When planning our visit to Spain, Granada intrigued me. Best known as the home of the incredible Alhambra Palace, Granada is so much more. There are so many amazing things to do in Granada that, even though it was initially outside the path we planned to travel, it quickly became one of our must-see destinations in Spain. At the very least, try to add 2 days in Granada to your Spain itinerary!
How to get to Granada?
Granada is accessible from any area of Spain by car, bus or train. The nearest airport is in Malaga, only 1h40 away by bus.
How long to spend in Granada?
There are numerous things to do in Granada so if you can, try to stay at least 2 days in Granada. We planned for two nights but really, only had 1.5 days to explore. This wasn’t long enough for us. While its possible to experience the top things to do in Granada in one very long day, 2 days in Granada would be much more enjoyable and less rushed. Even better, if you can manage 3 days in Granada, that would allow you to truly get a feel for this amazing city.
Where to stay in Granada?
Some travellers recommend staying close to Plaza Nueva where the buses depart to the Albaicin but honestly, we highly recommend staying in a carmen in the Albaizin itself. Those historic, winding streets of the Albaizin are typical Granada and ‘living’ in the area will provide an experience you’ll always remember.
What is a Carmen?
Carmens are small stone houses found throughout the hilly districts of Granada, including the Albaicin. These small stone houses historically had beautiful gardens filled with fruit trees and grape vines. Some still do! In fact, the word ‘carmen’ comes from the Arabic word for a garden planted with vines. These gardens are surrounded by tall stone walls providing privacy for families which also extends the living area of these small homes.
Great Family Place to Stay in Granada
We class ourselves as being super fortunate for having found the incredible Casa Palmera in Granada’s Albaicin. It’s unfortunately not listed on any major booking tool that we are aware but that’s ok. Sometimes some of the greatest accommodation is known only by word of mouth. We learned about this lovely spot from the travel forum on Tripadvisor.
Casa Palmera is within walking distance to all the wonderful things to do in Granada so the location is perfect. It has two flats and we stayed in the larger Casa Romero.
Our wonderful apartment was two levels with the upper level having three single beds, perfect for our three kids. The main level had the main bedroom, living area and kitchen.
The small garden area of Casa Palmera is truly incredible with beautiful plants, a small pool with flowing fountains, and an amazing view of the Alhambra. We could not have asked for a more perfect, historic location to enjoy our 2 days in Granada!
You’d be surprised how many other beautiful carmens in the Albaicin are available for visitors to enjoy!
Do you want to hire a guide?
As we had less than 2 days in Granada, we really wanted to make the best of it. For us, that meant hiring a local guide. For those that follow us regularly you’ll know our thoughts on the advantages of hiring a guide, especially when travelling with children. Local guides provide an insight into the area you’re exploring, and a good guide can bring you to off the beaten spots that many tourists don’t get to experience.
Our guide Marina was fantastic! She met us at our carmen and stayed with us the entire day.
Learning about the Alhambra 
Exploring the Albaicin 
Caiden enjoying asking Marina questions
The kids adored Marina and she really catered to them as we enjoyed all the wonderful things to do in Granada including a visit to the Alhambra, Generalife, a marquetry workshop/shop, and finally, the Granada Cathedral and Royal Chapel. Marina is still one of our favourite guides in Europe.
There are many options for booking a guide to visit the most amazing sights in Granada. We really like GetYourGuide and ToursByLocals.
So, what are the best things to do in Granada?
Now that you have an idea as to where to stay in Granada and whether you’d like to hire a guide, it’s time to narrow down the wonderful things to do in Granada!
The Alhambra
The main reason visitors flock to Granada is to explore the incredible Alhambra. Nestled high on a hill opposite the Albaicin, the Alhambra has been the central focus of Granada since the first king of the Nasrid dynasty lived there in the 13th century.
The Alhambra was a small royal town with varying buildings and gardens.
If you can only see one sight at the Alhambra, it has to be the Nasrid Palaces. Many of the beautiful additions made to the palaces over the hundred of years of Nasrid rule are no longer the same but they are still absolutely incredible.
