Stand on Plaza Isabel la Catolica, where Gran Via de Colon meets Calle Reyes Catolicos, and you are at the hinge of the city: a statue of Columbus unfurling a contract before Queen Isabel, a fountain, benches, and the traffic and crowds of central Granada moving past. Walk a block west and the streets narrow into cobblestone and brick alleys; look up and the Alhambra sits on its hill above the Albaicin.
Granada suits travellers who are happy to spend a morning inside a single monument and an afternoon wandering between squares, churches and markets, and who want Moorish architecture, Renaissance interiors and a working city on the same walk. This guide covers the sights in and around the historic centre, the Alhambra complex, the Albaicin and Sacromonte, and how to string them together if you have only one day.
Top things to do in Granada
1. The Alhambra
Part fortress (the Alcazaba), part palace (Palacios Nazaries), part garden (the Generalife) and part government city (the Medina), this medieval complex overlooking Granada is the reason many visitors come. It reflects the splendour of Moorish civilisation in Andalusia, with ornamental architecture, lush gardens, water features and views back over the city, and it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Renaissance-style Palace of Charles V within the complex houses the Alhambra Museum and the Fine Art Museum.
The grounds alone are worth exploring, are free to enter and are open nearly all hours of the day. The four primary attractions to plan around are the Alcazaba, the Palace of Charles V, the Palacios Nazaries and the Generalife. If you intend to visit several major attractions in a short time, the city's Granadacard covers direct entry to the Alhambra and Generalife along with other sights.
2. Albaicin
The Albaicin preserves Islamic-period influence and Moorish architecture, and it is where you can see the Alhambra from afar as well as up close. The neighbourhood sits on the hill of the former Zirid citadel, and the northern part of the old walls survives near the Albaicin citadel, along with two of its gates: Puerta Monaita and Arco de las Pesas (Puerta Nueva). The former minaret of a mosque in the Albaicin is now part of the Church of San Jose.
Come here to admire the Alhambra's position above the city rather than to tick off monuments. The San Nicolas Viewpoint is the most notable of the lookouts, and it is the natural pairing with a visit to the Alhambra itself.
3. Cathedral of Granada
Towering over the surrounding blocks, this 16th-century structure is noted for its bright Renaissance interior. It was constructed after the Reconquista to replace the mosque on the site, laid out with Gothic foundations but built in the Renaissance style and decorated with Baroque elements. You enter behind the main altar, beneath the circular Capilla Mayor with its domed ceiling; chapels with artwork surround the sanctuary and pews, and the sacristy on your right just after entering holds paintings, mirrors and furnishings.
Enter from Gran Via just north of Plaza Isabel la Catolica. Walk around to the west side afterwards to see the facade, which is based on the design of a triumphal arch and overshadows the small square below. The cathedral is one of the sights covered by the Granadacard.
4. Royal Chapel (Capilla Real)
Commissioned after the Reconquista, the Royal Chapel holds the tombs of King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella I, who conquered the city and chose to be buried at the site of their victory. The chapel is Gothic in style, while the intricate marble tombs are Renaissance; Ferdinand and Isabella's heirs Juana I and Philip I are also buried here. A museum on site displays objects symbolising their rule, including Isabella's art collection, crown and sceptre and Ferdinand's sword.
Enter from Calle Oficios, the small alley on the south side of the cathedral, which makes it an easy pairing with the cathedral visit. The chapel is also covered by the Granadacard.
5. Generalife
The Generalife is the garden element of the Alhambra complex, and it is one of the four primary attractions there alongside the Alcazaba, the Palace of Charles V and the Palacios Nazaries. Expect gardens, cascading and dripping water features, and the ornamental planting that makes the complex worth more than a single pass.
Because the Alhambra is vast, treat the Generalife as part of the same visit rather than a separate outing, and check the Granadacard if you want direct entry included.
6. Palacios Nazaries
The Palacios Nazaries is the palace element of the Alhambra, the part that housed the Nasrid sultans, high government officials, servants of the court and elite soldiers from the 13th to the 14th century. It is one of the four primary attractions of the complex and the strongest expression of the ornamental architecture for which the Alhambra is known.
Plan it as one of the anchors of your Alhambra visit, alongside the Alcazaba, the Palace of Charles V and the Generalife.
7. Alcazaba
The Alcazaba is the fortress element of the Alhambra complex and one of its four primary attractions. It is the part of the visit that makes the defensive logic of the site clear, sitting above the city it was built to command.
Pair it with the Palacios Nazaries, the Palace of Charles V and the Generalife in a single visit, and use the free, nearly always-open grounds to fill the time between timed entries.
8. Palace of Charles V
This Renaissance-style palace stands within the Alhambra complex and belongs to a different period from the Nasrid buildings around it. It houses the Alhambra Museum, with historical artefacts from the site, and the Fine Art Museum.
It is one of the four primary attractions of the Alhambra, so build it into the same visit. The Granadacard gives a 25% discount for non-EU citizens visiting the Fine Arts and Archaeological Museum.
9. Plaza Nueva
Long an important centre of life in Granada, Plaza Nueva is the city's oldest square, situated beneath the Alhambra and at the foot of the Albayzin, linking those attractions with the newer parts of the city to the west. Around the square are bars and tapas restaurants, making it the city's centre for nightlife, as well as the Royal Chancellery (Real Chancilleria), the House of Pisa (Casa de Los Pisa) and the Church of Santa Ana on the east side, a 16th-century church built in Mudejar style with a lovely tower.
