Granada in two days: from the Alhambra to its best kept secrets
Granada has always been one of our favourite cities in Spain, and not just because of its famous Alhambra . For almost twenty years, when we fell in love with this city, we have returned again and again, discovering new details, secret corners and unique experiences on each visit. Over time, we believe we have come to know Granada from the inside, and now we want to share with you an itinerary to discover the authentic essence of Granada in two days.
In our proposal, you will dedicate the first day to the essentials: a morning in the Alhambra that always leaves us speechless, followed by an afternoon touring the Albaicín , that neighborhood where getting lost in cobbled alleys always has something magical. You will end the first day in Sacromonte , our favorite place at sunset. Watching the sun set over the caves while listening to the sound of flamenco is an experience that never tires us.
The second day , without rushing, will take you to discover other facets of Granada. You will start in the heart of the city, exploring the monumental Cathedral and the Royal Chapel , but you will also spend time in the tapas bars where lifelong Granadans meet and the authentic Arab baths where you can relax after an intense day.
What to see in Granada in 2 days – Day 1. The Alhambra, Albaicín and Sacromonte
Your first day in Granada should focus on the Alhambra , an undisputed architectural gem, and the neighbourhoods with the most character and authenticity: Albaicín and Sacromonte . Below, we detail the essential stops to make the most of your day.
The Alhambra
Although Granada holds many other gems, the Alhambra is undoubtedly its most unique treasure, and exploring all its corners takes time. We have visited it several times, but it always leaves us speechless. If you feel like it, you could read our detailed guide to the Alhambra here .
The Alhambra is the most impressive example of Moorish architecture on the Iberian Peninsula . This palace, where the Nasrid kings lived from the 12th century until the reconquest of Granada in 1492, is a dream place, and when you visit it, you will feel like you are in a fairy tale. The most notable places within the palace are the Alcazaba (the walled city), the Nasrid Palaces , and the Patio de Los Leones (probably the most photographed place in the complex), as well as the wonderful gardens of the Generalife and the Palace of Charles V .
In addition to visiting the main monuments within the complex, it is worth simply strolling through its mosques , gardens , fountains , and courtyards , admiring its facades and tiles, dedicating an entire day to it.
Beware! The Alhambra is not only the main attraction to visit in Granada , but also the most visited monument in all of Spain . It is essential to book your place in advance and not only in high season. It is best to visit this wonder with a guide and we would recommend this guided tour of the Alhambra and the Nasrid Palaces .
Albaicin
After reveling in every moment in the majestic Alhambra, we suggest you spend most of your first day exploring Albaicín , the city’s former Moorish quarter . This corner is a veritable labyrinth of steep streets lined with whitewashed houses adorned with bougainvillea flowers. Getting lost in these cobbled streets, permeated with aromas and enveloped in guitar music, offers an incomparable romantic experience.
The neighborhood is also home to charming shops selling colorful artisanal products. To make sure you don’t miss anything in the Albaicín and Sacromonte neighborhoods, consider booking this free tour of the Albaicín or enjoy this great offer that includes a visit to the Alhambra along with guided tours of Albaicín and Sacromonte .
The tea rooms of the city
If you are looking for a charming place to make a pleasant stop and enjoy the unique atmosphere of Granada , we recommend visiting one of the many Arabic tea rooms in the city . Calle Calderería Nueva is known for the large number of tea rooms found there, each of them a small oasis where you can have a jasmine, mint or other flavoured tea with a typical Arabic cake, usually super sweet.
San Nicolas Viewpoint
Among the places in the Albaicín district there is a place that deserves a separate paragraph, the Mirador de San Nicolás . It is undoubtedly one of the most romantic places to see not only in Granada , but in all of Spain. Its location is simply wonderful to see the Alhambra and the Generalife with the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada in the background. The view is especially fabulous at sunset time and with the music of street artists playing the guitar, you will truly live one of the magical moments of your visit to Granada in 2 days.
Sacromonte
Probably the most curious neighbourhood in the city is Sacromonte . One of the must-do things to do in Granada is to take a walk through the steep streets to see some of the peculiar cave houses . The neighbourhood is located opposite the Alhambra and is where the gypsies traditionally settled.
Gypsies lived here in the caves for centuries together with bohemian and flamenco artists, so the neighbourhood was characterised by a unique atmosphere with zambra mora (the flamenco dance of the gypsies) dancing in the streets in a rather improvised way. Today it is difficult to find this same authenticity, as flamenco shows for tourists are organised in the caves, but it is still a unique experience to attend one of these events to absorb a bit of the culture and way of life of this neighbourhood.
Flamenco in Granada
A trip to Granada cannot be complete without enjoying the art of flamenco . Therefore, you should attend a show to immerse yourself in one of the main cultural traditions of the city, which has been Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2010. Among the possible options, we recommend this flamenco show in the Los Tarantos Caves in the heart of the Sacromonte neighborhood.
