Nest In the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Granada invites you to immerse yourself in its fascinating scenery, a heritage of Moorish and Catholic influences.
Considered one of the most beautiful cities in Spain, you’ll be seduced by the Alhambra and its monumental architecture, the enchanting neighborhoods and the delicious cuisine. To make matters worse, Granada is the capital of tapas!
In this article, we propose a 3-day itinerary in Granada, combining the must-sees of the historic center, hidden nuggets off the beaten track and outdoor excursions.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We made our own choices, visited the area anonymously, and paid our bills in full.
Practical tips for a 3-day visit to Granada
What can you see in Granada in 3 days? Is it long enough?
Three days in Granada is the ideal time to discover its jewel: the monumental Alhambra, and to stroll through its different districts: from the historic center, to the white streets of the Albaicín, to the troglodytic architecture of the Sacromonte.
However, we can’t advise you enough to stay longer, to have time to discover other nuggets and enjoy the warm atmosphere of the city.
Maps of must-see attractions
To help you find your way around our itinerary below, here’s our map of Granada’s main tourist attractions:
Getting around Granada
It’s easy to get around Granada on foot in the historic center. Only some neighborhoods, such as Sacromonte, are more difficult to navigate due to their steep 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!
Where to sleep in Granada
WHERE TO STAY IN Granada
Our favorites: hotels and neighborhoods
Downtown
Hotel Luna Granada Centro – See prices, photos and availability
Hotel Corrala del Realejo – See prices, photos and availability
At the Alhambra
Alhambra Palace – See prices, photos and availability
See our complete selection of the best hotels in Granada
Our ideal itinerary: 3 days in Granada
Day 1 – Exploring Granada’s Moorish and Catholic charm
To discover Granada is to plunge into the heart of a fascinating history, marked by the imprint of two cultures. The Muslim heritage, at its height under the Nasrid kingdom (13th-15th centuries), and the Catholic heritage, from the Reconquest in 1492.
Spend a day exploring this fascinating duality, through its architecture and contrasting atmosphere, between East and West.
Morning: Discover Granada Cathedral and the Royal Chapel
You’ll start your city tour with Granada Cathedral, considered Spain’s first Renaissance cathedral. Erected in 1501, it will captivate you with its colossal architecture and abundance of interior ornamentation.
Right next door, don’t miss the Royal Chapel! Built in the early 16th century by the Catholic Monarchs as a burial place, it houses the tombs of Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, and displays a collection of objects in a sumptuous setting.
Quiet lunch
After a morning rich in discoveries, a short break is in order! Numerous restaurants line the Plaza de Bib-Rambla next to the cathedral.
Find out more about where to eat in Granada!
For those who want to take their time, the terrace of the Restaurant Pimienta Rosa, with its generous cuisine, will help you regain your strength!
Digestive stroll through the souks and along the Rio Dario
Before continuing your exploration of the city, we suggest you lose yourself for a moment in theAlcaicería, a veritable souk next to the Cathedral!
A silk market in Muslim times, rebuilt in the 19th century after a fire, it is now a souvenir market. While the maze of stores is quite touristy, we were charmed by the architecture of the buildings: between horseshoe arches and Arab ornamentation.
Leave the hustle and bustle of the city center behind and take the Carrera del Darro from Plaza de Santa Ana, the emblematic street that runs alongside the peaceful Rio Darro. With its dense vegetation and small bridges linking the two hills, it’s like being transported to another world! Once on the Paseo de los Tristes, don’t miss the view of the Alhambra. From here, head up Calle de la Victoria to lose yourself in the old Arab quarter.
Afternoon: Stroll through the picturesque Albayzin district
Once you’ve grasped Granada’s Catholic heritage, you can move on to its Moorish origins. Head for the heights of the city to discover the Albaicín district, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1994. We were seduced by its narrow cobbled streets and white buildings that have retained the medina look they had centuries ago.
In this district, you can admire the Granada Mosque, built in 2003, with its beautiful gardens, and the Palacio de Dar al-Horra, a 15th-century Nasrid residence.
Don’t take a map to find your way around – the best way is to get lost in the maze of streets, flower-filled patios and cobbled squares of this picturesque district!
Admire the sunset at Mirador San Nicolas before dinner (with a view!)
When you’ve finished exploring every nook and cranny of the Albaicín, we recommend you finish with the highlight of the show: the Mirador de San Nicolás. Offering breathtaking views of the Alhambra and Sierra Nevada on a clear day, this belvedere attracts crowds, especially at sunset. Despite the crowds, the magic of the place still works.
To round off a day full of discoveries, take a seat at one of the tables with a view of the neighborhood. We particularly recommend Restaurant El Trillo or Restaurant Carmen el Agua, where panoramas and flavors meet.
Day 2 – Immersion in the heart of the Alhambra, Moorish jewel
Hold on tight for what promises to be an intense day! After admiring the city and its panoramic views of the Alhambra, it’s time to discover its secrets. This architectural jewel is a vast, monumental complex, where every space has its own wonders.
Read all our tips in our dedicated article (coming soon!).
