Things to do in Granada: top sights and where to go
Granada's headline sights: the Alhambra with its Nasrid Palaces and Court of the Lions, the Generalife summer palace and gardens, and the Renaissance Palace of Charles V on the hill above the city. Across the Darro river lie the white Albaicín quarter with the San Nicolás viewpoint and the cave district of Sacromonte with its flamenco, and an hour away rise the Sierra Nevada mountains and ski resort. Trains from Madrid take about three and a half hours.
Sights
Granada itineraries
Granada travel guide
Before you go: Alhambra tickets, where to stay, airport and buses, weather by month, free tapas and the Sierra Nevada.
Granada on your own: the essentials
- How long
- 1–2 days, +1 for the Sierra Nevada
- Best time
- April–June and September–October
- Alhambra
- Timed tickets, book weeks ahead
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Food
- Free tapas with every drink
- Visa
- Schengen rules apply
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Money
- Euro; cards accepted almost everywhere
- Airport
- Federico García Lorca (GRX), bus ≈ 45 min
- Getting around
- On foot and minibuses C30–C34
- Meal times
- Lunch from 2pm, dinner after 9pm
- Time zone
- CET, UTC+1; summer UTC+2
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Key facts
Sourcei
UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 314Sourcei
UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 314Sourcei
Wikipedia, GranadaSourcei
Wikipedia, Sierra NevadaThings to do in Granada
Granada's top sights are the Alhambra with its Nasrid Palaces, the Generalife gardens and the Palace of Charles V on Sabika hill, and opposite them the white Albaicín quarter with the San Nicolás viewpoint and the Sacromonte caves. The centre is compact but hilly, and minibuses make the climbs easy. Every place with a YesGo score is in the list above.
| Sabika hill | Alhambra, Generalife | Half a day |
|---|---|---|
| Inside the Alhambra | Palace of Charles V | 30–60 min |
| Albaicín | Quarter and viewpoint | 2–3 hours |
| Sacromonte | Caves and flamenco | An evening |
| Mountains, 30 km | Sierra Nevada | A day |
Rather not plan it yourself? The list above includes ready-made Granada itineraries.
Granada in 1 or 2 days
One day in Granada means the Alhambra's Nasrid Palaces and Generalife gardens in the morning and afternoon, then an evening walk through the Albaicín and sunset at the Mirador de San Nicolás. On day two, explore the Sacromonte caves with a flamenco evening, or head up to the Sierra Nevada in winter or the summer heat.
- Day 1 — the Alhambra, Generalife, Palace of Charles V, sunset in the Albaicín.
- Day 2 — Sacromonte and flamenco, or the Sierra Nevada.
Alhambra tickets: how to book
Alhambra tickets are sold only on the official website, in limited numbers, for a set day and Nasrid Palaces entry time. In high season they sell out weeks ahead, so book as soon as your travel dates are fixed.
- General ticket — Nasrid Palaces, Alcazaba and Generalife.
- Gardens — without the Nasrid Palaces, cheaper.
- Night visits — the Nasrid Palaces or Generalife after dark.
- Palace entry time — strictly as printed; no late entry.
- Passport — the name on the ticket is checked.
Where to stay in Granada
The handiest base is the centre around Plaza Nueva and the cathedral, within walking distance of the Albaicín and on the Alhambra bus routes. The Albaicín itself has romantic hotels in old houses with views but steep streets, while Realejo below the Alhambra hill is quieter and cheaper.
| Centre, Plaza Nueva | First visit, all close | Noisy at night |
|---|---|---|
| Albaicín | Views and atmosphere | Steep streets |
| Realejo | Quiet, tapas bars | Climb to the Alhambra |
| By the Alhambra | Early palace entry | Far from the bars |
Granada airport to the city centre
Granada's Federico García Lorca Airport (GRX) is 15 km west of the city. A bus reaches the centre in about 45 minutes and a taxi in about 20. Many visitors fly into Málaga and take the 1.5-hour bus to Granada, and trains run from Madrid and Seville.
| Bus | Airport — centre | ≈ 45 min |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi | Airport — centre | ≈ 20 min |
| Bus | Málaga — Granada | ≈ 1.5 h |
| Train | Madrid — Granada | ≈ 3.5 h |
| Train | Seville — Granada | ≈ 2.5 h |
| Bus | Granada — Sierra Nevada | ≈ 50 min |
Granada weather by month
Granada has a continental climate: at about 740 metres at the foot of the mountains, summers are hot and dry, above 30 °C by day, while winter days reach about 13 °C with nights near freezing. The best time is April–June and September–October; in winter there's skiing in the nearby Sierra Nevada.
