This Andalusian city is one of the most beloved by travelers around the world. Discover everything to see in Granada and include yourself among its lovers.
2.8 million travelers were amazed in just 2016 by everything there is to see in Granada, and the figure continues to increase. Most of them fall for its historical heritage, but many others simply fall in love with the atmosphere of its streets, its gastronomy, the joy of its tapas bars, and of course, its people. The Alhambra is a must to visit in Granada. However, it is just the cherry on the cake in a beautiful city that always features on lists of the most romantic places in Spain. At Skyscanner, we want to reveal some of the best spots to visit in Granada. You can visit all of them in a couple of days, but we recommend dedicating at least three to let the Granada essence soak into you.
Additionally, many travelers decide to combine their visit to the city of Granada with other places in the province such as Sierra Nevada, the beaches of the Costa Tropical, or the delightful villages of the Alpujarra. All of these are incredible places that we recommend adding to the list of things to do in Granada.
Stay with us and discover the 10 best things to see and do in Granada.
1. The Alhambra
Undoubtedly, the first thing you must see in Granada is the Alhambra. One of the most incredible places in Spain and, why not, in the world is located in this Andalusian city. This citadel will leave you speechless just by contemplating it from one of the most popular viewpoints (we will talk about some of them later), but when you enter, you will feel like you are in a dream. The Nazari Palaces, the Generalife, the Patio de los Leones, or the Palace of Charles V are its most well-known parts, but you should spend hours contemplating each of their details, such as the intricate facades, lattices, and tiles. We recommend that, if you are already planning what to visit in Granada, buy your tickets to the Alhambra well in advance, as they sell out fast. In 2016, more than 2,600,000 people visited the Alhambra and the Generalife. It is, indeed, the most visited monument in Spain.
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2. Royal Chapel of Granada and Cathedral of Granada
In the heart of the city, you can find two of the must-see places in Granada: the Cathedral and the adjacent Royal Chapel of Granada. Both are two important historical places in Spain. In the Royal Chapel is where the coffins of the Catholic Monarchs, Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, as well as those of Joanna the Mad and Philip the Handsome, are located. In the Sacristy-Museum of the chapel, parts of the legacy of the Monarchs can also be found, including important works from the Italian, Spanish, and Flemish schools.
On the other hand, one of the places that travelers must visit in Granada is the Cathedral, an important building of Spanish Renaissance and the second largest cathedral in Spain. There you can admire its imposing Circular Main Altar and the works of the popular Granadian artist Alonso Cano.
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3. Puerta de Elvira
Visiting the Puerta de Elvira or the Elvira Arch is one of the best things to do in Granada. It was the main entrance to the city during the Islamic domination of the Iberian Peninsula, so it is a key element when understanding the historical importance of Granada. It was built during the 11th century, but today you can see the horseshoe arch from the Nazari period and its battlements. Additionally, it is a relevant place as you can also see details from the later Christian era when in the 16th century a beautification program was started in the city to commemorate the visit of Charles I. Don’t forget to note this spot in the list of places to see in Granada.
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Photo credits © Alvaro Tapia /Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
4. Science Park of Granada
Opened in 1995, this was the first interactive science museum in Andalusia, and visiting it is one of the most fun things to do in Granada, especially if you are traveling to the city with children. It is a very complete museum, and you could spend an entire morning visiting it. To the permanent exhibitions, among which the planetarium stands out, there are very interesting temporary exhibitions such as those dedicated to dinosaurs or the objects from the Titanic. In the Science Park of Granada, you will also find an observation tower to closely contemplate the Mulhacén, botanical gardens where guided tours are conducted, and a pavilion dedicated to the scientist Charles Darwin.
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5. Paseo de los Tristes
Strolling through the Paseo de los Tristes is one of the must-do things in Granada. This is one of the most beautiful streets in Spain, located in the Darro Valley, between the hills of the Alhambra and the Albaicín. Officially known as Paseo del Padre Majón, it began to be known as Paseo de los Tristes in the 19th century, when the San José cemetery was located on a nearby hill, and funeral processions began to pass through here, giving it that name. However, nowadays, it is one of the most joyful streets in Granada, as it borders the Darro River and is filled with terraces where you can enjoy a wine and a tapa while contemplating the Alhambra. Doesn’t it sound like a perfect plan?