Morning: Discover the sumptuous Nasrid palaces of the Alhambra
Your program will depend on the time of your ticket to visit the Nasrid Palaces. A fixed timetable will be proposed, and you will need to arrive early.
Despite the crowds of tourists, you’ll be amazed by the richness of the architecture, the play of light through the moucharabiehs and the finesse of the architectural details.
After admiring the palaces, whose visit will be fairly short due to the different niches, you can discover the collections of the Fine Arts Museum, which will complete your understanding of al-Andalus art!
Lunch on site
Not a minute to lose! To make the most of your visit, we recommend lunch on site. If you’re looking for a quiet break, theHotel Parador, nestled in the heart of the Alhambra, offers meals in exceptional surroundings at affordable prices, far from the hustle and bustle. For a quicker alternative, make a morning detour to the Mercado de San Agustín, where you can buy food for a gourmet picnic and enjoy your meal in the designated areas.
Afternoon: Explore the Alcazaba and stroll through the Generalife Gardens
Now that you’ve regained your strength, you can set off on your assault on the Alhambra fortress! Known as the Alcazaba, it once housed the military quarter, hence its defensive architecture punctuated by ramparts, towers and parade squares.
This visit is well worth the detour, both because it is the oldest part of the Alhambra and because of its panoramic views! From the top of the Torre de la Vela, the historic tower where the Catholic Monarchs hoisted their standard after the reconquest of Granada, you can enjoy a 360° view of Granada.
Last but not least, we recommend you visit the Generalife Gardens, our favourite! Formerly the Sultan’s summer palace, this verdant setting offers a peaceful refuge between shady alleys, singing fountains and flowerbeds.
But the site was also a functional space, housing the vegetable gardens that fed the courtyard and a hammam dedicated to ritual purification. Don’t miss the elegant Patio de la Acequia and its long pool lined with water jets!
Evening in the Realejo district
After this intense day, it’s finally time to enjoy a moment of relaxation.
Let yourself be enchanted by the intimate atmosphere of the Realejo, Granada’s old Jewish quarter.
This vibrant district comes alive in the evening, and is renowned for its rich gastronomy.
Between Campo del Principe and Plaza de Santo Domingo you’ll find plenty of tapas bars for a great night out!
Day 3 – Granada off the beaten track
Now that you’ve explored the city’s must-sees, it’s time to discover a more secret side of Granada, away from the hustle and bustle of tourism. Stroll through its little-known neighborhoods and discover the authentic soul of Granada.
Breakfast at the Mercado de San Augustín
Exploring Granada off the beaten track also means immersing yourself in the local atmosphere! Before setting off on your itinerary, make a detour to the Mercado de San Agustín, the ideal place to put together a gourmet picnic – you’ll see why below! This lively market, brimming with fresh produce, is open daily from 9am to 3pm, except Sundays. Take the opportunity to stroll through the city center and discover some of the sites you wouldn’t have had time to visit on your first day!
Morning: Discover the Monastery of La Cartuja
A little way from the city center, this monastery is well worth a visit. As soon as you enter, the elegant cloister, lined with orange trees and a fountain, inspires serenity. Around it, the former refectory houses works by the 17th-century painter-monk Fray Juan Sánchez Cotán. But the real jewel is the Baroque church (16th-17th century), with its majestic doorway, colorful marble, trompe-l’œil frescoes and refined inlaid sacristy.
Lunch with a panoramic view of the city
A good plan? After this discovery, ask a cab to drop you off at the end of the Camino de la Ermita. From here, a short walk will take you to the Mirador de San Miguel Alto, the most spectacular in Granada in our opinion. This belvedere offers a breathtaking view of the city, the Alhambra and the Sierra Nevada in the background. It’s the perfect place for a panoramic lunch break, provided you bring a hat as the site is very exposed to the sun.
For an even more magical experience, return at sunset and let yourself be enchanted by the golden light that sets Granada ablaze.
Afternoon: Exploring the Sacromonte gypsy quarter
From the Mirador, take a leisurely stroll down the winding streets of Sacromonte. This former troglodytic district, traditionally inhabited by Gypsies, is now partly abandoned. A few cuevas (caves) and some rock-cut dwellings have survived. The atmosphere here is resolutely calm, sometimes marked by a certain austerity. For a better understanding of the neighborhood’s history, don’t miss the Museo de las Cuevas, which traces the way of life of the local inhabitants and the evolution of flamenco through immersive reconstructions.
Enjoy a flamenco show to round off the day.
How about a rhythmic end to the day? While you’re in the area, why not take in a flamenco show? But be careful when choosing your address, as some places lack authenticity.
If you want to stay in the Sacromonte district, we recommend Peña La Platería(open from 9pm, more info on the official website here).
And if you prefer to return to the center, try one of these two renowned addresses: La Alboreàla (more info here) or Casa Del Flamenco (more infohere).
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Alternative 1: Pomegranate nuggets
Granada is a city where history, culture and nature are revealed around every corner.
If you’d like to explore other sites, here’s a selection of nuggets you won’t want to miss on your getaway:
For culture lovers
In addition to the magnificent museums housed in the Alhambra (the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum in the Palace of Charles V), the city boasts an incredible cultural offering.
