Located in southern Spain’s beautiful Andalusia region, Granada is an absolute gem of a city. Steeped in history, and home to some of the most beautiful buildings in the country, it is no wonder that Granada welcomes more than six million visitors a year. First, a quick history lesson – Andalusia was under Islamic rule from the early 8th century until the late 15th century, and Granada was the last city to be conquered by the Spanish in 1492. Centuries later, the Islamic influences are still visible across the city, giving Granada a unique blend of Moorish and Spanish culture. At times you will forget you’re in Spain and feel like you’re in Northern Africa. 

The biggest draw to Granada – and the most striking legacy of the Moors –  is the utterly spectacular La Alhambra. Granada is very popular with day-trippers, doing a passing visit to see the Alhambra in-person. I think they’re really missing out as the city deserves at least two full days. After all, La Alhambra alone will take the best part of a day to explore! So, I have created a two-day guide for those visiting Granada for the first time, with tips on what to do in Granada, the best places to visit, how to get around, restaurant recommendations and must-try local specialties.

Start off your first day with a visit to the city’s most iconic landmark, La Alhambra. Perched atop La Sabika hill, this massive palace and fortress complex was built during the Islamic occupation in the Iberian Peninsula. It was the last stronghold of the Moors and today stands as one of Spain’s most impressive monuments. Attracting more than 2.5 million visitors a year, it’s one of the best-preserved Islamic palaces in the world and a stunning example of Moorish design. To manage the high number of visitors, La Alhambra has a timed ticket system where you are given a specific time slot to arrive.

This ticket system really helps to create a peaceful, relaxing feel. There will probably be times when you are completely alone and can pay close attention to the details without distractions. Notice the carved ceilings with their geometric honeycomb designs, the carefully-designed symmetrical columns, the multicoloured tiles, the elegant Arabic calligraphy, the dramatic fountains, and the beautiful sweeping arches. The intricacy of the Alhambra is truly breathtaking and worth the trip to Granada alone.

There is a huge amount to see at the Alhambra, so I won’t list everything off but the main highlights include the Nasrid Palaces and Generalife Gardens, the latter of which served as a retreat for Nasrid sultans. It is a good idea to visit the Nasrid Palaces first as they’re near the entrance and can get more crowded than the Generalife Gardens. There is an audio guide available for the whole complex that can be accessed with your phone, giving you a decent amount of information as you wander around this little slice of paradise. If you want to delve deeper, I recommend booking a guided tour. Here are some well-rated tours for a variety of budgets:

• Granada: Alhambra & Nasrid Palaces Tour with Tickets
• Granada: Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces Entry Ticket
• Granada: Alhambra & Generalife Fast-Track Guided Tour

There are several ticket options for La Alhambra, but general admission is €19. Tickets can be purchased online in advance. La Alhambra is so big you’re given a map on arrival to help you navigate. It will take at least two hours to explore, but I suggest spending even longer here, especially if you like photography or want to relax in the peaceful and beautiful gardens. My husband and I were there for around four hours and enjoyed every second.

There are a couple of ways to get to La Alhambra. The easiest would be getting a taxi from the city centre, but there are some buses (the C30 and C32) that take you right to the entrance at Puerta de la Justicia. We actually walked there from the historic centre, and it only took about 20 minutes from our hotel, passing through a pleasant park en route.

After a morning exploring La Alhambra, spend a leisurely afternoon in the charming Albaicín district. To get there from the Alhambra, take the exit for Cuesta del Rey Chico and stroll down the picturesque road to the bridge Puente del Aljibillo. This will bring you to a nice riverside promenade and onto the Albaicín district. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, this picture-perfect part of the city is the old Moorish quarter. You’ll find pretty whitewashed houses, winding cobbled streets and historical monuments like the 11th century El Bañuelo Arab baths and Palacio de Dar al-Horra (a 15th century Nasrid palace).

