Granada draws French tourists with free tapas as rental scams rise

Granada in southern Spain is becoming a favourite city break for French travellers this summer, thanks to its celebrated free‑tapas tradition. In many bars a drink is automatically accompanied by a complimentary tapa, allowing visitors to sample olives, tortilla, Iberian ham and other snacks for just a few euros. The low‑cost dining, combined with the city’s historic Alhambra palace and lively neighbourhoods such as Albaicín and Sacromonte, is reported to keep daily budgets between €40‑70, well below many European capitals.

At the same time, French consumer authorities warn that the surge in summer bookings is attracting increasingly sophisticated rental scams. Fraudsters post fabricated ads or copy existing listings, then request rapid bank‑transfer payments to fake IBANs, often after hijacking the genuine owner’s email. Phishing messages that mimic Booking, Airbnb or Leboncoin are also used to steal credentials. The DGCCRF advises travellers to be wary of unusually low rents, direct‑bank‑transfer requests and any pressure to move off official platforms.

Visitors are encouraged to enjoy Granada’s affordable culinary scene while remaining vigilant: verify landlords through reputable sites, avoid unsolicited payment instructions and report suspicious activity to banks and consumer protection agencies.