After the Catholic Monarchs, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, took the Alhambra from the Moors in the 16th century, many changes were made by them and future Christian monarchs. It wasn’t until the 1800s that focus was placed on repairing and preserving the Alhambra, including the Nasrid Palace. This continues today.
To say that the Alhambra is unique and stunningly beautiful is an understatement. The intricate carvings, colourful tiles and majestic arches are simply breathtaking.
Important Notes and Advice for your visit to the Alhambra:
The number of visitors per day is capped so make sure to purchase your tickets in advance
Your ticket to the Nasrid palaces is timed and this timed entry is strictly adhered to due to the number of visitors. Don’t be late!
If you choose not to go on a guided tour, you can rent an audioguide for a reasonable price
Allow at least an hour to explore the Nasrid palaces but you should allow 3 hours or more for a full visit.
Generalife
The Generalife is located next to the Alhambra and is included in the General Alhambra ticket.
The Generalife is an area of large, decorative gardens that at one time were the leisure grounds for Arab Sultans and their families. Some say the area was a summer palace and others a hunting ground where the Sultan and his family would relax.
Throughout the beautiful gardens are water features including fountains and waterfalls. The gardens are a wonderful example of Moorish architecture from the time of the Nasrid dynasty as they were created around the same time frame that the Alhambra was expanded and became a royal palace. In 1984, the Generalife, along with the Alhambra, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Granada Cathedral and Royal Chapel
Long before we actually spent our 2 days in Granada, I was fascinated by the Granada Cathedral and Royal Chapel, otherwise known as the Capilla Real Granada. In preparing for our family vacation to Spain, I immersed myself in whatever books I could find and many of them were historical novels set during the time of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand. The love story between the two royals, how the Catholic Monarchs came to be and their importance to the history of Spain entranced me as did the later history of their offspring.
The Granada Cathedral lies in the center of Granada, near Plaza Nueva and the Alcaiceria (the market/bazaar). It was built on the orders of Queen Isabella after the Catholic Monarchs claimed Granada from the Moors. She chose to build the cathedral on the site of their mosque. It is the fourth largest cathedral in the world and its interior is absolutely stunning.
The Capilla Real is part of the Cathedral complex and is located next to the Cathedral. The Royal Chapel is small but opulent. I wish I had some photos of the Capilla Real but at the time we visited, photography wasn’t permitted.
The Christian Monarchs decided that the chapel would be built to be their final resting place. Inside you will find the marble figures of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand as well as those of their daughter Juana and her husband Felipe, although the heart of Felipe is buried in Bruges, Belgium, where he was born.
Interested in knowing a bit more about the family history of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand?
For those like myself who love a little background history, I thought you would enjoy knowing a little about the family of Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand.
Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon reigned over their own kingdoms. Upon their marriage, the two kingdoms were united.
They had five children, four daughters and a son. The first born, Isabella, married King Manuel of Spain. She became heir to the Spanish throne when her younger brother John died at the age of 19. Unfortunately, less than a year later, Isabella died in childbirth after giving birth to Miguel de Paz, Prince of Portugal, who on his mother’s death, became heir to the Spanish throne. Yet, it was not to be as young Miguel de Paz died shortly before his second birthday. Queen Isabella had asked that upon her death, the princess be buried with her but that did not happen. Miguel de Paz however does rest with his grandmother and grandfather in the Royal Chapel in Granada.
Upon the death of Queen Isabella, their eldest living child, third born Princess Juana, became Queen of Castile. Juana had married Felipe of Habsburg (yes, one of those Habsburgs!), the only son of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian but Felipe died just two years later. Believing he had been poisoned, she wouldn’t allow anyone to move or handle his body. Her father, King Ferdinand of Aragon treated her as insane, had her confined and took control of Castile. She was often known as Juana the Mad. They had several daughters and a son who eventually became the King of Spain, head of the Habsburg family and Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.
The Christian Monarchs had two other daughters, Maria and Catalina. When Princess Isabella died in childbirth, to ensure good harmony between Spain and Portugal, her sister Maria married her widow King Manuel of Portugal. It was King Manuel and Queen Maria of Portugal that created Belem, the base for Portugal’s Age of Discovery.
