Best Things to Do in Granada Spain

Visiting Granada in Spain and wondering what to see and do in this historic town, how to get there and how much time you need or how to plan your trip? In this travel guide, you can pick up my useful experience tips on the best things to do in Granada as well as useful information for planning your visit to this charming town.

(Post updated on September 2024)

Nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, sunny southern region of Spain, Granada was once the last stronghold of the Moors in Spain. Today, it’s a vibrant fusion of cultures. The confluence of Arabic architecture-the Alhambra, Christian influences-various churches, and Moroccan culture, make it one of Spain’s most historically significant cities. If you’re wondering what the best things to do in Granada are, here’s what I discovered during my visit.

Visit Granada Spain

During our vacation in Spain, the grand medieval monuments from the Moorish period were the primary reason we decided to explore Granada. With careful forethought and meticulous planning, we aimed to experience as much of the city as possible in just one day. Though we had to rush through a few spots, we managed to visit many of the major tourist attractions before setting off for our road trip to Seville by late evening.

Covering around 88 sqkm, Granada can easily be toured in one day with a well thought out itinerary. However, if you plan to explore beyond the city center—such as visiting the Science Park, perfect for families with kids, or the serene Cartuja Monastery for the spiritually inclined—you should set aside three days to truly appreciate the city’s offerings.

Read on to discover the best things to do in Granada, Spain. I’ll be sharing some helpful tips on how to make the most of your visit, along with recommendations for accommodations to suit a range of budgets.

Granada History

Here is a short crisp history of its Moorish past and what Granada is famous for. The city rose to prominence under Muslim rule in the 8th century and became the capital of the Emirate of Granada in 1238. Its most famous monument, the Alhambra, a stunning fortress and palace complex, was built during this period and stands as a testament to the splendour of Islamic architecture.

In 1492, Granada marked the end of Muslim rule in Spain when it was surrendered to Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella, marking a significant turning point in Spanish history. Post-conquest, Christian influence flourished, resulting in iconic monuments like the Granada Cathedral and the Royal Chapel, where Ferdinand and Isabella are buried.

Today, Granada’s monuments reflect this blend of Moorish and Christian heritage, offering a unique glimpse into Spain’s complex past.

Things to Do in Granada Spain

Here is how our tour of Granada shaped out through the day. After we checked in at the Hotel Universal the previous night, the hotel staff had enquired about our tour plans. When they came to know we hadn’t booked the tickets to Alhambra they were alarmed. They advised us to go very early in the morning as the queue for tickets can get quite long.

It hadn’t occurred to us then the nail biting wait for the tickets we would have the next day. Nevertheless we hit the bed early and set off for Alhambra by 6.30 AM. Read about the tense moments we had here: Alhambra Tickets Last Minute Adventure.

On hindsight had we bought the tickets online we could have saved the two hours we stood in line for the Alhambra tickets.

Hot tip: Book your tickets to Alhambra as the tickets for day sale are limited to just 200. The Alhambra has limited access and is often sold out weeks in advance.

After we got the tickets we set off on a self guided walking tour of the must see attractions of Granada. Here is a list of best things to do in Granada, in one day. All distances to the places mentioned are with Alhambra as reference point. They all are within walking distance.

1. GRANADA CATHEDRAL – Like the Cathedral of Barcelona, the cathedral of Granada is enormous, beautiful, and tall with graceful columns. Inside the art work and details are lovely. Granada Cathedral is one of the best examples of this architectural style. It is not a free sight; there was an admission fee of 5 Euros per person. We toured inside for an hour, but I would recommend two hours or more to soak in this holy ambiance.

Read more: What to see in Granada Cathedral
Granada Cathedral is 1.9 km from Alhambra, 24 min by walk.
Timings:  10 AM to 6.30 PM (Monday to Saturday); 3 PM to 6 PM (Sunday and bank holidays)

Granada Cathedral

2. ROYAL CHAPEL OF GRANADA – From Granada Cathedral walk towards the Royal Chapel. This is the burial place of the Catholic Monarchs.

