Granada is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Granada is an old city, but its life moves forward. The town is old, but it has a vibrant life. The narrow streets are filled with music. Small bars emit the smell of food. Granada is many things. These fifteen things to do in Granada will show you how.
1. The Alhambra
The Alhambra represents Granada. It crowns a hill, featuring palaces and gardens within its walls. From the outside, its towers sharply outline against the sky. The Nasrid Palaces are open to courtyards with water and light. In endless detail, carvings cover the walls. The patterns repeat, but they never feel exactly the same. The light reflects off of pools, shatters across tiles, and falls through arches.
The silence is heavy.
The Generalife Gardens are behind. Hedges line the paths, while flowers and fountains thrive in the shade. Below the terraces, the city stretches out, with mountains rising behind. The Alhambra brings together stone and air, forming a graceful collection of buildings.
2. Albaicin Quarter
Albaicin is located across from the Alhambra. The narrow, uneven streets wind uphill. The houses are bright white, and the walls glow in the sunlight. The doors open to small courtyards that are hidden from sight. On the steps, cats sleep. The jasmine scent fills the air. Open squares at the top break up the maze.
As evening falls, the Alhambra glows red in the fading light from the Mirador de San Nicolás. Behind it, snow still blankets the mountains. Later, small bars open in quiet corners, while music and voices fill the streets. The Albaicin is a place that carries its past, but feels still alive.
3. Granada Cathedral
The cathedral is located in the middle. The front of the cathedral is filled with columns and arches. The stone is large and pale. The space is spacious. The ceilings are ascended into vaults of white. Golden altars glow with colour. The church is filled with the sound of the organ during services, which echoes off the walls. The Royal Chapel is located next to the cathedral. Ferdinand and Isabella are buried here, the rulers who shaped this country. Their marble tombs tower over the crypt.
4. Sacromonte Caves
Caves carved into the rock on the Sacromonte hillside. Rooms with simple white walls and fronts. Others are used for flamenco. Some are homes. The sound is loud in the narrow, dark rooms. The guitar drives the rhythm forward, the dancer’s feet pound rapidly, and the singer’s rough voice echoes with passion. By day, walking here reveals a completely different scene. The Alhambra is visible from the slope. The caves are a way to experience a different rhythm in the city.
5. Tapas Culture
Granada is famous for its tapas. Simple as that, a drink gets you a plate. No extra charge. Another bar offers stew or ham. One bar serves fried fish. Another offers salad or bread. Portion sizes are large. It’s like eating a meal every time you move from one bar to another. The plates and glasses are constantly moving. Voices fill the space, while people crowd the counters, standing shoulder to shoulder. Tapas is not just food. It’s also the pace and sound of the evening.
6. Mirador de San Cristobal
San Cristobal is higher than San Nicolas. Stone underfoot and houses pressed in on the steep streets. The terrace is now open. The view is wider. The view is wider. As the sun begins to set, colours change rapidly. The square is small. On one side, there’s a church, and on the other, you can see the view. One of the best things to do in Granada is visiting the Mirador de San Cristobal for amazing city views.
7. San Jeronimo Monastery
San Jeronimo Monastery has art hidden within its stone walls. The church overflows with decoration, featuring gold altars, wall paintings, and intricate ceiling carvings. The cloister looks different. The cloister is different. Around the fountain, orange trees grow. The sound of running water breaks the silence. The power of the Renaissance in Granada is evident here. This is a quieter place than the cathedral, but it’s still full of detail.
8. The Alcaiceria
Alcaiceria has narrow streets. It used to sell silk. It now sells ceramics, crafts, textiles and lanterns. The shops are crowded together. Above, arches cross. Voices and footsteps mix. The air is filled with the scent of wood and spices. The small piece of Granada is still alive in the centre. In the middle, a piece of Moorish Granada is still present. Exploring The Alcaiceria is one of the must-do things to do in Granada, with its vibrant market full of shops and local charm.
9. Science Park
Modern is the Science Park. Children run around the halls, and families come to this park. The exhibits include the human body, space exploration, animals and machines. The planetarium displays the stars. The observation tower offers a panoramic view of the city. Plants from various climates are displayed in the gardens. Butterflies fly through the glass of enclosures. It is different to the rest of Granada. Discovering history is not the same as history.
10. Sierra Nevada Mountains
Mountains rise behind the city. The peaks of the mountains are snow-white in winter. Ski slopes are busy. The air is cold and the snow deep. The snow melts in the summer. The ridges are dotted with trails. The valleys are cut by rivers. The air is cleaner and cooler than in the city. On clear days, you can see the Mediterranean from the top. The Sierra Nevada is more than just a backdrop — it shapes the city’s seasons.
11. Banuelo (Arab Baths)
The Banuelo may be small, but it is old. It is one of the oldest Arab baths, dating back to the 11th century. Stone rooms can be opened up into each other. The ceiling has holes shaped like stars that let light shine down in a star pattern on the floor. The air is still and dim. The space depicts daily life in Moorish Granada. Simple, practical, calm. Visiting the Bañuelo, the old Arab baths, is a fascinating thing to do in Granada for a glimpse into the city’s Moorish past.
12. Carmen de los Martires
Near the Alhambra lies a garden called Carmen de los Mártires, where curving paths wind around trees and fountains. Flowers bloom in clusters, and statues rest quietly among the hedges. The view is spectacular from the edge. Comparatively, the Alhambra attracts fewer visitors. It feels quiet, almost hidden. Peacocks stroll across the lawns. Birds and water sounds blend together. The garden is a calm place, a respite from the city.
13. Monastery La Cartuja
La Cartuja appears plain from the exterior. The wall is simple and plain. The church is bursting with decorations. Ceilings are covered with carvings. Altars are covered in gold. Every surface carries detail. The light shines in the sacristy. The contrast is stark. The Cartuja is a powerful example of Spanish Baroque. It’s heavy and bright. Exploring Monastery La Cartuja is one of the top things to do in Granada, thanks to its stunning baroque architecture and peaceful atmosphere.
14. Plaza Nueva
Plaza Nueva is located at the foothills of the Albaicin. The plaza is large, open and bustling with activity. Cars pass, buses stop, people cross. Cafés and tables are spread out along the sidewalk. From here, streets turn towards the cathedral or climb up into the Albaicin. Plaza Nueva may not be quiet, but the area feels like it is in the heart of the city. Spending time at Plaza Nueva is a great thing to do in Granada, where you can soak up the lively atmosphere and watch the city go by.
15. Carrera del Darro
Carrera del Darro runs along the river, below the Alhambra. The path is lined with cobblestones, and houses jut out over the water. At short intervals, stone bridges cross the Darro. The river below is visible, as well as the fortress on top. Lamps light the bridges at night, while the sound of flowing water drifts along the street. This is one of the most beautiful things to do in Granada for walks.
Conclusion
Granada’s layers are what make it unique. The Alhambra is a representation of the Moorish culture. The Cathedral and Monasteries represent Christianity. Albaicin and Sacromonte preserve the old neighbourhoods. Behind it all, the mountains rise.
These 15 things to do in Granada mark a route through the city. But Granada is much more than just monuments. The sound of flamenco, the taste and smell of tapas in crowded bars or the scent of orange blossoms are all part of Granada. Granada can be felt just as much as seen.