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Granada is a highly sought after destination for getaways of all kinds, but especially for weekends. Are you going to visiting Granada and want to know plans? Here we are going to discover best plans to spend a weekend in Granada.
Whether for visits of 1, 2 or 3 days, there are endless activities waiting for you, both cultural and leisure, gastronomic, romantic, family, outdoors …
Take note of all of them!
Best things to visit in Granada on a weekend
Granada is a very, very complete city, because in addition to having a rich history, it offers the visitor a multitude of routes, activities, leisure and places of interest to visit.
However, many are those who choose to visit it on a weekend, and we would like it to be more days, but … no problem! We can recommend what to see and do in Granada in 2 and 3 days to enjoy a wonderful experience.
Regardless of whether there are specific events on the dates of your visit, such as the Book Fair, markets, exhibitions, concerts … There you have the essential things to do in Granada on a weekend …;)
1.Alhambra and Generalife
Visiting Granada and not visiting the Alhambra makes no sense. What is considered the eighth wonder of the world and one of the most visited monuments in Spain and Europe, is worth visiting at least once in your life, at least!
It is said that Granada lives eclipsed by the Alhambra, and it is that in addition to having a great historical and artistic cultural importance, we cannot leave behind the incredible beauty of all its rooms.
The monumental complex of the Alhambra can be visited partially or completely. Bearing in mind that the complete visit lasts about 3 or 4 hours, and that therefore, it is the one we recommend for a weekend getaway to Granada.
The general visit to the Alhambra includes:
- The Nasrid Palaces
- The Partal
- The Alcazaba
- The Generalife
The partial visit of the Alhambra includes:
- The Partal
- The Alcazaba
- The Generalife
Also, if you want to know what to see in Granada at night, you can also make night visits to the Alhambra.
Combined visits are also offered with the Rodriguez Acosta Foundation, or special visits (to areas that are normally closed to the public) on specific dates.
On the other hand, around the monument you can also visit:
- El Palacio de Carlos V
- Bosque de la Alhambra
- Torres Bermejas
- Carmen de los Mártires
- Iglesia de Santa María de la Alhambra
- Convento de San Francisco (Parador Nacional de Turismo)
- Casa-Museo Manuel de Falla (3€)
- La Fundación Rodriguez-Acosta
- Mirador Silla del Moro
Therefore, save at least one morning or afternoon for this monumental complex, book here your entrance to the Alhambra in advance, walk around its surroundings, fully immerse yourself in Andalusian history and take the best souvenir photographs.
2.Main monuments
In addition to the Alhambra, Granada has countless monuments, museums, emblematic buildings and places of historical interest.
In 2 or 3 days of visiting Granada, you will not have time to see them all, but you can sign up for some of the essentials, which will help you to learn more easily the history of the city.
But first of all, what we advise you is to book a tourist card or voucher, which includes the combined ticket to various monuments and places of interest at a reduced price.
Granada tourist cards and vouchers are:
- Granada Card (€ 36.40, € 40 or € 43: / person) is ideal for visitors who wish to make a mainly cultural visit to the city, as it is the most complete and includes, in addition to the Alhambra and bus transport, other 16 monuments and museums; the Cathedral and Royal Chapel, the Cartuja Monastery, San Jerónimo Monastery, Sacromonte Abbey, Science Park, Casa de Zafra, Cuarto Real de Santo Domingo, Museum of Fine Arts, Casa de los Tiros, Archaeological Museum, Corral del Carbón, Bañuelo, Casa del Horno del Oro, Casa del Chapiz and Dar al-Horra Palace. It is valid for 24h, 48h or 72h. Buy here Granada Card.
- Dobla de Oro (€ 19.65 / person): includes the entrance to the general Daytime Alhambra, Corral del Carbón, Dar al-Horra Palace, Moorish Houses (Horno de Oro, Chapiz and Zafra) and El Bañuelo. Buy here Dobla de Oro Ticket.
- Andalusian Monuments (€ 5 / person): includes Dar al-Horra Palace, Corral del Carbón, Moorish House (Horno de Oro) and El Bañuelo. Buy here Andalusian Monuments Ticket.
If you want to have a more complete visit with a guide who can provide you with more information about the places you visit, you can also book a guided tour of the monuments of Granada:
3.Albaicín
Starting with the Paseo de los Tristes, probably the most beautiful street in Granada, and ending with the Mirador de San Nicolás, this touristy neighborhood leaves absolutely no one indifferent.
The Albaicín (rabad al-Bayyīzīn in Arabic), means “Quarter of the Falconers” and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the most emblematic and oldest neighborhood in Granada, which was inhabited by Iberians, Romans, Muslims and Christians, considering it an extension of the monumental complex of the Alhambra and the Generalife.
Knowing and getting into the Albaicín of Granada, in addition to being mandatory, is one of the best plans to do in Granada!
Narrow streets, corners, cobbled streets, typical houses, historic buildings, Cármenes, cisterns, tapas bars, charming squares, viewpoints with views of the Alhambra and the city.
