Granada is largely defined by the Alhambra, and for good reason. However, there are plenty of additional ways to spend your time while visiting this beautiful city in southern Spain. From great views to great food, you won’t forget your time exploring this historic town – and, yes, the Alhambra.
The Alhambra
So big, it gets its own section. The Alhambra is the attraction that brings most tourists to Granada, and we have a number of tips to help you get the most out of this historic site.
Reservations: First and foremost, you need to make reservations far in advance to visit the Alhambra. We would recommend you start looking for tickets at least three months before you plan to visit. We didn’t realize just how far in advance the site sells out when planning our trip to Granada, so we spent a solid three weeks checking various websites every day for tickets. Your best and cheapest option is buying general admission tickets through the Alhambra’s website that include the Nasrid Palaces. If that fails, you can look into purchasing the Granada Card, which includes access to the Alhambra along with a number of other attractions and public transportation in the city. If that fails, your best bet is to look into private or group tours of the Alhambra. These will cost a pretty penny, but if you’re short on time and making your reservation late, you may not have any other options.
Timing: Another thing to keep in mind when booking tickets is how long you plan to spend in the Alhambra. Because of the sheer size of the palace and some of the crowds you’re bound to encounter, we recommend you plan to spend a minimum of four hours in the Alhambra. If you intend to use the audio guide to learn more about the history of the palace, you should probably plan to spend even longer exploring the grounds. When booking your tickets, you’ll have the option to select a time to tour the Nasrid Palaces. We recommend going to these palaces as early as possible because they get more and more crowded as the day goes on.
Nasrid Palaces: Speaking of the Nasrid Palaces – they are absolutely one of the top two highlights within the Alhambra. The level of detail put into the design of the palaces is incredible, and the courtyards create some truly magnificent scenery. Traffic flow into the Nasrid Palaces is limited per 30 minutes (hence the need to select a specific time when purchasing your ticket), but you are free to stay in the palaces as long as you want after entering. Almost everyone spends longer than 30 minutes, so the crowds continue to build throughout the day. A trip to the Alhambra is really not complete without walking through the Nasrid Palaces.
Part of the Generalife Gardens
Generalife Gardens: The other top highlight within the Alhambra is the Generalife Gardens. These also get packed throughout the day, so your best bet is making it to the gardens as early as possible. They are absolutely beautiful and also offer some great views of the rest of the Alhambra.
View of the Alhambra from Mirador San Nicolás
Best view of the Alhambra: For the best view of the Alhambra, you actually need to be outside the grounds and in the main area of Granada. Mirador San Nicolás has breathtaking views at sunset, but make sure you arrive early to fight off other tourists and get that dream spot. One little tip for the lookout – there is a mosque right next to the main lookout patio. It has essentially the same view, is free to enter, and is way less crowded. Just make sure you are respectful when using the grounds, as there may be people there for worship.
Tapas at Bar Ávila
Where to Eat
While there is some food offered in and around the Alhambra, you’d be better off eating in the heart of Granada. We only got to have a couple meals in Granada, but there were a few delicious options.
Ávila Tapas: We loved the service at this small tapas restaurant, and the octopus was terrific. We also really enjoyed the tomato salad and would definitely recommend this spot for anyone visiting Granada.
Bakery Street: Needing a quick bite for breakfast, we decided to go with a grab-and-go option at Bakery Street. Despite it being early in the morning, the highlight had to be the Guinness chocolate cake. This spot is also right next to the Catedral de Granada, so you can easily spend your entire morning in this area.
Catedral de Granada
What to Do (aside from the Alhambra)
Catedral de Granada: The main cathedral in Granada is incredibly impressive and well worth a visit. If you got the Granada Card for access to the Alhambra, you will also have access to the cathedral included. Take advantage and give yourself a couple hours to fully explore the cathedral.
Carrera del Darro: This romantic road is lined with shops and restaurants and sits right next to the little river that flows through town. Take some time to walk along the street as you head up to Mirador San Nicolás for views of the Alhambra.
Other Tips & Tricks
Hotel Palacio De Santa Paula: We used our Marriott points to stay at this hotel while in Granada. It offered a great breakfast each morning and had a very interesting feel to it since it was a converted convent. All the rooms are different, but you’ll love the courtyards and central location.
Getting to Granada: We took a train from Madrid to Granada, which took just over three hours. You also have the option of renting a car if you intend to drive at all through Andalusia. While we don’t think you will want a car while in the city, we did enjoy our later drive from Granada to Seville.