Granada: The Complete Guide
Granada is a provincial capital in the Andalucia region of Spain. Once home to the Iberian Moorish royalty it is rich in history and culture, Granada is arguably the single most worthwhile city in Spain for visitors. In addition to a rich multicultural history, the Alhambra and other monuments, it is Spain’s liveliest cities with a student-driven nightlife, and skiing and trekking in the nearby Sierra Nevada, Granada offers a break from the summer heat of other Andalusian cities such as Córdoba or Seville.
Alhambra is a sprawling hilltop fortress complex encompasses royal palaces, serene patios, and reflecting pools from the Nasrid dynasty, as well as the fountains and orchards of the Generalife gardens.
Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence of four rivers, the Darro, the Genil, the Monachil and the Beiro. It sits at an average elevation of 738 m above sea level, yet is only one hour by car from the Mediterranean coast, the Costa Tropical.
Visiting Granada for the first time and wondering what are the top places to see in the city? In this complete guide, I share the best things to do in Granada on the first visit. Top help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!
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34 Best places to See in Granada
This complete guide to Granada not only tells you about the very best sights and tourist attractions for first-time visitors to the city but also provide insights into a few of our personal favorite things to do.
This is a practical guide to visiting the best places to see in Granada and is filled with tips and info that should answer all your questions!
Carmen de los Mártires
Location: Calle de Antequeruela Alta, Granada, España | Hours: From April 1 to October 14: From Monday to Friday from 10:00 am. to 14:00 pm. and 18:00 pm. to 20:00 pm. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 10:00 am. to 20:00 pm. From October 15 to March 31: From Monday to Friday from 10:00 am. to 14:00 pm. and 16:00 pm. to 18:00 pm. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 10:00 am. to 18:00 pm.| Price: Free | Website | Distance: 0.90km
Visiting Carmen de los Mártires
Alhambra Complex
Location: Alhambra Calle Real de la Alhambra, s/n 18009 Granada Spain | Hours: 8.30am-8pm Apr–mid-Oct, to 6pm mid-Oct–Mar, night visits 10-11.30pm Tue & Sat Apr–mid-Oct, 8-9.30pm Fri & Sat mid-Oct–Mar | Price: Adult €14,12-15yr €8, under 12yr free, Generalife & Alcazaba only adult/under 12yr €7/free NB Advance ticket reservations are almost essential for admission to the best parts of the Alhambra. | Website | Full Alhambra Guided Tour with Skip-the-line Tickets Available! | Distance: 1.30km
Visiting Alhambra Complex
Generalife
Visiting Generalife
Puerta De La Justicia
Location: Justice Gate Calle Real de la Alhambra, 18 18009 Granada Spain | Hours: 24 Hours | Price: Free | Website | Distance: 1.30km
Visiting Puerta De La Justicia
Palacio de Comares
| Hours: For opening times of the Palacio de Comares see Alhambra Opening Times.| Price: The Palacio de Comares is part of the Alhambra Complex and access it you need to purchase Alhambra Tickets or a Alhambra Guided Tour. | Distance: 1.40km
Visiting Palacio de Comares
Patio de los Arrayanes
Location: Court of the Myrtles Calle Real de la Alhambra, 1T 18009 Granada Spain | Hours: For opening times of the Patio de los Arrayanes see Alhambra Opening Times.| Price: The Patio de los Arrayanes is part of the Alhambra Complex and access it you need to purchase Alhambra Tickets or a Alhambra Guided Tour. | Website | Distance: 1.40km
Visiting Patio de los Arrayanes
Patio de los Leones
Location: Patio de Los Leones Calle Real de la Alhambra, s/n 18009 Granada Spain | Hours: For opening times of the Patio de los Leones see Alhambra Opening Times.| Price: The Patio de los Leones is part of the Alhambra Complex and access it you need to purchase Alhambra Tickets or a Alhambra Guided Tour. | Website | Distance: 1.40km
Visiting Patio de los Leones
Palacio Nazaríes
Location: Nasrid Palaces, Calle Real de la Alhambra, Granada, Spain | Alhambra & Nasrid Palaces Fast-Track Ticket Available! | Distance: 1.40km
Visiting Palacio Nazaríes
Palacio de Carlos V
Location: Palacio de Carlos V, Calle Real de la Alhambra, Granada, Spain | Hours: 8.30am-8pm Apr–mid-Oct, to 6pm mid-Oct–Mar, night visits 10-11.30pm Tue-Sat Apr–mid-Oct, 8-9.30pm Fri & Sat mid-Oct–Mar | Price: Access to the Palacio de Carlos V is free via the Puerta de la Justicia on the southern side of the Alhambra. | Website | Distance: 1.40km
Visiting Palacio de Carlos V
Palacio del Mexuar
Location: Patio de Machuca Calle Real de la Alhambra, 1T 18009 Granada Spain | Hours: For opening times of the Palacio del Mexuar see Alhambra Opening Times.| Price: The Palacio del Mexuar is part of the Alhambra Complex and access it you need to purchase Alhambra Tickets or a Alhambra Guided Tour. | Distance: 1.40km
Visiting Palacio del Mexuar
Palacio de los Leones
| Hours: For opening times of the Palacio de los Leones see Alhambra Opening Times. | Price: The Palacio de los Leones is part of the Alhambra Complex and access it you need to purchase Alhambra Tickets or a Alhambra Guided Tour. | Website | Distance: 1.40km