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Photo credits © Salvador Fornell / Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
6. Mirador de San Nicolás
This is probably one of the most romantic places and most enchanting in all of Spain. Although Bill Clinton declared in 1997 that it was “the most beautiful sunset in the world,” Granadans have been speaking of the beauty of this landscape for centuries. Do not hesitate; the Mirador de San Nicolás is one of the things to see in Granada as a must. From it, you can see the Alhambra, the Generalife, and the impressive Sierra Nevada behind them. Located in the Albaicín district, with its cobbled alleys and whitewashed houses, it is a beautiful finale for a day of sightseeing in Granada. There you will find a lot of atmosphere. It is likely that there will be artists playing guitar and people enjoying a good conversation with the best views of Granada. Moreover, there are several restaurants and bars where you can make a pit stop, something always appreciated by the excellent Granadian gastronomy. Click on the photo and note down the 10 most romantic spots in Spain to celebrate Valentine’s Day 
7. Sacromonte
This picturesque neighborhood is one of the must-visit corners in Granada. Facing the Alhambra, its steep streets surrounded by whitewashed houses and, above all, caves that have been inhabited by its residents (mainly of the Romani ethnic group) for centuries. A very interesting visit here is the Sacromonte Caves Museum, where you can learn all about the culture and way of life of its inhabitants. It also features an exhibition about the history of flamenco, although you will surely have a much better time if you attend one of the many shows held every night in the caves. Take advantage of the visit to explore the Abadía del Sacromonte, a religious complex that was built in the 17th century after the discovery in the caves of relics of the apostles of Santiago. There is also a museum with many art pieces by artists who lived in the city during the 16th and 17th centuries. If you like history, do not miss this place to see in Granada. Click on the photo and discover the 10 places where the best food is served in Spain 
Photo credits © Sara Amaro / Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
8. Its houses: Casa de Zafra, Casa de los Tiros and Casa del Chapiz
Although one of our recommendations on what to do in Granada is simply to wander through its streets, don’t miss entering some of the historical houses located in various parts of the city. In addition to admiring their beauty, the visit will help you understand even better the historical importance of Granada. The first of them is the Casa de Zafra, in the heart of the Albaicín. Built in the 14th century, this Nazari house houses the Albaicín Interpretation Center and is a beautiful exponent of Granada’s history, as it was also the seat of the Santa Catalina de Siena convent.
The Casa de los Tiros, on the other hand, is located in the Realejo neighborhood. Its name is due to the fact that there are pieces of artillery in the battlements. It was built in the 16th century and now houses a museum on different periods of Granada’s history.
Finally, another place we recommend you visit in Granada is the Casa del Chapiz. It is a complex of two Moorish houses with spectacular architecture. You can visit its interior and admire its beautiful courtyards with ponds and porticos with Nazarí columns.
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Photo credits © Antoine 49 / Flickr (CC BY NC – ND – 2.0)
9. El Bañuelo
The Bañuelo is one of the most surprising places to see in Granada. It is one of the royal baths of the Alhambra. Although it is popularly known this way, before the 19th century it was called Hammam al-Yawza or Bath of the Walnut. The visit will not disappoint you; you will be able to travel back to the 12th century, to a place full of arches with Roman, Visigoth, and Caliphal capitals. It will be hard to forget the light coming through the octagonal skylights of these Andalusian baths.
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Photo credits © Salvador Fornell /Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
10. Museums: Museo de Bellas Artes de Granada and Casa Museo Manuel de Falla
Although the weather usually invites you to be outside in the Andalusian capital, another thing we recommend doing in Granada is visiting its different museums. One of our favorites is the Museo de Bellas Artes de Granada, the city’s most important art gallery. It is located in the Palace of Charles V, a space that is already itself a work of art in architecture. There you will find paintings and sculptures from the 15th to the 20th century. Among them, the Triptych of El Gran Capitán in Limoges enamel stands out. On the other hand, another recommended visit is the Casa Museo Manuel de Falla, the place where the Cadiz composer lived between 1922 and 1939. You can learn everything about the life of Manuel de Falla and other contemporary artists.
Original Source: https://www.skyscanner.es/noticias/las-10-mejores-cosas-que-ver-en-granada
