Granada offers a wide variety of sports to watch and play, such as football, skiing, and cycling. Local facilities, clubs, and the university encourage participation amongst the community, making Granada a popular place for both professional and recreational sports.
Football
The most popular of these sports to watch is football. Granada Club de Fútbol, which is often referred to as Granada CF, is a Spanish football club based in the city of Granada. It was founded in 1931, and the team plays its home games at the Nuevo Los Cármenes stadium. Granada CF has gone between being promoted and demoted to the first and second divisions of the sport. In recent years, they have been in the first division, La Liga, and have also qualified to compete against European teams, such as Manchester United and Napoli. Going to Granada CF games is a great way to be exposed to the sports culture in the city. With their entertaining matches and passionate fan base, it is something that you won’t want to miss experiencing while staying in Granada.
Skiing
As for sports any local or tourist can enjoy, skiing in the Sierra Nevada is an experience that attracts both locals and tourists. It is a short 30-minute drive from the city of Granada and offers a variety of trails suited for every skill level. The ski season typically runs from November through May, with the peak months being December to February. This is an activity that is fun for anyone, whether you’re looking to challenge yourself on the slopes, take lessons, or simply to have fun and enjoy the views of the mountains.
Cycling
Another sport that is commonly enjoyed in both the Sierra Nevada and the city of Granada is cycling. This sport is also for a variety of skill levels, as one can ride a more challenging course in the mountains or enjoy a more leisurely ride exploring the sites of the city. Granada also attracts professional cyclists training for major races. A popular Australian cyclist named Cadel Evans found that the Sierra Nevada mountains were helpful in altitude training when he was preparing his team for the Tour de France.
Bibliography:
Barcelona, FC. “The Lowdown on Granada CF.” Fcbarcelona.com, FC Barcelona, 7 Feb. 2024, www.fcbarcelona.com/en/news/3884194/the-lowdown-on-granada-cf. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Cooper, Ben. “The LVC Insider’s Guide To: Skiing in the Sierra Nevada.” The Luxury Villa Collection, 21 Feb. 2022, theluxuryvillacollection.com/a-luxury-guide-to-skiing-in-the-sierra-nevada/. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Granada CF. “Granada CF.” VAVEL, VAVEL.com, 2024, www.vavel.com/en-us/data/granada-cf/bio/. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Malaga.us. “Unbelievable Skiing at the Sierra Nevada – Malaga, Spain.” Malaga.us, 3 Mar. 2023, www.malaga.us/sport/skiing-in-malaga-sierra-nevada/. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Sierra Sports & Tours, and Paul D’Andrea. “Granada.” Epic Road Rides, 16 Apr. 2025, epicroadrides.com/destinations/cycling-spain/granada/. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.