Granada is a must addition to any Andalucia itinerary, and even if you only have one day in Granada, you’re able to fit in the most important sites, even though it probably will leave you wanting more. And believe me when I say Granada welcomes you in a way no other cities do.
Nestled in the foothills of Sierra Nevada National Park, Granada is dominated by Moorish legacy, infused by a culture-rich melange from the early Iberian settlements, the Romans, the Visigoths, and finally the Christians’ reconquest in the late1400s.
There are so many things to do in Granada that you could easily stay a week. Nevertheless, since you don’t have that much time, read on to find out what to do in Granada in one day.
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Hi, I’m Linn Haglund, the face behind Brainy Backpackers. I’ve been based in Spain for the last 10+ years, and travel locally and abroad whenever I have a chance. I’m passionate about responsible travel, slow and off the beaten path travel, and outdoor activities, especially hiking. I’m currently slow traveling in my van Persistence (Persi among friends) with my fiancée Mohammed and rescue puppy Atlas. I’m excited to help you explore this planet responsibly!
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STAYING THE NIGHT IN GRANADA?
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Things to do in Granada in one day
Visit the Alhambra
The imposing Alhambra fortress is the most prominent attraction in Granada and one of Andalucia’s most impressive UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Even with only a day in Granada, you must take the trip to visit the Alhambra.
Consisting of the Alcazaba, Nasrid Palaces, Palace of Charles the V, and the Generalife Gardens and palace (separate ticket) you can gladly spend a whole day wandering around this historic melting pot.
Due to the grandeur of the site, I recommend getting a guided tour to save time and ensure you get all the information about the site in only 2-3 hours.
I highly recommend this tour. However, if you prefer going individually, make sure you book skip-the-line tickets.
The Alhambra was already settled in Roman times. Later, the Moors came and built their famous fortifications on the complex, and finally, after the Christian reconquest, it was expanded even more.
The Nasrid Palace is the main part of the complex, is where the kings lived their daily lives, so you can only imagine what an exquisite place this must be!
The Alcazaba is the city’s fortification and offers epic views of the Alhambra and Granada. Further, the Palace of Charles V was built after the Christian reconquest but was never finished.
On top of these sites, you should get tickets for the Generalife Palace and gardens. You will not be surprised if these are the most beautiful gardens you’ll ever see.
After my first visit to the Alhambra in 2003, the only image I truly remembered from the Alhambra until I revisited it the next time in 2014 was the gardens. They were just as captivating and are still today one of my favorite places to visit in Granada.
Make sure you book your Alhambra tickets in advance, they sell out quickly and are often sold out a month or two in advance! Check availability here or get your guided tour here.
Lunch in Albaicín
After visiting the Alhambra complex, I’m usually starving, so I suggest you head to the Albacín neighborhood, where you’ll find a whole lot of restaurants to have lunch.
I won’t recommend any places for you here because there are so many excellent places to eat that you could pick pretty much any place. I do recommend you try different tapas to get a vast sense of Granada’s flavors.
You can, in theory, just order beers (make sure you try Alhambra, which is Granada’s own brew and really nice), and they come with a free tapa.
But if you’re vegan or vegetarian, you need to ask what options they have. I find most places really accommodating, but not all.
BOOK BEFORE YOU GO!
Mirador de San Nicolas
After lunch, head to the most iconic viewpoint in Granada, Mirador de San Nicolas. This is where most pictures you see of the Alhambra are taken.
Especially in the winter months, this view is magical as you see the entire 700-meter-long complex with the backdrop of the majestic snowcapped Sierra Nevada mountains.
The viewpoint sits on a busy square where street sellers, locals, and tourists fight for space. Children run up and down, and dogs are barking. It’s always jam-packed with people wanting their pictures taken, and others are just taking in the epic view.
But is it worth it? Absolutely!
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Walk around Albaicin
Next, take your time walking around the narrow cobbled streets of the Albaicín neighborhood, where colorful pot plants cover the whitewashed houses. Being the old Moorish quarter, it boasts endless charm and history.
There are many places to see in the neighborhood, like the 16th-century Church of San Salvador, boasting the perfect fusion of classicism and Moorish features.
Don’t miss out on the Carrera del Darro, lining the picturesque Darro River right below the majestic Alhambra. Flourishing with life, street vendors and performers give you plenty to look at.