There are several pretty plazas to relax in with a glass of wine like Placeta de San Miguel Bajo, a popular choice due to the nice views of the Church of San Miguel Bajo (one of the oldest churches in the city). Albaicín has a really distinct North African feel to it, so you’ll find many Moroccan restaurants and tea rooms here, as well as artisan shops selling locally-made goods. My husband and I were happy wandering around aimlessly, but if you’d like to learn more about the neighbourhood and Granada in general, Albaicín and Sacromonte Walking Tour and Albaicín, Sacromonte & Museum of Caves Walking Tour both have excellent reviews.

If you love a lookout spot (like me!), then you are in luck. There are several stunning viewpoints (miradors) scattered around this area, including Mirador Ojo de Granada, where you get panoramic views over Granada, and Los Carvajales viewpoint, which offers a fantastic perspective of the Alhambra.

After some rest at your hotel, head out in the evening for a traditional Spanish meal at one of the many great restaurants in the historic centre. A fun place to try some local dishes is Bodegas Castañeda, an old-school, bustling tapas bar. If you like craft beer, I can recommend Despacho de cervezas Sacromonte in Plaza de la Trinidad, which gives you a tasty tapas dish with each drink you buy! Or do some people-watching while sipping a glass of vino in one of the many lively plazas in the centre, like Plaza Nueva.

For your second day, spend some time exploring Granada’s photogenic historic centre. The main landmark here is the imposing Granada Cathedral. This architectural marvel from the Spanish Renaissance was built on the site of a former mosque after the Christians reconquered the city. Work continued on it for around 200 years, giving the cathedral an interesting mishmash of architectural styles. The interior is no less impressive, with beautiful stained-glass windows, sculptures, and paintings. Also part of the complex is the Royal Chapel, which serves as the burial place of King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castile. As one of the largest cathedrals in Europe, expect to spend a good amount of time here to fully appreciate its splendor. 

Admission is €7 per site, with separate tickets needed for both the Cathedral and the Royal Chapel. An audio guide service included through an app is included in the ticket price. You can visit by yourself, or book an organised tour like this Cathedral & Royal Chapel Skip the Line Tour led by an expert guide. There is also a combined ticket which gives you entrance to multiple important churches and monasteries in Granada, including the Cathedral and Royal Chapel.

From Mercado de San Agustin, stroll along Calle San Jerónimo to discover more of Granada’s top attractions. There’s Monasterio de San Jerónimo (the first Christian monastery built after the Catholic Monarchs conquered the city) and Basílica de San Juan de Dios, an impressive 18th-century Baroque church with a truly stunning interior. There is also a small but free Botanical Garden of the University of Granada if you’re in the mood for some greenery. Afterwards, I recommend simply walking around and exploring the city at your own pace. Granada is full of surprises waiting to be found!

For dinner, I can recommend La Trastienda, a cozy little tapas restaurant in the heart of the city serving up excellent charcuterie and wine. It can get very busy so it’s a good idea to book a table in advance. Alternatively, you can get to know the local Andalusian cuisine by doing a food tour. This tapas tour takes you to four tapas bars where you can try delicious local dishes and this extensive 3.5hr Granada food walking tour includes visits to family-run businesses and tapas bars to sample regional meat, wine, cheese and tapas dishes.

If you’d rather end your last day on a historic note, there are popular evening walking tours at sunset in the Albaicín and Sacromonte neighbourhoods. Albaicín and Sacromonte Guided Sunset Walking Tour and Albaicin and Sacromonte Evening Walking Tour have glowing reviews and would be a lovely way to wrap up your two days in Granada.

Where to Stay in Granada

The best area for first-time visitors is the historic centre – you’ll be within walking distance of the Alhambra, the Cathedral, and the city’s maze of tapas bars. My husband and I stayed in Luxury Suite Silleria and it couldn’t have been more convenient! The central location was fantastic and despite being in the heart of the city, it was very quiet at night.

For picture-perfect views of the Alhambra with the Sierra Nevada mountains behind it, look for accommodation in the Albaicín (just be prepared for a bit of uphill walking!). If you’re looking for something atmospheric, you can even stay in a restored carmen – a traditional Granada home with gardens and terraces. Budget travellers will find cozy hostels near Plaza Nueva, while those after luxury might choose a boutique hotel inside a converted palace. The good news is wherever you stay, Granada’s compact size means you’re never far from the next impressive vista or irresistible tapas stop.

How to Get to Granada