What to Do During a City Trip to Granada?
When you say Granada, you almost automatically say Alhambra, a beautiful palace in Arabic style, situated at the top of the hill. This, along with the Generalife Gardens, is one of the most impressive sights in Granada. But there is more to do during your city trip. Wander through the winding alleys of the historic Albaicín district and fall in love with the charming courtyards and views. Enjoy the delicious tapas that the city is famous for and discover the Spanish Flamenco dance, which has its origins in Granada. It’s no wonder I was so pleasantly surprised during my city trip to Granada; there is enough to do to keep you entertained for a weekend! Prepare for a delightful vacation full of culture, rich history, and flavor. I share my favorite attractions, addresses, and things to do in Granada, Spain.
Why the Name Granada?
For this Spanish city, that’s an interesting question. As you might guess, the name comes from the Spanish word for pomegranate. The pomegranate was a symbolic fruit in Islamic culture and is associated with fertility, life, and abundance. According to legend, the founder of Granada, the Berber king Alhamar, chose this name for the city because of the abundance of pomegranate trees in the area. The fruit has since become an important symbol for the city and can be found in artworks, architecture, and various elements throughout Granada. Even in the name of the city, Moorish influences are evident!
About My City Trip to Granada, Spain
For my city trip, I drove from Malaga, via the coastal town of Nerja, to Granada with a rental car. When I arrived, I was immediately overwhelmed; this city feels different from other Spanish cities. It feels small and cozy, with beautiful views of the mountains. The best part of Granada for me was the small cafes where you can always get a drink with a free tapa. At the bottom of this blog, I share my tips for this. Of course, I didn’t just come for the delicious Spanish food and drinks, I also visited the main attractions of Granada. Below, I share my tips on what you should definitely do during your city trip to Granada, Spain.
The Most Beautiful Sights of Granada
As mentioned, Granada has a rich history with many Moorish influences, making it a fascinating city for a city trip. A visit to the following attractions in Granada is a must during a city trip, but there is more to do during your vacation.
When You Say Granada, You Say Alhambra
The Alhambra is a 13th-century Moorish palace complex in the heart of Granada and a UNESCO World Heritage site, rightly one of the most important attractions in Granada. This beautiful complex is built on a hill with a wide view over the city. The buildings are popular for their intricate details and refined decorations on all walls and gates. Both from a distance and up close, the Alhambra is a stunning masterpiece. There are also beautiful courtyards and lush gardens.
The story of the Alhambra begins in the 9th century when it originally served as a fortress. The palace we see today dates back to the 13th century, when the fortress was expanded into a lavish palace complex for the rulers of the Nasrid dynasty, the last Moorish rulers of Spain. The main building of the Alhambra is the Nasrid Palace, a true fairy-tale palace with elegant inner gardens, colonnades, beautiful tiling, and woodwork. It’s truly a feast for the eyes!
A visit to the Alhambra is undoubtedly the highlight of a city trip to Granada. After all, you are taking a journey back in time, surrounded by beautiful architecture and steeped in meaningful history. To make the most of your visit to the Alhambra, it is best to book a guided tour and purchase your entrance ticket online in advance.
Enjoy the Beauty of the Generalife Gardens and the Nasrid Palaces
The Generalife Gardens were created around the same time as the Alhambra for the royalty to relax. The name might suggest it is English, but it is not; ‘Generalife’ is derived from the Arabic word ‘Jannat al-‘Arif’, which means ‘Garden of the Architect’ or ‘Garden of Paradise’. Since the gardens are located right next to the Alhambra, many visitors combine the gardens with a day at the palace. You can spend hours here strolling through classic gardens, surrounded by colorful flowers and the soft sound of fountains.
The Generalife was once the summer residence of the Nasrid sultans and offers a spectacular view of the Alhambra and the surrounding city. The serene atmosphere, combined with the refined architecture and beautiful landscape, makes it a place where you can also relax from the bustling city. It is one of the must-see attractions in Granada that you should definitely not miss during your city trip!
Stroll Through the Oldest Neighborhoods of Granada: Albaicín & Sacromonte
Albaicín Neighborhood Attractions
The Albaicín neighborhood in Granada is a fascinating historic district full of charm and cultural treasures, also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walking through the narrow cobbled streets and whitewashed houses, you feel as though you are traveling back in time to the city’s Moorish past. Albaicín is known for its enchanting viewpoints, called ‘Miradores’. Be sure to visit the famous ‘Mirador de San Nicolás’, where you are treated to a spectacular view of the Alhambra against the backdrop of the majestic Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Originally built in the 8th century as a residential area, Albaicín later transformed into a center of trade, art, and culture, with beautiful palaces, mosques, and baths. Many of the Moorish influences are still visible today in the architecture and streetscape of the neighborhood. After the Catholics took over Granada, Albaicín underwent some changes. Many of the mosques were converted into churches, and new Christian buildings were added, resulting in an interesting mix of influences.
What to Do and See in Sacromonte
After enjoying the beautiful view in Albaicín, you can walk towards Sacromonte. This neighborhood winds through a valley and is known for its traditional cave dwellings, which date back to the Moorish era and are still inhabited by gypsy communities. It’s a very special place to visit! Another great activity in Sacromonte is a visit to the Cave Museum, which will be detailed further in this blog.
The cave dwellings are literally houses carved into the hills. The origin of these cave dwellings goes back a long way and formed the place where the gypsy communities of Granada (also known as Gitanos) lived. Despite the gypsies often traveling, the Catholics preferred not to have them in the city, so they settled just outside Granada. In addition to their cave dwellings, the Gitanos are known for their popular Flamenco music and dance, which originated in the gypsy community.
Today, many cave dwellings have been converted into museums, restaurants, or venues for Flamenco shows, giving visitors the opportunity to learn more about the history and culture of the gypsy communities in Granada.