Visiting Palacio de los Leones
Sala del Mexuar
Location: Mexuar room s/n Calle Real de la Alhambra 18009 Granada Spain | Website | Distance: 1.40km
Visiting Sala del Mexuar
Patio del Cuarto Dorado
| Hours: For opening times of the Patio del Cuarto Dorado see Alhambra Opening Times. | Price: The Patio del Cuarto Dorado is part of the Alhambra Complex and access it you need to purchase Alhambra Tickets or a Alhambra Guided Tour. | Website | Distance: 1.40km
Visiting Patio del Cuarto Dorado
Palacio del Partal
Location: El Partal Callejon Guindo, 2T 18009 Granada Spain | Hours: For opening times of the Palacio del Partal see Alhambra Opening Times | Price: The Palacio del Partal is part of the Alhambra Complex and access it you need to purchase Alhambra Tickets or a Alhambra Guided Tour. | Website | Distance: 1.40km
Visiting Palacio del Partal
Puerta de las Granadas
Location: Puerta de las Granadas, Cuesta de Gomérez, Granada, Spain | Website | Distance: 1.40km
Visiting Puerta de las Granadas
Plaza de Los Aljibes
Location: Placeta de los Aljibes Plaza Algibes Alhambra, 1T 18009 Granada Spain | Hours: 24 Hours | Price: Free | Distance: 1.40km
Visiting Plaza de Los Aljibes
Alcazaba
Location: Alcazaba 18009 Granada Spain | Website | Distance: 1.50km
Visiting Alcazaba
Patio de la Acequia
Location: Court of the Water Channel Camino Fuente del Avellano, 4 18010 Granada Spain | Hours: For opening times of the Patio de la Acequia in Generalife see Alhambra Opening Times. | Price: The Patio de la Acequia is part of the Generalife of the Alhambra Complex and access it you need to purchase Alhambra Tickets or a Alhambra Guided Tour. | Website | Distance: 1.50km
Visiting Patio de la Acequia
Cuarto Dorado
| Website | Distance: 1.50km
Visiting Cuarto Dorado
Torre de la Vela
Location: Torre de la Vela, Alhambra Cuesta de Gomérez, 39 18009 Granada Spain | Hours: For opening times of the Torre de la Vela see Alhambra Opening Times. | Price: The Torre de la Vela is part of the Alhambra Complex and access it you need to purchase Alhambra Tickets or a Alhambra Guided Tour. | Website | Distance: 1.50km
Visiting Torre de la Vela
Realejo
| Hours: 24 Hour | Price: Free | Distance: 1.50km
Visiting Realejo
Corral del Carbón
Location: Calle Mariana Pineda, 8 Granada | Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 - 19:00 Saturday and Sunday 10:00 - 14:00 | Price: Free | Distance: 1.60km
Visiting Corral del Carbón
Arab Baths of Granada
Location: Arab Baths, 31 Carrera del Darro, Granada, Spain | Hours: September 15th - April 30th: Daily from 10:00 - 17:00 May 1st - September 14th: Daily from 9:30 - 14:30 and 17:00 - 20:30 | Price: € 2.50 | Distance: 1.60km
Visiting Arab Baths of Granada
Royal Chapel of Granada
Location: Royal Chapel, Gran Via de Colon 5, 18001 Granada. | Hours: 10:15 - 18:30 (Monday - Saturday); 11:00 - 18:00 (Sunday & holidays) | Price: 5€ (adults), 3.50€ (students, disabled, children), 0€ (children under 12) | Website | Distance: 1.70km
Visiting Royal Chapel of Granada
Alcaicería
Location: Calle Alcaicería, 1 Granada | Hours: Open daily from 10:00 to 21:00. During the months of June and July closed on Sunday from 15:00. Closed on sunday from January 6th to March 19th. | Price: Free | Website | Distance: 1.70km
Visiting Alcaicería
Granada Cathedral of the Incarnation
| Hours: Monday - Saturday: 10:15 - 18:30 Sunday: 11:00 - 18:00 | Price: € 5, Up to 10 years: free / 65+ and students: € 3.50 | Website | Distance: 1.80km
Visiting Granada Cathedral of the Incarnation
Mirador de San Nicolás
Location: Mirador San Nicolás Plaza Mirador de San Nicolás, 2 18010 Granada Spain | Hours: 24 Hour | Price: Free | Distance: 1.90km
Visiting Mirador de San Nicolás
Parque de las Ciencias Granada
Location: Avda. de la Ciencia, s/n Granada | Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 - 19:00 Sunday and public holidays 10:00 - 15:00 Closed on Mondays 1st of January, 1st of May and December 25th closed Times of the planetarium are available daily at the ticket office. Approximately every hour a session. | Price: Regular tickets: € 7 / planetarium € 2.50 65+ and under 18: € 6 / planetarium € 2 | Website | Distance: 1.90km
Visiting Parque de las Ciencias Granada
Sacromonte
| Hours: 24 Hours | Price: Free | Flamenco Show at Cuevas Los Tarantos Tickets Available | Distance: 1.90km
Visiting Sacromonte
Albaycin
Visiting Albaycin
Church Of San Salvador
Location: Church of San Salvador, Placeta del Abad, 7, Granada, Spain | Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10am-1pm and 4.30-6.30pm | Price: 1€ | Distance: 2.00km
Visiting Church Of San Salvador
Palacio de Dar-Al-Horra
Location: Callejón Ladrón del Agua, 8 in Granada | Price: €5, Sun free | Website | Distance: 2.10km
Visiting Palacio de Dar-Al-Horra
Plaza Larga
Location: Plaza Larga, Albaicin, Granada | Hours: 24 Hour | Price: Free | Distance: 2.10km
Visiting Plaza Larga
Monastery of Cartuja
Location: Monasterio de la Cartuja, Paseo de Cartuja, Granada | Hours: Summer: 10:00-13:00 and 16:00-20:00 Winter: 10:00-13:00 and 15:00-18:00 | Price: €5.00, Up to 12 years free / students up to 25 years € 3.50 | Website | Distance: 3.30km
Visiting Monastery of Cartuja