What to see in Granada

Granada is a city in Andalusia that enchants all its visitors. Known worldwide for its incredible monumental complex, the Alhambra the city has many other things to offer if you dare to get lost in its streets: different viewpoints with the best views of the sunset, the neighborhood of the Albaicín and its wonderful carmenes or the narrow cobblestone streets in the center, reminiscent of other times.  

The city can be easily explored on foot and we recommend spending at least one day in the city couple of days Do you want to know what to visit in Granada to make the most of the experience? We invite you to discover ours 10 sites Granada must-sees to see in any tour of the city.

1. San Nicolás viewpoint

Visiting the most famous viewpoint in Granada is one of the must do in Granada. It has the best views of the Alhambra as it is located on a hill in the Albaicin, right in front of the Nasrid palaces. The panoramic view of the San Nicolás Viewpoint is impressive because it also looks Sierra Nevada in the background and part of the Vega de Granada.

As a recommendation, visiting this romantic corner is even more spectacular at night because you can see the Alhambra illuminated, and if you arrive in time to see the sunset even better! You will spend the time surrounded by flamenco music as there are usually people playing the guitar, which makes the experience that much more special.

Being one of the most famous viewpoints in Granada, it is always crowded, but it is not difficult to take a cool picture with the Alhambra in the background.

Very close to the Mirador de San Nicolás you can find the Great Mosque of Granada The mosque is a modern mosque whose gardens and buildings can be visited from 11:00 am to 7:30 pm.

If you want to know how to get to Mirador de San Nicolás There are several options. You can get there by bus with lines C31 and C32 that make different stops, but we recommend you to walk if you have the opportunity because you can visit the Albaicin neighborhood on the way. There are quite a few slopes, but nothing that can not be overcome with a beer at the top.

You will also find several restaurants near San Nicolas The most famous are the Huerto de Juan Ranas or the Balcón de San Nicolas. They give you the chance to eat with incredible views of the Alhambra, but yes, you have to pay for the views. As a cheaper option, but without views, are the bar-restaurant Kiki and the restaurant Mirador de San Nicolas, perfect for a drink and resume the visit to the city.

👀 Plans for Granada!
Free tour of Granada
Free tour of the legends of the Alhambra

2. Visit to the Alhambra, the Nasrid Palaces and the Generalife

The Alhambra of Granada is the monument par excellence of the city. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it is one of the most visited monuments in Spain and a must on any visit to the city.

Inside this walled city are the palaces and gardens that served as the residence of the emirs and the court of the Nasrid Kingdom, and were later used as a Christian royal residence. Next to it is the Generalife The Generalife, or the Andalusian country house, which was used as an estate for recreation and rest, and whose most important part are its wonderful gardens and orchards. The visit to the gardens of the Generalife is usually done in conjunction with the Alhambra.

To visit the Alhambra and the Generalife, there are different types of tickets. You can make guided tours to the Alhambra and the gardens of the Generalife (36€ approx) or buy only the entrance and make the visit for free (15€ approx). Our recommendation, especially if you are going for the first time or if you have been there for a long time, is to book the guided tour, as they tell you the history of the place and what each room was used for, it is very interesting! The visit to the monumental complex lasts approximately 3 hours depending on the stops you make.

You can also buy separate tickets to visit only the Alhambra or to visit only the Generalife, but we recommend that you see both because they are spectacular:

• Guided tour of the Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces
• Night tour of the Alhambra and Nasrid Palaces

Recently they have included some very cool entries that are visits to the Alhambra by night. It is a very good option for those of you who have already been there and would like to see a slightly different version. We have done it too and it is a magical visit where the lighting is of great importance.

If you have run out of tickets and are wondering what you can see in the Alhambra for free you should know that you can visit a large part of the enclosure. You can go through the Puerta de las Granadas, the Puerta de la Justicia and the Puerta del Vino to end up at the Palace of Charles V and the incredible viewpoint of the Albaicin. You can also visit the forest of the Alhambra, the Plaza de los Aljibes or the Carmen de los Mártires, which we will tell you more about later.

📣 Very important!
If you visit the Alhambra without a guide you should know that you can tour the Alhambra at your leisure, but you must take into account the time that marks the entrance to the Nasrid Palaces, as it is the only area that has limited capacity and a fixed time.

3. San Miguel Alto viewpoint

This viewpoint, located on the Cerro de San Miguel next to the hermitage of the same name, is a little less known than the Mirador de San Nicolas, but no less impressive. The San Miguel Alto viewpoint is at an elevated point above the city and offers a wide range of panoramic Granada, the Alhambra, Sierra Nevada and the Vega.

To get to this viewpoint you can go by car, as there is an esplanade at the top where you can park, or you can take the N9 bus that leaves from the center. You can also walk, but keep in mind that it is a long walk, full of slopes and steps, then do not say that we did not warn you!

