What is El Mirador San Nicolás?

Of all the photo-worthy spots in the magical city of Granada, The Mirador San Nicolás is perhaps the most famous. Bill Clinton, during an official visit to the city in 1997 remarked that El Mirador San Nicolás offered “the most beautiful sunset in the world”, and ever since it has become a must-see for visitors to this most spectacular of Andalusian cities.

From here you will be able to see the famous Alhambra in all its splendor.  The beauty of this viewpoint is undeniable: the Alhambra and the Generalife face to face, the city at its feet, and the Sierra Nevada behind.

The charm of its surroundings, in the heart of the Albaycín neighborhood, with its cobbled streets, its tapas bars, and its colorful residents, make the experience all the more special. 

Average Score for Mirador de San Nicolás

9,8

Mirador San Nicolás, Granada

Walking tour to enjoy de Mirador de San Nicolas

If you plan to enjoy a walking tour in Granada, it makes sense to book one where you can be guided at the best time of the day to the Mirador de San Nicolas. Our favorite option is this tour with excellent reviews and a very complete itinerary. GRANADA SUNSET TOUR OFFER

How to get there and location of the Mirador de San Nicolás?

If you are looking to do things efficiently and inexpensively, and in a way, as the locals do, then your best option is to take public transportation. There are two buses that arrive at the Mirador de San Nicolás: C31 and C32 and both lines go through Plaza Nueva, Paseo de los Tristes and Carrera del Darro in the center of downtown Granada. The C32 also has stops at the Alhambra and the Realejo neighborhood, so you can hop on either of these to go to the Mirador de San Nicolás. You can also take Red Alhambra minibusses parked at the viewpoint. Also, the C34 leaves from Plaza Nueva, which is also a minibus, and goes to Sacromonte. Sacromonte.

Just as a heads up, these buses tend to be on the small side and only carry about 20 people. They usually are packed and you might have to watch several drives away, filled to capacity before you can get on. 

The C34 bus tends to be less crowded but you have to get off when you see the statue of gypsy Chorrojumo, in the middle of the Cuesta del Chapiz, just before the bus turns right at the Placeta del Peso de la Harina.

Where is El Mirador San Nicolás in Granada?

The church of San Nicolás 

The church of San Nicolás occupies the entirety of a block, made up by, to the north, Calle Espaldas de San Nicolás, to the east, by the extension of Cuesta de las Cabras, to the south, by Plaza Mirador de San Nicolás, and to the west, by the Plaza del Cementerio de San Nicolás where the cistern is located.

iglesia san nicolas granada

It consists of a single central nave with a rectangular floor plan, with several attached side chapels (five on each side in total) separated by the start of the four-pointed diaphragm arches that hold up the roo.

In the area of the chevet or main altar, you can still see the vestiges of the Gothic ribbed vaults that covered this space. According to professor Barrios Rozúa, these vaults may not be the original ones and may have been rebuilt during the nineteenth century after the church was apparently struck by lightning and partially damaged.

And this wouldn’t be the only time the church would face devastation. In 1932 there have been several arson attempts against the church. One night the roof of the presbytery area a fire was set that left the temple severely damaged. There were two other churches in Granada that suffered similar attacks that same night. The priceless Mudejar style ceiling was thus lost. The vault remained in place three more years after the fire until it finally gave way to the load and collapsed. 

Video of El Mirador san Nicolás

Great places to stay near the El Mirador San Nicolás, and the Alhambra

Granada offers the possibility to stay at hotels with amazing views of the Alhambra. We share below three great options from our Granada hotels guide

Shine Albayzín 3 stars

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if you are planning to enjoy a city break in Granada, the Mirador de San Nicolas and the Alhambra are clear must-do things. But there are so many other attractions that await you. We share two of our favorite things in Granada below. 

Dome at the Cathedral in Granada

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