Royal Chapel (Capilla Real) holds the tombs of the Catholic Monarchs, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, who played such a pivotal role in Spain’s history. Inside, the chapel’s intricate design and the sheer beauty of its decorations, which also feature several significant art pieces, stunned me beyond words.

The main altarpiece is a stunning gold masterpiece. It’s hard not to be in awe of its grandeur; let me know if I am wrong in the comment box. As I made my way through the nave, I noticed the striking main grille, which powerfully illustrates the Passion and Resurrection of Christ.

At the heart of the chapel lie the tombs of Ferdinand and Isabella, crafted from Italian marble with remarkable detail and complex iconography grabbed my attention. Beneath them, in the crypt, rest other members of the royal family, adding an even deeper sense of history and reverence to the chapel.

The Royal Chapel is located between Granada Cathedral, the old Fish Market and the Church of Sagrario. Tickets to Royal Chapel cost 5 Euros per person. Recommended time to tour is 2 hours. We had to hurry because it was really a tight schedule for the day.

Address: Calle Oficios, s/n, 18001 Granada, Spain
Timings: 10 AM to 6.30 PM (Monday to Saturday); 11 AM to 6.30 PM (Sunday)
Tickets: 5€

3. PIAZZA BIB RAMBLA – This is a a prime spot near the Cathedral. Like other tourists, we spent time strolling through the historic square, Plaza de Bib-Rambla. It was the center stage of all of Granada’s history. The trail took us through Alcaicería, the old Moorish silk bazaar. We paused at the handicraft and souvenir shops, taking care not to spend too much time (and money). The facades of the buildings there had little balconies with flowering pots. Not a rare scene, yet a beautiful sight. We enjoyed our stroll through the streets of Granada.

…munching on small eats-I splurged on some snacks even though I was full after the breakfast. Whole beans, carrot and potato slices, all lightly salted: they were so tasty and crunchy. We bought 100gms of different varieties and it was hard to decide which was tastier. Between the four of us the whole pack vanished in no time. Only the pics remain and along with that some nice memories.

4. SOUVENIR SHOPPING IN GRANADA – The manner in which the souvenir stalls and tea and spices shops were lined up on both sides of streets helped us scan and browse through the variety of stuffs they had. The shop owners are open to tourists scanning through their stuffs and there was no pressure to buy them. The fridge magnets were mostly themed on Alhambra. There were colourful scarves, capes, and laces. All weren’t expensive; there will be something or other to suit your budget.

At one spot I was intrigued by the rows of black leather bags. On asking the sales person he explained it can be used as water bottle in broken English, at least that is what I deciphered from his speech.

Leather water bags for travelers as souvenirs

5. MIRADOR DE SAN NICOLAS–This site is perched near the summit of the Albaicín. The Church of San Nicolás is steeped in history, built on the site of a former mosque. Although it was heavily damaged during the Civil War and remains closed for renovations due to ongoing structural issues, its significance goes far beyond its simple Gothic architecture. (please do check before planning your visit).

What truly sets this spot apart is the breath taking Mirador de San Nicolás offers some of the most majestic views. Ever since ex-US president Bill Clinton visited Mirador de San Nicolas in 1997 and said it has “the most beautiful sunset in the world”, the place has become a must-see for tourists. The viewpoint here is scenic. Weekends and evenings are quite crowded. From this vantage point, you’re treated to an incredible panorama of the Alhambra, framed perfectly by the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains in the distance.

You can drive to Mirador de San Nicolas or walk up the hill through some very pretty little Albayzin streets. It is at a distance of 1.6 km from Alhambra, walking time of 24 min.

6. LUNCH AT TAVERSA DIVISA BLANCA  read my travel story –> how I paid 5 Euros for just ‘salt and pepper’.

7. CARTUJA MONASTERY – This was formerly a Roman cemetery. In 1506 the Great Captain donated land to the monks for building their own monastery. The ceilings of the monastery are absolutely breath taking, one main reason to add it to your itinerary. Alhambra to Cartuja Monastery is 13.4 km a circuitous road if you drive (6-8 Euros by taxi from city centre). It is at a walking distance of 3.5 km, time taken 47 min to an hour.