Some of the most popular places to visit in the Albaicín:
- Mirador de San Nicolás
- Mezquita Mayor
- Mirador Placeta de Carvajales
- Baño Árabe El Bañuelo
- Palacio de los Córdova
- Casa del Chapiz
- Ermita de San Miguel Alto y mirador de San Miguel Alto
- Muralla zirí del siglo XI
- Plaza Larga
- Cale Elvira
- Calle Caldelería Nueva (Famosa calle de las teterías)
- Plaza de San Miguel Bajo
- Palacio Dar al-Horra
- Carmen de Max Moureau
- Casa de Zafra
- Casa de Castril – Museo Arqueológico de Granada
- Aljibe del Rey
- Placeta Cristo de las Azucenas
- Etc.
On the other hand, if you prefer to take a guided tour of the Albaicín instead of visiting it on your own, and thus have more information with an organized tour, you can take a look at these Albaicín tours.
4.Route through the best viewpoints
One of the tourist attractions of Granada, are undoubtedly the viewpoints. And not just for tourists.
Finding a pleasant place to contemplate the great beauty of the Alhambra in its different perspectives, or where to see a beautiful panoramic view of the city, is one of the most special activities in the city.
And the thing is that in Granada we have a multitude of viewpoints. Most of them are in the Albaicín neighborhood, which, due to its location high up and in front of the Alhambra, has some of the most popular.
However, there are many other very special viewpoints worth visiting. There are even many points in the city that, without being considered a proper viewpoint, offer unbeatable views.
Likewise, since Granada is an ideal city for walking routes, you can simply dedicate a part of your weekend getaway to walking and discovering these corners.
In particular, we recommend:
- Mirador de San Nicolás (Albaicín)
- Mirador Mezquita Mayor (Albaicín)
- Mirador de San Cristobal (Albaicín)
- Mirador de San Miguel Alto (Albaicín)
- Mirador Placeta de Carvajales (Albaicín)
- Mirador de Santa Isabel la Real (Albaicín)
- Mirador Ojo de Granada (Albaicín)
- Mirador Silla del Moro (alrededores Alhambra)
- Mirador del Barranco del Abogado (alrededores Alhambra)
- Mirador de la Churra (Realejo)
- Mirador de la Placeta Puerta del Sol o Mirador del Lavadero (Realejo)
- Mirador de la Vereda de Enmedio (Sacromonte)
- Mirador de la Abadía del Sacromonte (Sacromonte)
- Mirador de la Lola (Sacromonte)
In this post we list which are and where are the best viewpoints to see the Alhambra in Granada 😍
5.Cármenes de Granada
Many visitors are not aware of what a Carmen from Granada is. And they are well worth it!
It is a typical type of house, rustic and fenced, that has a garden, green space, orchard and fountain or pool. You will find these homes, especially in the Albaicín and Realejo neighborhoods.
Although they are of Nasrid origin and their use began as agricultural, modern Carmen, as we know it today, was forged in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
There are private and public prisons, the majority being private that belong to individuals. These are used as a residence or as restaurants. Those that are used as a residence or home can be visited thanks to the hospitality of their owners. One of the best known is the Carmen de los Cipreses.
Among the public meats that you can include in your list of what to do for free in Granada on a weekend, are:
- Carmen de los Mártires: located on the slopes of the Alhambra in Granada, it is the largest and has a 19th century house where peacocks live, a Nasrid courtyard, a garden with French baroque aesthetics, an English orchard and a pond with swans
- Carmen de la Victoria: it is one of the best known and largest, has free admission and belongs to the University of Granada.
- Carmen de Max Moureau: also known as Carmen de los Geranios and where a painting museum is located. Did you know that the owner of this house was a Belgian painter who fell in love with the city of Granada?
- Carmen de Nuestra Señora de las Angustias: in the Albaicín neighborhood.
- Carmen de las Tres Estrellas: in the Albaicín neighborhood with a clear Arab influence.
In short, if you want to know what to see for free in the Albaicín, visiting the magic of these pleasant, quiet and relaxing spaces, full of vegetation and which usually have views of the Alhambra, can be an ideal activity on your visit to Granada.
You will not stop taking photos!
If you want to visit these carmenes in an organized way, we recommend you take a guided tour of the Cármenes of Granada.
6.Walking around Granada
If you want to know more free plans to spend a weekend in Granada, this is undoubtedly one of the best things to do.
Granada is a small city that can be easily explored on foot. In addition to being small and narrow, it is one of the most beautiful cities in our country, with a special charm that captivates any traveler.
We really are not exaggerating!
Make yourself comfortable, camera in hand, and stroll through some of its squares, such as Plaza Nueva, Plaza de las Pasiegas, Plaza Bib-Rambla, Plaza de la Romanilla, Plaza de San Agustín, Plaza de la Universidad, Plaza de Trinidad, Plaza del Campillo , Campo del Príncipe Square, Isabel la Católica Square …
We also encourage you to visit the Alcaicería, where you can buy souvenirs or typical products such as Fajalauza ceramics and Taracea objects from Granada, have a tea in Calle de las teterías, walk around Calle Elvira and its souvenir shops, enjoy the aromas of the essences and spices from the street stalls, lose yourself in the cobbled streets of Albaicín, Realejo and Sacromonte or discover the many murals that El Niño de las Pinturas has left around the city.
