1. The Alhambra
A palace-fortress complex of the Nasrid dynasty, with the intricately carved Nasrid Palaces, the Alcazaba fortress and the Generalife gardens. Tickets are limited and sell out weeks ahead; buy them from the official site.
2. Albaicín
The old Moorish quarter of white houses and narrow lanes facing the Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with it.
3. Mirador de San Nicolás
The classic viewpoint for the Alhambra at sunset, with the Sierra Nevada behind.
4. Sacromonte
The hillside of cave houses, known for flamenco in cave venues and a cave museum.
5. Granada Cathedral and the Royal Chapel
The Renaissance cathedral and, next door, the chapel where Ferdinand and Isabella are buried.
6. Tapas crawl
Many Granada bars still serve a free tapa with each drink. Calle Navas and the streets around Plaza Nueva are good places to start.
7. Hammam baths
Arab-style bathhouses in the old town recall the city’s Moorish past.
8. The Sierra Nevada
Mainland Spain’s highest mountains are less than an hour away, with skiing in winter and hiking in summer.
Day trips from Granada
- Sierra Nevada: about 45 minutes by car (ski season December to April).
- The Alpujarras villages: about 1h15 by car.
- Córdoba: about 1h30 by train.
What to eat
- Free tapas in bars on Calle Navas and around Plaza Nueva
- Tortilla del Sacromonte
- Piononos from Santa Fe
- Habas con jamón
Tip: Wear good shoes: the Albaicín is steep and cobbled.
Planning to stay longer? Read our full Granada guide and where to stay in Granada.
