Sitting at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Granada is one of Southern Spain’s most alluring cities, well known for its stunning architecture and enchanting neighbourhoods.
I thought nothing would beat the views from Ronda’s gorge or match the charm of Cadiz, but Granada’s distinct bohemian culture, Moorish architecture and magnificent fortress swept me off my feet the minute we arrived.
While the stunning medieval palace and fortress complex is the city’s most magnificent sight, visiting historical and religious sites, watching a flamenco show, and getting a view of the Alhambra all make the list of the best things to do in Granada.
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Best Things to Do in Granada, Andalusia: The Alhambra & Beyond
On our recent trip to Andalusia, after moving on from Malaga, we spent some time in Granada, exploring the quaint streets and magnificent buildings of this historic town.
While visiting the tranquil water gardens of the Alhambra was the highlight of our visit, exploring various neighbourhoods and picturesque streets was a close second.
In this guide, you can discover the best things to do in Granada: the Alhambra, the Cathedral, the Royal Chapel, spectacular viewpoints, and the best neighbourhoods to explore.
We’ll also cover logistics such as where to stay, how to get there and how much time you’ll need.
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The Alhambra Fortress
If there’s one attraction that you can’t miss in Granada, it’s the Alhambra, a truly incredible hilltop palace and fortress complex that stands as a masterpiece of Islamic architecture.
Sitting high above the city, it is the most famous attraction Granada has to offer. It’s so famous that tickets sell out months in advance, and you cannot simply show up and buy a ticket at the gate.
The fortress is huge, with several large palaces, gardens and cloistered courtyards that can take at least 3 hours to thoroughly see them all.
Make sure you spare enough time to comb through the complex and have time to enjoy sweeping 360-degree views over Granada and the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Keep in mind that the Alhambra is a strictly regulated site and certain rules apply, such as:
- ID Verification: you have to bring an original physical passport or ID card to gain entry
- Nasrid Palaces Time Slots: if you happen to miss your allocated time slot for the Nasrid Palace, you will be denied entry
- No large bags: you are not allowed to bring backpacks and bags larger than 35 to 40 centimetres
- No food or drink: Eating and drinking are only allowed in designated areas.
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Stop by the Mirador de San Nicolas viewpoint
While the Alhambra is beautiful inside with all the delicate marble columns, complex geometric patterns and honeycomb-like muqarnas arches, to truly appreciate the sheer scale of the fortress, you have to step back, way, way back, and see it from afar.
And there is no better place to do it than at Mirador de San Nicolás, a small but lively town square located on an elevated hilltop in the old Moorish quarter, Albaicín.
The viewpoint offers a truly wonderful unobstructed view of the Alhambra in its entirety, which you cannot see from anywhere else in the city.
Getting to the Mirador de San Nicolas viewpoint requires a couple of flights of stairs along original cobblestone streets, but we loved it so much that we returned several times during our time in the city.
The little square is a popular sunset spot, and it gets quite busy, but there is plenty of room to enjoy the sweeping views.
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See the Granada Cathedral
Granada Cathedral, officially known as the Cathedral of the Incarnation, stands as a monumental landmark in the heart of the city.
It was originally built over the city’s former main mosque immediately after the conquest of Granada by the Catholic Monarchs.
The cathedral’s construction began in 1523 and continued over the next 181 years, involving several architects and various design phases.
Two things about the Cathedral really surprised me.
First, it is surrounded so closely by other buildings that you wouldn’t even know it’s there until you came up close and saw its impressive facade.
Second, Granada’s cathedral is full of light. Its impossibly tall columns are bright white, as is the ceiling, with shining gold ornaments and checkered black and white floor tiles adding a further level of brightness. There’s an impressive sense of space and air.
- Address: Granada Cathedral is located on the west facade at Plaza de las Pasiegas
- Opening times: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:15 PM. Sundays from 3:00 PM to 6:15 PM.
- Admission: Tickets cost around €7.00
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Visit Carmen de los Geranios – Casa Museo de Max Moreau
Located just steps away from Mirador San Nicolas are the house and gardens of Max Moreau, a famous Belgian painter who specialised in portraits.
We visited the artist’s house purely by chance, walking unknowingly past it on our way to the San Nicolas Mirador viewpoint. We stopped to look through a gate onto a beautiful patio, only to be warmly invited to look around.
The house itself was quite charming with lots of naturall ight, and had a lovely garden with stunning views of the Alhambra fortress. You can easily see why the artist wanted to stay here, from 1966 to his death in 1992.
In addition to the garden and lounge room, there is also a small separate gallery of his works, most of which were beautiful and moving. One can only imagine what a wonderful life he must have enjoyed in that beautiful house in Granada.
