2 Days in Granada: A Guide to Spain’s Most Fascinating City

Preparing a trip to Granada and hoping to maximize time in one of Spain`s most intriguing cities? After several days in Granada, we gained a deeper appreciation for the effects of the nearly eight centuries of Muslim rule over Andalusia and Spain overall. Elements of Spanish culture – like Flamenco, the language, and cuisine – exemplify the cultural blending that transpired in southern Spain, especially Granada.

Most only spend part of a day in Granada, but using this guide aims to convince spending a minimum of two days to fully experience what the city offers.

We arrived in Granada by train from Madrid, and the farther south towards Granada we travelled, the more we got a sense of Andalucía with the Sierra Nevada mountains in the background view, hilltop towns with white facades visible in the foreground, and olive trees stretching as far as the eye could see.

Granada was the last Islamic territory on the Iberian Peninsula, lasting into the latter half of the 15th century before being handed over to the Christian Monarchs in 1492. While the Muslim population is no longer as prominent in Granada as it was in the 1400s, the impact of seven centuries of Islamic control of the region is apparent. This makes it a unique place to visit, especially if you’re interested in understanding that time period and the impact on Spain more broadly.

Undoubtedly, the most emblematic piece of that history is the Alhambra, the treasure of Granada that is perched on a hill above the city in a perfect defensive position. It’s part fortification, part palace, and it’s spectacular.

Granada, though, has so much more to offer than solely the Alhambra, which alternates between the number one and two most visited places in Spain (trading positions with the Sagrada Família in Barcelona). It’s spectacular – the architecture, the gardens, the views, the history – but it is certainly not the lone attraction worth beholding in Granada.

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How Many Days in Granada

Granada is home to the Alhambra, which will likely take up the better part of a day to fully explore and appreciate. So that`s one day planned in Granada.

However, we also think there is more to see in Granada beyond the Alhambra, which is why we’ve chosen to write this as a 2 day Granada schedule.

Granada is a lovely city worth spending extra time exploring, though a single day doesn`t do it full justice, especially when most of that day will be spent at the Alhambra. There are fascinating neighborhoods to wander, a couple important sites in Spanish history, plenty of quality Flamenco to catch in the Sacromonte neighborhood, and tea houses retaining roots in the Arab world.

We’d absolutely recommend dedicating two days to Granada.Though, we understand that not everyone has an extra day, so we’ve also included our perspective on how to spend a single day in Granada below the detailed itinerary.

If time permits, it’s worthwhile spending a second day in Granada, which will allow you to delve deeper into the complex history and relationship between Muslims and Christians that is such a huge part of Granada’s story.

2 Days in Granada: How to Plan Your Granada Itinerary

We’ve divided the 2 day Granada schedule into two segments. On the initial day, you’ll absorb the cultural and historical importance of Granada with a stroll through the historic Muslim Quarter and a trip to the Royal Chapel, where King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella are buried. That significant context will prepare you perfectly for your second day, where you’ll focus all of your time and energy on the Alhambra, one of the most spectacular and pivotal works of Islamic architecture in Granada, and all of Spain.

Remember, these dates are flexible. You can easily switch around the two days (and the morning/afternoon schedule too) depending on when you’re able to visit the Alhambra, which will likely be the focal point around which you structure your itinerary.

Day 1: The Albaicín, Tea, and Royals

On your initial day in Granada, spend the day obtaining the suitable context you need around Granada’s history – both as the final Muslim territory on the Iberian Peninsula, and as a favored city of the Christian Monarchs after it’s conquest – which will set you up nicely for a deeper comprehension of the Alhambra, which is on day 2.

The Albaicín

The Albaicín is considered the most romantic and charming area of Granada, at least based on our perspective. The former Muslim quarter of Granada stretches up the hill, which was originally home to the ruling family`s palace before being relocated to the Alhambra under new leadership. You can still find it today – it`s called the Palacio de Dar al-Horra. The charming neighborhood surrounding the previous palace is full of narrow roadways and open plazas, some providing spectacular views of the Alhambra across the valley.

