Last Updated on December 21, 2025 by Sarah Wilson

Nestled in the heart of Andalusia, Granada is a beautiful city with a rich history. While the impressive Alhambra dominates the town and is a must-visit, there’s much more to see and do in Granada than just that.

From hidden gardens and local markets to panoramic viewpoints and historical districts, allow yourself an extra day or two to explore the sights. 

Take A Walking Tour 

I always recommend taking a walking tour in every new city; it’s such a great way to get your bearings, ensure you see the highlights and pick up some great tips.

I love the free walking tours offered by Guru Walks. They offer 48 different walking tours in Granada, so you’re bound to find one that suits your interests. 

Plaza Nueva 

You’ll find Plaza Nueva, the city’s oldest square in the heart of Granada. 

This bustling square is the starting point for many walking tours and is surrounded by many restaurants and cafes. 

Explore Albaicín – Granada’s Old Moorish Neighbourhood

Albacín, the old Moorish quarter in Granada, has narrow, twisting streets, white-washed buildings, and charming squares. It’s a beautiful neighbourhood to explore and offers excellent views of the Alhambra.

At its peak, during the Nasrid Kingdom (13th-15th centuries), there were over 40,000 people and 30 mosques in Albacín.  

But after Granada was taken back in 1492, Albaicín started to decline. Mosques were replaced with churches, and the Moors were all gone within a hundred years.

 

San Gregorio Church

While exploring Albaicín, do pop into the San Gregorio Church. It belongs to a dedicated group of Franciscan nuns, the Sisters of the Clarisse.

The nuns are sometimes called the Brides of God as they dress entirely in white with veils and take turns praying around the clock at the Church of San Gregorio. 

The current church, located near the Mirador San Nicolas, was built in the 1500s, but the site has a history dating back even earlier. During Muslim rule, the site served as a prison and dungeon where Christians were subjected to captivity and torture.

After the Christian monarchs reclaimed Granada, the Church of San Gregorio was erected on the same grounds to honour two Catholic Franciscan monks who lost their lives there in 1397. 

These monks were arrested for preaching outside the Alhambra mosque, subjected to inhumane treatment, and thrown into the dungeon on the site where the present-day church stands.

Mirador de San Nicolás 

The Mirador de San Nicolás is the most famous lookout in Granada. It’s located in the Albaicin district, on a hill across from the Alhambra. If you want amazing views of the Alhambra, especially at sunset, you should go here. But be warned, it does get pretty crowded, especially at sunset. You’ll find many other tourists, flamenco-playing gypsies, and artists here too.

If you want to avoid the crowds, there are other excellent viewpoints in the city:

Just another ten minutes up the hill from San Nicolás is the Mirador de la Cruz Rauda. It’s a local favourite with a view of the Albaicin and the beautiful Alhambra.

And around seven minutes west of the Mirador de San Nicolás is the Mirador de San Cristobal, which gives you a fantastic view of the city, with the medieval defence walls in the foreground.

See The Cave Houses & Watch Flamenco In Sacromonte

Sacromonte in Granada is famous for its cave houses and lively flamenco shows, making it an interesting neighbourhood to explore.

The area’s history dates back to 1492, when the gypsy community settled here after the Christian reconquest. 

In the 16th century, people started living in caves, especially after the expulsion of Jews and Muslims who joined the gypsies in Sacromonte.

One notable thing about Sacromonte is its flamenco traditions. You can catch flamenco performances every night, though they can be a bit touristy. It’s still an incredible experience to see a show in one of the caves.   

If you want to peek inside one of the cave houses, some locals allow you to visit in exchange for a couple of euros. 

Another option is to visit the Museo Cuevas de Sacromonte, an open-air folk museum at the top of the hill, which focuses on the unique gypsy cave homes. Entrance is 5€. 

Walking up to Sacromonte is around 20 minutes from Plaza Nueva in the centre of Granada. But if you don’t fancy walking, you can take the city minibus line C34 from Plaza Nueva, which departs every 30 minutes to tour the Albaicín and Sacromonte neighbourhoods. The bus fare is just 1,40 euros. 

The Cathedral & Royal Chapel of Granada

Located in the heart of the city is the impressive Granada Cathedral. The cathedral was built on the former site of the Great Mosque. Like all cathedrals, it took many years to build. Construction began in 1523 and finished in 1704. 

Although the initial designs were Gothic, the cathedral was mainly built during the Spanish Renaissance period. 

There’s an entrance fee of five euros to enter the cathedral. 

