THE 20 BEST THINGS TO DO IN GRANADA SPAIN
Granada is a charming, must-visit city in the Andalusia region of Southern Spain. Granada is known for Moorish, Baroque, and Neoclassical architecture and is a delightful city in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. We rented a car and drove from Lisbon to Granada to spend the winter holidays in this sunny, alluring city. We spent 3 days here but wished we could have spent an entire week or longer. Three days in Granada is a good start, but if you are able to dedicate an entire week here, you will have time to travel more slowly and take it all in.
This blog post is all about the 20 best things to do in Granada, Spain. This includes what to do in Granada, where to stay in Granada, what paid activities to invest in, and of course, where to eat delicious vegan food in Granada.
Granada, a city where history and culture intertwine, is a must-visit destination in southern Spain. Nestled at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, it’s home to the Alhambra Palace and the Nasrid Palaces, two of the top things to see in the world. The city center buzzes with life, offering narrow streets, stunning architecture, and the Granada Cathedral, whose main chapel is the resting place of the Catholic Monarchs, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand. Strolling through the Corral del Carbón or exploring the ancient baths of El Bañuelo provides a glimpse into Granada’s Moorish past. Whether you opt for a walking tour or a guided tour led by a local guide, you’ll find the best places to uncover the city’s fascinating history and vibrant charm.
One of the favorite things for many visitors is watching the sunset from the Mirador de San Nicolás, a perfect place to admire the Alhambra glowing in the late afternoon light with the Sierra Nevada as a backdrop. Nearby, the Camino del Sacromonte offers a deeper dive into Granada’s rich flamenco culture, culminating in an unforgettable flamenco show. For food lovers, the city is famed for its tapas bars, where complimentary small plates accompany every drink—a great way to immerse yourself in the local culinary scene. From the Palacio de la Madraza to the Huerta de San Vicente, once home to poet Federico García Lorca, Granada is brimming with main attractions and hidden gems that are truly worth visiting.
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What to do in Granada
** Keep in mind that it’s ambitious to try to visit all of these spots in only 3 days. A 5-7 day trip to Granada (or even more) would be ideal, but if you only have 3 days, I would suggest you try to visit the spots listed below.
How to Get Around Granada
Granada is a compact city with excellent public transportation and walkable neighborhoods, making it easy to navigate. Here’s how to get around:
1. Walking
Granada’s historic areas, like Albaicín and Sacromonte, are best explored on foot due to their narrow streets and historic monuments. Strolling is the ideal way to discover hidden gems, charming plazas, and landmarks like the Catedral de Granada or Mirador de San Nicolás. Wear comfortable shoes, as some streets are steep and cobblestoned.
2. Public Buses
Granada has an efficient bus network that covers the city and its outskirts. Red minibuses, such as routes C30 and C32, take you to popular spots like the Alhambra and Sacromonte district. Tickets are affordable and can be purchased on the bus. For frequent use, consider a rechargeable travel card.
3. Taxis and Ridesharing
Taxis are widely available and reasonably priced, especially for short trips within the city center. Apps like Uber and Cabify also operate in Granada, providing convenient and reliable rides.
4. Alhambra Shuttle
The fortress complex has its own shuttle service, perfect for visitors looking to avoid the steep climb to the site. Booking line tickets in advance is recommended, as the shuttles can fill up quickly.
5. Bicycle Rentals
Biking is a fun way to explore the city and its outskirts, particularly areas like the Carmen de los Mártires Gardens or along the River Genil. Be cautious when cycling in hilly areas.
6. Train and Long-Distance Buses
If you’re traveling to or from Granada, the train station and long-distance bus station are well-connected to major Spanish cities. Both are accessible by local buses or taxis.
For the best time to visit landmarks or avoid crowds, aim for early mornings or late afternoons, especially at popular tourist attractions like the Alhambra. Granada’s efficient transport options ensure you’ll make the most of your stay in this beautiful city.
Day 1 Granada
Alhambra – This is one of the most popular tourist sites in Spain so make sure to buy tickets online prior to your visit. We weren’t able to get tickets to Alhambra because they were completely sold out until mid-January. It’s ok though – it just means that we will have to plan another Granada trip soon!
The Alhambra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that consists of several parts including the Nasrid Palace, the Alcazaba Fortress, the Generalife Gardens, and reflection ponds. As this site is immense, allow for a few hours to explore and see as much as possible.
Alhambra Museum – This free museum is a great accompaniment to The Alhambra to see the items that were inside the palaces during the time of Moorish rule and shows the development of Islamic art in Spain.
