Granada Puts Nicaragua on the Global Tourism Map with Its Selection for "Best in Travel 2027"

The historic colonial city of Granada has been included by Lonely Planet among the 50 destinations selected for its "Best in Travel 2027" edition, placing Nicaragua on the international tourism stage.

Granada is once again capturing global attention. The historic Nicaraguan colonial city is part of Lonely Planet’s selection of 50 destinations to visit in 2027; as one of the world's most renowned travel publishers, Lonely Planet highlights the city's heritage, architecture, and cultural life.

This selection represents a new opportunity to showcase Nicaragua to travelers from around the world. According to published information, the "Best in Travel 2027" edition brings together destinations chosen based on the firsthand experiences of Lonely Planet writers and editors who have visited the locations themselves.

A City of History, Nature, and Culture

Granada is located in Nicaragua, just a few kilometers from Managua and on the shores of Lake Cocibolca; it faces the Asese Peninsula and features the Mombacho Volcano as part of its landscape. This location allows the destination to combine the heritage of its historic center with natural spaces and lake-related activities.

Founded in 1524 by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba next to the ancient indigenous settlement of Xalteva, the city preserves a significant historical legacy. Its streets, buildings, and traditional spaces showcase architecture where colonial, neoclassical, and baroque styles coexist.

Notable landmarks include the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption (Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción), Central Park, the San Francisco Convent and Museum, the Casa de los Tres Mundos, El Comercio Street, and the former San Juan de Dios Hospital. These are complemented by the city's traditional streets, horse-drawn carriages, local cuisine, and areas like La Calzada, where tourism drives the activity of small businesses, merchants, and artisans. Lonely Planet describes Granada as a destination that preserves much of its colonial architecture, featuring colorful buildings, ornate entryways, historic sites, restaurants, and bustling streets. It also highlights experiences centered on local traditions and chocolate production.

A showcase for all of Nicaragua

Granada’s international profile also creates an opportunity to showcase the country's tourism diversity. The Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (INTUR) has noted that the city can serve as a gateway for visitors to discover other national destinations, including León, the Cerro Negro volcano, Pacific beaches, Ometepe Island, Corn Island, and the northern mountain route.

This promotional strategy targets markets in Europe, North America, China, and Vietnam, according to INTUR’s International Promotion representative. Granada’s nomination is viewed as an opportunity to boost the visibility of Nicaragua’s multi-destination tourism offerings.

Lonely Planet’s publication boasts significant international reach; sources such as Radio La Primerísima report an average of 18 million monthly users and 200 million annual views, figures that exclude its social media channels and secondary promotional pages.

Tourism and local vitality

This international recognition comes at a time when tourism plays a key role in Granada’s economy. The influx of visitors boosts activity for local establishments, restaurants, shops, artisans, and other service providers who help shape the experience for those exploring the city.

Municipal authorities have also highlighted initiatives aimed at enhancing the visitor experience, such as the modernization of recreational areas and the "Creative Circuit." This initiative uses QR codes to connect visitors with the history of iconic landmarks like the La Pólvora Fortress, the Cathedral, colonial streets, and Independence Plaza.

Sources also link tourism development to the atmosphere of peace, tranquility, and public safety that characterizes Nicaragua. This setting is presented as a factor that fosters visitor arrivals and collaborative efforts between institutions and the tourism sector.

Thus, Granada’s presence in Best in Travel 2027 not only puts one of Nicaragua’s historic cities on the international map but also provides a showcase for a country where heritage, nature, culture, gastronomy, and local experiences can be integrated into a single tourism offering.

Granada steps onto the global stage with its history and identity, bringing with it a glimpse of Nicaragua’s cultural and natural richness.