Perhaps in a full morning or afternoon you can walk through most of the essential sites. So wandering around Granada is a good way to discover much of it in just 1 or 2 days away.
7.El Sacromonte and flamenco show
The emblematic Sacromonte neighborhood is one of the essentials in the capital of Granada.
A picturesque neighborhood, away from the hubbub of the city, between pitas and caves, the cradle of flamenco, with its own customs and language, which exudes beauty and history in each of its corners.
This neighborhood deserves a careful visit to delve into its most deeply rooted traditions and origins, before it became one of the most touristic places in Granada.
In the Sacromonte of Granada you can visit the Museum of the Sacromonte Caves and the Sacromonte Abbey.
But you can also attend a typical tablao where flamenco shows are held. Some of the most popular Zambras (danced close to the public) in Sacromonte are Los Tarantos, María la Canastera, Venta del Gallo, La Rocío …
If you just want to walk, you can go discovering all its corners and viewpoints, from where you can see the Alhambra and the city through the Valparaíso Valley.
Have you already listed Sacromonte as one of the places to visit in Granada?
8.A good restaurant
Although they are delicious, not everything in Granada is tapas. In the city we also have very special restaurants for all tastes and pockets.
Do you want a restaurant with views of the Alhambra? A restaurant recommended by the Michelin guide? Restaurants most frequented by Grenadians?
Here are our proposals:
Restaurants with views of the Alhambra:
- El Trillo
- Carmen El Agua
- Las Tomasas
- Carmen de Aben Humeya
- Ruta del Azafrán
Restaurants recommended by the Michelin Guide:
- Atelier Casa de Comidas
- FM
- Cala
- Damasqueros
- Puesto 43
- Arriaga
- Faralá
- María de la O
Popular restaurants and bars in Granada:
- Los Manueles
- La Auténtica Carmela
- La Cueva
- La Esquinita de Javi
- Los Diamantes
- Taberna La Tana
- Bar Aliatar
- Restaurante Marisquería Cunini
- El Mercader
- Negro Carbón
- Las Tinajas
- La Cueva
9.The Science Park
And, what to do in Granada on a weekend with children?
If you want to know more activities in addition to historical monuments, a very good bet can be The Science Park, considered the first interactive science museum in Andalusia, and an ideal place to spend the day with the family!
Here you can find both permanent and temporary exhibitions, where you can learn in an interactive and fun way topics related to the Universe, physical phenomena, biodiversity, robotics, the human body, botany …
Its prominent areas are the Planetarium, the Biosphere Room, the Perception Room, the Explora Room, the Tropical Butterfly Garden, the Biodome and the Observation Tower.
So it will probably be an unforgettable experience for both young and old.
In addition, if you are going to spend the day here, you can take a break to eat in its restaurant or to have a picnic in the outdoor areas set up.
Ready to enjoy a learning day in one of the most interesting places in Granada?
10.Tapas
How can we forget to recommend tapas in Granada! Without a doubt, the most popular social activity in the city.
The gastronomy of any place is a great claim for every tourist, but Granada has something special; Free tapas included with your drink. Yes! Order yourself an exquisite Alhambra beer, a wine or a soft drink and let the waiter surprise you with a free portion.
It can already be potato omelette, meat in sauce, croquettes, Russian salad, cheese in oil, montadito, bagel or fish, the tapas bars of Granada manage so that their customers do not leave hungry.
And where to have tapas in Granada?
The truth is that practically in any bar in the city they serve you a tapas with your drink, either of your choice or the one suggested, but the truth is that there are neighborhoods or more popular areas for tapas in Granada.
The most famous and touristic tapas street is Calle Navas, but the downtown area, the Placeta de San Miguel Bajo and Plaza Larga in the Albaicín, the area of the Sports Palace, the Chana neighborhood, the area of the Plaza de Toros or the area of Calle Gonzalo Gallas and Pedro Antonio.
Here is a list of some of the most popular tapas bars in Granada:
- Los Diamantes
- Bodegas Castañeda
- Bar La Riviera
- Casa de Vinos la Brujidera
- Los Altramuces
- Taberna la Tana
- Casa Julio
- Casa Mol
- Bar León
- Saint Germain
- Taberna Las Copas
- Bar Provincias
- Taberna Casa Salvador
- Cervecería Ecu
- Oliver
- Bar Marraquesh
- El Pesaor
- Los Pescadores
- Tango Bar
- Etc.
That’s right, if you want to eat very cheaply in Granada and at the same time enjoy a good time with your people, going for tapas is one of the best things to do in Granada.
If you have already decided what are your best plans to spend a weekend in Granada, it is time to start your trip and be bewitched by this destination. We guarantee that you will want to come back again and again!
And if you are one of those who want more activities in the surroundings of Granada, you cannot forget that we are very close to the Sierra Nevada, the Alpujarra of Granada and the Costa Tropical. Therefore, if you have time during your visit, these are also spectacular and must-see places.
