Best Things To Do in Granada

There are few places with more charm and beauty than Granada to enjoy a special getaway. Its fascinating history, its magnificent art, its rich tapas and the joy of its people are reasons enough to discover the city with the most beautiful sunset on the planet.

The Alhambra of Granada is its most popular emblem but in the capital of the ancient Nasrid kingdom there are many other dreamy corners to see. Here are some of them!

When we think of Granada, the first thing that comes to mind is its emblematic Alhambra. A cultural reference of Hispano-Muslim art in the West and one of the most beautiful monuments in Spain. There is no doubt that it is the first monument that you have to see when you arrive in Granada.

All the adjectives with which I describe it fall short! The Alhambra is a jewel of universal art that leaves you speechless. It is not surprising that many poets and artists have found in its beauty their source of inspiration. Did you know that even the New7Wonders Foundation chose it as the eighth wonder of the world?

It is logical that such praise arouses the interest of millions of travelers who head to Andalusia to admire the charms and beautiful views of this ancient Andalusian palatine city. It is one of those essential monuments to visit at least once in a lifetime!

How to visit the Alhambra in Granada?

Given its immense extension and the large number of spaces that make up this unique medieval palatine city in the world, my advice is to take a guided tour of the Alhambra to tour the entire monumental complex without losing detail, learning about its history and deciphering its rich decoration. In my opinion, many of the secrets of the Alhambra in Granada would go unnoticed without the help of a guide, as there is so much to see in this unique monument.

How to book your tickets?

I recommend getting tickets for the Alhambra in Granada at least a month or two in advance of your travel date, as it is a very popular monument with limited seats that tend to sell out quickly.

Getting the most out of the Alhambra

To see this monument, the most visited in Spain, it is recommended that you get well informed about everything before you go. Take a look at these posts where I leave you the best tips to get to know the Alhambra:

• Alhambra ticket prices
• Night visits to the Alhambra
• Schedules of the Alhambra in Granada
• Duration of the visit to the Alhambra
• Visit the Alhambra of Granada with children
• Where to eat near the Alhambra
• How to get to the Alhambra
• How to get free or discounted tickets to the Alhambra
• Tickets to visit the Generalife of Granada
• Tickets to visit the Nasrid Palaces of Granada

Another of the essential plans to do in Granada during a getaway is to contemplate the sunset from the viewpoint of San Nicolas, in the Albaicin neighborhood. "The most beautiful in the world" according to Bill Clinton, president of the United States, during a fleeting visit to the Andalusian city in 1997.

He wasn't wrong! From here you will have the best panoramic view of the Alhambra in Granada with the imposing Sierra Nevada in the background. In addition, you will enjoy unbeatable views of the Nasrid palaces, the Alcazaba or the Generalife.

Actually, the views are wonderful at any time of day but the feeling of watching the sun slowly setting behind the Alhambra while coloring its walls, towers and palaces in reddish tones is simply magical.

How to get to the San Nicolás viewpoint?

This viewpoint is located in the highest part of the Albaicin neighborhood in Granada. You can get there by walking up the Paseo de los Tristes or by bus taking lines C1 or C2. Another option is to cross the Plaza Larga and take the Alhacaba slope.

Any traveler who has visited Granada will agree with me that the Albaicin and Sacromonte neighborhoods are two of the most fascinating and ancient sites you can explore during your trip to the capital of the Nasrid kingdom.

In fact, if you have not walked through them many people say that you can not say you have been in Granada because here is the soul of the city.

If you are one of those travelers who love to know a city getting lost in its streets to discover its most authentic and real side, one of the things to do in Granada that I recommend is a tour of the Albaicin and Sacromonte.

Why take a tour of the Albaicin and Sacromonte?

With this tour of the Albaicín and Sacromonte neighborhoods in Granada you will get to know two genuine places with a very interesting history and spectacular views.

Located on the hill overlooking Granada, in its labyrinth of medieval streets are hidden some of the jewels that have made the capital of the Nasrid kingdom world famous.

If something struck me about Granada during my trip is that its essence changes from morning to night. Every moment of the day shows the different facets of Granada, small details in a unique city that never ceases to amaze you.

To get to know this part of the city there are day and night tours. If you want to know more about them, in my article Visit the Albaicín and Sacromonte in Granada I explain in detail how these activities are and what you will see in these neighborhoods full of legends whose views you will fall in love with.

It is true that the Alhambra is the queen of all eyes, but during my trip to Granada, one of the biggest surprises I had was to contemplate the majesty of the cathedral, the second largest cathedral in Spain and a must-see of the city.

