Top Guide: What to See and Do on Your Vacation in Granada august 19, 2024 – Posted in: Spain, Travel – Tags: Alhambra, Andalusia, Attractions, Granada, Holiday, Spain, Vacation
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The Best Tips for Your Vacation in Granada
Are you passionate about history, culture and delicious food? Then Granada is the perfect city for you! Located just an hour and a half from Malaga and about two hours from Cordoba, Granada is renowned for the magnificent Alhambra palace. However, there’s so much more to explore in this beautiful, historic city.
Everywhere you go in Granada, you’ll be reminded that the city was under Moorish rule for 800 years, from 711 to 1492, when King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella drove the last Moorish ruler, Boabdil, out of Granada during the Reconquista. This influence is evident in the buildings, place names, and especially in the menu.
But it’s not just the Moors who have left their mark on the city. Romans, Roma people, Jews, and Visigoths have all contributed to Granada’s rich tapestry. While Granada could easily rest on its historical laurels, it is also a city with broad boulevards, a constantly evolving cuisine, and vibrant nightlife. In other words, a fantastic vacation awaits you!
What to See in Granada?
As mentioned, most tourists come to Granada to see the Alhambra – and there’s a good reason for that! We’ve seen many castles over the years, but none as splendid as this grand palace complex. We dare say it’s one of those things you simply must see.
But Granada offers many other exciting attractions. As the last Moorish stronghold in Al-Andalus, besides the Alhambra, you should also visit the Doblo de Oro, the four magnificent buildings from that era. Take some time to wander up to the Albayzin district and continue to the old Roma neighborhood, Sacromonte.
Finally, you must also enjoy Granada from its numerous miradors (viewpoints). Situated by the great Sierra Nevada mountain range, if you like hiking, we recommend booking a few extra nights to explore some hiking trails. For the best views of the Alhambra, check out our guide on Hiking in Granada, where you can also read about our hike on Los Cahorros de Monachil, the trail with long hanging bridges.
How Many Days Do You Need in Granada?
There is so much to see and do in Granada that it’s a city you may find yourself returning to. We had five nights in Granada, which was ample for a first-time visit. Although there were many things we didn’t get to see, we managed to visit all the major attractions – but we still have plenty left to explore!
If you only have one day in the city, it’s good to know what you can fit into a day trip to Granada. Alhambra is a must-see, so remember to book your tickets in advance when planning your trip. A typical visit to the palace takes about 3 hours, and with a good lunch and a break in the middle of the day, there’s time to explore a bit of Granada as well. Albayzin is a must-see, and you should also take time to visit Carrera del Darro, one of the city’s most beautiful streets.
The attractions we’ve mentioned here, Top 10 Must-See Attractions in Granada are listed in order of what you should see first and what is also beautiful and worth visiting if you have more time. If you have several days in the city, just follow the list!
When Should You Visit Granada?
Like many other Spanish cities, Granada can be unbearably hot in the summer. For the best experience seeing the Alhambra and other wonderful sights, it’s best to visit in the spring or autumn. We visited Granada in March 2023, and the weather was perfect! We enjoyed many days in shorts and t-shirts, but needed long pants and a jacket in the evenings.
Since Granada is not a beach destination, there’s no “off-season” here. There are always tourists coming to see the Alhambra, regardless of the time of year.
Good Restaurants in Granada
Over 3 million tourists visit Alhambra and therefore Granada each year. You can expect to find many excellent dining options in Granada. We’ve written more about this here: Best Restaurants in Granada Note that reservations are always recommended due to high demand.
Granada also maintains the fine old tapas traditions. This means that when you order a beer or a glass of wine, a tapa is included. And it’s not just four olives or a handful of chips. In fact, you could skip dinner and just enjoy tapas if you want, though we wouldn’t recommend doing that every day, as the city has so much great food!
How to Get to Granada?
The easiest way to get to Granada is to fly into Malaga. From there, you can rent a car and drive the mountainous roads to Granada.
Alternatively, it’s even easier to take the bus, which runs between Malaga Airport and Granada approximately once an hour. The bus company Alsa operates the route, and you can find departure times and other important information by clicking the link: Malaga – Granada.
On our Andalusia tour, we landed in Seville and took the bus from Malaga to Granada from the city’s bus station. You can find the bus station in Malaga here: Estación de Autobuses.
If you arrive in Granada by bus, you’ll be dropped off at the bus station a bit outside the city center. Fortunately, Granada has a well-functioning tram system, so you won’t need to walk or switch buses. You can buy tram tickets on the platform where you board.
For more information on bus and train schedules, visit Omio. Omio is a free app and website where you can find bus and train routes across Europe – and often buy your ticket for the journey right away.
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.
Read more about the hotel here Hotel Andalucia Center and see all the other hotels in Granada by clicking here. You can also perform your own search for hotels in Granada right here: