Solo Travel Spain: Top places to see in Granada
My latest solo getaway took me to the beautiful Andalusian city of Granada. Situated just 90 minutes drive away from Malaga, Granada is one of those cities that best reflects Spain’s heritage and culture above all others. World famous for the Alhambra Palace, which attracts thousands of visitors to the city every year, Granada itself has so much to offer as a solo travel destination. It truly is a cultural wonder. Being quite a small city, Granada is the perfect city to explore on foot. TOP TIP: make sure you pack comfortable footwear as there are a lot of cobbled streets in Granada. The best time to visit the city of Granada is either May or September. Temperatures can get extremely high in the summer months and also exceptionally cold in winter.
Fun fact: Did you know that with every drink you get a free tapas in Granada? It’s a long running tradition in the city and it means you really don’t have to order a full a la carte meal (unless you want to of course). Granada is really a foodies heaven. Order a small glass of beer / wine, and you’ll get a small plate of tapas. Order a large glass and you’ll get a larger plate. Order a second drink at the same Tapas Bar and you’ll be served a different type of tapas. What’s not to love?
I’m so excited to share with you my top recommendations for places to see in Granada. I hope this blog inspires you to visit this truly magical city as well as helping you to plan your visit. As a proud Get Your Guide partner, please note there are affiliate links included in this blog.
The Alhambra Palace and generalife
No trip to Granada is complete without seeing the breathtaking Alhambra Palace. In my opinion the Alhambra is one of those must see places not just in Spain, but in the entire world. A UNESCO World Heritage site first dating back to the 8th century, the Alhambra has evolved over time, from the Nasrid Dynasty to the Christian conquest of 1492 and beyond. It is not just a Palace, but in fact a whole citadel that used to house thousands of people, with a complex of different palaces, villas, gardens, passageways, and a fortress. It is in fact the only surviving Arab citadel from the Islamic occupation of Spain and it is quite simply an architectural marvel. Positioned high up in Sabika hills overlooking the city, the Alhambra is the finest example of Islamic architecture from the Golden Age of Moorish rule in Spain.
What I loved most about this spectacular place was the exquisite architecture and beautiful gardens. The plasterwork and ceramics of the Nasrid Palace are like nothing I have ever seen. I was truly blown away by the artistry and craftmanship and I cannot even begin to imagine how spectacular it would have looked in its prime. I’ve no doubt that you will also be captivated by the enchanting Generalife gardens, with the beautiful pools, fountains and florals. This tranquil oasis is truly a delight for the senses and offers the most spectacular views of Granada and Sierra Nevada mountain.
Booking in advance is absolutely essential to see inside the Alhambra. Due to the volume of daily visitors, there is a strict visiting schedule and you are even required to bring formal ID with you. I would recommend going with a tour GetYourGuide to guarantee your visit and gain insight into the wonderful history of the Alhambra. You can even book a night time tour with GetYourGuide, where the Palace looks even more magical lit up.
Albaicín district
The old Arab quarter of Albaicín was quite possibly my favorite area to explore in Granada. Here you will find a network of narrow cobbled streets with views of the Alhambra Palace at several view points or ‘miradors’. The best one by far is the Mirador St Nicolas which I would recommend seeing at sunset as it offers breaktaking views of the Alhambra and the entire city. Albaicín is truly the best place to get lost in. At every turn you will discover hidden gems that make this district truly special. Like houses covered in decorative ceramics or cascading plants, front doors with Moorish arches, tiny corner shops selling local produce and plenty of tapas bars.
I’d recommend starting your visit to Albaicín by walking the Calle de las Teterias or Tea Houses street. Here you will find a selection of authentic Arab tea houses and you will feel like you have been transported to the streets of Morocco. You can enjoy a selection of exotic teas and traditional Arab cuisine including savory sweets and cakes here. This street also has a selection of shops perfect for a souvenir, with Moorish crafts and products on sale. Continue straight and you will soon find yourself exploring this fascinating district, with delightful surprises and beautiful sights at every turn.
Make sure you don’t miss a stroll down the Paseo de los Tristes on the edge of Albaicín at the foot hills of the Alhambra. This is one of the most famous streets in all of Granada, with the Darrow River running alongside you as you take a stroll through history. Here you will see some of the finest architecture in the city, along with ancient bridges that will take you into the beautiful Jewish quarter. If you want to unwind and relax with treatments in an authentic Andalusian Arab Bath house, you will find the Hamman Al Ándalus banos just off this famous street.
Sacromonte District
Situated on the northern side of the city next to the Albaicín district is Sacromonte, the old gypsy quarter of Granada. Here you will find homes built into caves on a hillside and a thriving Roma gypsy community. Sacromonte has just one main street called Camino del Sacromonte, which is lined with white washed cave houses and a small number restaurants. I’d recommend turning off the main street where you can wander through charming lanes which are quieter and reach the cliff-hanging, parallel secondary street called Vereda de Enmedio. Here you will discover the Cave Museum of Sacromonte, also known as the Center for the Interpretation of Sacromonte, where you can learn all about Granada's unique Roma cave-dwelling tradition.
An absolute must do activity when visiting Sacromonte is an intimate Zambra style flamenco show inside the cave houses. I have experienced several Flamenco shows, but none have been as unique as the one I enjoyed in Sacromonte. Here you will surround the dancers, who will perform right in front of you, making it a truly intimate experience. Most of the venues that host Flamenco shows in Sacromonte offer the option to enjoy a meal before the show or a drink to take in with you. Make sure to book in advance to avoid missing out on this spectacular tradition. I’d recommend booking with La Zambra de Maria La Canastera, one of the oldest running Flamenco shows in Sacromonte.
Historic centre & jewish quarter
The Historic centre of Granada is where you find some of the cities most important sights and monuments. Many of these sights are close together, making the area easy to explore.
Top places to see in the historic centre:
Cathedral of Granada - It is definitely worth stepping inside the spectacular gothic cathedral of Granada. I absolutely loved the starry façade above the alter here. There is a fee to enter which includes an audio guide so you can learn all about the construction and history of the Cathedral.
The Royal Chapel - located next to the Cathedral is the final resting place of the Catholic monarchs Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand of Aragon. The monarchs died before this spectacular gothic chapel was completed and Queen Isabel left strict instructions in her will about the completion and being laid to rest here. Inside there is also a museum and there is a small fee to enter.
Alcaicería - hidden through an archway alongside the Cathedral is what remains of the cities former Souk or Arab market. Meander your way through network of narrow streets lined with small shops selling all sorts of trinkets and souvenirs, from Fajalauza pottery and ceramics, colored glass lamps, books, jewellery, clothing and more.
Plaza de Bib-Rambla - a stones throw away from the Catherdral is the charming Bib-Rambla plaza. Here you will find a selection of cafes and restaurants along with an impressive fountain. This really is the perfect place to enjoy a drink whilst watching the world go by.
Corral del Carbón - one of the most important buildings preserved from the Nasrid period in Granada and free to visit is the Corral del Carbón. Named al-fundaq al-yadida in Arabic, meaning New Corn Exchange, this building was a storehouse and point of sale for wheat, as well as accommodation for the merchants who came to Granada. It is in fact the only building of its kind that still exists in the entire Iberian peninsula, so it is pretty unique. The building itself is pretty spectacular, with an impressive archway, charming inner courtyard and original stone columns dating back to the 14th century.
In between the Historic centre and River Genil you will find the old Jewish quarter of Granada. This is another district where you can simply enjoy aimlessly wandering. With the Alhambra towering above, here you will find plenty of bars and restaurants and the area is particularly lively in the evening. I would say this part of Granada is more alternative, where you will a mixture of trendy bars and small independent shops. If you are a lover of churros, I’d recommend going to Cafe Futbol which is located in a charming square in the heart of the Jewish quarter.
Best of the rest
Best free activities in Granada - The Corral del Carbón, Bañuelo, Casa Morisca (C/Horno de Oro) and Palacio de Dar al-Horra can all be visited for free on Sundays click here for details. I would also recommend a free walking tour with Walking Granada where you can get familiar with the city on arrival and learn all about Granada’s history for a local guide.
Best tapas in Granada - Given that free tapas is what Granada is famous for, it can be overwhelming to know where to go for some of the best in the city. Here are a few suggestions to help with your visit: Bar Los Diamantes, Los Manueles (go if you love croquettes) and Taberna La Tana. The best thing about Granada is trying different tapas bars and seeing what you discover. There are so many that you really are spoilt for choice.
Best places to stay in Granada - I would highly recommend staying in the historic town centre area where you will be within a good walking distance from all the main sites and attractions I have shared with you. The great thing about Granada there are a great choice of places to stay depending on your budget. If you want to stay in ultimate luxury, you can in fact stay inside the Alhambra at the Parador Granada. There are also a great selection of hostels if you want to stay on a budget and meet new people.
Best day trips from Granada - If you want to enjoy a day trip out of Granada, I’d recommend a visit to the Las Alpujarras region in the Sierra Nevada National Park. This area is full of charming rural white villages surrounded by breathtaking mountainous views and is just an hours drive from the city of Granada. You can book a day trip with GetYourGuide who will take you to the best villages in the region. If you love to ski or fancy trying skiing for the first time, then a visit to Sierra Nevada in the winter months is a must. You can also enjoy hikes and bike tours in the Sierra Nevada National Park with GetYourGuide.
Thank you so much for reading my blog post. I hope it has inspired to visit this truly magical city and offered some helpful tips for planning your own visit there. Drop your questions in the comments or follow me on Instagram for more solo travel hints and tips.
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