Granada Travel Guide: Best Things to Do, Where to Stay & Travel Tips
Updated: Oct 29
Granada is one of the most beautiful Andalusian cities I have ever been to! The medieval architecture and indescribable atmosphere are only some of the things that bring me back again and again.
The city still has a strong Moorish influence, which you can see everywhere, from its historic buildings and narrow streets to little shops, restaurants, and tea houses. There's something very special about simply wandering around Granada.
Of course, the famous Alhambra Palace is the main attraction, but Granada has so much more to offer! In this travel guide, I'm sharing my favourite places, things to do, where to stay, and a few practical tips from my visits.
How to Get to Granada
Best Things to Do in Granada
Food in Granada – Don't Miss the Tapas!
Where to Stay in Granada
How Many Days Do You Need in Granada?
Best Time to Visit Granada
Sierra Nevada – A Day Trip from Granada
How to Get to Granada
Granada has its own airport, Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén Airport, which operates domestic and some international flights. However, Malaga Airport is often a more convenient option if you're travelling from abroad, as it offers a wider selection of flights.
Getting from Malaga Airport to Granada is relatively easy:
By bus: Direct buses connect Malaga Airport with Granada Bus Station on selected services. This is often the most convenient public transport option.
By train: You can travel from Malaga city to Granada by train, although you'll first need to get from the airport to the train station.
By car: Driving from Malaga Airport to Granada takes approximately 1.5 - 2 hours, depending on traffic.
The road from Malaga Airport to Granada is mostly a highway, so I definitely recommend hiring a car if you're planning to explore more of Andalusia. The drive itself is very pleasant, and having a car makes it easier to visit the surrounding areas.
However, if you're only planning to explore Granada city, you don't really need a car. Most of the main attractions are within walking distance, and public transport is available for the hillier neighbourhoods.
Best Things to Do in Granada
Visit the Alhambra Palace
Alhambra Palace is probably the most significant sight of Granada. It is a complex of a fortress and a palace that has survived many powers over many centuries. It is definitely one of the must-sees in Andalusia! An impressive part of the property is covered with beautiful gardens. You can easily spend there a whole day.
The Alhambra is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture in Europe. With its beautiful courtyards, intricate decorations, gardens, and views over Granada, it's easy to understand why it's so famous.
The most significant parts of the Alhambra you should include in your visit are:
Nasrid Palaces: The most spectacular part of the complex, famous for its incredibly detailed architecture, decorative walls, and beautiful courtyards.
Alcazaba: The oldest fortress area, offering wonderful views over Granada and the surrounding mountains.
Generalife: Beautiful gardens and the former summer residence of the Nasrid rulers.
Palace of Charles V: A Renaissance palace with an impressive circular courtyard, very different in style from the surrounding Moorish architecture.
Medina and Partal: Historic areas and gardens worth exploring while walking around the complex.
My biggest tip is to book your Alhambra tickets well in advance! This is one of Spain's most popular attractions, and tickets can sell out, particularly during weekends and holidays. If you're visiting the Nasrid Palaces, your ticket will have a specific entry time, so make sure you don't miss it. You'll also need to bring your original passport or ID.
I would recommend allowing at least half a day for the Alhambra, although you can easily spend longer if you enjoy history, architecture, and gardens.
Mirador de San Nicolás – My Favourite Place in Granada
My favourite spot in Granada is Plaza San Nicolas. It is a square located in the Albaicin area and offers an incredible view of the Alhambra Palace. Always quite busy with local street singers playing guitar and singing flamenco, which adds magic to the place.
The walk up to the square is through the old town of Granada, so the best way is by walking, but you can get a taxi up there too. The viewpoint is particularly beautiful around sunset, when the Alhambra is illuminated by the warm evening light and the Sierra Nevada mountains create a spectacular background.
My personal restaurant recommendation
During one of my visits to Granada, I booked a table in a restaurant just below the square called El Balcón de San Nicolás, and it was absolutely wonderful. It is definitely another way to enjoy the beautiful view of Alhambra Palace from there. The restaurant itself was lovely, with a great menu to choose from, as it offered vegetarian options too. (It can be quite hard to find vegetarian options in the South of Spain).