HOT TIP: After visiting The Alhambra, walk from The Alhambra to Plaza Nueva via Cuesta de Gomérez to walk through the forest. Breathe in that delicious forest scent.
Generalife – make sure to include this on your Alhambra Itinerary. It was a summer palace and country estate of the Nasrid rulers of the Emirate of Granada in Al-Andalus. The gardens and orchards here are exquisite.
Cathedral of Granada – This was the first Renaissance-style church in Spain and was designed to be one of the most impressive churches in Spain. It includes the Royal Chapel which is an architectural delight to be seen firsthand.
Plaza Nueva – even though its name states “new”, this is actually the oldest square in Granada, in between the center and Carrera del Darro. The river now flows underneath this square and makes for a lovely starting point to walk by Carrera del Darro or to walk towards one of the miradores (viewpoints).
Carrera del Darro – “golden walkway” – this is such a lovely, picturesque promenade to walk in Granada which follows the river with views of The Alhambra and other charming buildings along the way. You can start the walk at Plaza Nueva and then walk to Paseo de los Tristes. This is a great spot to get awesome photos of The Alhambra.
Paseo de los Tristes – “passage of sads” – was built in 1609 and has been used for parties and other celebrations. It is thought to be named “sad” because it was on the way to funeral processions at the San José Cemetary in the 19th century. It is one of the favorite areas to visit in Granada.
More fun activities to do in Granada
Carmen de los Mártires Garden (also near The Alhambra) – it was originally a shrine, and later a Barefoot Carmelite convent established in 1492. This Carmen (traditional house with an enclosed garden) is perhaps the city’s most interesting, not only on account of its size and stunning gardens but also for the fact that many original architectural elements were retained in a design dating from the 19th century. Thanks to a recent restoration project, you can now see various styles of garden: the French garden, English garden, romantic lake area, vegetable garden, wood or maze, and more.
Mirador de San Cristóbal – This mirador is a bit farther away, but the location affords fantastic views of The Alhambra, Sierra Nevada mountains, and the city of Granada.
Hammam Al Andalus – traditional Andalusian Arab baths. You can book a treatment along with time at the traditional baths. This is a special and unforgettable experience. So, #treatyoself
Day 2 Granada
Explore the Albaicin neighborhood – walk around this old Moorish quarter and get lost in the maze of this traditional medieval barrio, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. You could start at Plaza Nueva or Paseo de los Tristes and walk towards El Mirador de San Nicolás. Stop to enjoy the vibe of the barrio as you go up the hills and of course, take some photos!
Mirador de San Nicolás – This is the most popular mirador in Granada which means what? You guessed it – TONS of people, esp. at sunset. We went twice – once during the middle of the day and it was super crowded and again, later at night and we had the mirador all to ourselves. The view of Granada and The Alhambra is breathtaking.
Another fascinating granada neighborhood
Sacromonte (+ Abbey) – This is an area famous for its cave homes. Sacromonte is also known as the gypsy quarter, drawing visitors to the hills above Granada for music and dancing after dark. Venues in hillside caves host dramatic flamenco shows along the narrow Camino de Sacromonte road. Sacromonte Caves Museum preserves houses built into the rock, and relics are displayed at Sacromonte Abbey, with sweeping views over the city. Hiking routes and bike trails lead off into the mountains.
Bib-Rambla square – known as Bibarrambla amongst locals, is one the city’s oldest, most ancient spots. As the first square of the old Medina Garnata in Nasrid times, it has remained intact through the centuries as Granada’s main square, serving as the setting and silent witness of Muslim bazaars, medieval jousts, bullfights, acts of faith, public executions, popular celebrations, and Corpus Christi processions. As the center of social and business activity, Bib-Rambla is the closest thing the city has to a Castilian main square. It currently stands out for its Gigantones Fountain, a permanent flower market that sells an array of varieties, depending on the season, and many restaurants and cafes, where churros with hot chocolate are customary. When we visited in December, this was the site of the ice skating rink and an excellent place to take in the vibe of the city.
Alcaiceria – This is a long, narrow walkway near Bib-Rambla, home to Granada’s souvenir stalls, selling a variety of Arabic craftwork, such as the fajalauza (traditional local painted ceramics), taracea (wooden inlay, in items such as desks, chess boards, or small boxes), and typical granadino farolas (stained-glass lamps). If you are looking for souvenirs, this is a great place to find unique items.
super interesting and intricate monasteries
Cartuja Monastery – a Carthusian monastery which was a former Roman cemetery. It is one of the finest examples of Spanish Baroque architecture. The charterhouse was founded in 1506; construction started ten years later and continued for the following 300 years. It’s a bit north of the city so the best way to get there is via bus or driving.
