If you’ve been following my travels for a while, you’ll know that Spain is one of my favorite countries in Europe.

Mountainous, cheap delicious tapas, sunshine, and vivacious people: this country always has me coming back to discover new cities, and this time – I went to Granada to discover if it was truly worth visiting and to find both the best and more underrated things to do there.

colorful granada gift shop — View of Granada Gift Shop; December 2023

Located in the Andalusia region of Spain, Granada and Seville felt similar as in they are both smaller than cities like Barcelona and Madrid.

However, Granada is a little gritter and less colorful than Seville – focusing more on tiles, arts and crafts, and scenic views.

Is Granada Worth Visiting?

Yes, Granada is absolutely worth visiting. Surrounded by the Sierra Nevada mountains in the Andalusia region of Spain, Granada is rich with history and raw scenic beauty – making it a great choice for travelers who want a less cliché Spanish experience.

This is because it’s more offbeat than other more polished cities in Spain, meaning its “rough around the edges” feel will allow visitors to get a better glimpse of Spanish life without skimping out on beautiful, classic Spanish architecture and views.

red buldings in granada spain trees with no leaves sunny — Street view of Granada; December 2023

How Many Days do I Need in Granada?

Personally, I find 2 to 3 days in Granada to be perfect – as it allows a full stress-free day to dedicate to going to the Alhabmra and a couple of others days for exploring the city by foot: such as viewpoints, local tapas spots, and off-the-radar neighbhorhoods.

white buildings with brown shinge rooftops and — Wondering around Granada; December 2023

How Can i Get to Granada?

Granada is beautiful and well worth visiting, but unfortunately – it isn’t as direct to get to as other Spanish cities like Seville, Madrid, Barcelona, or even Valencia.

If you’re planning on flying into Granada, there are only a few direct flights per week – and mine was even cancelled and I ended up needing to take a layover in Barcelona. To make your life simpler, I really suggest doing what I did on my journey going to Granada – which is to fly into the nearby city of Malaga and take a short 1.5 hour bus ride into the city.

🇪🇸✨ Best Things to Do in Granada at a Glance ✨🇪🇸

📍 Attraction	⏰ Time Needed	⭐ Worth It?
🏰 Alhambra	Half Day	Yes, absolutely. This is a must-do and completely non-negotiable when visiting Granada.
🌅 Albaicín	2–3 Hours	Totally. The views are stunning, the neighborhood is relatively quiet, and it's a great offbeat and less-touristy side of Granada to explore.
📸 Mirador de San Nicolás	30 Minutes	Absolutely. The live music, people enjoying the views, and incredible photo opportunities make this one of the best spots in Granada.
⛪ Granada Cathedral	1 Hour	Worth walking by and going inside, but if you've already seen a lot of Europe, I wouldn't necessarily consider it a must-see attraction.
🍷 Tapas Crawl	Evening	Granada has a very underrated tapas scene. Since it's less touristy than cities like Barcelona and Madrid, you'll often find a more local atmosphere and better value.

If you’re looking for the must-see things in Granada, look no further – here are the 10 best things you should see and do while in Granada.

10 Best Things to do in Granada (2026)

See the Granada Cathedral

You’re bound to walk by this at some point while wondering the streets of Granada, but the Granada Cathedral isn’t one you want to miss while you’re in town.

Standing below Granada Cathedral; December 2023

Can I Go Inside the Granada Cathedral?

You can go inside the cathedral from 10AM to 6:15pm from Monday to Saturday, with the cathedral opening at 3pm on Sundays.

However, I recommend while in Granada (while it’s difficult) to see as much on foot as you can. This city is not as walk-able as other European cities, with many of the sights being spaced out and further away from one another – but some of the spots, like this one, I stumbled upon while walking were worthwhile.

Break for Tapas

While I’ve had better tapas in Madrid and Seville, when in Spain – you should still seek out Tapas in Granada.

journal with arroz con pollo — Arroz in Granada at El Piano; December 2023

If you’re looking for a vegan tapas spot in Granada, I can recommend El Piano. The service is slow, but it’s true home-cooked Spanish food at its finest tucked away in a quiet and quaint setting.

2. Take Pictures at Plaza Isabel La Católica

Peaceful with surrounding restaurants, this is a quieter area of Granada still central – making Plaza Isabel La Católica worthy of a stop for its architecture.

round plaza with red bus and spanish architecture — View of Plaza Isabel La Católica in Granada; December 2023

3. Explore Bib-Rambla Square

Located just before the Alcaiceria Market, this is the spot to see during Christmas time in Granada – as it’s filled with local vendors, cute boutique stores, and little shops to find local Andulsian treats like turrón.

silver christmas tree in small european square — View of Bib-Rambla Square in Granada during Christmas time; December 2023

4. Discover the Alcaiceria Market

Beware, this isn’t a food market – but a market for arts, hand-made bowls, tea candle lights, and other goods of this nature. You’ll also find a “turron” shop here – which is an Andalusia-native treat.

yellow spanish tiles and rooftops — Inside view of Alcaiceria Market in Granada; December 2023

Hand painted bowls in Granada; December 2023

Inside the Alcaiceria Market in Granada; December 2023

Tea candle holders in Granada; December 2023

5. Walk Around El Sacromente Neighborhood

Reminiscent of Greek cities like Santorini and Mykonos with white houses and blue trim, this neighbor is tiny and doesn’t have much to offer besides a museum and a couple of local restaurants – but it is worth it the trek alone for the view of the Alahambra.

white buildings on hill — El Sacromente Neighborhood in Granada; December 2023

I ended up sitting here soaking in the sunshine with some snacks, knowing this view and sunshine was momentary.

view of alhambra in the distance — View of the Alahambra from El Sacromente; December 2023

6. Visit the Alahambra

This goes without saying, but the Alahambra is the must-see attraction while in Granada. This should be your number one priority while visiting Granada.