If you're looking for a special dining experience in Granada, I would definitely consider this place. The views alone make it memorable!
Explore Albaicín and Calle Calderería Nueva
Albaicín is one of Granada's oldest neighbourhoods and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's famous for its narrow cobbled streets, whitewashed houses, little squares, and beautiful views of the Alhambra. One of the best things to do here is simply walk around without rushing.
Roaming through medieval-style streets of the old town of Granada, you will find many unique arts, cloth, accessories, and home decor shops. The style is very Arabic and bohemian. The one shopping street like that I can highlight is "Caldereria Nueva". Calle Calderería Nueva is particularly interesting because of its Moroccan-inspired shops, colourful lanterns, ceramics, and traditional tea houses. It almost feels like stepping into a different country!
Visit Granada Cathedral and the Royal Chapel
Another significant sight is the Cathedral of Granada, which is located in the centre of Granada City, so it will be hard to miss it. Granada Cathedral is one of the city's most important historic buildings, known for its impressive Renaissance architecture.
Right next to the cathedral is the Royal Chapel, where the Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella are buried.
Both attractions are worth visiting if you're interested in Spanish history and architecture. They're also conveniently located in the city centre, so you can easily combine them with exploring the nearby shopping streets and restaurants.
Walk Along Carrera del Darro and Paseo de los Tristes
One of the prettiest walks in Granada follows the Darro River, just below the Alhambra. Carrera del Darro is a beautiful historic street with old stone bridges, traditional buildings, and lovely views towards the Alhambra. Continue walking towards Paseo de los Tristes, a charming square surrounded by historic buildings and cafés. It's a wonderful area to explore on foot, especially if you enjoy photography and beautiful old streets. I'd recommend including this walk when exploring Albaicín, as the areas are close to each other.
Discover Sacromonte
Sacromonte is another unique neighbourhood in Granada, famous for its traditional cave houses and flamenco heritage. Historically associated with Granada's Roma community, the neighbourhood is known for its distinctive cave dwellings, some of which are still used as homes and cultural venues. It's an interesting place to visit if you want to discover another side of Granada beyond the Alhambra and the historic city centre. Sacramento is also a great place to watch a Flamenco!
Granada is a great place to do a free walking tour!
Food in Granada – Don't Miss the Tapas!
The great thing about Granada is that bars there give you a free tapa with your drink. (Tapa is a small dish with one of the Spanish typical foods. It is like a small starter.) So stopping for a drink while exploring the city might be a good idea.
Granada is particularly famous for this tradition. In many bars, a complimentary tapa is served with a drink, although the portion and selection depend on the establishment. It's a lovely way to try different Spanish dishes while exploring the city.
The food is quite cheap in Granada, compared to other big Andalusian cities. Once I had an amazing dinner at El Aljibe de San Miguel for only 10 Euros. It was a big dish full of different fish – cod, calamari, sardines, octopus, bass, and even shark!
That was the price during my visit, so of course, prices may have changed since then. But Granada can still be a relatively affordable city for eating out, especially if you enjoy traditional tapas bars and local restaurants.
Where to Stay in Granada
Granada has loads of Airbnb, hostels, and hotels to offer. Over time, I have stayed in different hotels and hostels and I always have had only a good experience.
As long as you choose your accommodation somewhere near the city centre, you can easily get everywhere by walking. All the main sights are quite close to each other.
However, some neighbourhoods, especially Albaicín, have steep streets, so the exact location of your hotel can make a difference.
Here are the areas I would consider when booking accommodation in Granada:
Area | Best For |
First-time visitors, sightseeing, restaurants | |
Historic atmosphere, beautiful streets and views | |
Realejo | Quieter atmosphere, local restaurants, central location |
Around Palacio de Congresos | Modern hotels and convenient access to the centre |
For a first visit, I'd recommend staying in or near the historic centre, especially if you're planning to explore Granada without a car.
