Top 10 Must-See Attractions in Granada: Essential Sights You Have to Visit August 19, 2024 – Posted in: Spain, Travel – Tags: Alhambra, Andalusia, Attractions, Granada, Holiday, Spain, Vacation

Must-See Attractions in Granada

Granada is world-renowned for the Alhambra, the grand Moorish palace complex. But there are also many other sights in Granada that you absolutely must see. In fact, there are so many exciting attractions that you will likely find it challenging to experience them all.

Additionally, there’s time to stroll through the charming cobblestone medieval streets or visit the numerous miradors (viewpoints) scattered throughout the city. Not to mention the flamenco, with the Sacromonte district considered its epicenter. Or the beautiful hikes in the Sierra Nevada mountains. There’s truly plenty to see and experience in Granada!

So, what should you actually see on a trip to Granada – and whatwill you have time to visit? We’ve put together a list of the 10 sights in Granada that you absolutely MUST see. We’ve tried to rank them based on what is a must-see and what is also beautiful and exciting but can be visited if you have more time.

10 Sights in Granada You Must See

Granada has many exciting attractions to offer, and here’s a list of the sights in Granada that you definitely need to see during your vacation in the city. You might not get to see them all, but Alhambra and Generalife, Carrera del Darro, and Albayzin are must-sees.

To get around between the sights, it’s quickest to lace up your walking shoes. Most of the attractions are located in or just around the center, and they are not far from each other.

So let’s get out there and take in the beautiful city!

1. Alhambra and Generalife

Alhambra is a massive palace complex with numerous buildings and gardens. The fortress was built by the Moors in the 1200s and 1300s, likely on the remains of a Roman fort. The palaces were home to the Nasrid dynasty, and Granada, protected by the palace, was the last Moorish city until the Christian reconquest. The most popular part is the Nasrid Palaces with its beautiful fountains, tiles, and intricate carvings. Be sure to take your time exploring the Generalife summer palace and the Alcazaba fortress as well.

Alhambra has its own dedicated post where you can read all our best tips for visiting this stunning fortress complex. You can find it here: Big Guide to Visiting Alahambra in Granada – Tips to Tickets, Attractions and History. However, there’s one thing we’d like to repeat because it can’t be said too often – make sure to book your ticket well in advance! And try to schedule your visit as early in the day as possible to avoid the midday heat.

2. Carrera del Darro

Carrera del Darro, where the top photo is from, is one of the most beautiful streets in Granada. The street runs along the Darro River, and many of the beautiful houses along it date back to the 1600s. It is also here that you’ll find several of the older Arabic buildings, including the Arab baths, which you can read about later.

If you have the time, visit Patio de los Perfumes, where you can have a peek into the palace courtyard and the stone cellar, which houses a small exhibition about perfume through the ages.

3. Albayzin

From Carrera del Darro, the road continues up to the Albayzin. Albayzin is a neighborhood situated on a small hill in the northeastern part of Granada. It was the old Arabic quarter that, at its peak during the Nasrid period (1230 to 1492), had 30 mosques for its 40,000 residents.

In Albayzin, you’ll find many historical buildings in narrow streets that still wind up and down the hill as they did during the Middle Ages. It’s here in Albayzin that you’ll find some of the most popular miradors, the al-Horra palace, and Casa de Zafra, all of which you can read more about later in the article.

If this is your first visit to Granada, it’s recommended to start by simply strolling through the steep, narrow streets and enjoying the views as you go. Instead of focusing on seeing everything, allow yourself to get a little lost so you can truly appreciate the beauty of this lovely hill.

4. Miradors

Granada has a wealth of miradors scattered around the city’s hilltops. From here, you get a fantastic view over Granada and often over Alhambra as well.

The most popular view of Alhambra is from Mirador de San Nicolás in Albaycin. Here, you can see the Alcazaba and fortress with the beautiful Sierra Nevada in the background. We also enjoyed the view from Mirador de San Cristobal a little further away, next to the church of the same name. There are fewer tourists here, and you get a nice view towards the northern end of the palace.

However, the absolute best photo spot we found by chance. After a hike up to Cerro del Sol, we passed the viewpoint at Silla de Moro, the Moor’s Chair. If you click the link and go to Google Maps, it’s just east of Generalife and inside the park. You can only reach it by hiking up or down, but in our opinion, it’s the best spot in Granada to view Alhambra.

