Granada

Granada was founded in 1524 and is the oldest colonial city in the Americas. It is situated on Lake Nicaragua next to the impressive Mombacho Volcano and close to the famous isletas. In Granada, colonial charms still abounds: Renaissance and Baroque style churches and colonial buildings painted in mustard, peach and salmon huddle around a Spanish-style Central Plaza where shoeshine boys and horse drawn carriages rest in the shade. Granada’s little cafés and shops were once the center for Nicaragua’s Vanguardia poets sucha s Joaquin Pasos and Pablo Antonio Cuadra. To this day, Granada has maintained its reputation as literary city.

Granada is located 50 minutes south east of the capital city of Managua and Nicaragua’s most important tourism center. It has a relaxed atmosphere and its many museums, shops, churches and colonial buildings make it a favorite stop for any Central American traveler. The story is filled with history. At one point in time, Granada was attacked by the famous Caribbean pirate Captain Morgan and suffered under the infamous filibuster William Walker. Some of the city’s most important sights are: Parque Central, La Gran Francia, Casa de los tres mundos, Convento e Iglesia de San Francisco and many more.The lake front area is a park frequented by locals and offers cool breezes and views. Just off Granada in the lake are more than 370 isletas (little islands) that were created when the Mombacho Volcano erupted thousands of years ago. You can visit the isletas by boat or take a tour up on the Mombacho volcano. Don’t miss this mystical cloud forest on top of the volcano where you can find a biological station and other activities such as horseback riding, bird watching and Canopy Tours.

Excursions nearby can take you to the Laguna de Apoyo, which is a volcano crater that can be seen from the Mirador de Catarina. In and around the small picturesque town of Catarina, you will find some of the country’s finest handicrafts. Especially San Juan del Oriente offers you great insight in the workshops and allows for pleasant strolls from store to store.