Gay Granada Granada City Guide

A throwback to old times, Granada is one of the most beautiful and oldest colonial towns in the Americas, in the heart of Nicaragua. With a reputation for bohemian shabbiness, characterised by crumbling colonial buildings and horse-drawn carriages, Granada emanates a certain kind of time-worn European elegance, against the backdrop of stunning natural attractions, including scenic volcanic trails, verdant islets, and Lake Nicaragua to the east. With a sizeable expat community, the culture and attitudes of Granada’s locals have changed dramatically in recent years, despite the majority of the population still identifying as Roman Catholic. The city itself is very gay-friendly, the central hub of La Calzada in particular, where you’ll find cobblestone streets lined with fine eateries, cafés and bakeries leading to the city’s Cathedral and central park. Confused about what to do in Granada? Let Mr Hudson’s Granada gay city guide lead the way.

The best hotels in Granada

With a ton of colonial architecture and other baroque and Moorish aesthetic influences, Granada is a great place to stay, imbued as it is with picturesque colours and a laid-back culture. Of the top accommodation choices for our latest Granada gay travel guide, El Respiro Ecolodge is a doozy; an eco-lodge located on a 50-acre property run by a French-Hungarian couple. Despite being just a short 15 minute drive from the city, this rustic yet modern lodge feels a million miles from civilisation, with its farm-to-table concept and impressive hillside views overlooking Mombacho Volcano and Lake Nicaragua. While the area is largely undeveloped, there are two artisanal villages nearby; Catarina and San Juan del Oriente, but the best course of action while staying here is to hang out around the stone fireplace of your open-plan lodge and sip wine in good company.

Another lodge retreat worth consideration is the Jicaro Island Lodge, nestled between lush coconut palms and mango trees on one of the tiny islets surrounding Granada. Accessible by boat from Granada docks, guests will quickly be immersed in Granada’s indigenous culture, living in eco-friendly, stilted lakeside casitas above small seawater infinity pools that blend perfectly with the surrounding nature. For something a tad more luxurious, the Laguna Beach Club may suit you. Complete with its own private beach and water sports facilities, the Laguna Beach Club in Laguna de Apoyo protected area (just 11 kilometres from Granada), has all the modern amenities, in addition to barbeque terraces, lake-side views and on-site restaurant.

Over in the UNESCO-protected colonial town where all the action happens, the Tribal Hotel awaits, providing guests with a blend of international designer styles and boho-chic vibes, curated by New York restauranteur Jean-Marc Houmard. A guarded property, Tribal Hotel is more of a personal vacation retreat than a hotel, where you can enjoy cocktails beside the small pool and massages on your own private balcony. The luxe Los Patios Hotel, meanwhile, fuses traditional Spanish colonial architecture with modern Nordic design (a tribute to the Scandinavian-born owners.) As the name hints, there are a number of unique patios across the property for guests to lounge upon. You can also relax further at the hotel’s spa which offers a range of treatments.