°CiLong-term averages, °C: day and night air, sea water near the shore, rain — rainy days a month. Any given year can be warmer or cooler. Tap a month for details below. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 13° | 15° | 18° | 20° | 25° | 31° | 35° | 34° | 29° | 22° | 17° | 13° |
| Night | 1° | 2° | 5° | 7° | 10° | 15° | 18° | 18° | 15° | 10° | 5° | 2° |
| Rain | 6 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
Warm — 20 °C and above by dayBest time to go: April–May and September–October
- day ≈ 13°
- night ≈ 1°
- rain 6 days
Cold, snow in the mountains.
- day ≈ 15°
- night ≈ 2°
- rain 5 days
Cool, ski season.
- day ≈ 18°
- night ≈ 5°
- rain 5 days
Spring, warming up.
- day ≈ 20°
- night ≈ 7°
- rain 7 days
Warm, gardens in bloom.
- day ≈ 25°
- night ≈ 10°
- rain 5 days
A great month, roses in the Generalife.
- day ≈ 31°
- night ≈ 15°
- rain 2 days
Warm, the music festival.
- day ≈ 35°
- night ≈ 18°
- rain 1 days
Hot and dry.
- day ≈ 34°
- night ≈ 18°
- rain 1 days
Peak heat.
- day ≈ 29°
- night ≈ 15°
- rain 3 days
Warm and busy again.
- day ≈ 22°
- night ≈ 10°
- rain 5 days
Mild, golden autumn.
- day ≈ 17°
- night ≈ 5°
- rain 6 days
Cool, the first rains.
- day ≈ 13°
- night ≈ 2°
- rain 7 days
Cold, snow on the peaks.
In June and July the Generalife gardens and the Palace of Charles V host Granada's International Festival of Music and Dance.
What to eat in Granada
Granada is famous for free tapas: in almost every bar a glass of wine or beer comes with a snack, and it changes with each new drink. Try local dishes too, such as broad beans with ham, remojón salad with cod and oranges, and sweet piononos.
- Free tapas — with every drink at the bar.
- Broad beans with ham — a Granada classic.
- Remojón — salad of cod, oranges and olives.
- Piononos — soaked sponge pastries.
- Tortilla del Sacromonte — an omelette named after the district.
- Mint tea — in the Albaicín's tea houses.
Granada attraction prices
Free in Granada: the Albaicín and Sacromonte quarters, the viewpoints and usually the courtyard of the Palace of Charles V. You pay for the Alhambra and Generalife, flamenco shows, the cave museum and the Sierra Nevada lifts.
| Alhambra | 60 | 3 h | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palace of Charles V | 44 | 45 min | Courtyard free, museums paid |
| Sacromonte | 40 | 2 h | Free; shows paid |
| Generalife | 39 | 1 h | On the Alhambra ticket |
| Sierra Nevada | 26 | 6 h | Free; lifts paid |
Free — 1 places: Albaicín.
Tips
- Book the Alhambra weeks ahead.
- Ride minibuses C30–C34 up the hills.
- Catch sunset at San Nicolás.
FAQ
What should I see first in Granada?
The Alhambra's Nasrid Palaces, the Generalife gardens, the Albaicín and the Sacromonte caves.
How many days do you need in Granada?
1–2 days, plus a day for the Sierra Nevada.
How do I buy Alhambra tickets?
On the official website, for a set time, weeks ahead in high season.
How do I get from Granada airport to the centre?
By bus in 45 minutes or by taxi in 20.
What is the weather like in Granada in May?
Around 25 °C by day and 10 °C at night, a great month to visit.
What is Granada like in winter?
Cool: around 13 °C by day and near freezing at night, with snow in the mountains.
Where should I stay in Granada?
In the centre by Plaza Nueva, in the Albaicín or in Realejo.
Where can I see flamenco in Granada?
At evening zambra shows in the Sacromonte caves.
Are tapas really free in Granada?
Yes, most bars serve a snack with every drink.
How do I get from Málaga to Granada?
By bus in about an hour and a half, or by car.
Sources and fact-check
- UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 314 — Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzín, Granada
- Wikipedia, Granada; Granada climate (1991–2020 normals)
- Alhambra official website, alhambra-patronato.es