Hola desde Granada! Granada, where Moorish magic, flamenco soul and mountain breezes collide. Nestled at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, a National Park designated Biosphere Reserve by Unesco in 1986, Granada is a city that I was eager to visit! I’ve heard many things about it and read some beautiful stories, especially in The Moon Sister (The Seven Sisters, #5). Whether you’re here for the weekend or passing through on your Andalusia Road Trip, Granada will sweep you off your feet with its rich culture, soulful vibes and postcard-worthy views, Granada is calling. Here’s your go-to-guide for the best things to do in Granada on a weekend getaway.
Best Things to do in Granada
The Alhambra Palace (by day) ☀️
No trip to Granada (and Andalucia) would be complete without walking through the doors of the Moorish Palace of Alhambra. It’s a masterpiece of Islamic architecture and one of the most majestic buildings I’ve ever seen. No wonder it’s one of the most visited monuments in Europe with 3 million visitors a year! This huge Moorish castle was built in the 1200s by the founder of the Nasrid dynasty. Granada was a Muslim kingdom for over 700 years, the longest Muslim rule in Spain. The palace is built from beautiful red stones (the name ‘Alhambra’ actually comes from Arabic origins meaning “red”) and the sun changes the color of the building from morning to evening.
Don’t miss:
– the Nasrid Palaces with their mind-blowing details,
– the Alcazaba, the oldest part of the Alhambra with stunning panoramic views over the city of Granada and the Albaicín (the old Arab quarter),
– the Generalife gardens, the summer palace of the Nasrid rulers of the Emirate of Granada.
You can easily spend the entire morning or afternoon exploring this sprawling complex of palaces, gardens and fortresses. I actually wouldn’t recommend to go at opening as it is VERY busy but rather to book in the middle of the afternoon around 3pm and stay there until it closes.
Get your Alhambra entrance ticket here (book early, a month in advance if you can) and make sure it includes the Nasrid Palace!
Experience the Alhambra by Night ✨
Seeing the Alhambra by day is already magical, but by night, let me tell you it will blow your mind. Imagine having the Nasrid Palace just for yourself (around 60 people when it’s 300 during the day), wandering under the moonlight in the silence and soft lighting. For me it was like stepping into a dream. It’s a completely different experience and one that many travelers miss. I recommend to have dinner nearby and be there around 9:45pm to be the first to enter when it opens at 10pm.
Book your night visit of the Alhambra here – trust me, it’s worth it!
From 10pm to 11:30pm, 10.61€/pp
Albaicín and Sacromonte
Albaicín
Another of my favorite things to do in Granada is to wander through Granada’s oldest and most atmospheric neighborhoods: Albaicín and Sacromonte.
Start with the ancient Albaicín neighborhood, the Arab district of Granada. It is known for its historic monuments and for largely retaining its medieval street plan dating back to the Nasrid period (13th to 15th centuries). It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1994, as an extension of the historic site of the nearby Alhambra.
Even the journey to get there is fantastic: a walk from the center, along the stone walls of the river, across cobbles streets with cute bridges, and a gentle climb up the hill. All the houses are painted white and have sweet doorways with pots of flowers, and sit on a maze of narrow cobbled streets.
The Albaicín is spread across the hillside, facing the Alhambra with incredible views. If you’re up for a hike, the Ermita de San Miguel Alto is one of the most spectacular viewpoint (it’s the highest viewpoint in Granada!). For less of a walk, Mirador de San Nicolás (see below) or Mirador Placeta de Carvajales also offer beautiful views.
Down the neighborhood, the Arab baths are a must with their star-shaped skylights ceilings dating back to the 11th century! There are many lovely bars and restaurants there but I’d recommend Restaurant El Ladrillo II. When I went it was full of locals only and honestly I had the best lunch!
Sacromonte
Next to the Albaicín is the gypsies neighborhood of Sacromonte. Known for its cave houses and vibrant culture, it’s where flamenco lives and breathes, especially after sunset. Note that it’s bit more of a climb to this hill than to Albaicin and it can get pretty hot under the burning Andalusian sun and with no wind… But if you make it, you’ll get incredible views over the Alhambra and the Albaicín from the hill of Sacromonte!
The Red Fortress 🌆
For the most iconic view of the Alhambra, framed by the Sierra Nevada mountains and glowing in the golden sunset light, make your way to the Mirador de San Nicolás. It is the busiest but for a reason so I’d recommend to be there 1h before and grab “a seat” while you enjoy the locals playing guitar and maybe get lucky with some flamenco dances!
Before you know it, it will be sunset time and the sky will turn shades you didn’t know existed. And you’ll understand why the Alhambra is also called “the Red Fortress”. If you can, stay a little bit after sunset to see the city lights!
See a Flamenco Show 💃🏻
Last but not least, my favorite things to do in Granada is obviously to see a live flamenco show. And the Municipal Theater of La Chumbera is one of the best places to do it! Set in a public hall with the perfect view over the Alhambra, it offers the most authentic flamenco experience, and all for just 13€! Psst: it’s also a fantastic spot for sunset!
Buy your Flamenco tickets online here (spanish).
Granada city center
From the Catedral de Granada to the Moroccan-style Mercado La Alcaiceria and the numerous and lively plazas, there’s a lot to explore in the center of Granada, all by foot! Make sure to stop for a tinto de verano break with some tapas! Apart in the most touristic areas of the very center, tapas are always included with the drink! I liked it at La Bodeguita Cofrade II on the Campo del Principe (same owners as La Bodeguita Cofrade, traditional home made andalusian cuisine) but there’s plenty of other local restaurants!
Travel tips:
Best Time to Visit
Granada is exceptionnaly hot in the summer, and temperatures can reach up to 40°C (104°F). This can make walking around a bit tricky, especially as there’s so many hills! On the opposite, it has a ski resort nearby because it gets very. cold and a lot of snow in winter! For this reason I recommend shoulder seasons such as March, April, May or September-October. Personally I’ve always visited Andalusia in April & very end of September and always ended up having temperatures around 30°C or more, which is still very hot in the day when there’s no wind and no shade at all…
Where to stay
You’ll find somewhere nice to stay in most areas of Granada. There are some beautiful boutique hotels by the cathedral with lovely views of the old town and the squares. I stayed in this central, beautiful and fully equipped apartment and it was all I needed! Despite being right on the Plaza de Rambla, it was pretty quiet at night (and I’m the kind of girl who can’t sleep if there’s the tiniest sound and light lol).
How to get there
Granada has a small airport that serves major cities in Spain, like Barcelona and Madrid, but less frequent international flights. So it’s best to fly to the international airport of Malaga and take a direct train to Granada. It will take you 1.5 hours and can cost between 15-20€. Or alternatively, hire a car and follow my Ultimate Andalusia Road Trip Itinerary!
Getting around
Granada is a small city and everything can be visited on foot. If you don’t want to walk up to the Alhambra, you can take the bus (1.40€).
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These are my favorite things to do on a weekend in Granada. It may be small compared to Sevilla but it holds so much beauty in its walls, it will stay with you long after you’ve left! I hope this will be useful for you and if you need, feel free to reach out with any questions, here or on Instagram!
With love,
Marina
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