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Granada sits at the foot of the Sierra Nevada in Andalusia, where the last Muslim kingdom on the Iberian Peninsula held out until 1492. The Nasrid rulers left behind the Alhambra, a palace-fortress complex on a hill above the city, and their legacy still shapes Granada's old quarters, food and atmosphere. A large university keeps the city youthful.
The Alhambra deserves most of a day. The Nasrid Palaces, with their carved stucco, tiled walls and courtyards like the Court of the Lions, are entered at timed slots that sell out well ahead. The Generalife, the summer palace, is set among terraced gardens and water channels, while the Alcazaba is the oldest fortified section, beside the Renaissance Palace of Charles V. Across the river valley, the Albaicín's steep lanes climb to the Mirador de San Nicolás for the classic view of the Alhambra against the mountains. The Carrera del Darro and Paseo de los Tristes follow the river below. Sacromonte is known for its cave houses and flamenco. In the lower city, Granada Cathedral stands beside the Royal Chapel, where Ferdinand and Isabella are buried, and the Charterhouse has an elaborate Baroque interior.
Granada suits travelers interested in history and evening strolls, and many bars serve a free tapa with each drink. Skiing in the Sierra Nevada is possible in winter. Spring and fall bring the most comfortable weather.
WiserMap travel guideGranada Spain Alhambra Mornings and Free Tapas NightsPlan Granada with this guide to the Alhambra, Generalife, Albaicín viewpoints, Sacromonte caves, the cathedral, free tapas, the best seasons and getting around.Read the guide
The heart of the Alhambra, a series of 14th-century Moorish palaces with carved stucco walls, tiled rooms and the famous Court of the Lions and Court of the Myrtles. Entry is by a fixed time slot printed on your ticket. Book weeks ahead, and arrive at the gate a little before your slot.
The summer palace and gardens of the Nasrid sultans on the hillside next to the Alhambra, with the long pool of the Patio de la Acequia, fountains, roses and cypress hedges. It is included in the general Alhambra ticket. Go in the late afternoon for softer light.
The Alcazaba is the oldest part of the Alhambra, a fortress whose Torre de la Vela gives sweeping views over Granada and the Sierra Nevada. Nearby is the Renaissance Palace of Charles V, with a round courtyard and the free Museum of the Alhambra inside.
A terrace in the Albaicín with the most famous view of the Alhambra against the snowy Sierra Nevada. It is crowded at sunset, with street musicians playing. Walk up through the lanes or take the small C31 or C32 bus, and keep an eye on your bags.
The old Moorish quarter on the hill facing the Alhambra, a UNESCO-listed maze of whitewashed lanes, walled gardens called carmenes and small plazas. Calle Calderería Nueva below it is lined with teahouses and shops. Wear good shoes for the steep cobbled streets.
A picturesque street running along the Darro River at the foot of the Alhambra, with stone bridges, old churches and mansions. It ends at the Paseo de los Tristes, a square with cafe terraces looking up at the Alhambra walls. It is especially pretty when lit at night.
A hillside district of whitewashed cave homes, the traditional home of Granada's Roma community and famous for flamenco. Evening zambra shows are held in the caves. The Sacromonte Caves Museum shows how people lived here, and the abbey at the top has views.
A huge Renaissance cathedral begun in the 16th century on the site of the city's main mosque, with a bright white interior, a gilded main chapel and paintings by Alonso Cano. An audio guide is included. It is in the center, next to the Royal Chapel.
The Gothic burial chapel of the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, who conquered Granada in 1492. Their marble tombs lie above a crypt with their coffins, and the sacristy shows Isabella's crown and paintings. Photos are not allowed inside.
La Cartuja, a Carthusian monastery in the north of the city with a plain exterior and one of the most extravagant baroque interiors in Spain, full of marble, gilding and stucco in the sacristy. It is a short bus ride from the center and rarely crowded.
An 11th-century Arab bathhouse on the Carrera del Darro, one of the oldest and best preserved in Spain. Its rooms have brick arches, columns and star-shaped skylights in the vaulted ceilings. The visit is short, so combine it with a walk along the river below the Alhambra.
The former Moorish silk market beside the cathedral, rebuilt in the 19th century as a few narrow lanes of shops. Stalls sell lanterns, ceramics, tiles, leather and spices. Prices vary, so compare a few shops, and continue to the nearby Plaza Bib-Rambla for churros.
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