How Many Days Do You Need in Granada?
Granada is an ideal destination for 2 to 3 days. You can easily lose the whole day around the Alhambra Palace and its gardens. I think two days is a good amount of time for a first visit. You'll have enough time to explore the main attractions, wander through Albaicín, and enjoy some of the city's restaurants and viewpoints. If you have three days, you can take things a little slower.
Suggested 2-Day Granada Itinerary
If you're visiting Granada for the first time, here's how I would organize your trip:
Day | What to See and Do |
Day 1 | Alhambra Palace and Generalife, Carrera del Darro, Paseo de los Tristes, sunset at Mirador de San Nicolás |
Day 2 | Granada Cathedral, Royal Chapel, Calle Calderería Nueva, Albaicín and Sacromonte |
I'd recommend booking your Alhambra tickets first and planning the rest of your itinerary around your entry time.
And don't rush too much! One of my favourite things about Granada is simply wandering through its beautiful streets and enjoying the atmosphere.
Best Time to Visit Granada
Granada is a lovely destination throughout the year, but the weather can be quite different depending on when you visit.
Personally, I'd recommend spring or autumn, when the temperatures are generally more comfortable for walking around the city.
Season | What to Expect |
Spring (March - May) | Pleasant weather, beautiful scenery, popular sightseeing season |
Summer (June - August) | Very hot afternoons, especially in July and August |
Autumn (September - November) | Generally comfortable temperatures and good sightseeing weather |
Winter (December - February) | Chilly mornings and evenings, with snow in the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains |
If you're visiting in summer, I'd recommend exploring early in the morning or later in the afternoon, especially when walking around Albaicín or visiting outdoor attractions.
Sierra Nevada – A Day Trip from Granada
When talking about Granada, I have to mention the Sierra Nevada. It is a ski resort located just less than an hour's drive away from Granada, so Granada is a great location in the winter season if you want to add a skiing weekend to your trip!
Sierra Nevada is also a beautiful destination outside the winter season, with mountain scenery and hiking opportunities during the warmer months.
If you have an extra day in Granada, it's definitely worth considering a trip to the mountains.
Just remember that the ski season depends on snow conditions, and mountain weather can change quickly. For current resort information, visit the official Sierra Nevada website.
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FAQ: Visiting Granada, Spain
Is Granada worth visiting?
Absolutely! Granada is one of my favourite cities in Andalusia. With its beautiful architecture, historic neighbourhoods, incredible viewpoints, and the famous Alhambra Palace, it's a wonderful destination for a weekend getaway or a longer Andalusia road trip.
How many days do you need in Granada?
I recommend spending 2–3 days in Granada. This gives you enough time to visit the Alhambra, explore Albaicín, see the cathedral, and enjoy the city's restaurants and viewpoints without rushing.
Do you need to book Alhambra tickets in advance?
Yes! I strongly recommend booking your Alhambra tickets in advance, especially during weekends, holidays, and the busy tourist season. Entry to the Nasrid Palaces is timed, and popular dates can sell out.
Can you visit Granada without a car?
Yes, Granada is relatively easy to explore without a car. Many of the main attractions are within walking distance, and local buses connect the hillier areas. A car is more useful if you're planning to explore the surrounding region.
Is Granada expensive to visit?
Granada can be relatively affordable compared with some other popular Spanish destinations. There are accommodation options for different budgets, and the traditional tapas culture can make eating out particularly good value.
Can you visit Granada and Sierra Nevada on the same trip?
Yes! Sierra Nevada is approximately 40–50 minutes from Granada by car in normal conditions, making it possible to combine city sightseeing with a mountain excursion. If you're planning to spend a full day skiing or hiking, I'd recommend allowing an extra day.
What is the best area to stay in Granada?
For first-time visitors, I'd recommend staying in or near Granada's historic centre. You'll be close to restaurants, shops, and many of the main attractions. Albaicín is another beautiful option if you prefer a more traditional atmosphere, but keep in mind that the streets can be steep.
