Itineraries for Your Trip to Granada
2 Days in Granada for First Timers
The first time I spent a weekend in Granada, I was caught short—I hadn’t realized that securing tickets for the Alhambra (Alhambra de Granada), the UNESCO–listed fortress that reigns over the city, would be akin to snagging a spot at the Super Bowl or a Taylor Swift concert. Although I was disappointed, it did mean I had to take a less conventional route when it came to sightseeing in this Andalusian city.
And while seeing Spain’s most-visited monument is a must (I bought my admission tickets well in advance the second time I went to Granada), the city is jam-packed full of gems, including underground spas, traditional tapas bars, hillside communities where caves serve as houses, and parks fragrant with orange blossom. Here’s how to spend two days in Granada if it’s your first time.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a night visit to the Nasrid Palaces at the Alhambra (Alhambra de Granada).
The breeze that blows down from the Sierra Nevada mountains can make Granada feel cold in the evening, so take a jacket out with you in the evening.
Kick off your vacation at Granada’s GOAT, the 13th-century fortress, palace, and garden complex of the Alhambra. Spend this morning exploring the Alcazaba Fortress (home to the Torre del Homenaje tower, the complex’s highest point) and the gorgeously green Generalife Gardens, perched atop the Cerro del Sol (Hill of the Sun) overlooking the city.
Granada’s food is inspired by its Moorish heritage, so it’s a particularly interesting style of Spanish cuisine. Plus, you’ll get a generous free plate of tapas in most bars. This afternoon, sample the city’s signature dishes on a food tour that introduces you to cod ajoarriero (tomato-based fish stew) and garbanzos y espinaca (chickpeas and spinach), as well as Spanish staples such as Serrano ham and olive oil.
Tonight, it’s time for the Nasrid Palaces and Charles V Palace (Palacio de Carlos V) to shine, so head back to the Alhambra for part two of your tour. Exploring these architectural marvels at night isn’t just atmospheric and less crowded, but the spotlights reveal finer details that you might otherwise miss when hurried along by daytime visitors.
Dedicate your second morning to the history-rich neighborhoods of Albaicín and Sacromonte. A guide will help you navigate the tangled streets of the Muslim quarter of Albaicin, where former mosques now harbor baroque churches, and the cave-dwelling community of Sacromonte, the epicenter of the Granada’s flamenco scene.
After so much sightseeing you’ll be ready to take a load off at Hammam Al Andalus Granada, a subterranean spa that dates back to the 14th century. Inside, cold and warm pools soothe aching muscles among lantern-lit arches and Islamic architecture reminiscent of the Nasrid Palaces. Traditional Arabian exfoliating treatments will make you feel brand new.
Flamenco culture originated in Andalucia, so there’s no better place to see a flamenco performance than here. On your final evening, enjoy the amazing acoustics of a cave restaurant and watch dancers move to the beguiling rhythm of a Spanish guitar as you enjoy classic Andalusian dishes accompanied by wine.