It is a block west of Plaza Isabel la Catolica; buses C1 and C2 stop at Plaza Nueva, or you can walk from the Gran Via 1 stop. Use it as the meeting point between the centre and the Albaicin.
10. Plaza de Bib-Rambla
A block west of the Cathedral, this pleasant square has a view of the cathedral's tower. It was originally the centre of Moorish Granada, a focus point of markets and festivals, and under Christian rule it was expanded and used as a focal point of Catholic processions.
Today it is a quiet place to relax, enjoy a coffee or a meal, or take in the flowers and fountain. Combine it with the cathedral and the Royal Chapel, which are a short walk away.
11. Alcaiceria
South of the Cathedral is this set of winding alleyways which were originally home to a Moorish silk market under Granada's Muslim rule. The market initially survived the Reconquista, but Philip II had it shut down and a fire destroyed what was left in 1850; today's market was rebuilt in the late 19th century and holds mostly souvenir stores beneath Moorish-style archways.
The wares are mostly novelties, but the architecture is worth a look. It sits directly south of the Cathedral, so it fits naturally between the cathedral and the Corral del Carbon.
12. Corral del Carbon
One of the rare bits of Moorish architecture left in the central district, this courtyard building is perhaps the oldest monument in Granada. It was originally a caravanserai, a place for merchants to rest and store goods, and was one of many surrounding the Alcaiceria; later it was adapted for theatre plays, and today you can buy tickets for musical events here.
From Calle Reyes Catolicos, head down the alley Puente del Carbon to the building with the pointed Moorish arch at the end. The entrance is viewable anytime and the courtyard is open Mon-Fri 9:00-19:00 and Sat-Sun 10:00-14:00; entry is free. Walk through the grand Moorish door and enjoy the brick-walled courtyard.
13. Plaza Isabel la Catolica
At the junction of Granada's two grand boulevards, Gran Via de Colon and Calle Reyes Catolicos, is this small square with a prominent statue of Columbus unfurling a contract with Queen Isabel, outlining the terms of their agreement in preparation for his first voyage to the Americas, an event which likely occurred in Granada. A fountain surrounds the statue and there are benches nearby.
It is the natural starting point for the central sights: the cathedral is entered from Gran Via just north of the square, and Plaza Nueva is a block west.
14. Sacromonte
Sacromonte, like the Albaicin, is one of the locations from which you can see the Alhambra from afar and appreciate its position lying just above the city of Granada. It is the counterpart viewpoint to the San Nicolas Viewpoint in the Albaicin.
Use it as a second angle on the Alhambra rather than a substitute for going inside the complex, and pair it with a walk through the Albaicin.
15. Museo San Juan de Dios
Just off Plaza Nueva, this museum holds a very rich religious art collection. It is a small, focused stop rather than a large institution.
It is open 10:00-13:30 and entry is €3. Because it sits just off Plaza Nueva, it fits neatly into a walk between the centre and the Albaicin.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Plaza Isabel la Catolica, then enter the Cathedral of Granada from Gran Via just north of the square. Walk around to the west side to see the facade before moving on. From there, enter the Royal Chapel (Capilla Real) from Calle Oficios on the south side of the cathedral.
Afternoon: Walk south to the Alcaiceria and its Moorish-style archways, then continue to the Corral del Carbon via the alley Puente del Carbon to see the courtyard. Head a block west of the cathedral to Plaza de Bib-Rambla for a coffee or a meal, then walk to Plaza Nueva, the city's oldest square, beneath the Alhambra and at the foot of the Albayzin.
Evening: Climb into the Albaicin for the San Nicolas Viewpoint, or go to Sacromonte, to see the Alhambra from afar as the light changes. Return to Plaza Nueva, the city's centre for nightlife, for tapas and bars.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Granadacard worth it?
If you intend on visiting many major tourist attractions within a short timeframe, it may be a good investment. Valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours, it provides direct entry to the cathedral, Capilla Real, Alhambra & Generalife, Monastery of La Cartuja, Monastery of San Jeronimo and Parque de las Ciencias, and a 25% discount for non-EU citizens visiting the Fine Arts and Archaeological Museum. It also includes 9 urban bus journeys and 1 ride on the tourist bus. Prices are €47 for 24h, €49 for 48h and €57 for 72h.
Can I see the Alhambra without going inside?
Yes. The Alhambra's grounds are free to explore and are open nearly all hours of the day. To appreciate the architecture within the surrounding landscape, it is advisable to see the Alhambra from afar as well as up close, from locations in the Albaicin such as the San Nicolas Viewpoint, or from Sacromonte.
What are the four main parts of the Alhambra?
The complex has four primary attractions: the Alcazaba, the Palace of Charles V, the Palacios Nazaries and the Generalife. The Palace of Charles V houses the Alhambra Museum and the Fine Art Museum.
Where do I find the central sights?
Central Granada is oriented around the intersection of Gran Via de Colon and Calle Reyes Catolicos, with shops, restaurants, bars and attractions along narrow cobblestone and brick alleys or on the edge of the plazas. Plaza Isabel la Catolica sits at that junction, the cathedral is entered from Gran Via just north of it, and Plaza Nueva is a block west.
Pick your dates, decide whether the Granadacard suits your pace, and start building the day around the Alhambra and the streets below it.