10 best things to do in Granada (+ photos)

Planning a trip to Granada? You’re so right! At the foot of the Sierra Nevada, this dynamic city is famous for its Alhambra, a masterpiece of Arab architecture. This palatial complex served as a stronghold for the last Muslims in Spain, at the time of the Reconquista by the Catholic Monarchs. But Granada also boasts magnificent religious buildings and picturesque neighborhoods (Sacromonte, Albaicín…) along the River Darro. We’ve found it to have a very special charm!

In this article, you’ll discover a list of 10 ideas for things to do in Granada, illustrated by numerous photos. We’ve added a few bonus activities!

This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.

1. Visit the Alhambra

Why visit?

You won’t want to miss the Alhambra. Perched on a hill, this palatial complex stands out against the backdrop of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains. Surrounded by 2200m of ramparts, it features several palaces. The Nazrid Palaces, dating from the 13th century, are the most famous. However, we were disappointed with the visit, as over-visiting the site is putting it at risk. During your visit, be careful not to touch the decorative ornaments, which tend to disappear. Nearby, you can enter the Alcazaba, an 11th-century fortress. You’ll also see the 16th-century palace of Charles V. It houses the Museum of Fine Arts and the Alhambra Museum. While all these buildings are well worth a visit, our favorite is the Generalife. Located just before the exit, this summer palace features magnificent gardens! Spain’s most visited monument, entry to the museum is booked several months in advance.

Practical advice

• Allow at least half a day, but we recommend a full day.
• The site includes an itinerary accessible to people with reduced mobility, which you can download from the official website here. It’s not particularly difficult, although we did find it hard to find our way around. Grab a map and keep your eyes peeled for signs! We also recommend taking the shuttle bus to the Alhambra. The walk up the hill can be tiring, especially in summer.
• The Alhambra is easily accessible by bus (C30, C32, C35). To plan your route, visit the Granada transport network website here. If you’re coming by car, there’s plenty of parking available.
• There’s a snack bar on site.
• Book your ticket now.
• The full price for a visit to the entire site is €19. See our complete price list here.
• Open daily from 8.30am to 6pm (October 15 to March 31) and from 8.30am to 8pm (April 1 to October 14) (see official website for updates) .

2. Stroll through the historic center

Why visit?

We really enjoyed wandering around Granada’s historic center. In addition to numerous sites of interest (Capilla Real, Palacio de la Madraza…), its narrow streets are home to a multitude of boutiques, particularly independent ones. As you stroll along, you’ll come across a number of pleasant squares, starting with the Plaza bib-Rambla. The square is surrounded by restaurants and bars with shady terraces. Although very touristy, we enjoyed the lively atmosphere. Next to the cathedral, you can pass through the Alcaicería, an ancient souk where silk fabrics were sold in the Middle Ages. Today, there are many souvenir stores, which we found to be of low quality. On the other hand, we were charmed by the architecture of the streets and buildings. We recommend going at night, when the stores are closed!

Practical advice

• Allow 1 to 2 hours to visit the historic center.
• There are no particular difficulties in the historic center, except in the Alcaicería, where the alleys are narrow and very busy.
• The historic center is easy to reach. It’s a 10-minute bus ride (21 or 33) from the station. Visit the official website of the public transport network here.
• You’ll find plenty of restaurants in the historic center. Stay tuned for our article on the best restaurants in Granada.

WHERE TO STAY IN Granada

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3. Enjoy the views from the Carmen de los Martires garden

Why visit?

We fell in love with this garden below the Alhambra. You won’t be bored! This garden, built on former dungeons, covers hundreds of hectares! Inside, you’ll find an attractive 19th-century summer residence. You’ll see a magnificent Nasrid patio, with even a small grotto! It leads to a lush garden, with numerous palm trees and a beautiful fountain. Take the staircase up to overlook the garden and admire the superb view of the city and the snow-capped Sierra Nevada. We loved this place. We also loved the pond with its bridge and small tower. You’ll also see elegant sculptures, brightly colored flowers, and a trail with panels featuring excerpts from poems. As you can see, we highly recommend it!

Practical advice

• Allow 2-4 hours for a stroll through the garden.
• The garden features hard-to-reach areas, staircases and sand and dirt paths. We do not recommend it for people with reduced mobility.
• To get there, take bus routes C30 or C32 to the “Paseo del Generalife 4” stop. Visit the official transport network website here. If you’re coming by car, parking is available in front of the park.
• You’ll find restaurants just below the Alhambra. Check out our article on the best restaurants in Granada soon.
• The garden is free of charge.
• The garden is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 2pm and 4pm to 6pm in winter, and 10am to 2pm and 6pm to 8pm in summer. On weekends, the park is open continuously from 10am to 6pm in winter and from 10am to 8pm in summer – (see official website for updates ).