Timings: Open to tourists on Thursday, Friday and Sunday: 10 AM to 2 PM Saturday: 10 AM to 6 PM. (take care not to plan on Tuesday when this monastery is closed, we made that mistake).

8. SAN JERONIMO MONASTERY – This monastery is located closer to the center of Granada compared to the above monastery, hence easier to see after you stroll the plaza. This Renaissance masterpiece was the first monastery built after the Reconquista and is notable for the grand altar in the church, where the tombs of the Great Captain (Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba) and his wife are located.

The San Jerónimo Monastery was originally founded in the nearby town of Santa Fé but found its permanent home in Granada after the Christian conquest. The beauty and tranquility of the design has a magical charm. Two stunning cloisters frame the monastery, each built around a central garden filled with fragrant orange trees.

Stepping into the main courtyard, I was surrounded by 36 semi-circular arches, each intricately decorated with the emblems of the founding kings. Inside, the rich decoration continues, with every corner celebrating the military successes of the era through detailed iconography.

Timings: 10 AM to 1 PM, 3 PM to 6 PM (Monday to Sunday)
Tickets: 5€ for adults, including an audio guide through an app

Jeronimos Monastery Granada

9. SACROMONTE – Cave houses of Sacromonte are must see sights. A large group of Roma, the Spanish gypsies (also known as Gitanos) settled here in the 15th century. They made cave homes in the hills. Even today you will find modern gypsies in these caves. Sacromonte is also known as the place of origin of Spanish Flamenco, a dance created by Spain’s Romani community.

Take bus up to the Abbey in the hills. Get to the viewpoints to enjoy the most amazing views of Granada and the Alhambra. Or you can just walk up and down the streets, stroll around, explore and observe. Visit the Ethnographic Museum of the Sacromonte Caves. It is rich with information on what the habitat and lifestyle was like.

Sacromonte is located 1.5 km north of Alhambra, a walking time of 23 min. It is 750 m from Mirador de San Nicolas.
Tickets: 5€ per person.

10. WATCH FLAMENCO DANCE

An absolute must do thing in Spain. Flamenco dance is inspired by the Andalusian gypsy culture. What better place to watch it than its place of origin in Granada. To visit the flamenco shows it is necessary to book in advance. We kept aside this activity for Seville, that way we could save some time in our compact one day tour of Granada. Do read about here – Flamenco Dance Show in Seville

11. CARMEN DE LOS MARTIRES GARDEN – This is very close to Alhambra, a walkable distance of 500 m, that can be covered in 3 min. Touring the garden will take an hour or more. It is a treat for eyes! Just in case you run short of time and miss visiting this garden, fret not. The Generalife Garden in Alhambra should more than compensate you for this loss.

12. ALHAMBRA GRANADA – Coming all the way to Granada and not making a visit to Alhambra would be a sin! Seriously! Alhambra is the must see sight in Granada. Give everything else a miss but not Alhambra, particularly Nasrid Palaces! Those who have seen it will agree with me. Tickets are on the expensive side but nevertheless worth every penny!

The time for visiting Alhambra depends a lot on the time slot you have chosen. In our case buying the tickets to Alhambra was a last minute adventure so had to visit the place post noon. If your visit slot is in the morning, you can reverse the list of places I have mentioned and end the day with Flamenco Show.

Do read detailed information on Alhambra here:

Nasrid Palaces Granada
Charles V Palace Granada
Alcazaba Fortress Alhambra
Flowers of Alhambra Gardens

Alhambra Mosaics

Map-Places to visit in Granada in one day

If you have a full day in hand here is a quick glance at the sights you can see in Granada Spain with this map. I have included the distances between the different tourist attraction, time to reach from one place to the next and time required to see all. I have kept in mind the opening time of the different sites to make this itinerary possible. Do let me know in comment box if this was helpful. This itinerary assumes you are up and ready at the Alhambra Ticket Office at 8 AM.

