Summary
Granada is enriched with Moorish heritage that spans over 700 years. The most notable feature is the Alhambra, a complex comprising palaces, courtyards, and gardens where the Emirs of Granada sought refuge from the summer heat.
You can navigate the streets of the ancient Moorish city, preserved as they were during Medieval times, or explore the cave dwellings of the historic gypsy neighborhood renowned for its flamenco performances. Concurrently, the majestic peaks of the Sierra Nevada will capture your attention in the distance to the east.
Let us explore the top attractions in Granada (Spain):
1. Alhambra
This magnificent site defies description: the Alhambra is a palace, fortress, summer retreat, and enclosed town, all within a captivating location.
Constructed during the 1200s and 1300s for the Nasrid dynasty, who governed the Emirate of Granada during the final centuries of Muslim dominance in Andalucía.
Following the Reconquista, it also served as the royal court for the Catholic Monarchs, Isabella I and Ferdinand II. It is advisable to plan your visit well ahead of time and spend a captivating day exploring royal chambers, tranquil courtyards, and exquisite Renaissance and Moorish palaces.
2. Generalife
The expansive grounds of the Alhambra are so vast that you may require an additional day to fully appreciate them.
These lush and grand gardens are especially aromatic in spring and feature vibrant flowerbeds, meticulously trimmed hedges, geometric fountains, and an array of surprising architectural details.
The truly unforgettable aspect is the Generalife Palace, situated at the summit of the hill where the Emirs would spend their summers in the shade.
The fountains here would cool the atmosphere as their waters evaporated upon the patio’s paving stones.
3. Albayzín
Ascend north from Plaza Nueva to reach Granada’s Arab quarter, which is also within the UNESCO World Heritage site.
After the reconquest, this area became the settlement for the Moorish population wishing to remain in Granada. The architectural influence here is evident throughout this enchanting district.
Eventually, Muslims were expelled, and their mosques were converted into churches.
As expected in a Medina, the street layout consists of a maze of narrow alleys lined with tall white-painted houses.
The hand-painted Moorish tiles adorning the walls are particularly delightful and merit closer examination.
4. Granada Cathedral
Constructed atop Granada’s mosque in the early 16th century, this remarkable building is the second-largest cathedral in Spain.
It was erected during a transitional period in architectural styles, resulting in a Gothic foundation complemented by a Renaissance superstructure and interior.
Diego de Siloe was tasked with harmonizing these diverse styles, a challenge that earned him considerable acclaim in his time.
To fully appreciate the splendor of this cathedral, stand in the main chapel and raise your gaze to the stained glass windows, sculptures, and paintings that surround you.
5. Royal Chapel
Adjacent to the cathedral lies the burial site of two of Spain’s most significant monarchs.
The Catholic Monarchs, Isabella I and Ferdinand II, are interred here, following their completion of the Christian reconquest of Spain from the Moors at the close of the 1400s.
Their exquisite tomb, crafted from alabaster, was designed by the renowned Italian sculptor Domenico Fancelli.
The tombs of their successors, Joanna of Castile and Philip I, also reside in the Royal Chapel, along with the remains of the Catholic Monarchs’ grandson, Miguel da Paz, the Prince of Portugal, who passed away in infancy.
6. Alcaicería
In Islamic times, this location served as Granada’s Great Bazaar, where merchants would offer silks and spices along several intersecting streets.
Presently, what remains is a singular passageway filled with souvenir shops, some more intriguing than others.
If you are searching for a gift that authentically represents Granada and Andalusia, consider Fajalauza ceramics, Moorish-style earthenware hand-painted with blue or green botanical motifs.
Equally authentic is taracea: inlaid furniture and other wooden decorative items featuring beautifully intricate patterns.
7. Sacromonte
Located east of Albayzín and in front of the Alhambra, Sacromonte is another of Granada’s traditional neighborhoods.
After the city’s recovery by the Catholic Monarchs, Sacromonte became the settlement for the city’s gypsy community.
The neighborhood, perched on the steep slopes of Valparaíso amid pines and cacti, saw settlers beginning in the 16th century to carve their homes from the rock face.
As you wander past these dwellings, you will observe that no two cave houses are identical, as their dimensions are dictated entirely by the challenging terrain.
Naturally, if you seek a genuine flamenco performance, these caves provide an authentic experience.
8. El Bañuelo
From the exterior, they may appear unremarkable, but the baths on Carrera del Darro are quite a rarity.