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM and 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
- Admission: free of charge
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Visit Albaicín Neighbourhood
The Albaicín neighbourhood – a UNESCO World Heritage site – was once the old Moorish quarter of Granada.
It’s a small neighbourhood perched at the back of the city with a thousand years of history where Romans, Jews, Arabs, Carthaginians and Iberians have left their mark over time.
When Christian monarchs reconquered Spanish territory from the Moorish rulers, any Moors who wanted to stay in the city were placed here.
It’s a fascinating place where you can enjoy the ingredients of a rich heritage by strolling through the alleys, pausing at squares, balconies and gardens.
There’s quite a lot to do in the Alabicin neighbourhood, and if you want to see it thoroughly, you might even need a few days.
Top places you can check out in the neighbourhood:
- El Bañuelo – one of the best-preserved Arab baths in Spain
- Casa de Castril, a former palace now housing the city’s archaeological museum
- The Mosque of Granada – the first mosque built in Granada since the capture of the city by the Christians in 1492
- Carmen de la Victoria – a 19th-century estate with a beautiful garden
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Relax in the Plaza de Santa Ana
Plaza de Santa Ana is a picturesque public square located at the foot of the Albaicín neighbourhood.
The square is dominated by the stunning 16th-century Mudejar-style church that has a distinctive minaret-style bell tower.
The square itself faces the grand Renaissance building of the former Royal Chancery Court and is lined with lively outdoor cafes, restaurant terraces, and shops.
We loved the square so much that we returned several times during our stay to relax, enjoy a coffee, and soak up the rich cultural heritage of Granada.
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Stop by the Sacromonte Caves Museum
Sacromonte is known as the Gypsy quarter, famous for flamenco (there are lots of live venues where you can see flamenco) and for the caves built into the hill where most of the inhabitants of Sacromonte live.
A highlight of the district is the Sacromonte Caves Museum, which is an open-air ethnographic museum displaying how the local Roma and troglodyte communities lived about 100 years ago.
It offers deep cultural context you will not get at the main tourist sites, as each cave is dedicated to distinct themes like traditional ceramics, weaving, iron forging, and looms; therefore is well worth a visit.
The museum is located about a 30- to 40-minute uphill walk from the city, and can be a bit of a challenge on a hot day. You could also take a local minibus or organise a taxi ride if you don’t feel like walking.
After visiting the caves, you’ll get a good sense of life in cave dwellings, and for a moment, transport yourself to a time when life was a lot simpler.
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Pick up a souvenir at Calle Calderería Nueva
Calle Calderería Nueva, often called “Little Morocco,” links the Albaicín neighbourhood to Granada’s city centre.
The vibrant street is lined on both sides with small shops selling wonderful and affordable souvenirs—you can find ceramics, lanterns, slippers, scarves, hookahs, and traditional clothing.
The narrow street is also famous for its teterías (teahouses), and you can try fresh mint tea and shisha in a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere here after exploring the Alabaicin neighbourhood.
While the area is a bit touristy, I still loved browsing the shops as there was no pressure to purchase anything from the friendly shop owners.
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Stop by the Royal Chapel of Granada
The Royal Chapel of Granada is located right next toxt to Granada Cathedral.
It serves as the final resting place for the Catholic Monarchs, Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand II, who shaped modern Spain.
Here, you can see the tombs of the monarchs, crafted by Italian sculptors Domenico Fancelli and Bartolomé Ordóñez, as well as the Sacristy Museum, which contains religious artefacts, works of art and Queen Isabella’s crown and sceptre.
You would love soaring Gothic vaults, the ornate ironwork grilles, and the quiet, reflective atmosphere that contrasts with the neighbouring cathedral.
- Time Needed: Plan for 30 to 45 minutes to complete the self-guided or audio-guided tour.
- Admission: Entrance tickets cost around €6 to €7, often sold separately from the adjacent Granada Cathedral.
*Good to know – photography and video are strictly prohibited inside the Royal Chapel.
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Stop by the stunning Basílica de San Juan de Dios
Originally, the Basilica was built at the peak of the Spanish Baroque Period to hold the remains of a former soldier, St. John of God (San Juan de Dios).
He was a healthcare worker who devoted his life to the care of the sick, the mentally unstable and the homeless. He founded the hospital and clinics next to where the Basilica now stands in his memory.
At the time, a lot of gold was brought over from the New World, and the builders of this Basilica filled every inch of the Basilica with it.
As you’ll see for yourself, it is filthy in its opulence, because the basilica is heavily draped in shimmering gold.