What Do I Need To Know Before Visiting the Alahambra?

Keep in mind, it is best to purchase tickets online before hand – and you’ll need to bring the ID you used to purchase the ticket with you, or you won’t be granted entry. In fact, they scanned my passport – that’s how seriously they take it!

girl in black jacket at alhambra — Waiting in line for the Alahambra; December 2023

Please don’t forget to bring your passport or ID with you to the Alahambra.

columns inside alhambra — Inside the Alahambra; December 2023

view of dry land and white buildings from alhambra — View of Granada from the Alahambra; December 2023

golden lighting inside alhambra — Inside the Alahambra; December 2023

Truth me told, I had never seen such intricate detailing in any palace I had ever traveled to before – and I have been to many, especially across Europe!

ceiling inside alhambra intricate details — The intricate detail inside the Alahambra; December 2023

7. Take in the views at Mirador de San Nicolas

Flooded on a Saturday, this is the happening place to be – it seems for tourists and locals alike.

view of mountains and rooftops in granada — View from Mirador de San Nicolas in Granada; December 2023

Clearly, it makes sense – the views were breathtaking and was the better “mirador” or “viewpoint” I saw while in Granada.

view of alhambra in distance leafy green backyard — View of the Alahambra in Granada on a side street near Mirador de San Nicolas; December 2023

If you only have time to visit one mirador while in Granada, it should be definitely be Mirador de San Nicolas.

8. Wander Around the Albacin Neighborhood

Also lively and nearby Mirador de San Nicolas, this seems to be where all of the locals go for a drink on a Saturday – and is worth checking out if you like to get the local’s perspective of the city you’re visiting.

view of steps in granada with mountains and skinny trees in the distance — Nearby the Albacin Quarter in Granada; December 2023

The colorful streets of the Albacin Quarter in Granada; December 2023

stunning view of monuments in granada old buildings blue skies — View from the Albacin Quarter in Granada with Mountains in the background; December 203

9. Marvel in Mirador de San Cristóbal

A much quieter, less-known or tourist-ridden mirador – this spot is good if you want to avoid crows and get a similar view of Granada.

view of brown rooftops in granada — View from Mirador San Cristóbal in Granada; December 2023

Overall, Granada is a unique Spanish city worth visiting – mainly for the Alahambra and it’s breathtaking views everywhere you turn.

10. Take a Day Trip to Sierra Nevada

Granada may be more “remote” than other Spanish cities, but it doesn’t mean it’s not full of cool, new things to discover – one of them being taking a day trip to Sierra Nevada.

Known a s a popular place to go skiing outside of Granada, this is well worth it – even if it’s just for a short hike or pictures. Plus, there’s a charming town that’s perfect for people who enjoy quaint, quiet places outside of bigger cities like Granada.

The bus only costs around €10, but be sure to wear good walking shoes – as high heels don’t really cut it here with the rocky, mountain-like pavement.

☀️⛰️🇪🇸 Granada Travel FAQs 🇪🇸⛰️☀️

🇪🇸 Is Granada Worth Visiting?

Yes, Granada is absolutely worth visiting — as it's one of the most unique cities in Spain, with the gorgeous Alhambra and rugged, scenic mountain views.

🗓️ How Many Days Do You Need in Granada?

I recommend at least 2–3 days. This gives you enough time to visit the Alhambra, explore Albaicín, enjoy tapas, and watch the sunset from Mirador de San Nicolás without feeling rushed.

🏰 Is the Alhambra Worth Visiting?

Absolutely. The Alhambra is one of Spain's most famous landmarks and is the main reason many travelers visit Granada. It was probably my favorite part of the trip, so be sure not to miss it!

🌅 What Is the Best Thing to Do in Granada?

Exploring neighborhoods like Sacromonte and Albaicín, as well as catching a sunset from one of Granada's many miradors, were some of the most fun and unique experiences I had while visiting the city.

🚶 Is Granada Walkable?

Yes, Granada is very walkable — just keep in mind that some areas, such as the Albaicín neighborhood, have steep hills and cobblestone streets, so wear comfortable walking shoes with good traction.

🍷 Is Granada Famous for Free Tapas?

Yes! While it's not as widely known internationally, Granada is one of the few places in Spain where many bars still serve complimentary tapas with drinks. It was one of my favorite parts of visiting Granada and a great way to see locals enjoying everyday life.

Want to see my trip to Granada in action?

Watch my YouTube video below to see all of the things mentioned in this blog post!

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About the Author

Hi, I'm Stephanie Safdie, a travel writer and content creator based in Paris. Since living here, I've spent years exploring the city and regularly update my Paris travel guides with firsthand experience while also exploring destinations across Europe and beyond as a solo female traveler. I've been solo traveling for the past decade, having visited more than 70 cities and nearly 30 countries before turning 30.

Before moving abroad, I grew up moving all around the United States, having lived in New York City, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Tampa – which sparked my desire to discover and experience new places and cultures from a young age.

As a true writer at heart passionate about being open-minded, adventurous, and diaristic – it's my goal to share honest, practical travel advice, local insights, detailed itineraries, and real-life experiences that go beyond typical tourist recommendations. With over 200 guides published on Destination Dreamer Diaries, I’m here help you plan the most memorable trip of a lifetime with confidence.

When I'm not traveling or working professionally in content creation, you'll find me doing just about anything creative: writing, practicing my photography skills (the large majority of photos featured on this blog were taken during my own travels), playing my music at open mic nights, editing videos for my YouTube channel, cooking, or creating travel content.

Last updated: June 21, 2026

10 Best Things to See and Do in Granada