Only open during the summer months, Los Italianos is Granada’s legendary gelataria, conveniently located on Gran Via, pretty much opposite the cathedral. It says something about the time of year I usually visit Granada that my recent trip was the first time I’ve ever gone to Los Italianos (and the second, and the third). It’s proper old-school cool: I suspect they have been operating pretty much the same way for decades and the gelato, although maybe not hitting the heights of Italy, is still bloody marvellous and deeply welcome on a hot day (when not in Rome, and all that).

Hicuri (Plaza de los Girones, 4, 18009 Granada, Spain) and Los Italianos (Calle Gran Vía de Colón, 4, 18001 Granada, Spain) After exploring the winding alleys of the Albaicin, make a pit stop at Hicuri for a bowl of refreshing tomato and cucumber gazpacho. This vegan restaurant serves up an antipasto platter of carrot sticks, manzanilla olives, and vegan ranch dressing. Their ratatouille is robust and the tiramisu is so rich and creamy that you’ll barely notice the lack of dairy.

Everyone has their favorite gelato spot in the city, but you can’t argue with the locals – Los Italianos is the best (and they won’t let you forget that the Obamas visited there). Don’t get sidetracked by the tourist-filled Starbucks right next door. Instead, squeeze your way into the narrow ice-cream shop and choose either a cone or cup to fill with your favorite flavors, or try the popular cassata or tarta – two types of ice-cream cake served in a cone.

If you know neither then this last sentence might was well have been in Chinese. Like any good ice cream place in Spain, this one is a seasonal operation and open in the warm weather months, when you will often find the place to be packed. This is the best ice cream in Granada and while it's best if eaten when served you can also take it home.

*Los Italianos : La más famosa y querida por los granadinos, desde 1954. Sin conservantes ni colorantes, muy natural. Son los únicos heladeros de la provincia que elaboran sus helados sin aditivos.Se recomiendan los sabores plátano y piña acompañados con una porción de tarta de chocolate.

In Granada the undisputed Champion of Ice Cream is Los italianos on Gran Via, here from the month of March there are queues and general hustle and bustle around the entrance. The speciality is Cassata pictured below or Coffee cake, tarta helada. But all the ice creams are delicious.

Serving Italian-style gelato, this place was just around the corner from our hotel. We stopped in and tried the ever popular torta (a wedge of gelato cake) served in a cone. There are three flavours of torta – cassata, tarta de cafe, and tarta de chocolate.

If you want local, go have some helado at Los Italianos on Gran Via, the oldest ice cream shop in town. While it may not be the best, it is the most well-known and they make their own ice cream.

Famous for their Italian-style gelato, Los Italianos is considered the best ice cream in Granada by locals. Try their locally inspired flavors—like pionono!. Calle Gran Vía de Colón, 4

Along the route, don't miss the chance to try one of the best ice creams in Granada at Heladeria Los Italianos (only in summer).