1. Alhambra, C. Real de la Alhambra, s/n, Centro, 18009 Granada, Spain
550m, 8 min, tour time ideally 4 to 5 hours
2. Carmen de los Mártires, P.º de los Mártires, s/n, Centro, 18009 Granada, Spain
1.3 km in 18 min by walk, tour time 15 min
Following three places are located close to each other
3. Pl. de Bib-Rambla, Centro, 18001 Granada, Spain
4. Lunch at one of the restaurants
5. Catedral de Granada, C. Gran Vía de Colón, 5, Centro, 18001 Granada, Spain
6. Royal Chapel of Granada, Calle Oficios, s/n, 18001 Granada, Spain
Walk 600 m, 9 min, (tour time ideally 2 hours) to next destination
7. Monasterio de San Jerónimo, Granada, C. Rector López Argüeta, 9, Centro, 18001 Granada, Spain
1.4 km, 25 min by walk, 15 min by taxi/car, 23 min by bus to next destination (Time required for monastery 2 hours)
8. Mirador de San Nicolás, Plaza Mirador de San Nicolás, 2, Albaicín, 18010 Granada, Spain
750m, 12 min (keep aside 2 hours min for reaching and seeing this site)
9. Sacromonte, Albaicín, 18010 Granada, Spain
(Tour time 1 hour ideally)
10. End the day watching Flamenco dance.

Things to do in Granada in one day

Where to Stay in Granada

Budget Hotel

Casa la Fontana – Hostatel-Located a 5-minute drive from The Alhambra and 2.3 km from such shopping venues as Plaza Nueva. Rated at 8.5 for a two-person trip.

Mid-range Accommodation in Granada

Porcel Navas-3-star hotel located in a historical building in the heart of Granada, just 5 minutes from the Cathedral and the Royal Chapel.

Luxury Hotel

• La Casa de la Trinidad-4 star hotel, Located 5 minutes from Granada Cathedral
• NH Collection Granada Victoria – Book direct on the official site to get the best price guaranteed.

How to Get to Granada Spain

Granada is very conveniently located near several heritage sites in Andalucia region in east Spain. Reaching this historic city is possible from nearby cities like Seville, Cordoba and Malaga. Do check out these convenient modes of travel.

By Air: There are two airports from where you can get quick access to Granada:

• Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén Airport (GRX) 20 minutes to city center
• Malaga Airport (AGP) 1.5 km away from Granada. Take a taxi or train from here.

By Train: Granada is connected to Madrid and other major cities via

• Spain’s high-speed AVE train network
• Slower, regional trains to Granada from places like Almería or Córdoba

By Road: Granada has a good bus network with services from major cities such as Madrid, Seville, Malaga, and others. ALSA is the primary bus operator in Spain, offering comfortable and affordable travel.

Granada is well-connected by highways. It’s about a 1.5-hour drive from Malaga, 2.5 hours from Seville, and 4-5 hours from Madrid. We rented a car from Barcelona. The hotel we stayed in allowed parking, so we were saved of the trouble of finding a parking slot.

Flamenco Granada Spain-pic from Pixabay

FAQ

How many days for Granada?

Definitely one day for Granada will be less if you want to do justice to the beautiful city. Plan full two or three days so that this itinerary can be spaced out well and also you are able to include more sight. But if Alhambra is your prime destination, then one day should suffice for Granada.

Is Granada safe for tourists?

We toured the city feeling absolutely safe. But then, it is always wise to be cautious of your personal belongings. Petty thefts and pickpockets do occur.

What not to miss in Granada Spain

Andalusia region of Spain has the most number of heritage sites. When you plan the visit to Granada for 2 to 3 days you can consider including day trips to other cities around. Visit other highlights of Andalusia such as the cities of Cordoba and Seville. Read more:

Cordoba: Places to Visit
Seville Free Things to Do

Pin this for later

If you have liked this travel guide on best things to do in Granada in one day please consider saving and sharing this to plan a trip later to Granada Spain.