San Jeronimo Monastery – The Royal Monastery of St. Jerome is a Roman Catholic Hieronymite monastery. Architecturally, it is in the Renaissance style. The church, famous for its architecture, was the first in the world consecrated to the Immaculate Conception of Mary.
Mirador de San Miguel Alto – This is the highest viewpoint in Granada. From here you will see some amazing panoramic views of the city, the Albaicín district and its walls, the Alhambra, and the Sierra Nevada. After a long, steep walk, you will be rewarded with stunning views. It is located by the Ermita de San Miguel Alto, a place of pilgrimage. On September 29th, each year the residents of the Albaicín quarter come here to take part in a procession carrying a picture of the Archangel Michael.
Day 3 Granada
Parque de las Ciencias – Science Park opened in 1995 and was Andalucia’s first interactive museum. It encompasses 70,000m2, which means it’s HUGE and would take an entire day, maybe 2 to see it properly. This is a wonderful activity to do with kids (of all ages), esp if the weather outside isn’t so great.
Palácio Quinta Alegre – another spot to visit near Parque de las Ciencias is this palace. We stopped by to check out the gardens and views. The palace is used mainly as an event space and is now owned by the city, but the gardens are open and free to the public. It’s a relaxing, engaging place to spend a bit of time and think about how people lived in the past.
Hike Dehesa de Generalife, Silla del Moro, Reloj del Sol – this is an immense park near The Alhambra. We happened upon it when we were unable to get tickets to see the Alhambra, but wanted to walk around the area. This hike is sublime. If you have already seen the tourist sites and are ready to do something with the locals, this is it! We started the hike directly behind the parking lot for The Alhambra. A good route would be to start here and then walk to Silla del Moro for incredible views of Granada, Continue going up until you’ve reached Reloj del Sol. The vistas from many points on this hike are incredible. If I lived in Granada, I would probably do this hike as often as possible. The views of the mountains, city, The Alhambra were truly stunning.
Places to eat amazing vegan food in Granada
Hicuri – This was our favorite restaurant in Granada. The dishes were super creative and flavorful. Hot tip: Get the cordon bleu with patatas a lo pobre. YUM! If you go during the week, they have a fantastic daily dish deal.
Paprika – we ran out of time so we didn’t make it here, but it comes highly recommended.
Wild Food – The decor is hip and artistic and the food is lovely. You must try the artichoke flowers – OMG! And the desserts are scrumptious.
El Oju – we ran out of time so we didn’t make it here, but it comes highly recommended.
La Tienda de los Unicornios – we ran out of time so we didn’t make it here, but it comes highly recommended.
La Revuelta – this is a tiny vegan bakery and they only had a couple of choices when we stopped by, but the croissants and bread that we ordered were delicious.
Ecoeco Panaderia y Alimentación Ecológica – we ran out of time so we didn’t make it here, but it comes highly recommended.
When to visit Granada
Any time of the year! I imagine it’s hot during the summer so the shoulder season is probably ideal – April, May, September, and October. We visited during Christmas and it was magical with the holiday lights and celebrations around town. People from Granada sure do know how to party! The streets were crowded with people partaking in the winter festivities.
Top 5 Tips for Visiting Granada
- Book Alhambra Tickets in Advance
The Alhambra Palace is Granada’s most iconic historical site, and tickets often sell out weeks ahead. Secure your spot online, and consider booking a guided tour for deeper insights into the Nasrid Palaces and beautiful gardens. Visiting early morning or late afternoon offers fewer crowds and the best lighting for photos. - Take Advantage of Free Tapas
Granada is one of the few cities in Spain where ordering a drink comes with free food. Explore the city’s vibrant tapas bars, especially in the city center, to enjoy local flavors without breaking the bank. Sampling these small bites is not just economical but a fun way to experience local culture. - Wear Comfortable Shoes
The narrow streets and cobblestone alleys of neighborhoods like Albaicín and Sacromonte can be steep and uneven. Pack sturdy, comfortable footwear to make your walking tours more enjoyable and navigate the city’s hills with ease. - Explore Beyond the Alhambra
While the Alhambra is a must-see, don’t miss other historic monuments like the Catedral de Granada, the Royal Chapel, and the charming Carmen de los Mártires Gardens. For a unique perspective on Granada’s heritage, visit the Museo Cuevas del Sacromonte or take in a flamenco performance in the Sacromonte district. - Use Public Transportation Wisely
Granada’s public buses are affordable and efficient for reaching key spots like the Alhambra and the train station. If you prefer walking, plan your routes strategically to minimize fatigue while covering top attractions. Opt for taxis or ridesharing for late-night returns or when exploring areas farther from the city center.