There’s something for everyone! Fans of poetry will want to visit the Centre Garcia Lorca, dedicated to the poet and writer, while lovers of architecture will want to pay a visit to the Palais Madraza, a former 14th-century Koranic school.
Finally, those who want to delve into the world of painting will find what they’re looking for at the Rodriguez-Acosta Foundation, where the collection of painter José Maria Rodríguez is on display, or at the José Guerrero Center, a major figure in 20th-century abstract art in Spain.
Find more details and inspiration in our article on Granada’s museums.
For heritage lovers
You won’t be outdone by the wonders of Granada’s religious heritage.
In particular, we fell in love with the Basilica of San Juan de Dios.
This 18th-century Baroque edifice boasts a profusion of details: all the walls are covered with sculptures, stucco, gilding and frescoes! You can round off your visit with a visit to the museum dedicated to the figure of Saint John of God, on the banks of the Rio Darro.
Just a 2-minute walk from this basilica, you can go on to discover the Monasterio de San Jerónimo. Still occupied by the Sisters of St. Jerome, this monastery is distinguished by its elegant cloister with orange trees, its superb Renaissance portals and, above all, its church, where carved coffered ceilings and a 16th-century altarpiece offer a fascinating blend of Gothic and Renaissance styles.
For those looking for a bucolic escape
Granada is a magnificent city that breathes with its dense vegetation!
We recommend a visit to the pretty Camen de los Martires park.
This lush garden, spread over hundreds of hectares, offers a pleasant stroll punctuated by palm trees, fountains, grottoes, sculptures and breathtaking views.
Finally, we found it very pleasant to walk along the Río Darro river, below the hilly districts of Albaicín and Sacromonte. So if you’re a nature lover, we think you’ll love Granada!
Alternative 2: with excursions
After several days exploring Granada, why not escape the city and discover other sites?
Trek the Sierra Nevada mountains
Take an adventurous hike through the Sierra Nevada mountains, Europe’s second-highest mountain range! The Pico del Mulhacén, at 3480 m altitude, offers spectacular scenery! Find out more about the climb here. And for those who prefer an adrenalin rush, you can visit by 4×4 – see prices, availability and booking.
Would you like an exceptional excursion that’s completely under your control? Why not try a dizzying ride on the Caminito del Rey? A 2-hour drive from Granada, we were impressed by the beauty of this trail suspended among the cliffs and bordered by an artificial lake – see prices, availability and bookings.
Explore white villages
Those who prefer a heritage tour can visit the white villages near Granada, such as Montefrío(50 min. drive), with its impressive hilltop church and spectacular views. Further south, in the heart of theAlpujarra region, the villages of Pampaneira, Bubión and Capileira are a tangle of white houses and flower-filled alleyways. Here, traditions are still very much alive, notably in local crafts and comfort food.
Read our article on the best excursions from Granada!
A lazy day on the Costa Tropical
What better way to balance out a day of intense cultural visits than an afternoon by the sea? Just 1 hour’s drive from Granada, the Costa Tropical boasts some of the world’s finest beaches, including Playa de la Herradura and Playa de la Rijana, punctuated by picturesque villages such as Frigiliana, Nerja and Motril.
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Alternative 3: Visiting Granada with the family
If your children are going to love the splendor of the Alhambra and the maze of alleys in the city’s different districts, here are a few activities specifically for them:
- Le Parc des Sciences: with its many fun facilities and workshops, this science park has been designed with families in mind: don’t hesitate!
- 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.
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What you need to know for your stay in Granada
The weather in Granada
Granada’s weather is different from other Andalucia cities, as it is located at an altitude of 738m. As you can see, it can snow if you go to Granada in winter, with temperatures averaging around 7°C. December is generally the wettest month, although this remains reasonable (7 days of rain maximum over the month).
In spring, temperatures hover around 20 to 25°, while in summer, the thermometer climbs to 35°, which isn’t much compared to other cities like Sevilla!
You’ll find it quieter than in spring, which is the peak tourist season.
Affluence in Granada
The crowds in Granada are huge, especially at the Alhambra, Spain’s most visited site. In spring, visitor numbers are very high.
We therefore recommend visiting Granada in winter, for greater peace and quiet. You can even enjoy the snow-covered Sierra Nevada!
Otherwise, you should know that some places, such as monasteries, are much less popular with tourists, despite their beauty. You can enjoy it with peace of mind all year round!
Adapt your itinerary when it rains
Bad weather during your stay in Granada? Don’t panic! There’s plenty to keep you entertained:
- Enjoy the city’s best museums
- Visit monasteries and other religious buildings (La Cartuja monastery, San Jerónimo monastery, Basilica San Juan de Dios).
- Attend one of the city’s many flamenco shows!
- Or if you want to explore the city, you can opt for a guided tour on a small train.
Last but not least, visiting Granada in winter is a great alternative! Enjoy the snow-covered Sierra Nevada and numerous festive events. To find out more, read our article on visiting Granada in winter.
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