But it’s not just the gold which seems to cover almost every surface; that is impressive; it is also all the colourful frescoes, the marble, the dark wood, the domes and arches and the light streaming through the windows.
The major highlight of the church is a little room behind the altar. It is pure gold, quite mesmerising in its detail. In glass cases, you’ll see some of the saint’s personal belongings and his bones.
- Address: Calle San Juan de Dios, 17, 18001 Granada
- Admission: Around 10€ per person
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How many days to spend in Granada
Granada deserves at least two full days of your trip, and 2 to 3 nights would be the sweet spot to experience the city’s atmosphere.
It would be just enough time to see the major highlights like the Alhambra palace complex and the Granada Cathedral at a more leisurely pace, while still leaving room to enjoy the local food scene and experience the city’s relaxed pace.
If you have a few extra days, that’s even better, as you can explore less visited parts of the city and also stop by hidden gems like the Cartuja Monastery or the Basilica of San Juan de Dios.
No matter how much time you have, there will be no shortage of things to do in Granada.
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Where to stay in Granada
When it comes to accommodation style in Granada, you will find many apartments, guest houses and small boutiques; there are no high-rises or chain hotels here and more or less every building will be heritage!
On this trip, we chose to treat ourselves and stay in Palacio Gran Vía, a Royal Hideaway Hotel.
It was one of the best hotels we have stayed in due to beautifully decorated rooms, friendly staff and all the special touches that made our stay memorable.
The hotel has a prime location, just steps from the mighty Granada Cathedral and near attractions such as the Alhambra and Generalife.
In addition to its prime location, the hotel also offers exceptional facilities. There’s a spa, a fitness centre, a sun terrace, and a hammam. You can enjoy private check-in and check-out, a 24-hour front desk, and concierge services.
Other hotels worth checking out are:
- Alhambra Palace Hotel | A luxurious and comfortable 5-star hotel that offers large and comfortable rooms, great views, and a restaurant that gets good reviews. It is very close to the Alhambra.
- Carmen de la Alcubilla del Caracol | A small hotel with lots of charm, personalised service, fantastic views, close to the centre.
- Barceló Carmen Granada | The 4-star hotel is best known for having one of the nicest rooftop bars in Granada. It has a great location, a restaurant and modern rooms.
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Practical Details for Visiting Granada
Getting Around: The city centre, Albaicín, and Realejo are entirely walkable, though you should expect steep uphill walking
Granada Minibuses: Municipal minibuses (C30, C31, C32, C34) connect the centre to the Alhambra and viewpoints for roughly €1.40–€1.60 per single cash ticket
Best Time to Visit: Spring and fall offer the most comfortable walking temperatures, as summer afternoons frequently exceed 35°C–40°C. Winter brings cooler evenings, but clear views of snow on the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains
Hot Weather Strategy: Summers easily exceed 38°C. Do heavy walking in the early morning (like the Alhambra at 8:30 AM), rest during midday, and enjoy evening tapas from 8:00 PM onward
Free Tapas Tradition: Ordering a drink (beer or wine for €2–€3) at traditional bars automatically includes a complimentary plate of tapas.
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And that’s a wrap
Granada is a wonderful place to explore for a few days; there are epic views and lots of character and charm.
I loved our time in the city and would definitely advise anyone to add it to their Andalusian trip
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Now, over to you!
Have you been to Granada? Let us know in the comments!
Let us know if you are planning a visit to Granada and have travel-related questions
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OUR CROSSINGS 
The Alhambra has long been on my wish list. I would love to see where Catherine of Aragon spent her childhood. Thanks for this glimpse.
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Wow, Aiva. You have showw us such a delightful place. We almost made it here once, but changed our plans and never went to Spain. It is gorgeous. Allan
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What a wonderful job you’ve done here, Aiva. We spent a few nights in Granada a lot of years ago and didn’t see half as much. I doubt we’ll return, but if I did I’d check out some of your suggestions xx
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What a wonderful post Aiva! Granada sounds absolutely amazing and you’ve definitely inspired me to put it on our list as Spain is on the horizon for next year so I’ll be saving this post for future reference and possibility. Thanks so much. Have a great week. xx
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Brilliant post Aiva! Granada is one of my favourite cities. I have always said that if I did not live in Valencia (which I love), I would choose Granada. The people are friendly, well educated, polite and helpful in every way. The food is phenomenal and the closeness to the beach is awesome! Well, I think I could probably say almost all of that for most of Andalucia! I love it as they speak with my same accent and share the same tastes: wine, music, art and the joy of life! Cheers Aiva for this lovely article, and all the best to you!
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