At the end of the Reconquest, the Catholic Monarchs chose the space where the main mosque of the city was located to build this temple as a symbol of the triumph of Christianity over Islam and the last Muslim kingdom of Spain.

The project began in 1492, shortly after the capture of Granada, but the works were not completed until the early eighteenth century, almost two centuries later, because the enterprise was fraught with all kinds of complications due to its great complexity.

Why visit the cathedral of Granada?

In the city there are many churches but this cathedral is an icon because we are facing one of the masterpieces of the Spanish Renaissance. It is also a temple that impresses with its large size and seeing it towering over the center of Granada is an unforgettable sight for the traveler.

Dedicated to Santa María de la Encarnación, the cathedral is impressive on the outside because of its towers and its great baroque facade, although, in my opinion, it is the interior decoration that takes your breath away.

Everything about it is spellbinding. From the contrast between the whiteness of the huge classical columns and the vaults with the golden tones of the main chapel to the beautiful stained glass windows that chromatically transform the light that penetrates the temple.

The result is a spectacular work of art at the service of God and human spirituality that transmits a great serenity and peace to those who visit it.

Attached to the cathedral is the royal chapel, another of the most important monuments to see in Granada and a place for history lovers. Here is the Gothic style tomb where the remains of the Catholic Monarchs, their daughter Queen Joanna I of Castile and her husband Philip the Handsome, as well as their grandson the infant Michael of Portugal, rest.

The history of the city has been closely linked to the figure of the Catholic Monarchs since they both arrived in Granada in 1482 to complete the Reconquest of Spain. After the victory, the couple decided to dedicate their lives forever to Granada and build their tomb chapel here.

What can be seen in the Royal Chapel?

For those of us who are passionate about history, entering the Royal Chapel of Granada gives us a feeling of emotion and respect because we are in front of the mausoleum of several personalities who starred in some of the most epic feats in the history of Spain.

The Mausoleum and the crypt of the royal family

On one side are the tombs of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, on the other those of their daughter Joanna I of Castile and her husband Philip the Handsome. The funeral monument is carved in marble and decorated with figures of saints, angels, medallions and figures representing the kings.

To observe their coffins you can visit a small crypt located under the pantheon, which can be accessed by stairs. I remember that I was very surprised by the contrast between the sumptuousness of the tomb and the austerity of the crypt, as Queen Elizabeth said she wanted it to be in her will.

The crypt also houses some personal objects of the Catholic Monarchs such as their crowns, military ensigns and the royal scepter they used.

The Museum-Sacristy of the Royal Chapel

The construction of the Sacristy Museum of the Royal Chapel is dedicated to St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist. To contemplate the whole ensemble is awe-inspiring.

The wonderful 16th century plateresque grille and the gilded Gothic altarpiece, the Carrara marble tombs and the royal symbols on the walls of the chapel (the Spanish coat of arms with the eagle of St. John, the yoke and arrows).

You will also find several paintings that were part of the collection of Queen Isabel, the ceremonial costumes of the monarchs, and books and silverware used in their daily lives.

A magical place to see in Granada during your trip is the Alpujarras. A unique territory between Granada and Almeria that, at an altitude of more than 1,200 meters, looks from the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada to the Mediterranean Sea.

It is difficult not to be overwhelmed by the beauty of this unique natural landscape, full of springs and dotted with a multitude of picturesque white villages hidden among deep valleys.

Why visit the Alpujarras?

I think it is a great opportunity not only to delve into the history of the last Moorish populations that inhabited Spain, but also to enjoy a day outdoors doing something different like exploring the natural park of Sierra Nevada, home to the highest mountain range in southern Europe and the imposing Mulhacen peak, the highest in the Iberian Peninsula!

How is the excursion to the Alpujarras?

When it comes to excursions outside the urban centers, we wonder how to get to the destination, what transport to take, what to see and do... Don't worry! With the Alpujarras day trip, everything is organized for you to relax and enjoy the most of this outing to nature.

At 8:30 AM you will travel by private transport with a guide to the south of the province of Granada. The adventure takes place among postcard landscapes, where nature is shown in all its splendor.

As the excursion progresses you will see some of the most beautiful villages of the Alpujarras such as Bubión, Capileira and Pampaneira (declared historical-artistic sites), Pórtugos and Lanjarón (famous for its springs) or Trevélez (the best producer of Serrano ham in the Alpujarras), among many others.

In my opinion, one of the best ways to get to know the culture of a place is to taste its typical gastronomy. Another reason why I chose this excursion to the Alpujarras and why I recommend it is that you will have the opportunity to attend a wine and ham tasting to get to know the flavors and textures of this Andalusian region.