4. Explore the Albacin district

Why visit?

The Albaicín district is well worth a visit, believe us! We were seduced by its narrow cobbled streets and white buildings that have retained the medina look they had centuries ago. From the 11th to the 14th century, this district was a wealthy, densely populated city in its own right. In the mid-13th century, many Muslims fleeing Cordoba took refuge here. At its peak, the Albaicín had 26 mosques and 600,000 inhabitants! It is also home to Granada’s main mosque, built in 2003. We really enjoyed the gardens. Nearby, don’t miss the San Nicolás viewpoint, offering breathtaking views of the Alhambra and Sierra Nevada on a clear day. As you can see, we recommend getting lost in the maze of streets, flower-filled patios and cobbled squares of this UNESCO-listed district since 1994.

Practical advice

• Allow 2 hours to half a day.
• As this district is located on a hill, there are quite a few ascents. As the streets are cobbled, we advise you to bring good walking shoes.
• It’s a 30-minute walk from the historic center. To get there more quickly, take the C32 bus to the “Cuesta del Chapiz 60” stop. Visit the official transport network website here.
• You won’t find many good restaurants in this area. We recommend eating along the Rio Darro. Stay tuned for our article on the best restaurants in Granada.
• Book your guided tour (Albaicín, Sacromonte, Museo Cuevas del Sacromonte).

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5. Discover the Sacromonte district and its museum

Why visit?

The Sacromonte district lies to the east of the Albaicín. Isolated on its hillside, it is home to troglodytic houses, historically inhabited by gypsies. Flamenco developed in these atypical settings. Dance performances are organized in these houses along the main road. We also climbed to the top of this district. The atmosphere is very different. It’s much less touristy, and a sense of poverty emanates from the deserted alleyways and small houses that sometimes seem abandoned. You’ll also find the Sacromonte troglodyte house museum. We recommend this visit, which will enable you to understand the way of life of the inhabitants, the organization of these houses thanks to reconstructions, and the development of flamenco. Access to the museum is difficult. It’s a steep climb, but you’ll still have great views of the Alhambra.

Practical advice

• Allow 3 hours to half a day in the neighborhood, and 1 hour for the museum.
• There are a lot of climbs in this area and the streets are cobbled.
• It’s a 35-40min walk from the center. Alternatively, take bus C34 to the “Cno. del Sacromonte – Fte 89” stop. Visit the official transport network website here.
• There are few restaurants in this area, but you can find a snack bar in the museum.
• Book your guided tour (Albaicín, Sacromonte, Museo Cuevas del Sacromonte).
• The price is €5 for a visit to the museum.
• The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from October 15 to March 14, and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. from March 15 to October 14 (see official website for updates ).

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6. Explore the cathedral

Why visit?

Granada’s cathedral is astonishing. We found its colossal proportions impressive, both from the outside and the inside. The building has 5 naves! But the cathedral is most famous for being Spain’s first Renaissance cathedral, which served as a model for those in Guadix and Jaén. But it’s the Baroque choir that stands out the most, with its height of almost 45m. Don’t miss the 18th-century organs on the sides. Take a tour of the Capilla San Miguel, where you’ll see the massive marble tomb of Archbishop Moscoso y Peralta. Finally, take a look at the treasury and its gold and silver liturgical objects.

Practical advice

• Allow 30min to 1h for the visit.
• The cathedral is not particularly challenging.
• It is located in the heart of the historic center. The C4 bus stop “Gran Via catedral” is less than a 5-minute walk away. Visit the official transport network website here.
• You’re in the center! Numerous restaurants are located nearby, including Pimiento Rosa, which you’ll soon find in our article on the best restaurants in Granada.
• Book a guided tour of the cathedral, the royal chapel, the Alcaicería and Granada’s first university.
• The price is €6 (free for children under 12).
• The cathedral is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6.15 p.m. and on Sundays from 3 p.m. to 6.15 p.m. – (see official website for updates ).

7. Visit the Basilica of San Juan de Dios

Why visit?

We fell in love with this basilica! The tour, which includes an audioguide, will help you understand all the magnificent decorative features of this 18th-century Baroque building. We were stunned by the profusion and exuberance of the sets. All walls are covered with sculptures, stucco, gilding or frescoes. The basilica is dedicated to Jean de Dieu, founder of the Brothers of Charity, today known as the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God. This order is dedicated to caring for the sick. The basilica is housed in a former hospital built by Saint John of God. He died in 1550, and his bones are preserved in a silver urn in the alcove. If you’d like to find out more about Saint John of God, you can visit the museum dedicated to him on the banks of the Rio Darro.