Most bathing establishments were dismantled after the reconquest due to their scandalous reputations akin to brothels.
This particular establishment survived because it was located beneath a private residence built at the time the city was conquered, providing a rare glimpse into an authentic hammam from the Emirate era.
Interestingly, the columns supporting the internal arches feature capitals that originated from Roman and even Visigothic structures.
All chambers possess star-shaped openings in their ceilings, allowing for spectral beams of sunlight to penetrate.
9. Corral del Carbón
The oldest remaining monument constructed during the Nasrid dynasty, Corral del Carbón functioned as a warehouse and shelter for merchants, established in the 1200s.
Like the Arab baths, this structure is freely accessible to the public.
In its heyday, it served as a storage facility for traders who had journeyed from afar to the nearby Alcaicería, providing them with lodging for the night.
You will enter through a remarkable double-arched gate leading to a central courtyard, surrounded by accommodations currently utilized as the offices for the city’s orchestra.
This courtyard occasionally hosts theatrical performances and flamenco shows during the summer evenings.
10. Granada Charterhouse
You can take a bus to this opulent monastery located just north of Albayzín or enjoy a 20-minute walk through the vibrant alleys of the city.
Construction commenced in the early 1500s, shortly after the city was reclaimed, but the monastery was not completed for an additional 300 years.
The outcome is one of Spain’s baroque masterpieces, adorned with lavish decorations that leave most visitors in awe.
Outdoors, a serene cloister features rows of Doric columns from the 1600s, and branching off from this courtyard are rooms decorated with paintings of martyrs who met tragic fates.
The sacristy is similarly richly adorned with a dome painted by the 17th-century baroque master, Antonio Palomino.
11. Tapas
Everyone is familiar with tapas; however, many may not realize how integral it is to daily life in Andalusia, where it originated.
From approximately 1 PM to 4 PM and again from 9 PM to midnight, you can visit a bar in Granada, order a beer or wine, and enjoy a complimentary tapa selected from a menu as part of the offering.
From the outside, many of these establishments may appear dilapidated or cramped, yet do not be dissuaded, as the less touristy bars frequently deliver the best experiences.
Tapas can encompass a variety of items, including olives, Jamón serrano, patatas bravas, small panini sandwiches, and deep-fried calamari.
12. Sierra Nevada
This national park is positioned just behind Granada’s eastern suburbs and boasts both the highest peak in Iberia (Mulhacén at 3,478m) and the southernmost ski resort in Europe.
You can reach these breathtaking mountainscapes in just half an hour from the old center of Granada.
What is particularly enchanting about the journey is the changing vegetation, transitioning from the plain’s scrub to juniper bushes, wild olive trees, and oak trees as you ascend.
Eventually, around the resort, you will observe lofty Scots pines in woodlands inhabited by wild boar and cats.
The Ski Station at Sierra Nevada enjoys a respectable season due to its altitude, traditionally operating from December to April.
13. Carrera del Darro
Situated beneath the Albayzín district, this street follows the path of the small River Darro as it winds through the city, where the old walls would have stood.
It is one of the most romantic walks not only in Granada but throughout the entire nation.
The street can narrow to merely a couple of meters in width at times, while offering scenic views of the river and the lush vegetation along its banks.
To the left, you will find the Renaissance buildings of the old city, many of which incorporate stone from original Moorish structures.
At one location, you will encounter the Puente del Cadí, the remnants of an impressive Moorish bridge emerging from the Alhambra’s woodland.
14. Science Park
After exploring the historical city, you might seek a more contemporary experience. This modern attraction is located just a 15-minute walk south from the city center.
It consists of two main buildings: The Macroscopio features a variety of exhibits, including a “Journey into the Human Body” and installations that recount the accomplishments of Al-Andalus’s Islamic scientists.
The Foucault’s Pendulum Building focuses on physics, chemistry, and mechanics.
This is where the Planetarium is situated, which hosts shows throughout the day, using 110 mirrors to project 7,000 stars onto the screen.
15. Plaza de San Nicolás
At the pinnacle of the Albayzín district stands the church of San Nicolás, complemented by this square.
It provides the quintessential view of the Alhambra, set against the imposing peaks of the Sierra Nevada in the background.
After the arduous ascent to this hilltop, you will likely appreciate a moment of repose, so take a seat on one of the benches, lean back, and enjoy a panorama that has enthralled visitors for centuries.
