The southern Spanish city of Granada is less than a 2 hour drive from Malaga and is a great option for a day trip from the Costa del Sol. However, I would highly recommend spending at least 2 days in Granada in order to see all that the city has to offer. It’s also a good stopping point during a road trip in the Province of Granada.
Granada was under Muslim rule for 800 years, something that becomes very apparent as you walk around the city. The big draw to Granada is The Alhambra, but there are a number of free things to do in Granada as well, making it an ideal city in Andalusia to visit if you’re travelling on a budget.
Things to do during 2 days in Granada
The Alhambra
The Alhambra is worth every penny, so if you’re only spending 2 days in Granada you should put this at the top of your itinerary. It’s a huge complex so I would recommend leaving at least 4 hours in your schedule to visit it. The photo above was taken from the Mirador de San Nicolas viewpoint which is one of the most popular spots in Granada and has the best view of the Alhambra and the Sierra Nevada.
Tickets to the Alhambra often sell out months in advance so plan ahead. If you’re planning a trip to Granada on short notice though, the Alhambra’s official website releases cancelled tickets at midnight – but you’ll have to be quick to buy them!
There are a number of tickets to choose from but if you want access to all parts of the Alhambra complex you need to purchase the Alhambra General ticket for €19 per adult. The time slot you select is for entry to the Nasrid Palaces and you must be on time to enter. The rest of the complex can be visited at any time without booking any additional time slots.
The Generalife Gardens date back to the 12th century and are both vast and very beautiful. They became a place of leisure for the kings of Granada, and have been added to over the centuries by each ruler. As well as the Nasrid Palaces, the gardens are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They take on a more simplistic design than the palace itself, signifying it as a place of peace for the kings to retreat to.
I’d recommend seeing the Alhambra Alcazaba after the palace and gardens. The fortress is the oldest part of the Alhambra complex, with the earliest evidence of its existence dating back to the 9th century. The fortress should take you less than an hour to walk around but make sure you climb to the top of the tower to get some great views of the surrounding landscape.
The Charles V Palace is one part of the Alhambra that is actually FREE to visit. It was built in the Renaissance and is quite a deceptive building, as it’s round on the inside but from the outside it looks square. So if you can’t get tickets for the palace or gardens, you can at least say you’ve been in part of the Alhambra by visiting this palace.
Carthusian Monastery
Located a 20 minute drive from Granada’s city centre is the Carthusian Monastery, also known as the Granada Charterhouse. It’s considered to be one of the best examples of Spanish Baroque architecture, and was founded in 1506. The inside of the monastery is very ornately decorated with gold and displays an extensive collection of famous paintings too. If you’re only spending 2 days in Granada I would recommend getting the Tourist Train which will make it quicker for you to get to.
Granada Cathedral
Granada Cathedral is located right in the middle of the city and going inside of it is one of the top things to do in Granada. It dates back to the 16th century and is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe. Connected to the cathedral is the Royal Chapel, the final resting place of the Catholic monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, which is definitely worth visiting during 2 days in Granada.
Alcaiceria Market
Located right next to the cathedral is the famous Alcaiceria Market, which was originally founded by the Moors and was a hub for the silk trade. It now stands at half its original size but it’s still the perfect place to get your hands on some souvenirs. There are a number of guided walking tours passing through here, so if you want to learn more about the history of the market, booking one of these tours is a good option.
Try a pionono
If you still have some room after all the tapas you’ve been eating in Spain, take the time to taste some of the delicious desserts Granada has to offer. Piononos, for example, are very popular in Granada and can be found in a large majority of dessert shops.
Albaicín
One of the best spots to visit in Granada is the Albaicín quarter, which leads up to the Mirador de San Nicolas viewpoint. It’s a great place to discover some traditional Moorish architecture as the narrow winding streets haven’t been altered in centuries. If you’re visiting Granada on a budget, there are more than enough areas in the city for you to freely walk around and enjoy.
Mirador de San Nicolas
Mirador de San Nicolas is where you’ll find the best view in Granada. It’s an uphill trek but the view of the Alhambra against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada is unbelievable. This area also has a large amount of restaurants and bars for you to choose from as well as flamenco shows in the evening.
Sacromonte
On your walk back from Mirador de San Nicolas you’ll pass Sacromonte, a picturesque neighbourhood in Granada set in the hillside. It’s known as the gypsy area, and a lot of visitors come here in the evening for live music and dance performances.
Walk around El Realejo
Granada is bursting with historic narrow shopping streets. El Realejo has a number of these streets, and is considered one of the best neighbourhoods in the city. It was once an important Jewish quarter and it’s now a great area to get some traditional tapas as well as snag some pretty unique souvenirs too. If you’re only spending 2 days in Granada I would recommend adding this area to the top half of your list.
Places to eat in Granada
Odeimos Doughnut Shop
While you’re visiting Granada Cathedral, you might as well as treat yourself to a doughnut (or two). Odeimos Doughnut Shop is located just behind the cathedral and their doughnuts are among some of the best I’ve ever tasted. All of their artisan doughnuts are made fresh daily, and they have some delicious flavours available, including several unique ones that you probably haven’t come across before. They’re not the cheapest doughnuts you’ll come across in Granada but they’re very tasty and not too sweet either.
Moana Poké
Poké bowls probably isn’t what you’d associate Spain with, but they’re very popular across the country. Moana Poké is located a short walk from Granada Cathedral, and they serve food throughout the afternoon, unlike other restaurants in the area. You can build your own bowl or choose one from the menu, and they have other dishes available too. It’s a nice place to eat in Granada if you want something quick and healthy.
Where to stay in Granada
Accommodation in Granada can be difficult to come by during peak travel times, so it’s worth exploring areas outside of the city centre to get the best deal. In the winter months hotels become more budget friendly but the weather can be quite chilly. However, whatever time of the year you visit Granada you’ll fall in love with this beautiful Spanish city.
How many days to spend in Granada?
Granada is one of the most visited cities in Spain, so you’ll definitely want to spend more than a day here. However, if you can only spend 24 hours in Granada, you’ll be able to see a handful of the main attractions here without worry. Spending 2 days in Granada is a good amount of time to see the attractions and explore the historic streets. Once you visit Granada though, you’ll no doubt want to spend more time here or plan a return trip to this gem in Andalusia.
Granada is one of the best cities to visit in southern Spain and is the perfect place to stop during a road trip in Andalusia. Places such as Malaga and Cordoba are great day trip options if you’re spending more than 2 days in Granada, and even Seville and Cadiz aren’t too far away. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram for some more travel inspiration!
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