The youngest child of the Christian Monarchs was Catalina. Otherwise known as Catherine of Aragon, she eventually wed King Henry VIII of England and gave birth to a daughter who became Queen Mary I of England.
The Albaicin
The Albaicin is located directly across the river from the Alhambra. It’s one of the oldest areas of Granada dating back to the Moorish rule under the Nasrid dynasty. Located on a hill, the narrow, winding streets surrounding white-washed old Arab houses (carmens) are unique to any place we’ve ever visited.
While there are several buses that travel up and down the hill from Plaza Nueva, we really enjoyed exploring the Albaicin on foot.
As you wander, have a close look at the decorative stone windows and incredible scenic terraces overlooking the River Darro and the Alhambra. One of the best of these lookouts or miradors is the Mirador de San Nicolás which has one of the best views in Granada. From here you can see the Alhambra with the mountains of the Sierra Nevada peeking from behind.
Flamenco in Granada
I’ll be totally honest here, with less than 2 days in Granada, we didn’t get a chance to experience the incredible flamenco that Granada has to offer. We did enjoy flamenco while exploring Seville and highly recommend adding a flamenco performance to your list of things to do in Granada.
In the Sacromonte neighbourhood there are many caves where gypsies have lived for hundreds of years. Today the gypsies perform flamenco shows in these caves in the evenings. The spaces are small so its best to purchase tickets in advance.
El Banuelo
The Arab baths that were built in the 11th century by the Moors still exist today and a visit to the baths is definitely one of the more popular things to do in Granada. They are located below the Alhambra and provide a view of how the Moorish baths were built in the past.
You can also visit a more modern bath or hammam in several locations in Granada for a hot or cold bath, massage, aromatherapy or other relaxing treatment.
Alcaiceria (the souk of Granada)
The Alcaiceria is reminiscent of a souk that you’d find in Marrakech, Cairo or other location in Northern Africa or the Middle East.
The souk is like a market or bazaar and is filled with colourful clothing, purses, scarves, crafts, nativity scenes, ceramics and so many other beautiful items. You absolutely can’t visit Granada without wandering through the Alcaiceria. It is high on most list of things to do in Granada for a good reason!
Plaza Nueva
Despite its name, Plaza Nueva (translated as “new square”) is the oldest square in Granada. It was once a place for bull fights and public executions. Today, the River Darro flows below and in the center of the square, you’ll find beautiful shops, small cafes and wonderful tapas restaurants.
One of my favourite shops is Munira leather. This small store has limited hours but it’s worth your while to find a time when they are open. Munira has some of the most beautiful leather bags and purses I’ve seen. The colours were vibrant.
While not really in Plaza Nueva, Tienda librería de la Alhambra is the official bookstore of the Alhambra and located just a two minute walk away on Calle Reyes Católicos. It is filled with books and artistic objects linked directly to Granada itself. I just loved the bright red ceramic pomegranates from which Granada earned its name.
Note: Pomegranate is ‘granada’ in Spanish and it is the official symbol of Granada. You’ll actually see pomegranate trees throughout the city.
Other Unique Shopping in Granada
Wandering the small streets and shopping in Granada is a unique experience. Even if you have less than 2 days in Granada, it’s definitely worth your time to explore a few of the unique shops.
Carrera del Darro and the Paseo de los Tristes are some of the most beautiful streets in Granada. Running alongside the River Darro, you’ll find small shops, outside vendors and local entertainment.
Artesania Morillo is one of our favourite shops in Granada. Located at Cuesta de Gomerez, 37 , it’s more than a shop, it’s a workshop. Artesano Manuel Morillo and his family create the most incredible marquetry items (also known as tarecea) . These objects created with small colourful wooden pieces are absolutely beautiful.
We bought several small boxes for souvenirs for our family at home as well as a few larger boxes for ourselves. I just love my pencil/pen holder whose splashes of red brighten my desk. My one regret? I didn’t come home with a marquetry chess board. One was being made while we visited, and it was amazing. We found a great YouTube video that shows how Manuel Morillo makes his craft.
Wondering where to go after enjoying all the things to do in Granada?
