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The first time I ever visited Spain, I spent a summer in Madrid taking Spanish lessons and exploring the city. I really wanted to get to know the country so I asked several of my new local friends and teachers which city in Spain was their favorite. Without hesitation, a majority of them said Granada. So many locals told me that I absolutely could not leave the country without visiting Granada and seeing how beautiful it was.
When you think of Spain, if your mind slowly drifts to white balconies dressed with colorful flowers, orange trees that line the streets, endless tapas, and views so extraordinary they don’t need a filter, then Granada is for you. In essence, it’s everything you would come to expect from an Andalusian city. It sounds silly, but the city is so “movie-like” it’s almost hard to believe that people are born and raised there. It’s so perfect it kind of seems like it’s just a large blockbuster movie set that is fooling us all. Granada is a city more than worthy of a visit, even if it’s only 24 hours. Keep reading for a full Granada travel guide for solo travelers.
Hey Lady! Visiting Spain soon? Or just interested in following the internet rabbit (who promises a truckload of tapas and waaayy too much sangria) down the hole? Check these posts out?
- Barcelona Travel Tips: 15 Crucial Things to Know About Barcelona Before Visiting
- 7 Popular Tapas to Try When Traveling in Spain
- Barcelona Day Trips: 6 Alluring Day Trips from Barcelona
Table of Contents
Things to Know About Granada
With accounts of backstabbing, conspiracies, betrayal, love, war, and takeover, the history of Spain is riveting. Although true, it reads like a work of fiction and dates back to the middle ages. We clearly don’t have time to get into the nitty-gritty of it in this post, but if you have the time, I would encourage you to research Spanish history and in particular, the history of Granada. It’ll help put things into perspective and give you a greater appreciation for the city.
However, to make a long story short, Granada was under the rule of the Nasrid dynasty (the last Moorish Muslim dynasty in the Iberian Peninsula) between the 18th and 15th centuries. During this time, King Ferdinand II (Fernando de Aragon) and Queen Isabelle of Castille (Isabel de Castilla) married to expand their dominion and form the Catholic Monarch; which then established the Spanish Inquisition. In 1492, after several wars, the Nasrids could not continue their stronghold on the Iberian Peninsula and the Islamic rule ended and surrendered to the Catholic Monarch. Impressive Moorish architecture can be seen all around the city but the most majestic of them all is the Alhambra.
Speaking of the Alhambra, the breathtaking palace is perhaps the most well-known monument in Granada. With gardens, fortresses, and striking architecture, it receives over two million visitors a year and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. When the Catholic Monarch took over, they destroyed several Moorish architectures but left the Alhambra and replaced Islamic symbols with Catholic ones.
More Fun Facts About Granada
- The word granada is Spanish for pomegranate. They grow abundantly on the city’s coast. You’ll see symbols of pomegranates all over from street signs to manhole covers.
- Granada was home to famous playwright and poet, Federico Garcia Lorca. Oh, y’know, the one who wrote Blood Wedding and The House of Bernarda Alba, no big deal. (If you’re a literature lover, you are now welcome to begin swooning.)
- Locals from Granada are called Granadinos.
- Flamenco was born in Andalusia and Granada has one of the most powerful Flamenco heritages in the country.
- Granada may be known for its sunshine and warm climate but it’s located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains which explains why the temperature drops lower in the winter compared to other cities in Andalusia like Sevilla for example. You can reach the mountain range by bus.
How to Get Around Granada
From the Airpot: No Granada travel guide is set without knowing how to get around the city. Getting to the city center from Granada’s airport is simple and inexpensive. Right outside of arrivals, you can find an airport city bus that will take you straight to the city center. The buses have outlets and Wifi. All you need to do is tell the driver which stop you’re getting off at.
The bus journey is around 35-45 minutes and costs €3. They only accept cash, with change up to €10, so make sure you hit the ATM before you arrive. If you’re itching to see the city as fast as possible, there are plenty of taxis available but they will cost you around €30.
Around the city: Granada is small and walkable. You can get to most of the main attractions on foot; however, bear in mind that the Alhambra sits on a steep hill so you may want to allocate extra time if you’re walking there. Walking everywhere can get exhausting, so when your feet are tired there are several cheap public buses or official cabs that you can take.
Visit the Alhambra
The best part of this Granada travel guide is going to The Alhambra. It is the city’s most remarkable and prized attraction. If you’re only spending 24 hours in the city, start lacing up those walking shoes and prepare yourself now because touring the Alhambra will take up a majority of your time—however it’s not to be missed. The jaw-dropping fortress is complex and adorned with detailed ornaments, colorful mosaics, and lush gardens. It’s so grand that it surpasses Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia and is THE most visited monument in Spain.
