Granada is, by far, my favorite city in Spain. Due to its close proximity to nature, historical value, and even a more laid-back vibe than Seville and Madrid, this place made my southward trip worthwhile.
Granada is located at the foothills of the highest mountain in Spain, the Sierra Nevada. The Alhambra Fortress, the most renowned building of the Andalusian Islamic historical legacy, is also here in Granada, making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area.
Yes, there are a lot of tourists in Granada, but fear not, I spent 5 days there and I can say that you can easily escape them if you know where to go. Without further ado, here are the 8 best things to do in Granada and all the information you need to plan a great trip there.
Granada Things to Do Map
| ❤️ Must Visit: | Sacromonte |
| 🥘 Place to Eat: | La Riviera Tapas Bar |
| 🏛️ Best Museum: | Alhambra Fortress |
| ☀️ Great Day Trip: | Los Cahorros de Monachil |
8 Best Things to Do in Granada
1. The Alhambra Fortress
One of the highlights of visiting Granada is to explore Alhambra Fortress, one of the most popular tourist attractions here. Legend has it that Alhambra was intentionally constructed so that, from the outside, it looks like an unattractive block of fortress, while hiding the most beautiful gardens and colorful flora right under the enemies' noses.
Due to the over-tourism problem facing many European cities, the city decided to limit the number of entries per day, and you would be extremely lucky to get in if you didn't book the time slot days in advance. Certain areas are also accessible via time slots, so you are going to have to plan your visit carefully.
- Granada Inn Backpackers (Budget)
- Hotel Exe Triunfo (Mid-Range)
- Hotel Saray (High-End)
- Granada: Alhambra & Nasrid Palaces Tour with Tickets (3 hours)
- From Malaga: Granada Full-Day Trip with Alhambra (10 hours)
- Granada: Alhambra, Nasrid Palaces and Generalife Guided Tour (3 hours)
The way I did it was, I went to the ticket machine in front of the fortress the day before and got the only available ticket, which was definitely way more expensive than if I were to book online, so I wouldn't recommend this.
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The fortress is massive, with several large palaces, cloistered courtyards, and gardens that will take you more than 3 hours to completely see them all. So, be sure to spare enough time for your visit. It is pretty incredible the amount of things you can see inside. Definitely worth the ticket price.
The fortress is open from 8:30 AM to 8 PM every day, and the entrance fee is between 15 to 35 EUR depending on which areas you want to see. You can book the online entry ticket here or, if you want to learn more about the fortress, you can go for the audio guide tour instead.
Where to Stay in Granada?
2. Go on a Walking Tour
If you want to explore Granada while learning about its rich history, visiting the caves behind the city, and experiencing awesome viewpoints all in one go, I highly recommend you go on this sunset and cave walking tour.
The guide will take you around the old town, exploring the winding streets and visiting old neighborhoods while also telling you the history of each place you visit. If it hadn't been for the walking tour, I would have missed so many cool places!
After exploring the neighborhoods, you will then be taken to Sacromonte, one of the best viewpoints in the city. It offers a sweeping panoramic view of Granada and the surrounding mountain range. We will spend time there watching the sunset.
After Sacromonte, you will then be taken to the other side of the hill and make your way down into the backside of the hill where all the cave dwellings are. They were dug up by the locals to shelter themselves a long time ago, and you will still find people living in them even today.
It is one of the best ways to see Granada, so if you are interested, be sure to book the walking tour at least a day in advance, as it can get booked out pretty quickly. The tour usually starts around an hour before sunset, so be sure to spare some time for the tour.
2. Admire the Beauty of Alhambra from Mirador de San Nicolás
Alhambra is definitely beautiful from the inside, but to truly appreciate the scale of the fortress, you have to step back, way, way back, and see it from afar, and there is no better place to do it than at Mirador de San Nicolás.
Mirador de San Nicolás is a small but bustling town square located on an elevated hilltop in one of the old neighborhoods of Granada, and it offers a great unobstructed view of Alhambra in its entirety, which you cannot see from anywhere else in the city.
If you are planning to go on a walking tour, you will also be visiting this place on your way to the top of Sacromonte, but you won't have a lot of time at the viewpoint. So, I suggest you visit it separately later on. The best time is right before sunset when the light is at its best.
Tours & Tickets You Might Like
3. Watch sunset at Saint Michael Viewpoint
If you are looking for the best sunset viewpoint in Granada, I have to give it to Saint Michael Viewpoint. It is an incredible lookout point located atop Sacromonte hill with an amazing vantage point over the city and the surrounding mountains.
From the viewpoint, you can also see the Alhambra and other tourist attractions in the city, making it a great photo spot, especially during the golden and blue hours. I highly recommend getting here right before sunset, grabbing a few beers, and witnessing the magic hour over Granada.
If you are planning to go on a walking tour, you will also be taken to this place at sunset, so there is no need to make your way up here by yourself. That said, I loved this place so much that I decided to visit twice and loved every moment of it.
4. Dance to the Flamenco show at La Alboreá
You haven't been to Spain if you haven't seen a Flamenco dance show. It's intense, sexy, and awesome, and there is no better place to witness it than at La Alboreá.
To gain access to its venue and witness its elaborate flamenco shows, you can book the ticket here. Additionally, you will be provided with snacks and a glass of wine, as well as reserved seating for the flamenco show.