By following these tips, you’ll make the most of your trip to this beautiful city filled with fun things to explore and unforgettable experiences.
Where to Stay in GRANADA
- Bonito apartment – This is where we stayed during our visit. The price and location are great.
- Sercotel apartment – unbeatable location and price. Right downtown – you can walk everywhere!
- Bibo Suites – the price and location are excellent, right in Plaza Nueva.
- Casa Mirador – huge 4-bedroom apartment with an incredible view of The Alhambra
- Oboe Granada – lovely 2-bedroom apartment with a terrace
Fun Paid Activities in Granada
- You must go to The Alhambra. Click HERE for your fast-track tickets. You MUST buy tickets ahead of time!
- Granada Flamenco show – lively and energetic flamenco shows to enliven your senses. Get tix HERE.
- Alhambra Guided Tour – get an in-depth history of this must-see UNESCO World Heritage site – get tix here.
- Go to a traditional Arabic Bathhouse. Get tix here.
- If you love adventure, you will LOVE this e-bike tour. Get tix here.
Final Thoughts on Granada
Granada is undoubtedly one of Spain’s most beautiful cities, blending centuries of rich history with vibrant city life. The Catedral de Granada, a masterpiece of Gothic style designed by Diego de Siloé, stands as a testament to the city’s architectural splendor and is complemented by the adjacent Royal Chapel of Granada, a religious site housing the tombs of the Catholic Monarchs. A travel tip for those exploring the city for the first time: head to the Mirador de San Nicolás in the Sacromonte district for unparalleled views of the Alhambra and the Sierra Nevada, especially during the late afternoon when the golden light makes this historic fortress complex even more enchanting. Nearby, the Museo Cuevas del Sacromonte offers insight into the traditional cave houses and local culture, showcasing the region’s flamenco performances and Spanish history.
For a serene escape from the bustling tourist attractions, visit the Carmen de los Mártires Gardens, a hidden gem with small ponds, lush greenery, and panoramic views. Another highlight is Granada’s famous free tapas culture—a delightful tradition where delicious bites accompany your drink at no extra cost in local bars. Strolling through the city, you’ll encounter street performers and historic buildings, each narrating a story of Granada’s vibrant past. Don’t miss the Sacromonte district, known for its cave houses and lively flamenco scene, or the Church of San Salvador, built atop a 13th-century mosque and surrounded by beautiful gardens. Whether admiring Moorish palaces, exploring botanical gardens, or savoring local flavors, Granada offers an unforgettable blend of history, culture, and charm, making it a beautiful city to visit at any time of year.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend items that we truly love!
THE 5 ITEMS WE WERE SO HAPPY TO HAVE FOR ALL OF OUR TRIPS:
- Merrell women’s light hiking shoes – these are amazing because they are lightweight, but are extra grippy and helpful! I also have this pair that I always get compliments on: Merrell Rainbow shoes. Fernando loves his Asics trail runners which are also grippy and perfect for hikes.
- Thermoflask water bottle – like a Hydroflask, but more affordable! We don’t go anywhere without these water bottles full of purified water.
- North Face Aphrodite 2.0 capris – Seriously, I wear these pants every.single.day! I couldn’t live without these ultra-comfy, lightweight pants that dry so quickly. They are 100% worth the money!
- Osprey Day Pack – This is an awesome lightweight backpack that we can easily put the belongings we need at hand for traveling around the city and on public transportation.
- Vegan Sunscreen – Don’t forget to put on your vegan, all-natural sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun’s rays
OUR FAVORITE TRAVEL SERVICES:
- DISCOVER CARS – If you want to rent a car while you’re in Europe, our favorite car rental aggregator is Discover Cars. We frequently rent cars and they always have the best prices and great quality vehicles.
- iTalki – if you want to learn Spanish before traveling or while you’re here, then we love iTalki. We highly recommend their language services.
This blog post was all about the 20 best things to do in Granada, Spain. This includes what to do in Granada, where to stay in Granada, what paid activities to invest in and of course, where to eat delicious vegan food in Granada. Have you been to Granada before? I’d love to hear about your favorite things to do there.
You’re going to love this interactive map below for the best 20 things to do in Granada and where to eat delicious vegan food!
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