Granada charms with graceful Islamic architecture, stately churches, and classic tapas bars. Set against the backdrop of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains jutting against year-round big blue skies, the Andalucian city is a wonderfully romantic destination.
If you’re wondering what to do in Granada, call off the search. Here’s our guide to help you make the most of every minute you spend in the southern Spanish city.
Image credits, Unsplash, Dimitry_b. Location, Catherdral of Granada, Spain.
How to travel to Granada, Spain
If you’re an avid fan of My Fair Lady, you’ll have heard of the rain in Spain, but how about the train into Spain? Chances are no matter where you find yourself in Europe, there’s a way to get to Granada by train. Some of the most popular routes from within Spain are Madrid to Granada, Seville to Granada, and Barcelona to Granada.
What to see and do in Granada, Spain
Alhambra
The UNESCO World Heritage Site-listed Alhambra, one of the most visited attractions in Europe, is a love letter to Moorish culture. This intricately decorated palace and fortress complex with serene ornamental gardens was built by the Nasrid sultans (rulers of the last Spanish Muslim kingdom) and later saw additions by Renaissance-era ruler Charles V.
You could spend hours—days even—grazing at the awe-inspiring beauty of the carved wooden ceilings, ceramic tiles, and filigree windows. American writer Washington Irving was so inspired by the beauty of the Alhambra that he wrote “Tales of the Alhambra” based on his 1828 visit.
Image credits, Unsplash, Victoriano Izquierdo. Location, Alhambra, Spain.
Federico García Lorca Center
Staying in literary mode, the Federico García Lorca Center is a cultural institution devoted to the famous Spanish poet and playwright (who was born and lived in Granada) and later assassinated by Nationalists at the start of the Spanish Civil War.
No mere museum, this award-winning concrete and steel-designed space in the centrally located Plaza de la Romanilla mirrors the style of the surrounding traditional stone architecture. It also houses a 400-seat theater, a library, and an extensive archive of García Lorca’s work (as well as a café and gift shop, of course).
Albaicín
The historic Albaicín neighborhood, also a World Heritage Site, was once the Arab quarter. The oldest part of the city is an atmospheric maze of narrow cobblestone streets set on a hill overlooking the Alhambra.
The steep hike up to the Mirador of San Nicolás—next to the Church of San Nicolás—is worth it once you reach this viewpoint where you can watch the sunset over the Alhambra with the mountains in the background. Interesting fact: you’ll be following in the footsteps of Bill Clinton, who retraced his backpacking steps here a few years ago. The area is a heady mix of Arab baths, tapas bars, jasmine-scented courtyards, and authentic flamenco venues.
Image credits, Unsplash, Sergio Rota. Location, Catherdral of Granada, Spain.
Granada Cathedral
The Granada Cathedral was the first Renaissance church to be built in Spain and is one of the country's largest. Built atop the site of the city’s main mosque, the vast monument was commissioned by Queen Isabella I of Castile as part of the Reconquista (“Reconquest”). Inside the cathedral, an impressive 98ft-high dome and stained-glass windows flood the space with colored light. Isabella I and King Ferdinand II of Aragon are buried in the adjacent Royal Chapel.
Tapas on tap
Yes, some things in life are free. Granada is one of the last bastions of the Spanish tradition of free tapas with every drink. The generous system means every time you order another caña (small draft beer), the bartender rewards you with a plate of boquerones fritos (fried anchovies), or slithers of jamón serrano, a rich, dry-cured ham. Take an official or self-guided tapas tour—just follow your nose—and tick off how many delicious regional dishes you get to sample.
Travel by train
Getting around Spain by train has never been easier! Take a look at our guide on how to get around Spain without a car and download the Trainline App today to find the best deals for traveling by train.
Header image credits, Unsplash, Petr Slovacek. Location, Granada, Spain.