ÍNDICE
When you come to visit Granada, you truly know that the Alhambra must be one of the obligatory monuments. But, what about other tourist attractions to see in the city? What are the most important sites that you should not miss?
Here is a list of the 7 most popular places to visit in Granada; monuments, neighborhoods, museums … there is variety so you can do the best of the tourist routes!
Let’s see!
THE 7 THINGS YOU SHOULD VISIT IN GRANADA
Although the city has countless interesting places for all tastes, on this occasion, we propose a tour of the most important tourist places in Granada, those that are considered basic in your visit to the city, and therefore, not you should miss out.
These 7 sites are ideal to visit Granada in 3 days or on a weekend, for example. Although they are also basic for anyone who resides here.
Whatever your getaway, sign up for them! 📝📝
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 seeing at least once in your life (if not more!).
There are many who say that Granada lives eclipsed by the Alhambra, and it is that in addition to having a great historical and artistic cultural importance, we must not forget the beauty of its Nasrid Palaces, the freshness of the Generalife gardens, the history that guard its towers, the legends that await its courtyards, the many fountains, the Alcazaba, the Forest …
All this makes no one indifferent after passing through here.
In the monumental complex you can visit the facilities of:
- The Nasrid Palaces
- The Gardens of El Partal
- The Alcazaba
- The Generalife
- The Alhambra Museum
- And the Palace of Carlos V
But in its vicinity are also:
- The Alhambra Forest
- The walls of the Alhambra
- The Convent of San Francisco
- The Church of Santa María de la Encarnación
- The Carmen of the Martyrs
- The Bermejas Towers
- The Rodriguez-Acosta Foundation
- The Manuel de Falla House Museum
- The Silla del Moro viewpoint
- Etc.
Therefore, reserve at least a full day to take a tour and visit the main one of Granada’s tourist attractions, the Alhambra.
Here is a list of the 7 most popular places. Monuments, neighborhoods, museums … there is a variety so you can do the best of the tourist routes in Granada!
CATEDRAL Y CAPILLA REAL
Another of the typical places to visit in Granada are the Cathedral and the Royal Chapel, two of the monuments that you should include on your route through the Historic Center of Granada, since they are located in the heart of the city.
It is the monumental complex that makes up the Cathedral, the Royal Chapel, the Lonja and the Church of El Sagrario.
In one of the most special squares, the Plaza de las Pasiegas, is located the Cathedral, an iconic Renaissance building in the city, with a magnificent façade and a spectacular interior. This has been a source of inspiration and a historical reference for subsequent constructions. For your visit, you can buy the ticket directly at the ticket office of the monument.
Actually, its full name is Santa Iglesia Catedral Metropolitana de la Encarnación, because the first stone for its construction was placed in 1523, the day of the Incarnation.
On the other hand, the Royal Chapel is another of the main monuments of the Historic Center of Granada. It means for art the passage from medieval to modern times and it was built in the year 1,504, in order to serve as a holy sepulcher for the Catholic Monarchs, where today their remains are found, as well as those of Felipe el Hermoso. and Juana la Loca.
Architecturally speaking, the Royal Chapel of Granada is the result of a fusion between a very rich interior ornamentation and a sober exterior style, something that was an impressive novelty for the Spanish Renaissance at that time.
Both are two of the classics to visit in the city!
PASEO DE LOS TRISTES
How many times have you heard about the Paseo de los Tristes? This corner is not only magical, but it is also one of the essential places to visit in Granada.
Every day hundreds of people, locals or tourists, walk through here, and in addition to offering you a pleasant walk, this famous street that continues perennial in time, also invites you to visit some of the places of interest that are found here.
Do you know that it is actually called Carrera del Darro?
Although due to the fact that for decades the deceased were said goodbye along this street and even the cemetery, it was popularly called Paseo de los Tristes, and that is how it is known today.
It is the most emblematic street in the Albaicín and probably in all of Granada. In addition to skirting the Darro River and crossing it with several historical bridges, it also offers magnificent views of the Alhambra all the way 😍
This cobbled and pedestrian street (except authorized), has numerous bars, accommodation, shops, historic buildings … Therefore, it offers a unique and singular atmosphere, both during the day and at night. Nothing to do with sadness!
ALBAICÍN
If you are looking for the coolest places in Granada, the Albaicín is one of the basic and essential. And not only that, it is also what is probably the most beautiful, emblematic and particular neighborhood in the city.
The Albaicín (rabad al-Bayyīzīn in Arabic), means the Falconers’ suburb and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
It is the oldest neighborhood in Granada, which was inhabited by Iberians, Romans, Muslims and Christians. And it is considered an expansion of the monumental complex of the Alhambra and the Generalife (almost nothing!)