Practical advice

• Allow 1 to 2 hours for your visit, depending on your level of interest.
• The basilica includes staircases.
• It’s just a few minutes’ walk from downtown.
• Granada’s hypercentre is just a 5-minute walk away. You’ll find plenty of restaurants nearby.
• Book your audioguide ticket now.
• Full price €10, free admission for children under 12.
• Open Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to 6.50pm, and Sunday, 9.30am to 11.50am and 1.30pm to 6.50pm – (see official website for updates ).

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8. Visit the Monastery of La Cartuja

Why visit?

This monastery is a little far from the city center, but well worth the trip! You first enter an elegant cloister, as sober as the façade. Orange trees and a fountain in the center exude a certain tranquility. The rooms surrounding the cloister, including the former monks’ refectory, house works by the monk and painter Fray Juan Sánchez Cotán, created in the early 17th century. But the real highlight of the visit, in our opinion, is the Baroque church dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. We were struck by the beauty of the door separating the nave in two, the sanctuary with its colorful marble and trompe-l’oeil frescoes, and the sacristy with its splendid marquetry. We’re sure you’ll be impressed!

Practical advice

• Allow 1 to 2 hours for your visit, depending on your interests.
• The monastery is not particularly difficult.
• We recommend you get there by car or bus (8, “Henriquez de Jorquera 18” stop). Visit the official transport network website here.
• There are no restaurants nearby.
• Full price €6, free for children under 12.
• Open Sunday to Friday from 10am to 6:30pm and Saturday from 10am to 12:15pm and from 3pm to 5:30pm – (see official website for updates ).

9. Discover the Monasterio de San Jerónimo

Why visit?

Unlike the Cartuja monastery, this one has been back in religious life since 1977. It is occupied by the Sisters of Saint-Jérôme, which is why only the first floor rooms (chapels, refectories…) are open to visitors. We really enjoyed the central cloister, with its elegant orange trees and two-storey arcaded gallery. The entrances to the various rooms are sometimes surmounted by beautiful Renaissance portals. But it’s the church that’s the highlight of the visit. In our opinion, it’s a clever blend of Gothic inspiration and Renaissance style that’s well worth a look. The coffered ceilings are impressive, teeming with figures. We’ve spotted cherubs and monsters! After looking up, admire the main altarpiece, a masterpiece of the late 16th century.

Practical advice

• Allow 1h to 1h30 for your visit, depending on your level of interest.
• The entrance to the monastery has a few steps.
• It’s a ten-minute walk from the city center.
• Centrally located, you’ll find plenty of restaurants nearby. Check out our article on the best restaurants in Granada soon.
• Full price €6, free for children under 12.
• Open Monday to Friday 10am to 1pm and 3pm to 6pm (4pm to 7pm in summer) and weekends 11am to 1pm and 3pm to 6pm (4pm to 7pm in summer) – (see official website for updates ).

10. Family fun at the Parc des Sciences

Why visit?

The Science Park is located quite far south of the city. However, it’s a visit we highly recommend if you’re with the family. There’s so much to do, you could spend a whole day here! We enjoyed the fun exhibits and installations, which brought science within everyone’s reach. The main building also houses the “BioDomo”, featuring an aquarium and a recreation of a tropical ecosystem. You can see otters, parrots and even monkeys, who may come to watch you. In the very large garden, raptor flight demonstrations are organized. There’s also a small butterfly greenhouse, a planetarium and a 50-metre-high observation tower for panoramic views of the city. As you can see, you won’t be bored at the Parc des Sciences!

Practical advice

• Allow half a day to a full day on site.
• There are no particular difficulties. The tour is suitable for all types of disability.
• We recommend getting there by metro (Alcázar del Genil stop), bus (5, 11, 21, C5) or car. Visit the official transport network website here.
• There’s a cafeteria on site.
• Full price of €17 for the museum and BioDomo.
• Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 7pm and Sunday from 10am to 3pm – (see official website for updates )

Things to do in Granada: other ideas

Other museums in Grenada

We haven’t listed them in our selection, but here are some other museums that might interest you:

• Palais Madraza: this former 14th-century Koranic school houses a beautiful green room decorated with calligraphy.
• Archaeological Museum: this small museum has some fine exhibits on display, and you can enjoy a fine view of the Alhambra from the 1st floor.
• Museum of the Royal Chapel (Capilla Real) : adjoining the cathedral, it contains the tombs of the Catholic Monarchs.
• Museo de Bellas Artes: on the first floor of Charles V’s palace in the Alhambra, you’ll see fine works by native Granada artists, particularly from the 16th century.
• Alhambra Museum: on the first floor of Charles V’s palace, you’ll discover coins, amphorae and superb ceramics.
• Casa-Museo Manuel Falla: the Cadiz-born composer lived in this house, whose period interior has been reconstructed.
• Rodriguez-Acosta Foundation: this superb villa houses the collection of painter José Maria Rodríguez.
• Center José Guerrero: this center hosts exhibitions of contemporary and conceptual art.
• Center Garcia Lorca: in the city center, this center regularly organizes exhibitions dedicated to the poet and writer.

Things to do in Granada with children

Are you visiting Granada with your family? Here are some ideas for visits you can make with your children:

• Parc des Sciences: with its many activities, fun facilities and workshops, this science park has been designed with families in mind: go ahead!
• Basilica San Juan de Dios: your kids will love this tour, which includes a virtual reality experience!
• Guided tour of the city on a miniature train: the ideal way to keep the little ones entertained! Book your tour now.

Things to do in Granada when it rains

Bad weather during your stay in Granada? Don’t panic! Indoor activities in Granada. We recommend you take advantage of the city’s best museums, and visit its monasteries and other religious buildings (La Cartuja Monastery, San Jerónimo Monastery, Basilica San Juan de Dios). If you want to visit the city, you can opt for a guided tour on a small train.

Excursions around Granada

Granada is located in Andalucia, close to the Sierra Nevada. You can easily reach most of the region’s major cities (Sevilla, Cordoba) and natural sites by train. For simplicity’s sake, you can also opt for a day trip:

• Sierra Nevada: visit Europe’s second highest mountain range in 4WD! – see prices, availability and book.
• Cordoba: discover Cordoba’s mosque-cathedral with this tour including admission to the monument – see prices, availability and booking.
• Villages of the Alpujarra: this guided tour takes in the famous white villages of Andalucia – see prices, availability and booking.
• Caminito del Rey hike: we were impressed by the beauty of this trail suspended among cliffs and bordered by an artificial lake – see prices, availability and bookings.

Useful tips for visiting Granada

Where is Granada?

• Granada is in southern Spain
• Madrid to Granada = 4h30 drive
• Sevilla to Granada = 2h45 drive
• Malaga to Granada = 1h45 drive
• Granada’s main attractions are all within easy walking distance. Here is a map to help you find your way:

How to get to Granada

You can get to Granada by train, which is well served by Spain’s other major cities, including Málaga (1h15), Sevilla (2h30), Madrid (3h30), and Barcelona (6h30). You can book your tickets on the Renfe website here. If you’re travelling from France, trains now run between Barcelona and Paris, and Madrid and Lyon. Visit the official scnf website here to find out more. To get to Granada station from the city center, we recommend you take a cab.

If you’re flying in, you can come from Sevilla or Málaga airports, both of which are served by major European cities, including Paris, London, Amsterdam and Vienna.

Granada is easily accessible by car, with major highways such as the A-395 and the E-902.

Parking in Granada

It can be difficult to get around and find a parking space in the center of Granada. We advise you to opt for paid underground parking. Prices are quite affordable.

Getting around Granada

It’s easy to get around Granada on foot in the historic center. Only certain districts are more difficult to navigate due to the many climbs. You can get there by public transport, in particular by bus. Visit the official Granada transport network website here. Finally, the cab network is very efficient and inexpensive, making it a good alternative for long journeys! Alternatively, you can opt for a guided mini-train tour.

Where to eat in Granada

You’re in for a treat in Granada! Here are some of our favorite restaurants, which you’ll soon be able to find in our article on the best restaurants in Granada:

• El Mercader: our favorite restaurant of our Andalucia trip! We enjoyed bold, creative cuisine, including salmon with fennel cream and a succulent basil and green apple sauce.
• Avila tapas: this is the place to go if you want to enjoy an authentic tapas bar.

Visiting Granada in winter

It’s perfectly possible to visit Granada in winter! You’ll find it quieter than in spring, which is the peak tourist season. You can even enjoy the snow-covered Sierra Nevada! Finally, many festive events take place in winter. To find out more, read our article on visiting Granada in winter.

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Inspiration

• Best things to do in Andalucia
• The most beautiful cities
• The most beautiful white villages
• Cathedrals
• Archaeological sites
• Seville, Cordoba or Granada? (coming soon)

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Practice

• Where to stay in Andalucia (coming soon)
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