At the end of the route through the Alpujarras we returned to Granada. It was an intense day full of emotions and one of the best excursions I did in southern Spain.

Other places to visit on your trip to Granada

There are many villages near Granada that you should not miss, besides Las Alpujarras. Whether you prefer the sea or the mountains, the surroundings of the city of Granada have a lot to offer.

If you have several days of travel, it may be the perfect opportunity to visit other Andalusian cities. For this reason, I leave you here some suggestions and explain how to go to places as charming as Nerja or Cordoba.

Tapas in Spain is an art, but in Granada it is something out of this world. And if you ask me for those essential things to do in Granada, you can never miss going out for tapas in the city center.

For those who don't know, the tapas in Granada works like this: you go to a bar, order a drink and with it you get a free tapa. It's that easy! In Granada's bars, ordering a drink is the equivalent of getting tapas. Cool, isn't it? In fact, you can have lunch and dinner based on tapas at ease and spending less money than in a restaurant.

But the trick of tapas in Granada is to know where to go so that the quality of the tapas is powerful. There are bars where the tapas are simple and bars where they go all out.

For example, there are places where with your drink you can choose the tapas, places where you will be assigned the ones you want and bars where as you order drinks the quality of the tapas you will be served will increase until you reach a point where you can get from paella to fried fish or a hamburger.

Where to go out for tapas in Granada?

My recommendations are: Taberna Gamboa (Calle Lepanto, 11), Los Diamantes (Calle Navas, 28), Bella Kurva (Calle San Jerónimo, 19), Bodegas Castañeda (Calle Almireceros 1-3), La Bella y la Bestia (Calle Cárcel Baja, 14) and La Sitarilla (Calle San Miguel Alta, 7).

At the end of your tapas route, how about taking a stroll through the tablaos flamencos. If you are one of those who like to experience the city at sunset, Granada has a lot to offer at night and one of the best plans is undoubtedly to enjoy one of the best flamenco shows.

After tapas in the center of Granada, nothing better than going to Calderería Nueva street in the Albaicín neighborhood to enjoy an authentic Moorish tea and the best Arab pastries in the city, the finishing touch that every banquet deserves!

Also known as the street of the Tea Shops, this place is full of stores with some of the goods displayed on the outside, reminiscent of the souks of the Middle East but without leaving Granada.

In addition to taking tea in their premises with Andalusian air, you can also take the opportunity to buy some souvenirs of your stay in the ancient capital of the Nasrid kingdom. There is a little bit of everything! From postcards, shishas and lamps to sarongs, bags and jewelry. You're sure to find what you're looking for.

If you are looking for strong emotions during your trip and you do not have vertigo, one of the best things to do in Granada is, without a doubt, to take a balloon ride.

Can you imagine flying over the city at dawn while you have a bird's eye view of the Alhambra, the Albaicin neighborhood, the Sacromonte caves and Sierra Nevada? Aboard the balloon you will see the city from a privileged and unusual perspective, one that very few people get to know, and you will get some beautiful photographs to remember.

No one who has not ridden in a balloon before can describe that feeling of floating gently in the air, letting yourself go through the wonderful blue sky of Granada while the city begins to wake up and the sun radiates an incandescent glow over the mountains.

This experience must be lived at least once in a lifetime! Do not be afraid of heights because the balloon pilots are experienced people who handle the balloon with great care and know how to create a calm atmosphere during the adventure, transmitting a lot of security. I highly recommend it, you won't regret it!

Granada is a unique city in itself but one of the places that contribute to give it that magical air that characterizes it is the Paseo de los Tristes, one of the most beautiful and historic corners of the Nasrid city.

It is a beautiful avenue that follows the course of the Darro River between the bridges of the Chirimías and Aljibillo and has privileged views of the Alhambra to be at his feet.

The fame of the Paseo de los Tristes is well deserved as it is one of the most beautiful and bohemian places to see in Granada for a romantic walk, especially in the moonlight and among the surrounding vegetation, which permeates the atmosphere with the delicate scent of flowers along the way.

Despite its melancholic name, this street has a very festive atmosphere and is one of my favorite places to stroll, to take pictures, to enjoy the views and some wine in the beautiful terraces of the Paseo de los Tristes.

Did you know that...?

Its official name is Paseo del Padre Manjón but it is nicknamed this way because it used to be the way to the city cemetery and the scene of sad funeral processions. Curious, isn't it?

Although Granada is a small city, it is home to an unparalleled architectural and artistic heritage. It is not surprising that the cultural and museum offer of the city is so varied and wide, there are spaces for all tastes!