You might also stumble upon street flamenco shows, where you can watch for free as you explore the old neighborhood, so be sure to keep an eye out for that.
5. Eat and drink at the La Riviera Tapas Bar
One of the best restaurants and bars I often frequented when I was in Granada is La Riviera Tapas Bar, a medieval-style bar where you can try out one of their delicious tapas and a drink of your choice for only 2 EUR!
With 2 EUR, you will get a beer and one free tapa of your choice, and all the options are awesome, especially the fried octopus legs. 3 tapas and 3 beers in, and you are looking at a proper meal here, and it will only set you back 6 EUR. That's pretty cheap for Spain!
The place was actually suggested to us by one of the hostel's staff, and I loved it so much I went there every evening for 3 straight days. The place is open from 12:30 PM to 12 AM every day. I cannot recommend this place enough!
6. Hike the waterfall trail (Los Cahorros de Monachil)
If you want to get away from all the tourists in the city, I highly recommend you spend a day hiking the Los Cahorros de Monachil trail. You can take a bus out to Monachil and walk along the river until you reach the start of the trail. You can rely on Google Maps to get the bus numbers and schedule to get to Monachil.
Basically, you can either walk or take bus #8 to the Plaza del Ángel bus stop. From there, take bus #0183 to the Plaza Miraflores, and you should arrive in about an hour. From there, it is a pretty straightforward hike along the river, crossing suspension bridges, and you will find several waterfalls tucked away in the canyons of Monachil.
The trail is quite rugged sometimes, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes and pack lots and lots of water, especially if you are hiking in the summer. It can get pretty hot along the way.
There is no clear-cut end to the trail, so you will have to rely on your judgment when you want to return. I returned when I found a small waterfall and a body of water where I could freshen up and rest, away from other hikers.
Also, be sure to plan your return, as the bus only runs once an hour between Monachil and Granada. If you miss the bus going back to Granada, you will have to wait an hour for the next one to come. The last bus is around 7 PM, so be sure to plan carefully.
7. Summit the Sierra Nevada
I have not done this myself, but I met a kiwi who climbed Sierra Nevada when I was in Granada, and he said it is one of the coolest things you can do here if you like hiking and want to spend a day exploring the incredible mountains around Granada, away from the tourists.
Sierra Nevada is the highest mountain in Spain, sitting at 3,478 meters above sea level. Usually, the mountain is well known for its ski resort, but during the mid-summer months, the summit is snow-free and open for hikers who want to conquer the mountain.
Out of the ski season, there are only 2 buses running. The first bus from Granada leaves at 9 AM, while the last bus back leaves at 5 PM. It should take you no more than 3 hours to reach the summit of the mountain. My friend went at 9 AM and completed the summit by 1 PM, but he had to wait until 5 PM for the bus to come and pick him up. So, keep that in mind if you wish to do the hike.
How to Get to Granada?
The best way to get here is to fly into Madrid or cities nearby and take a train or a bus from there. I would recommend you browse through Skyscanner or Expedia to find all the cheap flights from where you live to Spain and compare them so that you can find the one that best fits your itinerary.
How to get around Granada?
If you stay at the same hostel as I did, every main attraction is within walking distance. So, you will rarely need public transportation unless you are going outside of Granada.
If you are going outside of Granada, a scheduled bus is the cheapest way to go. Here is the bus schedule available.
Daily Budget
Traveling here will typically cost you more than visiting most other countries. You can expect to spend around $45 - $65 USD per day per person, including food, accommodation, and transportation.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
What to Pack for Granada, Spain?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Granada, Spain:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
That is it for the 8 Awesome Things to Do in Granada, Spain for First-Timers. Have we missed anything? Have you found the guide useful? Let us know in the comments below!
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to plan your trip to Granada, Spain! Here are some resources to help you get your trip going:
Are you planning to travel to Granada, Spain independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Spain
I hope you found this guide helpful in your trip planning. If you want to read more about Spain, I have written a few more travel guides, all listed here:
- Looking for a complete travel guide to Spain? Check out my 10-day backpacking itinerary for Spain.
- Are you traveling to Spain as part of a bigger Europe trip? Be sure to check out my 3-month itinerary for Europe from Portugal all the way to Sweden.
- Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe can be extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List.
- Want to visit Europe in winter? Better prepare for the cold. Here's a winter packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe in Winter - The Essential Packing List.
- Madrid is a great place to start your journey in Spain. Here’s a 9 Incredible Things to Do in Madrid, Spain to get you started.
- Seville is home to one of my favorite pieces of architecture in Spain, the Plaza España. If you are heading to Seville, be sure to check out our travel guide on 8 Best Things to Do in Seville, Spain.
- Barcelona is in its own league when it comes to culture and unique architecture compared to the rest of Spain. Here’s a complete 2 Days in Barcelona Itinerary, the capital city of Catalonia.
- Not convinced by my words? Here are 23 photos that will inspire you to visit Spain.
- You can also watch my Spain travel video here: "Spain to Leave Spain" travel video.
- To see all articles about Spain, visit the Spain Travel Guide page.
- Looking for a place to go after Spain? How about France or Portugal? Visit our France travel guide page and Portugal travel guide page for more.
- Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
- Or, if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Southern Europe Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.