For us, the best time to go to this lookout point is at sunset You can contemplate the evolution of the sunlight and see how the lights of the city are turning on and the Alhambra is illuminated. Although it is not so well known among tourists, there are usually enough people, but never enough to not find a place to enjoy the views.

4. Carrera del Darro and Paseo de los Tristes

These romantic streets are another must-see in Granada. The Carrera del Darro is a beautiful cobblestone street that starts from Plaza Nueva and runs along the left side of the Darro River to end at the Paseo de los Tristes.

Along this road you will come across different historical buildings, palatial houses or churches. We recommend you to visit the Bañuelo one of the best preserved Arab baths in Spain.

These narrow streets are off limits to private cars unless you are staying in the area. You will be surprised by the number of cabs and buses that pass by you on the Carrera del Darro.

Already in the Paseo de los Tristes, you will contemplate spectacular views of the Alhambra Do you know where the curious name of this walk comes from? In the old days, this was the place where the funeral processions used to go up to the cemetery of San José de Granada, located at the top of the hill.

We advise you to go in the evening and sit on the stone wall to see the Illuminated Alhambra while listening to the sound of the Darro River, often enlivened by street musicians. It is a magical experience.

5. Granada Cathedral and the Royal Chapel

The Cathedral of Granada, dedicated to Santa María de la Encarnación, is a monumental ensemble that includes both the Sagrario as the Royal Chapel where the remains of the Catholic Monarchs. Construction began in the 16th century and took 180 years to complete!

In its interior, the most outstanding features are the Door of Forgiveness the Portada de San Jerónimo or the wonderful stained glass windows and organs. The entrance fee is 5€ and it can be visited every day. If you happen to be in Granada on a Sunday, you can visit it for free on Sundays from 3 to 6 pm, by reservation.

📸 Want to take a cool photo?
From the Plaza de las Pasiegas is where you will be able to find more space. It is also a good place to have a drink or just rest on the steps.

6. Strolling through the center of Granada

Getting lost aimlessly through the streets of downtown Granada is one of the best things you can do to get to know the city. If you start from the Cathedral, we tell you some of the most interesting places to visit:

• Alcaicería The old market: a network of narrow streets that used to be part of an old Arab market where silk was sold, and which is now full of small souvenir stores selling handicrafts from Granada.
• Bib-Rambla Square The main square of the city, considered the main square of the city, is the perfect place to rest from the walk on one of its benches or take some churros with chocolate in the famous cafeteria Alhambra. In winter there are usually Christmas stalls and during the Corpus Christi festivities there are the famous "carocas", a series of "quintillas" accompanied by caricatured drawings that usually speak with irony and humor about the most important events of the year.
• Mesones Street The shopping street par excellence in Granada.
• Coal corral Alhóndiga: the best preserved Nasrid alhóndiga (inn, building where grain was stored and bought) in Spain. It can be visited free of charge from Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 7 pm. We were lucky enough to see by chance the choir of the Orchestra of the City of Granada performing in the courtyard was a very cool experience.
• Race of the Virgin y Paseo del Salon Boulevard full of trees and stone benches that starts at the Fuente de las Batallas and ends at the Paseo del Salón, which runs along the Genil River. It is a very romantic area for a stroll, especially at night, and at Christmas they usually put stalls, games for children and a Ferris wheel in the area.

7. Albaicín Neighborhood

One of the most famous neighborhoods in Granada, declared a World Heritage Site, is that of the Albaicín. Located on the hill of San Cristobal right in front of the Alhambra, it is another place where you have to wander aimlessly and discover all the secret" viewpoints of the Alhambra. There are many points of interest along this neighborhood: cármenes, viewpoints, cisterns, Arabic houses, etc. Here are some of the things you can not miss:

• Plaza Larga The main square of the Albaicín is full of bars and terraces where you can sit and enjoy the atmosphere and have a drink.
• Cisterns Arab constructions that served to accumulate and distribute water in the city. Some of the best known are the Aljibe de la plaza San Miguel, the Aljibe del Rey (the largest of the Arab cisterns of Granada), and the Aljibe de San Cristobal, very curious because it is located about 6 m below street level.
• Visiting a carmen The cármenes are a type of Granada houses of Arab origin, characterized by having a large garden with flowers, orchards and fruit trees. There are some of these that can be visited for free, such as the Carmen de los Mártires (which we tell you about below), the Carmen de la Victoria, which has incredible views of the Alhambra, or the Carmen del Aljibe del rey.
• Córdova Palace. Located at the end of the Paseo de los Tristes, just before climbing the Cuesta del Chapiz, it is a very unique building as it is composed of a mixture of styles, with a Renaissance façade and a Gothic and Mudejar interior. It has a spectacular garden that can be reserved for events and weddings.
• Zafra House The house is a 14th century Nasrid house, currently the interpretation center of the Albaicín. The entrance fee is 3€.
• Elvira Gate and street the Old Boilermaking which we will tell you about at the end of the post.
• Albaicin and Sacromonte Tour.
• Free tour of the Albaicín.