If you enjoy cultural visits, one of the essential places to see in Granada are its museums. Here are some of my favorites:

• The Museum of Fine Arts: it is the most important art gallery in the city that has pieces dating from the fifteenth to the twentieth century. It is located on the second floor of the Palace of Charles V, in the palace complex of the Alhambra in Granada, a space that is already in itself a work of art architecture.

• Museum of the Alhambra: here you can see the Hispano-Muslim art objects recovered from the Alhambra and the Generalife. It is on the first floor of the Palace of Charles V, in the Alhambra.

• Archaeological Museum: it houses the archaeological findings of different peoples (Iberians, Phoenicians, Romans and Arabs) who left their mark in Granada after their passage through the city. In the Carrera del Darro, 41-43.

• Casa de los Tiros: it is a museum that traces the history and traditions of Granada through images, engravings, paintings, bibliographic collections, plans and pieces of local craftsmanship. I was very surprised by the hall of the Cuadra Dorada whose wooden ceiling is decorated with figures of Spanish kings and heroes and inscriptions about their deeds. In Pavaneras Street, 19.

• Casa- Museo Manuel de Falla: is the place where the composer Manuel de Falla, one of the most important figures of Spanish music in the twentieth century, lived. Here you can see his personal objects, original furniture, his piano and some of the gifts he received from artists such as Pablo Picasso and Miguel de Unamuno. At Paseo de los Mártires, 11.

• Lorca House-Museum: it was the summer residence that the poet Federico García Lorca had on the outskirts of the city. It is located in the Huerta de San Vicente. Here he wrote great works such as "Romancero Gitano" or "La casa de Bernarda Alba". In addition, you can see his manuscripts, his personal objects and even his original furniture. In Iglesia Street, 20 (Valderrubio).

• Parque de las Ciencias de Granada: it is the first interactive science museum in Andalusia. One of the most fun places to see in Granada and a highly recommended plan to do with the family. Here children can let their imagination fly while exploring and learning in the butterfly garden, the biodome or in the raptor workshop. You will need a morning to see it! In Avenida de la Ciencia, s/n. Make a note of it in your list of things to see and do in Granada with children.

If after so much sightseeing around the city you feel tired and need a break to recharge your batteries, I suggest you visit the Arab baths of Granada to enjoy the ancient Andalusian hammam ritual and all its health properties.

It's amazing! If you have never been to the hammam before, this trip to the ancient Nasrid kingdom can be a good opportunity to have fun with an original and different plan to do in Granada.

What are the Arab baths in Granada?

It is not the typical spa but the Arab baths are characterized by bringing to the present the philosophy of the traditional hammam that was practiced in Al-Andalus during the Middle Ages.

In addition, its Andalusian-style decoration with Islamic arches, tiles with geometric motifs and beautiful ceilings with starry skylights that allow access to natural light is designed to evoke the experience of traditional Arab baths, creating a very pleasant and intimate atmosphere.

Why do I recommend this activity?

If anything fascinated me about the hammam ritual, it was the relaxed atmosphere that is perceived in its rooms, where time seems to stand still and silence reigns, only interrupted by the murmur of the water of the thermal pools.

In the dim light of candles and immersed in that atmosphere of calm, your senses will awaken with the perfumed air and the Andalusian music playing lightly in the background. You will feel for a moment that you have traveled to the splendor of the ancient Al-Andalus!

If you want to know more about the Arab baths of Granada and this pleasant experience, I advise you to take a look at my article The best Hammam in Granada where I tell you what is the hammam, what are its health properties and how to book your tickets in the best of the city.

There are many ways to get to know Granada but taking a tour of its main tourist attractions is one of the best. Especially if you are accompanied by a specialized guide.

In my experience, you will enjoythe visit much more and you will learn a lot about history, art, legends and curiosities!

However, the large offer of tours can be overwhelming. To make it easier for you to choose, in my article The best excursions and guided tours in Granada I show you what I consider the best ones to get to know the city, its monuments and its surroundings.

Knowing this beautiful Andalusian city will be magical whenever you go but if you organize your trip with the best possible plans according to the time of year I assure you an unforgettable trip. Keep reading and you will know what are the best activities:

• 10 things to do in Granada in summer
• 10 things to do in Granada in autumn
• 10 things to do in Granada in winter
• Or, in case you are thinking about going at Christmas, here is this post: 10 things to see and do in Granada at Christmas time

Maybe you prefer to know which are the best months to visit Granada:

• 10 things to do in Granada in January
• 10 things to do in Granada in August
• 10 things to do in Granada in September
• 10 things to do in Granada in October
• 10 things to do in Granada in December