Museo Cuevas del Sacromonte: The Cave Museum of Granada
An interesting museum in Granada is the Museo Cuevas del Sacromonte. Here, the history of the Roma gypsies in Granada is explained. In the Cave Museum, you can learn more about the history and lifestyle of the cave dwellers. It is a unique experience to wander through these old cave homes and discover how people have lived here for centuries. If you are taller, you will often bump your head, making it even more fascinating to imagine that people lived here. The museum features fully furnished homes, as they were in the past, giving you an idea of what life was like for this community at the time.
Additionally, the museum occasionally hosts cultural events, such as film nights about Flamenco culture and dance evenings with Flamenco shows.
Flamenco Music & Dance Originates from Granada
Did you know that the famous Spanish Flamenco dance and music originate from Granada? There’s a fascinating history behind it. Flamenco, one of the most distinctive and beloved aspects of Spanish culture, has its roots in the gypsy communities of Andalusia, including the Sacromonte district in Granada. Flamenco is not just a music and dance style but rather a way of life. It emphasizes the expression of emotions and the soul of the gypsy culture. Flamenco has the power to move and inspire people with its passion and depth, making gypsies an integral part of Spanish culture when it comes to art, music, and dance.
Attending a Flamenco Show
While in Granada, there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss: an authentic Spanish Flamenco show. Attending a Flamenco show in Granada is a unique cultural experience and a must-do during your city trip. It is a celebration of Andalusian identity and a tribute to its rich history and traditions. A Flamenco show will give you a deeper understanding of the soul of Spain and the passion of Andalusian culture, making it one of the must-see attractions in Granada. The musicians, singers, and dancers work harmoniously together, creating an atmosphere full of life and emotion. The audience is drawn into the rhythm and spirit of Flamenco.
My Tip for Your City Trip to Granada
In the restaurant Venta El Gallo, shown in the photo below, you can also enjoy a free Flamenco show during your dinner. I found this highly recommended!
Eating Tapas in Granada
Granada is famous for its tapas culture. It is one of the best places in Spain to enjoy delicious tapas. What makes Granada unique is that you often get a free tapa with your drink. The tradition of free tapas in Granada has a long history. Originally, a tapa was a cover for your drink, in the form of a slice of bread or a small plate with a snack on it. Some say this was to keep flies out of your drink. Even today, drinks are often served with a small plate on top. It is also a social custom that encourages people to stay longer and order more. Whatever the reason, the phenomenon of free tapas in Granada is loved by both locals and tourists. You can sample many tapas without spending too much money. It also adds a fun atmosphere and attracts many people to have a drink and a bite.
Alcachofas con Jamón
In Granada’s most famous tapas street, Calle Elvira, you will find numerous tapas bars and restaurants. This street is definitely one of the sights of Granada. A tapa you must try here is Alcachofas con Jamón (artichokes with ham), a typical Andalusian dish that is very popular in this region (see photo below). The reason this tapa is considered typically Andalusian comes from the agricultural history of the region. Andalusia is an important agricultural area in Spain and is known for its artichokes. Combined with the famous Spanish ham, this makes for a tasty and hearty dish that reflects the culinary traditions of the region.
Nightlife in Granada, Spain
You can certainly enjoy a great night out in Granada, but don’t expect many large clubs or discotheques. In Granada, people tend to go more to bars. They like to hang out at the bar with a drink or hop from bar to bar. Here are my favorite places to go out in Granada:
- Calle Pedro Antonio de Alarcón: This long street is known as a nightlife street. However, you will mainly find pubs and kebab restaurants here. So, after going out, you can immediately grab a snack.
- Plaza Nueva: This square is a place to start your evening with cocktails or wine on the large square.
- Plaza de Toros: This former bullfighting arena often hosts concerts and other cultural events in the summer months. You can check their website to see when these events are happening.
- Paseo de los Tristes: This boulevard at the foot of the Alhambra has many cozy cafés and bars.
- The larger nightclubs are Granada 10 Teatro Musical, El Granero, and Colón Plaza.
Since people in Spain dine late, the nightlife in Granada starts later. Expect bars to get busier around midnight and clubs to open later.
Best Time to Visit Granada, Spain
The climate in Andalusia, the region where Granada is located, is much warmer than in the Netherlands and there is relatively little rainfall. The city is situated in the southernmost part of Europe, so it remains relatively warm, even in winters. However, you can be mistaken, as a cold wind from the Atlantic Ocean can blow. From December to March, the temperature fluctuates between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius. In October, November, March, and April, it is already warmer. In the summer, it can get very hot in Granada, and since the city has no sea or lake, it can be very intense. If you do not like the heat, it is better to avoid the summer months. It can also be very busy in the summer. Therefore, the best time to visit Granada, Spain, is in the spring and autumn, in the months of March to June and September to November.
How to Get to Granada, Spain
There are no direct flights to Granada. However, you can fly to either Malaga or Seville. From there, you can travel further to Granada by bus or rental car. The bus ride from Seville airport takes about 3 hours, and from Malaga airport, it takes between 1.5 and 2 hours by bus. You can buy your bus ticket on the spot or book it online in advance to compare the fastest connections and ensure a spot.
Renting a Car in Andalusia
If you want to take a road trip through Andalusia, you can rent a car at Malaga or Seville airport and travel from there. This part of Spain is perfect for a beautiful road trip. You can visit not only the cities but also the smaller ‘white villages’ that the region is famous for. If you are going to rent a car, arrange it online beforehand. The cheapest option can be through Rentalcars, for example. And if you want to rent a car without worries, we recommend Sunnycars. There you rent all-inclusive, including insurance for window, underbody, roof, and tire damage.