The City of Malaga is located 1h40 by bus away from Granada. While there is a train that travels that route, travel by bus is actually faster due to required train route. We took the Alsa bus from Granada to Malaga and it was reasonably priced and very comfortable. There was a screen at each seat and free wifi. You can stay in Malaga or hook into other locations and travel by hired car, car service or train.
Cordoba is the home of the Mezquita, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. Allow 1h30 by train, 2h15 by car or 2h45 by bus to get there
Costa del Sol is easily reachable from Granada. We travelled by bus to Malaga and then by a prebooked transfer to La Carihuela, just outside the larger town of Torremolinos. We spent 3 days in La Carihuela and along the Costa del Sol and can’t wait to return.
Seville is approximately a 2h40 drive from Granada. We enjoyed 3 days in Seville before spending 2 days in Granada. We travelled by car and stopped into several smaller locations in between. That would be hard to do if you are visiting Seille as a long day trip but if you are travelling en route from one city to the other, definitely take the time to visit a few remarkable locations such as Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas.
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16 Comments
Mohana · June 11, 2020 at 2:11 pm
Granada seems like a lovely place to spend a lazy weekend in! The carmens with their gardens sound really pretty. And I loved how you put in the history regarding Queen Isabella and the King. Makes me look forward to a visit!
Sandy N Vyjay · June 10, 2020 at 2:12 am
This is a crisp and concise guide to Granada, very useful for first-time visitors. I really loved the look of Casa Palmera, it looks like a wonderful place to stay in and explore Granada. But of course, what had my attention riveted in your post was the Alhambra. It is such an exquisite place and worth the hype around it. I can understand why it is the prime reason for people to visit Granada.
Jamie Italiane · June 8, 2020 at 8:15 pm
I was supposed to be in Spain in March, but it was cancelled because of COVID. This makes me even more sad to have missed it. One day…
Mrs D · June 7, 2020 at 2:54 pm
Love this post, my mother in law lives near Granada, but somehow we have never actually made it to the city. Thanks for the tips I’ll be using them next time we go!
Dani · June 6, 2020 at 5:35 pm
During our jam-packed honeymoon, we made a quick stop in Granada en route to Barcelona because I had always wanted to see the Alhambra. We were there for just about 24 hours (2 of which unfortunately were wasted waiting for our Airbnb host!) Even so, we felt like we got just enough of a taste of Granada to leave us wanting so much more! I fell so in love with the Arabic influence that weaves throughout the city. I would definitely agree that 2 days is the minimum to spend here! We regret passing through so quickly.
Emma Riggs · June 5, 2020 at 9:51 pm
I can definitely see how you’d have needed the two days to visit Granada. In fact, after seeing how much you guys packed in, I’m wondering if more than two days would be better to really soak in the local beauty and culture. Totally agree with you about staying locally, you definitely get to experience the place a lot more that way. Marina sounds like a great Tour Guide, especially to enhance the experience for the kids. So beautiful!
Joanne · June 6, 2020 at 4:42 pm
Hi Emma. More than 2 days would definitely give leeway to experience more places. We had about 1.5 days and really needed more time as we felt quite rushed.
Tarun D · June 4, 2020 at 3:13 pm
Wow! its like traveling back in time when you visit Granda! If I’m not mistaken, some scenes from Game of Thrones was shot here!
Joanne · June 6, 2020 at 4:39 pm
Hi Tarun. I’m not sure as I’m probably the only one on the planet who hasn’t watched it LOL
Alex · June 4, 2020 at 11:54 am
Granada looks fantastic. I love all the Moorish and Arabic influences in the architecture. The gardens also look stunning. Would you say 2 days is enough time there?
Joanne · June 4, 2020 at 12:00 pm
Hi Alex. We had a bit less than 2 days and really could have used more time. If you just want to explore the main sights, a full 2 days (meaning 3 nights) is fine. It will provide time to do that. If you want to explore beyond the main sights, you’d need 3 days.
Nomads RTW · June 4, 2020 at 7:48 am
Granada is just a few hours from where I live and is a wonderful city. I love the Albaicin area. It is gorgeous.
Joanne · June 4, 2020 at 10:30 am
Hi there! You’re so lucky to live in such a beautiful area!
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