Granada, Spain
Granada is a beautiful little city in the South of Spain where I lived for a month as a digital nomad. Here are some of the best things to do in Granada on your visit!
Located at the base of the snowy Sierra Madre mountains, the city of Granada is full of history and character.
Because it was once a Muslim kingdom, much of the city has been built in a style of Islamic architecture that remains today. Granda is the capital of Andalusia, a large autonomous region in Southern Spain.
Boasting a vibrant population of university students, free appetizers with your wine, skiing in the mountains, and Mediterranean beaches only an hour away, Granada is the perfect town to spend a few days while traveling in Spain.
Best Things To Do In Granada
The Alhambra Palace
One of Spain’s most popular tourist attractions, Alhambra Palace sits on top of a hill surrounded by forest while overlooking the city below. It was built by Moorish king Mohammed ben Al-Ahmar in the 11th century when the area was ruled by Muslims from North Africa.
Filled with Arabic inscriptions, painted tiles, vaulted ceilings, and plentiful water fountains, the building is incredibly beautiful inside and out. You need to buy a ticket in advance due to a strict limit of daily visitors.
Sacromonte Neighboorhood
On the outskirts of Granada there’s a Roma (gypsy) neighborhood build into the side of a hill, where the inhabitants live in caves. Most of the cave-homes are pretty modern these days, but in the past, this is where the workers who built the Alhambra Palace lived.
If you keep climbing to the very top of the hill, you’ll find an odd community of hippies and immigrants squatting in more rugged caves. Just be aware that they aren’t always happy to see tourists gawking at them or their homes, and some can become aggressive.
The Cave Museum
Visit the Sacromonte Cave Museum (Museo Cuevas del Sacromonte) to see what life was like in Sacromonte 100 years ago.
The museum is a short climb up from the main neighboorhood of Sacromonte. I really found this place fascinating, as it features about ten cave dwellings that give you an idea of how people lived in them historically.
Explore The Albayzín
The Albayzín is the historical Arab quarter of the city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This part of Granada has a lot of Moorish history, and this had a natural impact on the area’s architecture and decor.
For example, many of the walls are covered with gorgeous tiles that were hand-painted by the Moorish population.
Carrera Del Darro
Under the Albayzín neighborhood, the River Darro flows through Granada where the old walls used to be. There’s a nice walking path that follows the river’s edge.
Enjoy the mix of renaissance and Moorish architecture, listen to street-buskers play their guitars, and try to imagine what it was like way back when.
Drink From The Fountain Of Youth
One fun little fact about Granada is that all the fuentes (fountains) in the city provide free drinking water to anyone who wants it. Probably the most famous fountain in Granada is the Fuente de Aceituno (Fountain Of Youth).
Local legends tell the story of an olive tree growing here that started producing water, which people drank and it made them younger!
Free Tapas & Spanish Wine
When in Granada, do as the locals do; go to a restaurant or bar during the afternoon or evening, typically between 1pm and 4pm or between 9pm and midnight, order a beer or wine and dine for free on tapas (appetizers)!
The best streets in Granada to find great tapas are Calle Navas and Calle Elvira.
A popular snack is Black Iberian Ham, also known as jamón ibérico, a common sight at these bars. The meat is cured with salt for up to 3 years, so it doesn’t need refrigeration.
Mirador San Nicolas
Watch A Flamenco Show
Flamenco is a form of festive gypsy (Gitano) folk music that originated in Southern Spain. It’s possible to visit one of the popular Sacromonte caves that feature full flamenco dance performances for about €22 EURO.
There’s also a slightly hidden/secret local bar which hosts incredible authentic performances after 1am once most tourists are sleeping. I’m not going to name it, you’ll have to meet some local people to learn what it’s called!
Generalife Gardens
People Watching At Plaza Nueva
Shopping At Alcaiceria
If you’re looking for a unique souvenir in Granada, the best place to go is Alcaiceria. In the past, this area was a Great Bazaar. Although those days are long gone, you can still find earthenware that is reminiscent of the Moorish style of the Middle Ages.
I also enjoyed taking in the artistry of authentic Granada Taracea. Some of this furniture and the other wood touches would have made a nice addition to my place if I wasn’t living out of a backpack at the time!