5. Sacromonte

On the other side of Albaycin and far out where many tourists never venture is the Sacromonte neighborhood. It is the city’s old Roma quarter, where the Roma settled after the Christian reconquest of Spain in 1492. Up until modern times, they lived in caves built into the hillside. You can learn more about this history and get a glimpse into the inhabited caves at Museo Cuevas del Sacromonte.

There are still many Roma living in the neighborhood, which today also shares space with artists and hippies. Granada is considered one of the main cities for flamenco, and Sacromonte is known as the birthplace of the traditional dance style zambra. There are many flamenco bars in Sacromonte and Albaycin, and here you can get an overview of some of them.

6. Dobla de Oro

Granada also has four truly beautiful Moorish buildings, with El Bañuelo, the Arab baths, being the most famous. The others are the Casa Horno de Oro, the Dar al-Horra Palace, and the coal yard Corral del Carbón, with the first three located in Albaycin.

On the official Alhambra website, you can purchase a ticket that covers both Alhambra and Dobla de Oro. The ticket is valid for three days. When visiting one of the four monuments, you can also purchase a ticket that covers all four buildings. It’s not possible to buy a ticket for just one site.

Although we really love history, we were actually a bit overwhelmed by how much there is to see in Granada. After visiting Corral del Carbón, we decided to save the rest of Dobla de Oro for another time. However, we highly recommend the Islamic merchant’s courtyard, which has a nice video presentation about Granada’s history. Despite possible confusion with tickets, it’s completely free to enter.

7. La Madraza

Another free attraction in Granada is La Madraza. The building, which today appears as a Renaissance structure from the outside, was originally a Quranic school during the Nasrid period. Today, the building houses a department of the university, and you can freely visit the beautiful vestibule. If you want to see some of the other rooms, you can get a guided tour for a few euros.

8. Alcaicería de Granada

Right next door is the Alcaicería de Granada, the old Arab silk market. The silk market had its own section in the souk that once existed here. The stalls have been rebuilt, but they still stand where you could originally buy the finest quality silk. Today, it’s a popular place to shop for souvenirs, as the shops primarily sell high-quality handicrafts.

9. Catedral de Granada

The silk market adjoins the city’s grand Renaissance cathedral, Catedral de Granada. In the cathedral’s adjoining chapel are the remains of King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella I, who were laid to rest here after the reconquest of Granada in 1492. Nearby is Plaza Isabel la Católica, featuring the large statue of Queen Isabella I, who provided Columbus with funds for his expedition to the Americas.

10. Dehesa del Generalife

One of the major highlights of our vacation in Granada was the magnificent nature surrounding the city. We love hiking, and you can read more about our hikes in Granada by clicking the link. Even if you’re not up for a longer hike, you simply must visit Granada from the park Dehesa del Generalife.

Locals flock there on Sundays to barbecue in the shade under the trees. From the picnic area, you also get a lovely view over Albayzin and Abadía del Sacromonte. If you’re up for a slightly longer trip, we highly recommend packing a picnic and heading to Mirador del Cerro del Sol to enjoy the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

More Tips for Your Vacation in Granada

 

Find a Great Hotel in Granada

As mentioned, the Alhambra is Spain’s biggest tourist attraction, and naturally, this drives hotel prices in Granada to the higher end. We decided we’d rather stay somewhere a bit cheaper and enjoy a few extra days in the city. As a result, we stayed for a delightful five nights at the Hotel Andalucia Center. It’s about half the price if you’re willing to walk an extra ten minutes outside the city center.

Hotel Andalucia Center is part of a hotel chain where we’ve stayed both in Cordoba and Seville, and the excellent service is consistent throughout. The hotel is located about a 15-minute walk from the center, and with its large underground parking, it’s especially convenient for those on a road trip in Andalusia.

We stayed in one of their standard rooms, which, like all their other hotels, is spacious – and it includes an additional door leading to the bathroom. When you travel often, you come to appreciate such details. 🙂 On top of the hotel, you’ll find a lovely pool with a view over Granada, and the hotel has its own restaurant. In the morning, there’s the usual giant breakfast buffet, which is why we choose this hotel chain again and again.