It is also especially peculiar due to its narrow and cobbled streets, as if they did not have a construction order. And it is that in its beginnings it served as a defensive place, where only those who resided here knew how to orient themselves quickly.
Its most famous and busiest street is Paseo de los Tristes, although other very popular streets in the Albaicín that you should sign up for are Calle San Juan de los Reyes, Calle del Agua, Cuesta de María la Miel, Calle del Beso and Calle Elvira.
For those who are looking for what to visit in Granada for free, surely the best-known viewpoint of the Albaicín sounds like the Mirador de San Nicolás. Although the neighborhood has endless spectacular and less touristy viewpoints, such as the Mirador de San Miguel Alto.
And its most popular square is Plaza Larga, ideal for taking a break and having a beer. Although the Albaicín is full of charming little squares!
Also, on your route through the Albaicín of Granada you will find numerous monuments and monumental complexes from different periods, mainly Nasrid and Renaissance: El Bañuelo, Palacio de los Córdova, Carmen de la Victoria (and many other public and private Cármenes), the Casa del Chapiz, several cisterns, the famous Calle de las Teterías …
In essence, the Albaicín is a humble neighborhood, with low and typical houses, where its neighbors know each other and live as a village, buying in small shops and without taking into account the bustling traffic that awaits a little further down in the center of the capital. Well, this neighborhood has restricted the circulation of vehicles to only residents and public transport.
PARQUE DE LAS CIENCIAS
Do you want to know what to visit in Granada in addition to the historical monuments?
The Granada Science Park is considered the first interactive science museum in Andalusia and is an ideal place to spend the day with the family.
Here you can find both permanent exhibitions 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 and the Observation Tower.
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.
So if you want to know what to visit in Granada with children, this is undoubtedly one of the best activities during any time of the year.
Ready to enjoy a learning day in one of the most interesting places in Granada?
SACROMONTE
Located in the Valparaíso Valley and opposite La Alhambra, is this idyllic suburb of Granada’s gypsies.
It is said that the origin of the picturesque Sacromonte neighborhood dates back to the 16th century, when Muslims and Jews, marginalized and expelled from their homes, found a place to live in the caves.
On the other hand, with the arrival of the Catholic Monarchs to the city, an army of gypsies also do so, who will be the ones who take care of their defense.
As a consequence, these three cultural groups, Moors, Jews and Gypsies, end up settling in the neighborhood, in a very humble way and taking advantage of the caves that nature itself has left, to make them their own homes.
Although it maintains that essence and we should not forget its modest roots, it is currently one of the most touristic places to visit in Granada. At the same time, it is also the cradle of flamenco and has its own customs and language.
Therefore, it is a perfect place to enjoy flamenco shows in cave houses, but here you can also visit the Museum of the Sacromonte Caves, the Sacromonte Abbey or visit some of its most popular viewpoints (Mirador de la Vereda de In the middle, Mirador de la Abadía del Sacromonte or Mirador de la Lola, among others).
LA MADRAZA
Right in front of the entrance to the Royal Chapel and in one of the busiest streets in the Historic Center of Granada, Calle Oficios, is the Madraza.
This Nasrid, Mudejar and Baroque style building corresponds to what was the first Public University of Al-Andalus, having been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC).
Its origin dates back to the year 1,349, thanks to Yusuf I, when it was consolidated as a center for higher studies dedicated to theological teachings, jurisprudence, medicine and mathematics. So it was a symbol of the importance of Granada as the capital of Andalusian culture.
After the conquest of the city and until the mid-nineteenth century, the Madrasa served as the City Council, later it was moved to its current location, the Plaza del Carmen.
At present, it serves as the headquarters of the Center for Contemporary Culture of the University of Granada, and here exhibitions, seminars, conferences, book presentations, literary readings and workshops are held.
It is also possible to visit this historic and symbolic Granada building throughout the week, the most notable being its XXIV Knight’s Hall, where a splendid Mudejar armor from the early 16th century is located.
We hope that you have note the most popular places to visit in Granada and that you enjoy your getaway to the fullest, whether for one or several days and whether you are a tourist or a resident of the city.
What more essential places in Granada would you add to this list? It goes without saying that although these are 7 of the most popular and visited, the city is full of important sites that you can add to your tour.
It is enough to walk through the city center to find numerous squares with a great past, historic streets, emblematic buildings, churches loaded with pieces of art …
For example, other interesting places that you can visit in Granada are;
- Corral del Carbón
- Iglesia de San Juan de Dios
- Iglesia de San Jerónimo
- Plaza Bib-Rambla
- Plaza de la Romanilla
- Real Chancillería
- Alcaicería
- Iglesia de Santa Ana y san Gil
- Calle Elvira
- Plaza Nueva…
We also encourage you to take a look at the best places to visit in Granada Province ⬅️