Casa Del Chapiz
Sierra Nevada Mountains
These mountains are technically 30 minutes outside of Granada, but it’s a must-see for all travelers. The Sierra Nevada can be accessed via car, bus or taxi, meaning there’s no excuse not to check them out!
If you’re into skiing, this is by far the best spot in Spain. If you’re visiting in the summer there’s also mountain biking, hiking and music festivals. Make sure to check out the hanging suspension bridges of Los Cahorros!
Parque de las Ciencias (Science Park)
Granada is a wonderful place to learn about history and view ancient architecture. At the same time, there’s always a small part of me that stays rooted in the present. To take a break from Granada’s charming evidence of the past, check out the very modern Science Park.
Unlike many science museums, this interactive location was truly built with people of all ages in mind. I was able to participate in many hands-on activities, which were also popular with children. My favorite part of the Science Park was the planetarium.
Soak In A Hammam
A hammam, if you are unaware, is a kind of steam room where people go to wash themselves (or be washed by others). Arab hammams and Turkish baths are very similar.
Often, they involve bathing pools, washing down with black soap, and exfoliation of the skin. The most popular hammam in Granada is Hammam Al Andalus, located in the old city of Granada.
Corral del Carbón
Corral del Carbón is an interesting place to visit if you’re interested in the history of the Nasrid dynasty because it’s the oldest remaining building in Granada from that era. Plus it’s free!
Built in the fourteenth century by Yusuf the First — it was used as a warehouse for goods and a shelter for merchants. Later it was also used for stage performances.
As an added bonus, if you visit Corral del Carbón in the summer there’s a chance of running into a flamenco or play performance in the courtyard. There’s also a bookstore inside the building.
Monasterio De San Jerónimo
The Granada Cathedral
Regardless of your cultural or religious views, you simply have to make some time to visit the Granada Cathedral. This stunning example of architecture was one of my favorite parts of the city.
The combination of Gothic and Renaissance style makes it pretty cool. Make sure you have plenty of room on your memory card for photographing the stunning exterior of this 16th-century masterpiece.
Royal Chapel Tombs & Crypt
The tombs of the Royal Chapel, better known locally as the tombs of Los Reyes Catolicos, were absolutely fascinating. The Royal Chapel itself is more than worth a visit if you like history, but I found the tombs and the crypt to be particularly compelling.
It’s interesting to get such a close look at the graves of royalty. When you combine this with the lifelike representations of historical figures such as Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, it’s no wonder that the tombs are so popular.
Getting To Granada
Flying Within Spain
Granada has a small airport that runs daily flights from Madrid and Barcelona. Check for deals on Skyscanner and read my guide to tips for finding cheap flights.
Renting A Car In Spain
The best site to book your car is Discover Car Hire. They search both local and international car rental companies to help you find the best possible price. This is the easiest way to rent a car in Spain.
Traveling By Bus
Most people get to Granada traveling by bus from other large Spanish cities. Just be aware the bus station is slightly out of town and requires a taxi or local bus to reach the city center.
The bus from Madrid takes about 4-5 hours depending on the class. You can book tickets with ALSA.
Traveling By Train
Granada’s train station is at Avenida de Andaluces. However the trains are not high-speed, and the main routes are undergoing construction work until 2019. The train takes about 5.5 hours from Madrid, and 4 hours from Seville.
You can search for and book train tickets on Rail Europe.
Packing Guide
Check out my travel gear guide to help you start packing for your trip. Pick up a travel backpack, camera gear, and other useful travel accessories.
Book Your Flight
Book cheap flights on Skyscanner, my favorite airline search engine to find deals. Also read my tips for how I find the cheapest flights.
Rent A Car
Discover Car Hire is a great site for comparing car prices to find a deal.
Book Accommodation
Booking.com is my favorite hotel search engine. Or rent local apartments on Airbnb ($35 discount!). Read my post for tips on booking cheap hotels.
Protect Your Trip
Don’t forget travel insurance! I’m a big fan of World Nomads for short-term trips. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read more about why you should always carry travel insurance.
READ MORE FROM SPAIN
Hiking The Caminito Del Rey
Squatting With Gypsies In Spain
The Best Backpacks For Travel
Any questions about things to do in Granada? Do you have other suggestions? Drop me a message in the comments below!
This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.
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