaper at 4 USD. However, it’s hard to see the lava during the day, so we recommend visiting in the evening.
Once you reach the park, park your scooter and take a few short hikes to explore the volcanic craters. The trails are well-marked and can be completed in about 1 to 1.5 hours. After sunset, head back to the parking lot to view the lava-filled crater with other visitors.

Option 2 – Take a Tour
For ease and convenience, we chose a tour from our hostel. For two people, we paid 1,702 NIO (approx. €42.50, or €21 per person). Given the scooter rental, gas, and entrance fees, this option worked out to be about the same price.
We’re glad we went with the tour option. It was fun, we had plenty of time for hiking, taking photos, and enjoying a relaxed trip without the stress of organizing everything ourselves

Mombacho Volcano

The towering Mombacho Volcano dominates the landscape surrounding Granada and offers plenty of adventure. A hike up Mombacho is a must for nature lovers. Standing at 1,344 meters, the volcano is located about 10 km south of Granada and features a nature reserve with unique flora and fauna.

How to Get There:
The best way to reach the park entrance is by taxi. From there, you can either take a truck to the top or opt for a 6 km hike (it’s steep with a 850-meter altitude gain). The trail is paved, and the truck also follows the same route.

The Puma Trail
Once at the top, you’ll have a choice of several hiking trails. The most popular is the Puma Trail. With a guide, you’ll walk through the jungle, cross cloud forests, and finally reach an area where the vegetation is dead due to volcanic gases. The diversity of nature on this hike is fascinating. The trail isn’t difficult, though the high humidity can make it a sweaty journey.
Depending on your pace, the hike takes about 2 hours.

Costs
Costs for 2 People (we were a group of four and shared some expenses, such as the taxi):

Taxi to the volcano (about 12 km, 15 minutes): 75 NIO (€1.90)
Truck ride (round trip): 1,610 NIO (approx. €40)
Entrance fee for Puma Trail: 300 NIO (€7.50)
Guide fee: 450 NIO (€11)
Taxi back to Granada: 100 NIO (€2.50)
Total: Approx. €63 for two people (around €31.50 per person)

Conclusion
It was an enjoyable trip with plenty of flora and fauna, but it was definitely on the expensive side for a backpacker budget. We found the hike to be good and interesting, but not spectacular. If you would like to do a jungle trail through the rainforest, then we can recommend it to you. But if you hike a lot anyway and have already seen a lot, then this might not be the most exciting hike for you. Especially because it is also a bit more expensive for a backpacker budget.

Laguna de Apoyo

Just a short drive from Granada is the serene Laguna de Apoyo, a crater lake surrounded by lush forest. Perfect for a day trip or relaxing after a day of sightseeing, you can swim, kayak, or simply lounge on the shore and take in the beauty of the area. There are also small hostels and restaurants with great views of the lake.

Party at the Treehouse

The Treehouse is arguably the most famous hostel in Nicaragua, located about 12 km south of Granada. It’s known for its Friday Night Parties, and rooms are often booked weeks in advance on weekends. If you want to stay, be sure to reserve early. Alternatively, you can stay in Granada and buy an entrance ticket, which includes a shuttle transfer for around 36 USD. But keep in mind, tickets can sell out quickly, so don’t leave it too late!

Sunset from the Church Tower (Colonial Homes Granada)

Granada’s church towers are perfect for sunset views. Most of them are open for a small entrance fee (about 35 Cordobas, or €0.90). The panoramic views of the city and the sunset light show are absolutely stunning.

Transportation - Arrival and Onward Journey

From León to Granada

León and Granada, two of Nicaragua’s most popular cities, are easily connected by bus. The distance is about 140 km, and the journey requires two buses, taking around 4 hours total.

Step 1: León to Managua
Head to the bus station in León and ask for the next bus to Managua, the country’s bustling capital. You won’t have to wait long for a departure. You can choose between a minibus or a chicken bus.

Minibus: The minibuses are comfortable but typically a little more expensive than the classic “chicken bus.” Sometimes, you’ll also need to pay extra for luggage, which can increase the price. The advantage is that minibuses travel a bit faster and depart more frequently once full.
Chickenbus Express: The more authentic and cheaper option is the “Chickenbus Express.” These colorful, old US school buses run every full hour from León to Managua and are a real part of daily life in Nicaragua. The journey takes about 1.5 to 2 hours and costs around 70 Cordobas per person. Make sure you get off near the Universidad Centroamericana (UCA) in Managua. This is a convenient stop, as the next bus to Granada departs directly from here.

Step 2: Managua to Granada
From the Universidad Centroamericana (UCA), it’s easy to transfer to the next bus heading to Granada. The journey takes about 1.5 hours and costs around 40 Cordobas. Here’s a tip: be vigilant about the fare. We were once charged 200 Cordobas for two people with luggage—far more than the usual price. After a quick discussion, we paid 100 Cordobas and simply got off. Make sure you know the correct fare, or even better, ask the locals for advice to avoid overpaying.

From Granada to Ometepe

Step 1: Bus to Rivas
The bus terminal in Granada is called “Nueva Terminal de Buses” and is located behind the Uno gas station. Just ask around, and people will be happy to direct you. The bus ride takes about 1 to 1.5 hours and costs around 50 Cordobas (approximately €1.30). If you have a large rucksack or suitcase, you’ll also need to pay an additional 50 Cordobas for luggage.

Step 2: Taxi to the Pier
Once you arrive at the bus station in Rivas, take a taxi to the ferry terminal. The ride takes about 5 minutes. A taxi is the most comfortable option, as the distance is too far to walk, and the heat can be unbearable. If you share the ride with others, it won’t be expensive.

Step 3: Ferry
The ferry runs regularly, and the ticket costs 50 Cordobas plus a 40 Cordoba harbor fee (about €2.30 total). The crossing to Moyogalpa takes no longer than an hour.

Step 4: To Your Accommodation
Depending on where you’re staying, you can either walk, take a taxi, rent a scooter for a few days, or arrange for your host to pick you up. It’s a good idea to plan the best option for you in advance.