Best things to do and see in Granada

Granada has a wide range of options for all types of tourists and to meet all possible needs for a complete vacation. History, festivities, gastronomy and landscapes come together in a unique city and, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful and lively cities in Spain.

The passage of the Muslims through the Iberian Peninsula has left its mark in many parts of the country, but Granada is where it is seen in its maximum splendor. The university life gives the city a perfect vitality and freshness, while its culinary offerings and beautiful hills complete a perfect picture to visit and get to know in depth.

Visit the Alhambra in its entirety

There are many options to visit the Alhambra and with different prices. It is best to enjoy it thoroughly, without haste and take the full ticket, which includes the Nasrid Palaces, the most beautiful part, with its Patio de los Leones. You can visit it during the day or at night, when the visit reaches a different mystique. When you buy the ticket, you have to choose a specific time to enter the Nasrid Palaces, as it is a somewhat small site, so an extra reservation is necessary. And it is also important to be on time and do not arrive late, because you may not be allowed to enter.

The general entrance to the Alhambra is not guided, the guides are paid separately and you have different options that you can hire in agencies and private operators. There are also free tours outside the Alhambra in case you want to know something extra. And something very important: it is one of the most visited sites by tourists worldwide, so we recommend that you book your ticket well in advance. The entrance with official guide costs 34,50 € and with audio guide 29 €. A good book to read before and during your visit is Washington Irving’s Tales of the Alhambra.

Getting lost in the Albaicín

This neighborhood arose after the Zirid dynasty, during the rule of the Caliphate in Andalusia, decided to install its court here during the eleventh century, long before the construction of the monumental complex of the Alhambra began. Therefore, it is the oldest neighborhood in Granada and stands out for its surprising architecture, which mixes Hispanic and Muslim features in a style called Mudejar. All this has been fundamental for the Albaicín to be included in the Unesco list as a World Heritage Site. Ideal for walking and discovering cisterns, Arab and Moorish houses, convents and churches for a whole day, always with comfortable shoes, to climb slopes and walk along cobbled streets.

Climbing the Sacromonte

Walking up the Cuesta del Chapiz and turning right there is a very small square with the sculpture of the famous gypsy Chorrojumo, a very famous figure in the history of the city, immortalized in a painting by the painter Mariano Fortuny. This is the gateway to the Sacromonte district, which offers great panoramic views of the Alhambra and the Darro River valley, as well as many stories and legends that are reflected in the uniqueness of their homes, built directly with excavations in the mountain and decorated with the white of the lime and the colorfulness of its pots. We recommend a visit to the Cuevas del Sacromonte Museum, where you will discover all the secrets of this key place in the history of flamenco. You cannot miss the musical shows in the gypsy zambras, typical of this neighborhood.

Enjoying the charms of Sierra Nevada

If you are a snow lover and you like skiing or snowboarding, during the winter the Sierra Nevada is perfect for the practice of all these sports. But you can even enjoy it without skis, walking and taking long and pleasant walks in the mountains. And an unavoidable point of visit in the foothills of the mountains are the picturesque villages of the Alpujarra, with all the charm of the Arab architecture and in which it seems that the Berber world is still more alive than ever. The particularity of its beauty lies in its white colors and in an architecture that served as a refuge for the last Muslims who were expelled from Granada and who remained isolated there for a long time.

Walking along the Carrera del Darro and the Paseo de los Tristes

It is possible that the Carrera del Darro is the most photographed street in the city. Through this picturesque route you can get from Plaza Nueva to the Paseo de los Tristes, located at the foot of the Alhambra and the Albaicin. The views from here are great, especially at night, with the Alhambra illuminated, and you can enjoy the coolness of the river and the nearby terraces. The Paseo de los Tristes is full of legends about passages and tunnels, as well as sites of interest such as the 11th century Arab baths, the Arab houses of Zafra, the Horno de Oro, the Archaeological Museum and many churches. A word of advice: as it is a very touristy place, if you want to take good pictures, it is best to go very early in the morning and then come back in the evening.

Relaxing in the Arab Baths

The Arab baths were fundamental enclosures for the social life and the Nasrid culture and many of them have been kept as they are, with some restoration process, but in perfect condition. And they continue to operate as a hamman with thermal waters, and offer pool services, hot, warm and cold water, relaxing music and tea. In some of them you can book relaxing massages with aromatic oils. You can enjoy an experience of this type from 55 €.

Visiting the Cathedral and the Cartuja Monastery

The fact that Moorish architecture is the protagonist in Granada does not mean that there are no jewels of the Christian past, on the contrary. The Cathedral of Granada symbolizes the glory of the Catholic Monarchs, who conquered the city in 1492, in a historical event that was relevant for Spain, because it meant the unification of the kingdom under the same banner. In fact, this is where the Catholic Monarchs decided to be buried, in the Royal Chapel of this cathedral, which is a jewel of the Spanish Renaissance. To enter the Cathedral of Granada you have to pay an entrance fee and, if you want to visit the Royal Chapel, it is a separate entrance (each one costs 5 €).

Another key must-see in terms of Christian architecture in Granada is the Cartuja Monastery, one of the emblems of the Catholic reconquest. It is estimated that the first Carthusian monks arrived in Granada in 1514 and resumed the construction of this monastery, which had begun in 1506. In total, it took three centuries to finish, so you can find wonders of various periods: late Gothic, Renaissance and Spanish Baroque.

An alternative route through the Realejo

It is a neighborhood very little frequented by tourists, but it has a unique charm. It is one of the most authentic areas of the city, where you can feel the local life and is also important for its location and history, as it is located at the foot of the Alhambra and was the old Jewish quarter of Granada. Must-see sites in the Realejo: Campo del Príncipe, Church of the Virgen de las Angustias, Bibataubín Palace, Museo-Casa de los Tiros and Convento de las Carmelitas Descalzas. And although it is not a very touristy neighborhood, you can find many options for free tours in this neighborhood to learn more about it, led by local guides to whom you should leave a tip at the end of the visit.

A tea in the Calle de las Teterías (Tea Shop Street)

Its name is Calderería Nueva, but everyone knows it as the Calle de las Teterías in Granada because of the number of establishments specializing in different types of Moorish teas. It is best to do it after lunch or after dinner, as it is ideal to have an after-dinner drink in the middle of a stroll through the center. Depending on the tea shop and the type of tea you order, prices range from 2 € to 4 € per person and all are accompanied by a sweet, cake or baklava.

Panoramic views at the San Miguel Alto and San Nicolás viewpoints.

There are many viewpoints in Granada, but two of them are a must. One is the Mirador de San Miguel Alto, in Sacromonte, located next to the hermitage that bears his name and from where you can have a very complete panorama of the city, the Albaicín and the Alhambra. Another important viewpoint is that of San Nicolás, located in the Albaicín, from where the Alhambra acquires an almost magical hue, with the Sierra Nevada in the background.