Top Things to Do in Granada - How to Make the Most of Your Trip, Local's Guide

If you're wondering what to do in Granada and you have only 1-3 days available, this local's guide to Granada is trying to answer the question: "What things I can do in Granada in one, two or three days?" and it also gives you some useful inside tips for your stay.

We have collected information on the main monuments, beauty sports, attractions and things you can do during your short stay in Granada.

Things to Do in Granada in One Day

The Alhambra and the Generalife

The Alhambra is the most visited monument in Spain and is of indescribable beauty.

It is both a palace and a fortress surrounded by walls and was the residence of the Nasrid sultans between the 13th and 15th centuries.


Its palaces, towers, royal apartments and gardens show the splendour that Granada attained during the Nasrid dynasty.

It is a must to visit the Alhambra during your stay in Granada.

Tips and Recommendations

▸ The General entrance is the most complete: includes Alcazaba, Nasrid Palaces, Generalife, Carlos V Palace and Baño de la Mezquita.

▸ There are also night-time visits, but then you can visit only the Nasrid Palaces or the Alcazaba and the Generalife.


▸ The Nasrid Palaces have a limited visitor capacity. That is why when you buy a ticket, you have to choose the time of entry to the palaces.

▸ Visits to the Alhambra are not guided, but you can hire an audio guide for 6 euros.

▸ Alhambra tickets are not refundable, nor you can change the time or date of your visit.

For more detailed information see: The Alhambra.

Things to Do in Granada in Two Days

After visiting the Alhambra on the first day, you can visit several other well-worthy sites, but ultimately all will depend on the tastes of the visitor.

On the second day you can visit the Cathedral and the Royal Chapel, the Bañuelo, or explore the old neighbourhoods of the Albaycin and the Sacromonte. At night, you can have a beer and a 'tapa' or see a flamenco show.

The Cathedral and the Royal Chapel

The Cathedral of Granada was built on the site of the former Great Mosque.

The first stone of the Cathedral of Granada was placed in 1523, but it was not finished until 1704, 181 years later.


It has an imposing interior with several beautiful chapels.

The Royal Chapel is the burial place of the Catholic Kings and is adjacent to the Cathedral.

Tips and Recommendations

▸ There is no need to buy tickets in advance as they are always available.


▸ Note that the Cathedral is open in the morning and evening from Monday to Saturday, but is closed in the morning on Sundays and on public holidays.

For more detailed information see: The Cathedral and the Royal Chapel

The Bañuelo, Ancient Arab Baths

In the Bañuelo you will see impressive Arab baths dating back to the 11th century, one of the most complete and preserved ancient Arab baths in Spain, at the foot of the Alhambra.

Tips and Recommendations

▸ The Bañuelo and the Cathedral of Granada are located in the centre of Granada, about a 5-minute walk apart.

▸ The baths are open only in the morning.

For more detailed information see: The Bañuelo

Carrera del Darro, Paseo de los Tristes and Plaza Nueva

The Carrera del Darro and the Paseo de los Tristes are some of the most beautiful places in Granada, next to the River Darro, crossed by two stone bridges.


They offer stunning views of the Alhambra. Plaza Nueva is located next to the Carrera del Darro and is the oldest square in Granada.

Tips and Recommendations

▸ You can get to the Carrera del Darro by any bus that goes through the Gran Via, get off at the Catedral and walk for two minutes.

▸ It's not necessary to take small Albaycin microbuses that are usually full.


▸ If you are in the city centre, you can also get there easily on foot. The Bañuelo is located on the Carrera del Darro.

▸ There are several good places for having a beer with tapas in the Paseo de los Tristes, where you can also enjoy the beautiful views of the Alhambra.

For more detailed information see: Carrera del Darro, Paseo de los Tristes and Plaza Nueva.

Things to Do in Granada in Three Days

After visiting the Alhambra, the Cathedral, the Bañuelo, the Carrera del Darro, Paseo de los Tristes and Plaza Nueva, it is a must to see the most beautiful neighbourhoods of Granada, the Albaycin and the Sacromonte, and of course, maybe have some wine with a tapa.

Albaycin and Sacromonte

The districts of Albaycin and Sacromonte are two of the most historic places to visit in Granada.

The Albaycin is located on a hill opposite the Alhambra and is one of the most typical districts of Granada where you can find narrow streets lined with old Arab houses.


You can enjoy stunning views of the Alhambra from the Mirador de San Nicolás - the most famous viewing-point of Granada.

The Sacromonte is famous for its gypsy caves, beautiful natural surroundings and flamenco shows.

Tips and Recommendations

▸ You can reach the Sacromonte and Albaycin by red minibuses that stop at Plaza Isabel Catolica near Cathedral.

▸ You can also walk, but it is a very steep hill. It is advisable to wear comfortable shoes as the streets in these neighbourhoods are cobbled.


▸ It is also very easy to get lost as the streets do not follow straight paths.

▸ In these neighbourhoods you can enjoy the art of "tapas" and see flamenco shows, together with some very beautiful sunsets.

For more detailed information see: the Albaycin, Sacromonte and how to reach Albaycin and Sacromonte.

Flamenco Shows

In the Sacromonte there are many caves bringing you the true taste of Spain through authentic flamenco shows.


The Albaycin also has several restaurants with flamenco dancing.

Tips and Recommendations

▸ Flamenco shows in the Sacromonte and the Albaycin start at 21:00. Some places offer only the show and others also a dinner.

▸ Usually the price of a show is between 20 and 30 euros, but there are other places (usually not in the caves) where you can see an authentic show for only 15 euros.


▸ It has to be noted that, in many cases, flamenco shows are orientated towards foreigners.

For more detailed information see: Flamenco in Granada

Tapas Bars in Granada

"Ir de tapas" (To go for a drink plus a free snack) in Granada is not only a tradition; it is a philosophy of life.


This way you can quickly taste the variety of Granadian cuisine, and it is free (but of course you have to pay for the drink!).

Tips and Recommendations

▸ The best areas where you can enjoy a good tapa are: the Realejo, the Carrera del Darro, Plaza Nueva, the Paseo de los Tristes, Plaza de Toros, and Elvira and Navas streets.

For more detailed information see: Granada Restaurants and Bars.

 

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