We’d suggest exploring without adhering to any preset course, however one of our pet peeves is seeing authors express something along the lines of “just get lost!” Therefore, here is the route we’d endorse, though you should feel quite welcome to go your own way.”

We’d also recommend doing a guided tour of this part of the city, which has a lot of history and culture that needs an experienced person to recognize. We took this walking tour of the Albaicín, which we really enjoyed and would advise for everyone.

Tea Time

We enjoy a quality teahouse especially Alysha who doesn`t drink coffee but voraciously drinks tea at home when Matt prepares her chai extra spicy on mornings when she takes on her role as editor of Wheatless Wanderlust.

One of the unique things found in Granada (and other parts of Andalucía, though not nearly as prominently as in Granada), are tea houses, which clearly exemplify the influence of the seven centuries of Muslim rule in Granada.

We frequented a particular establishment multiple times during our period in Granada. The reason? The tranquil outdoor patio area with a pleasant vista of some of the Alhambra`s towers. It`s called La Tetería del Bañuelo ( here on Google Maps), and they feature a wide selection of distinctive tea blends, from chai and other teas made with milk, to Moroccan-style green tea with mint and sugar. We favored the teas incorporating orange for a pleasant burst of citrus!

Like most walking routes in Glacier National Park, especially those at higher altitudes, this trail is completely inaccessible for roughly nine months of the year. From fall to spring (exact timing depends on the year), the road to Many Glacier is entirely closed to vehicular traffic.

In any case, it’s really a nice place to spend a sunny afternoon, and you’ll likely be joined by one or many cats who come to the patio as a prime sunbathing spot.

The Royal Chapel and Cathedral of Granada

The Royal Chapel is part of the complex where the Granada Cathedral is located, and after seeing many spectacular churches during the rest of our journey and hearing from our local guide that the Royal Chapel was far more impressive and interesting, we opted to visit the Royal Chapel instead.

The Royal Chapel was constructed by Ferdinand and Isabella, the first Catholic Rulers of Spain and those responsible for consolidating the Spanish Empire as we know it today by uniting the kingdoms of Aragon and Castille under the same crown. They recognized the significance of Granada within their legacy, deciding they wanted to be interred there. Therefore, a royal chapel was built in the early 16th Century.

The Royal Chapel and Cathedral of Granada both cost 5 Euros each, and include an audio guide – though it is an app that must be downloaded via wifi, and headphones are needed to listen to the explanations. Pictures are not permitted inside the Royal Chapel.

Within the Royal Chapel, the first Catholic monarchs of Spain (Isabella and Ferdinand) are interred, along with their children (Joana and Phillip). You can walk down into the crypt to see where they`re buried beneath the ornamental mausoleums in the center of the Chapel.

There were two aspects that stood out regarding the design. Since images are forbidden inside, our words alone must illustrate.

One of the unique aspects is the intricately designed grills – or gates? – inside the chapel. They contain various symbols and scenes crafted from metal, such as events from Christ’s life, experiences from the royal family’s lives, and the insignias of Isabella and Ferdinand.

The second feature is the large altar with depictions from the life of Christ, such as a portrayal of the execution of St. John the Baptist that seems anatomically precise.

Before exiting, a small museum displays pieces from the Royal Family`s art collection, including some impressive Flemish paintings (our favorite part of the Prado Museum in Madrid).

Day 2: The Alhambra

On your second day in Granada, tackle the most prominent visitor site in the city – the Alhambra – where you’ll gain knowledge about the Nasrid family that administered Granada for centuries and is responsible for constructing the Alhambra.

Breakfast and Coffee at Noat Coffee

Before heading up to the Alhambra, head over to Noat Coffee for the finest coffee in Granada.

Noat is just off of the main road running through Granada, and is about a six minute stroll from Plaza Nueva.

Inside are friendly baristas serving coffee from Right Side Roasters, which is just outside of Barcelona. They also have a selection of pastries or sandwiches, which provides a nice breakfast before the climb up to the Alhambra.

Hell Pizza – Certified by CoeliacNZ and participating in their dining initiative, they offer gluten free crusts, prepared carefully for celiacs. Be sure to make them aware of your circumstances and seek their guidance!