In the neighborhood of the Albaicín there are also some places that we have been telling you about before, and that from our point of view are a must:

• San Nicolás Viewpoint
• Great Mosque of Granada
• Carrera del Darro and Paseo de los Tristes
• The bañuelo

💡 If you are looking for accommodation
You must visit one of the most famous hotels in the area: ➡️ The Vincci Albaicín

8. Sacromonte

Known as the gypsy neighborhood par excellence in Granada, it is home to the famous cave houses and the best flamenco shows in the city. This neighborhood, once dangerous, is now one of the most touristic of the city.

Many of the caves have flamenco shows, o zambras zambras Flamenco, as it is known, was born in Sacromonte and is danced very close to the public in a corro. The most famous are Cave of María la Canastera or the La Rocío Cave. These shows are usually more focused on foreign tourists, but we think it is something quite curious if you have never seen it before. The price is usually around 20€ and usually includes a drink with the show.

Another of the visits that can be made in this area is the Sacromonte Caves Museum where you can see 10 caves to see how people used to live in them in the past.

⛔ Caution.
Precisely because it is such a touristy neighborhood, there are always people who try to take advantage. Do not go into private caves where you are invited, as they will ask you for money.

In the area there are also restaurants where you can enjoy a dinner with a live flamenco show. The Carmen de los Jardines de Zoraya is one of the most famous places, as it has very beautiful gardens with lemon and orange trees. In this case the show is more like a flamenco show, a little different from the way it is done in the caves, but no less magical.

• Flamenco in Albaicín: Zoraya Gardens
• Cuevas Los Tarantos: Flamenco show in Granada

But Sacromonte is not only flamenco, in this neighborhood you can also find the Sacromonte Abbey. This 12th century abbey is today the residence of priests and the parish of the neighborhood. The entrance fee is 5€ and you can access the Holy Caves, the abbey and the museum. To get there you can take the C34 bus or walk, but keep in mind that it is located at the top of the hill so there will be some slopes.

9. Carmen de los mártires

The Carmen de los Mártires It is located within the Alhambra, and inside there is a small palace and beautiful gardens and orchards Nasrid. Formerly known by the Christians as "Corral of the captives", as it was the place where the Arabs locked up the Christian captives. Later it became a convent of the Discalced Carmelites.  

It is one of the largest carmenes in Granada and has breathtaking views of the city Sierra Nevada and the entire city of Granada. The most important points to see in Carmen de los Mártires are the following:

• The orchard of San Juan de la Cruz. Restored trying to reproduce the different plants and aromatic species that were planted when the enclosure was a convent.
• The LAKE ISLAND. The most romantic place in this Carmen is a pond with black swans in the center of which there is a small island with trees up to 150 years old.
• The French, Spanish and English garden. Beautiful gardens where you can appreciate flowers and trees of all kinds, as well as a pond.
• Nazarí Courtyard. Patio inspired by the typical Arabian patios, with a central rectangular pond.
• Granada city and Sierra Nevada viewpoint.

This Carmen can be visited as follows free every day, and can be reached by bus C30 or C32.

Next to the Carmen de los Martires is also located the Manuel de Falla Auditorium The Orquesta Ciudad de Granada's headquarters.

🟢 Curiosity
The famous Spanish series, El Príncipe, filmed one of its episodes at Carmen de los Mártires.

10. Puerta de Elvira, Calderería Nueva street and Plaza Nueva.

The Gate or Arch of Elvira The Elvira Gate, one of the oldest in the city, owes its name to the Medina of Elvira, the place to which this 11th century entrance gave way. This gate has undergone various modifications over the years, being reinforced in the Nasrid period when it was part of a fortified complex that was connected to the old wall.

Near this horseshoe arched gateway is also the Triumph Square It has beautiful gardens with a large fountain that sometimes has light shows at night. As a curiosity, in Arab times this square was a large cemetery.

If you go through the Puerta de Elvira and continue along the Elvira Street you will find yourselves at the end in Plaza Nueva but not without first encountering the streets New Boilermaking or the street of the tea shops. We have not yet told you about the famous tea shops Granada, places where you can taste Arab teas and sweets, have a cachimba or try some of the Arab gastronomy. We have to say that there are many of these places that are too prepared for tourists, being their quality regular and their prices high.

One of our favorite tea shops (although it is not located on this street) is the El Bañuelo Tea Shop whose terrace has a unique view of the Alhambra and prepares a lemonade in summer which is spectacular. Tetería el ábaco is also a very good option with very cool views, but its terrace is very small so you have to be lucky to find a place.

Map to visit Granada

We leave in the map below all the sites that we have been commenting in the article.

If you want to read other articles ideal for your trip that complement What to see in Granada you can visit our posts about Granada.