Just around the corner from the main entrance to the cathedral is the Royal Chapel. Catholic Monarchs, Isabella and Ferdinand, rest here. Crafted in Renaissance style from Italian marble in the 16th century, the tombs are pretty impressive. Joanna the Mad (what a fabulous name) and her husband, Philip the Fair, are also buried here. 

There’s also an entrance fee of five euros to enter the Royal Chapel.

Shop For Souvenirs In Alcaiceria Market

Granada’s Alcaiceria was once a lively Grand Bazaar with over 200 shops selling goods such as silk, spices, and salt. It stretched from Plaza Nueva to Plaza Bib-Rambla and had ten gates with guards because the silk was so valuable. 

Despite surviving the Christian Reconquest, the market closed a hundred years later when the Moors were forced out of the city. A fire in 1843 finished off what was left. Nowadays, you see a smaller version built in the late 19th century in a neo-Moorish style.

Today, the tiny lanes of the Alcaicería are mostly filled with shops selling souvenirs, but it is still possible to find local artisanal products like ceramics and stained glass.

Plaza Bib-Rambla

Close to Alcaiceria Market is the Bib-Rambla Square, a busy square in the heart of the city, surrounded by cafes and shops.

It’s a lively square with outdoor seating, flower vendors, street performers, lime trees, and benches, surrounded by 19th-century townhouses. 

In the past, during the Spanish Inquisition, it hosted bullfights and burnings. The central attraction is its 17th-century fountain with a Neptune statue. 

Plaza de Bib-Rambla is an excellent place in the city to relax on a terrace, people watch and perhaps enjoy churros with chocolate.

Stroll Along Carrera Del Darro

The Carrera del Darro is a picturesque street that runs along the Darro River, from Plaza Nueva to the Casa de las Chirimías, with the Alhambra overlooking it from the opposite side of the river.

The street is lined with traditional houses, many of which have been converted into restaurants, cafes, and shops. It’s a lovely place for a stroll. 

Take A Walk Through The Alhambra Forest 

There is a lovely walk up to the Alhambra or back down to the city through the Alhambra forest.

If you stroll from Plaza Nueva to Cuesta Gomérez, you’ll come to the impressive Puerta de las Granadas, a well-preserved medieval gate serving as the main entrance to the Alhambra forest.

With three arches, a central one for cavalry and two lateral ones for pedestrians, this gate provides access to the Alhambra forest, which envelops the Alhambra Monument.

The “Bosque de Alhambra” is the forest that surrounds the Alhambra fortress. The forest is a mix of colourful and fragrant trees, including deciduous, poplars, elderberry, nettle, plane, acacias, hazel, Aleppo pine, and maple.

Generalife Gardens

Next to the Alhambra, you’ll find the Generalife Gardens, which are lovely and well worth checking out. These gardens have pretty fountains, detailed architecture, and gorgeous views of the nearby areas. 

The Generalife was where the Alhambra sultans spent their summers. It’s a unique example of Arab art and gives us an idea of what these gardens were like in the old days.

The name ‘Generalife’ might sound like it belongs to an insurance company, but it actually comes from ‘Yannat al-Arif,’ which means ‘Garden of the Architect.’

Visiting Granada During La Semana Santa (Holy Week)

I visited Granada during La Semana Santa, the week before Easter. What a fascinating time! If you’re thinking of visiting during Holy Week, be sure to book your accommodation and your tickets to the Alhambra early.

Is It Safe To Walk Around Granada At Night?

Based on personal experience and from what I hear from others, Granada is generally safe, and street harassment is relatively low. However, as always, it is advised to stay cautious, especially during the night or in less crowded areas.

Top Tips For Visiting Granada 

Note: If you plan to visit Alhambra, buy your tickets in advance, as numbers are restricted, and tickets sell out quickly. I highly recommend once you’ve booked your flights to Spain, book your tickets. 

Remember, Granada is a city best explored on foot, so put on your comfy shoes, soak in the atmosphere, and enjoy the unique blend of Moorish and Spanish influences.

But when you’re tired of walking, know that Alhambra Bus (Alsa) operates four urban transport routes known as touristic routes, connecting Granada city centre with the Alhambra, Sacromonte, and Albaycin. 

These are the routes: C30 (Alhambra – Centre), C31 (Albaycin – Centre), C32 (Alhambra – Albaycin), C34 (Sacromonte – Centre). 

And most importantly, don’t forget to eat loads of delicious tapas!! 

This article is also featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Granada.

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