Visiting the Alhambra

The Alhambra is one of Spain`s most visited attractions, switching between the top and second spots with Sagrada Familia each year. Ask anyone visiting Granada their main priority, and it`s sure to be the Alhambra.

The Great Mosque of Cordoba is considered one of the most important architectural works from the Muslim era in Andalusia, and despite being abandoned for two centuries, remains in relatively good condition.

I get the impression that the Christian rulers saw the beautiful fort/palace perched on the hill and thought “hm, yes, let’s maintain that” upon arriving in Granada, and you can see they made efforts to claim it as their own once inside. More often than not, the changes they introduced stand out like a sore thumb (such as the crowns added to the tilework in one of the palaces), and detract from the experience and remove you from the moment more than anything else.

The Alhambra fundamentally consists of three segments:

• The Generalife: the summer palace and gardens
• The Alcazaba: the castle or fort
• The Nasrid Palaces: the coolest part of the visit, with unique architecture, colorful tilework, and intricate plaster patterns decorating the walls.

All three are certainly worthy of a visit, and you should aim to experience them all in your Granada travels.

You’ll receive a particular entry time for the Nasrid palaces, which is what you’ll need to structure your visit around. You can enter the other parts of the complex – the Generalife and the Alcazaba – at any time on the day of your visit, but you can only enter the Nasrid Palaces at a certain time.

Spending the day at the Alhambra will likely require most of your time there, and there really is no “best time” to see it. Because of its popularity, tickets during peak season are essentially sold out throughout the day.

If you’re visiting in the summer, the only recommendation we have is to avoid the hottest hours of the day. Try to visit before noon or after 3:00 pm, if possible.

Visiting Independently

It is worth repeating that the Alhambra receives an extremely high volume of tourists, making ticket acquisition incredibly competitive especially during summer and the December holidays.”

You should definitely book your tickets in advance if you want to see the Alhambra. Even in the off season the ticket office line gets long and you can easily avoid that line with some forethought.

Tickets can be obtained through the official website designated for the Alhambra.

Several ticket options are available – I`ll go through the main choices one by one to help you decide

• Alhambra All-inclusive (14 Euros): This is the basic ticket that allows access to all three parts of the Alhambra during the day.
• Gardens, Generalife and Alcazaba (7 Euros): This ticket ONLY covers the Generalife (and Gardens) and Alcazaba – it DOES NOT include the Nasrid Palaces, which explains why it`s cheaper.
• Night Visit to Nasrid Palaces (8 Euros): See the Nasrid Palaces without all the people. It`s a completely different experience, according to our guide. However, it will be harder to take photographs without the light.
• Night Visit to Gardens and Generalife (5 Euros): Exactly what it sounds like – an evening visit to the Generalife and Gardens.
• The Alhambra Exposure (14 Euros): Nighttime visit to the Nasrid Palaces, plus a daytime visit to the Generalife and Alcazaba the following day.

Important note: You will need to furnish passport / identity card information, which must align with your tickets to gain entrance to the Alhambra. Bring your passport along for your visit – they will verify it!

Joining a Guided Tour

Like most cultural sights, the Alhambra is at its best when you have historical context and stories to enhance the beauty of the complex itself. Which is why we decided to participate in a guided tour of the Alhambra during our time in Granada.

In our experiences visiting sites like the Colosseum and Vatican in Rome independently or with a guide, the two experiences will be vastly different. The self-guided visit involves mainly marveling at the beauty without the in-depth understanding of significance provided by a guided tour with someone who is knowledgeable.

Guided excursions nearly always lead to a deeper, more meaningful experience, which is why we regularly do them and recommend them to everyone we can.

We participated in this guided visit of the Alhmabra, which lasted three hours, included priority access tickets, and toured all three parts of the Alhambra complex. All with an escort who was able to relate stories, point out details, and respond to inquiries that gave us a deeper appreciation of why the Alhambra is an important site, and why it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage location.

This experience was also on our list of activities to consider, but wasn’t available during the days we were in Granada.

Sunset Back in the Albaicín

End your day back in the Albaicín for one of Spain`s more spectacular sunset spots. There are various options, some popular than others.

