How to visit Granada
In December 2021 / January 2022 we made a 10-day trip to Andalusia, Spain. Granada was our second stop in South of Spain right after Seville and a 1-day trip to Cordoba.
This article How to visit Granada :
- Day 1 where we will visit the most visited monument of Spain, the Alhambra, then we will spend some time in a hidden garden.
- Day 2 where we will stroll around the Andalusian monuments, the gipsy quarter and all the viewpoints.
We tried making sense of this itinerary in order to avoid going back and forth. This guide is based not on the way we did it but on how we would have like to do it. But as always, we didn’t plan, and we had to adapt.
We will assume you stay in the same area as us at La Tinaja del Realejo But you can easily adapt the starting point based on your accommodation.
If you need more detail about Granada, check out: 13 best things to do in Granada in 2 days
Table of Contents
Where to Stay
- (€): Apartamento moderno en el céntrico Barrio ‘El Realejo’ de Granada
- (€€): La Tinaja del Realejo
- (€€€): Mirador del Zenete
We personally stayed at La Tinaja del Realejo, the apartment was really nice and super well located. We couldn’t ask for more. Only it could get a bit noisy at night due to the proximity of the street. But it is hard to get everything. We still strongly recommend this one.
How to Visit Granada: Day 1
Mapping the day
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The Alhambra
Introduction
Alright, let’s start with the Alhambra. Before going there, be sure to have booked your ticket a couple of days earlier. (You can get your ticket here or get the Alhambra & Nasrid Palaces Tour with Tickets)
As the most visited monument in Granada and even in Spain. It’s a place where many tours are coming from Seville, Cordoba or Malaga as a day trip. And going there last minute could be complicated especially if you want to visit it all.
The Nasrid Palaces
The Nasrid Palaces is an opulent Palace with Moorish-style courtyards, reception halls & royal quarters. It was the former palace of the Sultan. You can start at 8h30 there. Be sure to arrive at least 20min earlier to be in front of the line.
If you have an audio-guide, you will have to pick it up next to the line.
The Partal
The Partal, once out the palaces, you can keep going through the gardens also called the partal. There are a couples of towers in it that are only open on special days.
The Generalife’s garden
The Generalife’s garden, on your way to the summer residence, you will first go through their garden which will give you amazing views of the Alhambra. If you find a nice bench on the sun, take the time to stop and enjoy the weather.
The Generalife
The Generalife, the summer residence of the Sultan as well as guest house and the place where all fruits, vegetables were cultivated.
The promenade
Next will be the promenade of the tower and the medina, where you will start heading back toward the entrance of the sites. On your way you will pop by foundation of what was in the past a small city within the fortress.
Palace of Charles V
Later, you can quickly visit the Palace of Charles V, with its beautiful square design and rounded arches in its center.
The Alcazaba
And to finish, The Alcazaba, is a 11th century military fortress which is the oldest part of the Alhambra.
The complete visit takes 3h but if you take some more time and breaks, it can be up to 4h or even more.
Lunch break
If you feel like it, and if it is pass 13h, you can try some vegan food in Wild Food a vegan restaurant within a hotel in the city center of Granada. Food is amazing and the restaurant has great vibes.
Alcaicería
Time to digest and to visit the most famous shopping and touristic street in town. The Alcaicería market is the big bazar of Granada with tons of souvenirs. It’s made of a couple streets and is quite small but still is a nice place to see.
Cathedral de Granada & Royal Chapel of Granada
Next you can go to the Cathedral which was built in the 16th century and is made of an architectural mix of renaissance, baroque, and Gothic style. Next to it is the Royal Chapel of Granada built in the 15th century and serves as a burial place for Spanish monarchs.
Both places can be visited but with separate tickets that cost 5€ each. We would recommend to just pop by them in your way as the cathedral is not the most impressive one and the royal chapel is not that much either. At least we thought so.
Carmen de los Mártires
To finish the day, you can slowly walk to a less famous place in Granada is the Carmen de los Martires garden. It has a free entrance and his made of:
- A French garden
- A British garden with its 3-floors fountain
- A Nasrid patio and its maze
- A lake
It’s a nice place to get away from the crowd. It is open from 10h to 14h and 16h to 18h
How to Visit Granada: Day 2
Mapping the day
Corral del Carbón
You can start the day by visiting the Corral del Carbon which is part of the Andalusian monument but with a free entrance, it used to be a Moorish-style residence. Constructed in the 14th century, it was used as a storehouse and point of sale for wheat, as well as accommodation for the merchants who brought it to Granada.
Plaza Nueva & Iglesia de San Gil y Santa Ana
From there, head to Plaza Nueva, one of the nicest squares in Granada due to the San Gil y Santa Ana Chruch around it. The church was closed but made such a sight for the plaza.
El Bañuelo
Then For 5€ you can get a ticket than allow you access to the Andalusian monument (El Bañuelo, Palacio Dar al-Horra and Casa Horno Del Oro). Which are all on the planning today.
El Bañuelo is an ancient and well-preserved Arab bath. Built in the 11th century it was a place where people would not only clean themselves but also socialize and conduct business
Casa Horno Del Oro
Next stop will be the small Nasrid house with one floor, it’s a cool place to visit as it is included in the Andalusian monuments tickets and allow you to see how where houses in the Moorish era.
Sacromonte
Let’s keep on with the gipsy neighbourhood of Sacromonte. Famous for its troglodyte houses, called “cuevas”. There you can also enjoy a beautiful walk through this unique area, some top views of the Alhambra and even some flamenco show if you feel like it.
Mirador de San Nicolás
There are lots of Mirador or viewpoint in Granada and they all stand for an amazing view of the Alhambra and the city. San Nicolas is the most famous one.
Mirador Placeta de Carvajales
Now let’s make a Viewpoint Crawl, going from one to the other to get more and more views. As well as exploring the beautiful north part of the city.
Palacio Dar al-Horra
And to finish with the Andalusian Monument the Dar al-Horra Palace. Also known as the home of the honest, it was part of the large palace of Zirid King Badis. Its upper floor offers an amazing view of the Alhambra. Most probably our favourite one.
Mirador Ojo de Granada
Now on you way back to town, you can pop by the smaller viewpoint.
Alternative Route
If you find that you still have some time and that it is not too late, you can use the alternative route from Sacromonte to visit the Saint Michael and San Cristobal Viewpoint before going back on the itinerary.
Gastar saliva ( To spend saliva) – To waste your breath
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