Winter needs a proper outer layer
Plan for cold mornings and evenings rather than assuming a southern city needs only a light jacket. Comfortable closed shoes, long trousers and warm layers suit time outside; remove a layer when indoor stops or walking make you warmer.
For a winter day split between the Alhambra grounds and the cathedral area, use a warm removable layer and shoes that remain comfortable outdoors. The Generalife gardens and fortress areas involve exposure even if you also enter palace rooms.
Spring calls for adjustments during the day
Use a top, sweater and outer layer that can work separately. A warmer afternoon may follow a chilly start, and showers remain possible. Keep space in your bag for the layer you take off.
Summer changes the walking plan
Breathable clothing and sun protection are useful, but they cannot make every afternoon route comfortable. Check the forecast and official warnings, shorten exposed walks when needed and give indoor or shaded pauses a real place in the itinerary.
For a summer Albaicín walk, choose the lower Carrera del Darro route first and decide whether to climb to Mirador de San Nicolás while conditions are still comfortable. Light clothing, sun protection and a smaller day bag suit that plan better than packing for an imaginary mountain hike.
Autumn evenings can need more warmth
Look at the time you will finish, especially for a viewpoint stop or meal followed by a walk. A packable sweater and appropriate jacket may be more useful than several thin outfits based only on the daytime high.
Footwear stays important in every season
Hills and older lanes make tested shoes worthwhile throughout the year. Choose soles that feel reliable for the conditions and try them before travelling. Wet or colder days may need a different approach from a dry summer stroll.
Test your footwear for both the uphill approach to the Albaicín and the downhill return. If that is unsuitable for your group, choose the cathedral and Royal Chapel area with a shorter river walk; the outfit should fit the actual route you choose.
Keep a city visit separate from mountain plans
A Granada city outfit is not automatically suitable for a mountain excursion. If your trip includes Sierra Nevada, research the specific activity, altitude and forecast separately rather than treating the city temperature as a guide for that outing.
Check before you go
Opening arrangements and visitor rules can change. Check the official information before your trip.