The Mirador de San Nicolás ( here on Google Maps) is undoubtedly the most visited, with crowds of tourists arriving hours before sunset to secure a perfect spot along the wall with an unblocked view of the Alhambra across the valley.

We favored wandering a bit farther into Sacromonte to escape the large groups and gain an equally spectacular panorama of the architectural complex. The Mirador de la Vereda de Enmedio ( here on Google Maps) is where we ended up, and only a small handful of individuals were around as the golden light washed over the Alhambra.

What to Do with One Day in Granada

If you only have one day in Granada, we’d recommend splitting the day between the Alhambra and the Albaicín, which are our two favorite parts of the city and two hugely significant locations reflecting Granada`s story since the 8th Century.

For half of the day, explore the Alhambra either independently or as part of a guided tour. Make sure to see the gardens and the Generalife, the Alcazaba, and the Nasrid Palaces (there are three of them, and they’re highly distinctive).

For the other half of the day, head over to the Albaicín and explore the old Muslim quarter of Granada. Narrow roadways, plenty of flowers, and “carmens” with their private gardens are the things you’re likely to come across here. Plus, plenty of mosques-turned-churches.

We participated in a guided walking tour and enjoyed learning the history and context our guide Jaime, a lifelong resident of Granada, was able to provide to the experience. This walking tour at dusk presents an option.

Where to Stay in Granada

Granada is a relatively compact city, but you’ll still want to stay central to maximize your time. In this case, “central” means within about a five to ten minute walk of Plaza Nueva.

We stayed at limehome on Calle Santa Ana, a set of elegantly furnished apartments situated just behind the church close to Plaza Nueva, and it potentially could have been our most favored location we resided in all throughout Spain. Specifically, we opted for the Superior Apartment, which happened to be on the top floor granting scenic views of the Alhambra from our little terrace outside. The apartments were spacious, contained heating and air conditioning, and included a fully equipped kitchen.

If you’re considering whether “are hostels safe?” is a valid question, don`t stress! I`ve resided in hostels everywhere in the world, and I`m here to provide you the lowdown on the real situation of hostel safety. There are such a large number of hostels around the world, and with a couple indispensable travel tips, travel protection, and investigation, you can have amazing encounters at them.

There were some other good housing options in Granada that made our shortlist before we decided on the apartment we ultimately chose. They are:

The Eco Hostel Granada is a clean hostel near the train station. Its location is a bit further away from major sites than preferred, but facilities are great.

TOC Hostel Granada: We stayed at a TOC Hostel in Barcelona, and it’s essentially a boutique hotel with a few dorm rooms, a far cry from other hostels with a more party-oriented crowd that we’ve stayed in (in a good way).

Casa Bombo: An lodging with a magnificent outdoor swimming pool whose rooms have panoramic perspectives of the Alhambra? Sounds like an unforgettable remain to us. It’s found in the core of the Albaicín.

Hotel Casa Morisca: This lovely hotel has rooms with beautiful views of the Alhambra, and its accommodations are quite spacious.

How to Get to Granada

Reaching Granada is a little tricky, because it’s really not that close to many of Spain’s main cities and there’s a major mountain range just south of the city.

Granada does have an airport, with a limited selection of flights arriving from areas of Europe. It’s called Federico García Lorca Granada Airport, and it’s located 20 km west of the city. There is a bus that will take you directly from the airport to Plaza Nueva, in the center of Granada, but the journey requires a full hour to complete. It is operated by ALSA.

Traveling to Lisbon from other parts of Spain by high-speed train is an option if the journey times are not an issue. Taking the train from Madrid`s Puerta Atocha station results in approximately a 3.5 hour ride on direct high-speed trains. The trip is slightly shorter, around 2.5 hours, taking a direct high-speed train from Seville`s Santa Justa station.

Examine timetables and ticket costs on Omio, which is what we utilized in Spain because it provides a more user-friendly experience and avoids issues with certain cards being unexpectedly declined. You will pay a small additional charge in the form of a nominal service cost of a couple Euros, but in our opinion, it is worthwhile to have the ability to access tickets offline through their application and not worry if your card will process on the Renfe site.