Patrick W.
Yelp
It offers awesome views of the Alhambra and Granada with the Sierra Mountains in the background. It is not as high up as the Mirador de San Miguel Alto. Accordingly, the view is slightly less impressive. Of course, it is a lot less effort to get to San Nicolas. Again, the views are obviously still exceptional. On the other hand, it is usually packed with people and especially busy at sunset. Definitely take a walk through Albaicín when you visit Granada and San Nicolas is worth a stop no matter the time of day. Naturally, sunset is the prettiest time.
If you hike to the or take a cab up to Mirador de San Miguel Alto, it is higher up and even more spectacular view. When I was touring the Alhambra, my guide pointed up at the Mirador de San Miguel Alto and recommended it as the best view of Granada. She also noted that former U.S. President Bill Clinton once visited the viewpoint and said it was the most beautiful sunset in the world. Was he just trying to charm the city of Granada as a politician might do? Perhaps. I can definitely not declare it as the best in all the world because there are a lot of exceptional places for sunsets. Nonetheless, it certainly provides spectacular panoramic views. The views of the Alhambra, the city of Granada below, and the Sierra Mountains in the back provide a perfect backdrop for sunset. I made my way up to San Miguel then started coming down more than an hour before the sun set. Nevertheless, the sun started descending and looked like it was shining directly upon the Alhambra. It was a breathtaking sight.
Visitors can take a cab right to the top of San Miguel. I took the steep walk up. If you are a hiker or physically active on a regular basis, it should not be that big of a deal. It took me less than an hour to walk from the Alhambra and through the Albaicín neighborhoods to get to the viewpoint. It will take similar time or less to make your way from Plaza Nueva. I made my way to the Carril de San Miguel. There is a cross, Cruz de la Rauda - Mirador, and the steep stairs to the top are behind it. You walk through shacks that are built into the side of the mountain. At times, I felt I was walking through a shady part of town but no one bothered me and other tourists were also walking up and down the stairs. Regardless, the walk was worth it. San Miguel had the best view in the city. Moreover, the trek up prevents it from being as crowded as the most popular spot for sunset: Mirador de San Nicolas.
If you are visiting the Granada and looking for recommendations, feel free to message me through Yelp and I can share my itinerary/ recommendations, which includes my Yelp reviews. The information for an electronic copy can also be found via my Yelp profile.