Arguably one of the most visited parts of the south of Spain, Granada hosts some of the most emblematic and historic buildings in Andalucia.
The most popular time to visit the city is during Easter. Granada is known for its extraordinary procesiones during holy week. Although it is a religious celebration you do not have to be religious to enjoy them. If the processions don’t interest you too much, then try visiting a different time since the city will be full and finding accommodation will be challenging.
We would recommend that you devote 3 days to this city, but it is possible to visit in 2 days if you are short on time.
What to see:
The Alhambra is the crown’s jewel so we made a detailed post for it with everything you need to know for your visit.
Albaicin
A neighborhood with a village feel. Albaicin is also part of the joint UNESCO world heritage site. The best view of the Alhambra from afar is definitely from the San Nicolas viewpoint. The Albaicin is a bohemian neighborhood with street musicians, eclectic residents, street vendors and North African vibes. The hike up to Albaicin can be a bit daunting, but it’s worth the 30-40 minute walk.
You can also take the C31 bus up if you don’t feel so adventurous.
While you are there, we recommend the Max Moreau Museum and Carmen de los Geranios. They are located on camino nuevo de san nicolás, next to the view point!
At the Max Moreau Museum, you can also find his studio and the rest of his residence filled with memorabilia from Moreau’s life and travels, particularly from the Maghreb and North America, as well as his works.
The Museum-Carmen is open tuesday-saturday from 10:30h-13:30h and in the afternoon from 18:00h-20:00h.
During the summer the afternoon schedule changes to: 17:00h-19:00h.
It is also worth keeping in mind its closed all the month of august as well as holidays, mondays and sundays. It’s also free and super centric!
Albaicin is also known for its tea houses if that is something that interests you, this is a good spot to look for one.
Go take a look at the mosque of Granada
Located next to the san nicolas viewpoint you’ll find the mosque of the city. This mosque is pretty new as it was built in the first years of the 21st century, but is really charming and an important part of the city which has such close historical ties to the Muslim community. It has a really nice garden-courtyard where you get similar views to the San Nicolas viewpoint where the public is welcomed to at no cost.
You may visit from 11h-14h and 18h-21h
Walk around San Gregorio Square
While you are there also take a look inside the church. The square embodies the bohemian feel of the neighborhood. After you can go take a look at Puerta Nueva (the New Door) which is older than the Alhambra.
Fundacion Rodriguez-Acosta
This was the most distinct Carmen that we saw during our trip. There are parts that look like they were inspired from a surrealist painting. Once you are done walking around the gardens you can enter a hypnagogic starwell which is one of the trippiest things we experienced in a while as it feels never ending. The basement is also quite interesting and maze-like. We spent about an hour in the Rodriguez-Acosta Foundation.
Summer Schedule: 1 of April to 14 of October from 10h-18:30h.
Winter Schedule:15 october to 31st of March from 10h-16:30h.
Cost of entry is 5 euro or 4 euro reduced.
Granada is considered to have the most famous carmenes in the world which are Carmen de la Victoria and Carmen de los Mártires or Casa del Chapiz. In the museum part of the houses you can generally find permanent and temporal expositions.
Sacromonte
Granada’s second most famous district and is further uphill. This is the historical Roma district and where you will find some of the caves where many people once lived and were turned into museums. You’ll notice that people continue to live in caves surrounding the city, which is very interesting.
The Museo de las Cuevas del Sacromonte is more or less what most people come to see. It’s a museum that shows how the Roma people used to live in caves. The museum also has a permanent exposition on the history of flamenco (included in the ticket). The museum is really interesting but if it doesn’t peak your interest, it might not be worth it to make the trip all the way over there as it’s further into the hill.
If you still want to go but don’t want to walk you can take the C34 bus from plaza nueva. The caves give an adequate explanation on what people used to live like and continue to do so.
The museum is open everyday of the week from 10h-20h (march 15-october 14) and 10h-18h (october 15 to march 14).
The cost of entry is 5 euros.
In the old town there are a fair amount of sights to experience
Going into the cathedral it’s a piece of work to say the least and arguably one of the most impressive cathedrals on the Iberian peninsula.
You can visit monday to saturday from 10h-19h and sunday from 15h-18h.
The cost of entry is 5 euro or 3,5 discounted. Both come with an audio guide
Part of the same structure as the cathedral, the royal chapel is another place of interest. The Capilla Real or Royal Chapel is central to Spanish history as it is a mausoleum where Isabella of Castilla and Ferdinand of Aragon lay. Obviously they are divisive figures in Spanish history but from an architectural and historical point of view, in our opinion, it is one of the most impressive sights in the city.
The Royal Chapel is also open from 10h15-18h30 monday to saturday and from 11h-18h on sundays.
The cost of entry is 5 euro or 3,5 discounted. Both come with an audio guide
More places to visit in the center
Other great things to do in Granada is to walk around plaza nueva, go see el corral del carbon, check out the Santa Ana church (which long time ago used to be a mosque), walk down the creek known as carrera del Darro and peer into the shops on this picturesque street.
The Alcaiceria is a little bit too touristy for our taste, but it’s pretty cute and the vendors won’t badger you, so you can take a look at the moorish lamps, morocan slippers, incense, among other cool North African souvenirs.
If you’d like a deep explanation you can always join the “free” walking tour which meet up at plaza nueva which offer tours in English and Spanish. Please keep in mind that these tours are not actually free and that the tour guides live off the tips.
You can pay what you like depending on your budget and how much you enjoyed the tour. We would recommend that you at least give them 5 euro per person but if you can spare 10 euro we are sure they would be very grateful.
If you happen to walk into el campo del principe there is a really photogenic hotel here called Hotel de la Ninfa. We did not stay here but we really enjoyed looking at it.
La sierra Nevada
This is one of Europe’s best places to ski! Something not everyone thinks about doing in Granada. We didn’t come here to ski, but rather to people watch on a lovely terrace while having a hot chocolate and some food. If you want to come to la sierra Nevada you will have to hitch a ride here or rent a car, it will take about an hour and a half to get here.
Hope these tips help you plan your trip and you enjoy your time in Granada. Let us know how it goes and if you find something else to do by sending us a message on instagram.
