Planning Your Trip to Granada, Spain

Photo: Zocha Group – Planning Your Trip to Granada, Spain

With all the Madrid and Barcelona buzz, it can be easy to forget that there are so many areas of Spain worth visiting. Granada is at the top of our list! Granada has been the capital of Spain, the site of many historical moments, and a picturesque home for Spaniards for centuries. Nowadays, it’s not big-city-bustling, but it’s not sleepy either. In Granada, you’ll find the perfect mix of tourists, students, young professionals, and families alike. The streets and sidewalks are always humming with movement, but Granada never feels overwhelmingly busy.

Photo: Zocha Group – Planning Your Trip to Granada, Spain

Granada is welcoming to tourists, but it’s not a tourist town. Be sure you’re comfortable using a Spanish translation app (if you don’t already speak the language), as not everybody can accommodate English speakers. Or, if locals do speak English, they still appreciate visitors attempting the native language! In Granada, and everywhere in Spain, prepare to ask for the bill when you’re ready to pay at restaurants. It likely won’t arrive until you do. This is not a mark of poor service, but rather customary hospitality that ensures guests feel welcome to rest, chat, eat, and drink as long as they’d like.

On this note, we also recommend taking the opportunity to move slowly in Granada. Fun fact:  “Granada” means pomegranate, so keep an eye out for little emblems and symbols throughout the city. Every alleyway seems to end at a breathtaking viewpoint, and you won’t be in the way if you take a break to soak it in. Also, bring good walking shoes and be prepared to go home with stronger glutes than you arrived with—Granada is full of hills and staircases, but the top is always worth the climb. If you aren’t one for walking, have no fear. Granada is a big enough city that taxis are always zipping through town. The city bus system is also easy to use, and there’s a local train station and airport for day trips and weekend excursions.

Photo: Zocha Group – Planning Your Trip to Granada, Spain’

For starters, look into the Granada Card before you go. Offers may change periodically, but you’ll likely get to pay one price to experience many of these sites, including the Alhambra, many historic and religious structures, the trolley tour, and a few rides on the city bus!

The most obvious (for good reason) sight to see in Granada is the Alhambra. Now, technically, you can see it from lots of areas in town. This 13th-century fortress sits high up over the city of Granada. It’s impossible to miss, especially at sunset, but you really can’t beat visiting the fortress up close. There are a few different ticket options, but be sure you get to see the fort, palace, and the Generalife, the royal gardens on the grounds. Plan to spend at least half a day in Granada at the Alhambra, and rest assured it will be worth it. History buffs will stand where Columbus once stood with Ferdinand and Isabel, architecture enthusiasts will marvel at the intricate palace interior, and everyone will be impressed by the views of the city, mountains, and countryside form the top of the fortress. Be sure to book your tickets well in advance. Especially in peak travel months, you might need to secure tickets even longer than a month out.

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Many travelers believe a day trip to Granada is enough, and that the Alhambra is all there is to see and do, but this couldn’t be further from the truth! All of Spain is heavily influenced by the ancient Moorish settlement, but Arabic influence is particularly visible in Granada. One of the coolest experiences of this culture is visiting a traditional bath, also called a hammam. Our favorite in Granada is Hammam Al Andalus. Once used for hygiene and socializing, traditional Arabic baths are now more of a spa experience. Hammam Al Andalus is as peaceful as they come. You’ll prepare for the bath on the heated tiles of the changing room, then you’ll be guided to the baths. Rotate between the warm, hot, and cold baths to engage your systems and relax. Sample the different tea offerings while you wait for your massage services, then finish your experience in the sauna. The bath is open from morning until late night, and we recommend later evening to really unwind after a day of travel. Also worth mentioning—Hammam Al Andalus was built many centuries ago, so don’t forget to appreciate the beautiful design touches that have been maintained for guests like you throughout history.

Photo: Zocha Group – Planning Your Trip to Granada, Spain

Before your appointment at the hammam, stop by one of the many teahouses in Granada’s Arabic quarter, the Albaicín. Tea is an ancient Arabic art, and one of the many ways this culture displays hospitality. Have a sweet treat, too, while you plan what you’ll see next. The Albaicín is a perfectly windy maze of side streets and alleyways, all filled with rugs, clothing, decor, and other imports from Morocco and the Middle East. Take time to enjoy the culture here, engage with shop owners, and invest in a little something to take home.

Granada is a living testament to Spain’s intricate religious history. Regardless of any affiliation, the mosques, monasteries, temples, and cathedrals in Granada are a sight to see—plus, many cathedrals used to be mosques, which used to be temples, and oftentimes this can be seen through architectural designs. The Cartuja Monastery of Granada and Monasterio St. Geronimo cannot be missed; each one is absolutely stunning once you reach the worship areas. La Catedral de Granada is also a beautiful and necessary stop.