Another top attraction that you shouldn’t miss out on is El Bañuelo, the 11th-century Arab Baths. This is not only the oldest arab Baths in Andalucia, but also among the best kept. I’m especially fascinated by the octagonal holes in the ceiling, which would work as natural ventilation.
Sacramonte Cave Museum
Granada’s gypsy quarter is famous for its vibrant flamenco shows at night and ancient cave houses known in Spanish as Casas Cuevas.
Located right next to Albaicín, I wouldn’t let one day in Granada go by without visiting this unique area of the city and taking a peek into the tiny Cave Museum.
The soft rock is perfect for digging out caves, and even before the Moorish settlements, cave houses were built in Granada. In Sacramonte, the gypsies moved into the caves after the Moors were driven out of the area.
The museum shows traditionally equipped cave houses with the tools and decorations that the gypsies would have in their houses and the history of the 18th-century gypsy settlements. There’s no doubt this is one of the best things to do in Granada in one day.
For the ultimate experience, I highly recommend booking this Flamenco show in a cave; it’s one of the most intimate and impactful flamenco shows I’ve experienced so far.
Granada Cathedral
If you have the time, I suggest visiting the city’s cathedral, but if you prefer roaming around the old town and eating your weight in tapas, I honestly think that’s more worth it with only a day in Granada.
I just don’t want you to stress, and make sure you get to soak in the incredible energy of Granada city. However, I know many travelers want to see more than less, so I’ll let you decide.
There’s no doubt, a visit to the magnificent church is one of the top things to do in Granada. While it looks like a pretty regular cathedral from the outside, I just love the interior.
Unlike most cathedrals in Spain, Granada Cathedral will mesmerize you with its imposing white walls and columns, and golden decorations. It truly gives you a sense of calm and saintly delight, no matter if you’re religious or not.
I recommend booking your tickets in advance. Check availability here.
How to get to Granada
Granada is well connected with other big cities in Andalucia, like Malaga, Seville, and Jaen, by bus and train. If you travel by car, you can’t park inside the historic center.
However, there are usually free parking places along the roads above the old town right outside the old city walls, where you can walk down in only a few minutes.
I always find free parking not too far from the Ermita de San Miguel Alto, where you’ll get epic views of the city and the Alhambra.
If you travel by train from Seville to Granada, make sure you take the early direct train, as it takes about 2.5 hours. By bus, you can get there in about 3 hours. Driving takes 2 hours and 40 minutes and is, in my opinion, the best way to go on a day trip to Granada from Seville.
Malaga is only 1.5 hours away by car and a 1-hour and 45-minute train ride away. By bus, you can expect the same time as the train if you take the direct bus (which I highly recommend; otherwise, you’ll shave off plenty of your time in Granada).
From Jaen to Granada, it only takes an hour to drive, and the direct buses take the same time. There are no direct trains between the two cities, however, so you shouldn’t opt for going to Granada in one day by train from Jaen.
You can book your bus tickets here to secure your spot.
If you’re still in need of a rental car, check the prices here.
Best time to visit Granada
The best time to visit Granada is from the fall to the spring. Summer in Granada gets extremely hot, and even one day in Granada can get unbearable. Personally, I’d not go near Granada in the summer.
Yet, if it’s the only time of the year you can go, make sure you wear a hat, slap on big amounts of sunscreen, and carry more water than you think you’ll need.
Winter in Granada gets cold, with the coldest months being December to February, where daytime temperatures can be around 12-13 degrees Celsius, and nighttime temperatures can go down close to zero. This is by far one of the cooler destinations in Andalucia in winter.
In my opinion, both fall and spring are wonderful times to visit Granada. In the fall, from October to November, you get pleasant temperatures, and by November, you can enjoy the fall colors, which are especially beautiful in the Alhambra.
In the spring, you can fall in love with the colorful spring flowers blooming everywhere around you.
Reflections on one day in Granada
There’s no doubt Granada deserves more than a day, yet there’s quite a lot you can fit into Granada in a day, and it’s no doubt a good start to fall in love with the city and with Andalucia.
The most important part of any Granada itinerary is to visit the Alhambra. And with a few more things on the agenda, including strolling around the enchanting streets of the historic center, you should have an epic experience to add to your memory book.
There’s no person I know who hasn’t been blown away by this exotic Andalusian city. If you have more time, you’ll get the chance to dive into the cultural layers of Granada.
Happy travels!