Because of its acclaim, you’re going to have to leave that procrastination station behind and book your tickets in advance to secure your spot. There are several types of visits including a night visit, the Generalize Gardens, and a general visit. You can purchase tickets online through the official ticket website here. Although, if you’re a history nerd like me and love taking copious notes and absorbing as much information as possible, I would highly recommend taking this Granada travel guide to the next level with a tour. Below are some tour options that you might be interested in.
3-Hour Guided Tour of the Alhambra with GetYourGuide
Local experts at GetYourGuide offer an original, 3-hour small-group tour of the Alhambra. The tour includes an official ticket and takes you into the Nasrid Palaces and Generalife Gardens. You can even get a full refund if you’re not satisfied with the tour.
The Alhambra Skip-the-Line and Guided Tour
Skip the long lines with this tour! On this 3-hour tour, an expert guide takes you through the Nasrid Palaces and the Generalife Gardens all while dishing out Moorish history and Islamic art and culture.
Guided Tour of the Alhambra Zone
For those of you who couldn’t secure an Alhambra ticket, I get it. Life gets busy sometimes. But I got you. This tour is for you. What you lack in a ticket, you’ll more than make up for in information. There is no tour of the Palace, but it does include a historical tour of the Carlos V Palace, Puerta del Vino, and Alhambra forest.
Tips for Visiting the Alhambra:
- You’ll be walking a lot so wear comfy shoes like sneakers or walking shoes.
- Depending on the weather you may need sunglasses and/or sunscreen OR a light jacket or sweater as you will be moving inside and outside.
- Backpacks and large bags must be worn in front of you or across your body.
- Selfie sticks and camera flashes are not allowed inside the Nasrid Palaces, so stretch out those arms or ask a stranger to get the perfect shot.
Explore the Albaicín District
Before or after your tour of the Alhambra, another must-do on your Granada travel guide is to explore the Albaicín district. This neighborhood is Spain’s oldest Moorish region and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, just like the Alhambra. It sits on a hilltop opposite The Alhambra and during the Nasrid Kingdom, the district’s labyrinth-like roads were filled with Arab baths, mosques, and a cluster of streets that housed a silk market selling Arabic goods and spices. If you take a stroll through the neighborhood and soak up the history, here is what you can expect to find:
- Gate of Elvira: The 11th-century gate was built by the Moors and once formed the main entrance to Granada.
- La Alcaiceria Market: Today you can find the old silk market located on Calle Alcaiceria. There you can do your best to barter for souvenirs like jewelry, ceramics, spices, and other items.
- Traditional Tea Houses: Tea houses or tetrías in Spanish are an essential component of the Arab influence on Granada. Make your way to Calle Calderería Nueva to enjoy delicious teas and pastries.
- Arab Baths: The Catholic Monarch’s conquest of Granada meant the decline of Arab baths. They were a crucial part of the Moor’s daily life. El Banuelo is Granada’s oldest bath. It stands today and dates back to the 11th century. The best part is, entrance is only €2.20.
- El Mirador de San Nicolás: Looking for a place to catch the sunset or see the Alhambra from afar in all its wonder? Head to the famous San Nicolas Viewpoint. From there you can see views of the Alhambra and the Generalife Gardens plus get some incredible pictures. Get there early to avoid the crowds and keep your belongings close at all times in case of pickpockets then sit back, relax, and enjoy the view.
Try Churros and Piononos
When in Spain, do as the locals do. Wake up to churros! Outside of Spain, people often misconceive churros as a dessert or afternoon snack. But in Spain, churros are the breakfast of champions. Of course, it isn’t something Spaniards eat every day. It’s kind of like pancakes in the United States. I don’t know any American crazy enough to eat pancakes every day for breakfast, but once in a while, it’s a nice treat to get your day started. Devour them like a local with a side of thick hot chocolate. Cafe Fútbol is a popular place amongst locals and has a roomy patio.
For your afternoon snack, get your palate ready for a delicious, bite-sized dessert: Piononos! They’re sweet, rolled sponge cakes and are arguably the most famous dessert of Granada. Traditionally from Santa Fé (a small village in Granada), the syrupy treat was named after the 19th-century pope, Pope Pius IX and can be eaten in two bites with coffee. In Granada, you’ll see lots of cafes selling them, but this one is my favorite.
Eat Free Tapas
Everyone knows Spain for its tapas, but did you know that not only did tapas originate in the region of Andalusia, but Granada has one of the best and most traditional tapas cultures? It’s one of the few places that gives you free tapas when you order a drink. This Granada travel guide would not be complete without tapas.
So how does this work? Simple. You buy a drink, you get a tapa. That’s it! It could be patas bravas, a small bowl of olives, or fried calamari, but whatever it is…it’s free. Some bars will let you choose a tapa from a list while others give you what they have. This is a fantastic way to dig into tradition and try all the Spanish tapas that you’ve ever wanted to try.
Got any tips for Granada? Did I miss one of your favorite must-see things? Let me know in the comments below so I can save them for my next visit to the city.
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