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Speaking of history, the Sacramonte caves are a really interesting stop in Granada. It’s a steep walk into the hills, but once you arrive, you’ll be in the area where the Roma community once made their homes in mountainside caves. Today, the caves are a museum dedicated to what life was like back then. It’s a pretty quick walk through the caves, but prepare for a long, steep walk up to the area. The views are fantastic which makes the walk worth it, but you might also consider other means of transportation.

Seeing a flamenco show is a must while you’re in Spain. Traditional flamenco has its roots in the Roma community who brought the dance to Spain. In Granada, some flamenco shows are hosted in the Sacramonte caves, which is extremely cool because that’s where the dance began. However, many reviews suggest that these shows feel more touristy than authentic. We recommend a flamenco show at Casa Ana. This small theater holds about 20 people, and phones are not allowed until the very end of the show. This makes for a tangibly intimate experience, like flamenco was meant to be experienced! There’s also a great little wine lounge right next door, Vinauro, for a pre or post-show drink.

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Plan to spend a good amount of time outside while visiting Granada. Temperatures may get into the 30’s on winter nights, but the city enjoys pretty comfortable daytime weather year round. The walk up to Sacramonte has some of our favorite views, but you’ll also probably hear a lot of buzz around Mirador San Nicolas. This is Granada’s favorite spot to catch a sunset, and while it does get busy over by this city wall, that’s kind of part of the fun. It’s hard to be bothered by a crowd when the crowd is wowed by the same view! That said, it’s worth coming here (possibly every night) to take in the sight of the Alhambra washed in golden light. We also love Mirador San Cristobal, and you can’t beat the 360 view from the top of the Alhambra.

For a slow day of roaming, check out the Carmen de los Mártires gardens very near the Alhambra grounds. They’re free to enter and rarely busy.. To find this true hidden gem of Granada, take the stairs at the end of Plaza de Realejo, then follow the signs. You’ll find beautiful flowers and huge palm trees, well-kept fountains, lawn space fit for picnicking, and you might even spot a roaming pair of peacocks. Finally, if you want a day trip out of Granada, visit the Sierra Nevada mountains for skiing or hiking! Or, for travelers who enjoy nature but want an easy hike, the small town of nearby Monachil also offers some lovely trails in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas.

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You won’t find a finer dining experience in Granada than Los Damasqueros. The chef, Lola Marin, is Granada born and classically trained in true Spanish flavor, ingredients, and hospitality. The sommelier is as friendly as she is knowledgeable, and each dish from the seasonal tasting menu will have you more enthralled than the last. 

Restaurante Mirador Carmen de San Miguel is also a great option for visitors who want a luxe dining experience but aren’t in the market for a pre-fixe menu. While this spot might be marketed for tourists, it is a worthwhile reservation for the view alone. Request a table on the patio while the sun goes down while you enjoy classic Andalusian fare and pleasant service.

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Lean into Granada’s Middle Eastern influence at Samarcanda, a fantastic Lebanese restaurant, or Papas Elvira, which serves standout Arabic dishes. Both restaurants are a great option for lunch or dinner. So is Potemkin, a trendy spot where locals meet up for sushi and a drink. Cafe 4 Gatos offers idyllic tables for people watching in the square with coffee and a tostada, and Cafe Futbol is a favorite for standing at the bar to enjoy espresso and churros with chocolate.

Of course, it’s not a trip to Spain without tapas. Los Diamantes serves incredible seafood plates and tapas at the bar, while La Taberna de Kafka has cool, casual vibes and a literary inspired menu. Visit Calle Navas for an entire street of Granada tapas bars! Oh, and if nobody’s told you yet—you should get a free tapa with every round of drinks at most restaurants in Spain. 

Tinto de verano, sangria, and vermouth are three beverages you’ll likely find on every Spanish menu. While you’re in Granada, don’t bother buying vermouth at the store. Instead, get it right from the tap at Bodegas Castañeda. They’ll fill any sized bottle with vermouth for you to take home, but it’s also a great spot to stay and have a drink. Visit Bar Candela to truly drink like a local. Visitors at this small spot spill into the sidewalk at all times of day, proving that this is a favorite no-frills Granada watering hole. Beer lovers should check out Capitán Amargo Craft Beer Bar. Their taps serve drafts from all over Europe, giving the feel of a classic brewery but with a ton of unique options. They also have a full bar and great snack options to enjoy while you sample your flight. Enjoy a cocktail at the trendy Los Pensadores, or on a rooftop at B-Heaven at Barceló Carmen.

Photo: Zocha Group – Planning Your Trip to Granada, Spain