2 Days in Granada, Spain: Things you Can’t Miss

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Granada is an essential stop on any visit to Spain. It must be special if the Moors and Christians fought over it for centuries! People come from far and wide for a glimpse at the famed Alhambra, and it’s absolutely worth it. People come for the Alhambra, but the charm of the rest of the city makes them never want to leave. Here I’m sharing my itinerary for 2 days in Granada to help you plan a trip to see the best that the city has to offer.

This ultimate guide to Granada will cover when to visit, how to get there, what to eat, and how to spend 2 days in Granada.

How many days in Granada?

Good question! I think you need a minimum of 2 days in Granada because you’ll need about half a day just for the Alhambra alone, which is probably one of if not the main reason you’re coming here. But Granada has SO MUCH more to offer than just the Alhambra, so two days is your best bet.

I highly recommend 48 hours in Granada, but you can still see a lot if you only have one day in Granada. If you’re lucky enough to have 3 days in Granada (or longer) then you can space out the things on this itinerary and take your time. No matter how long you’re in Granada, I promise that you’ll love it!

When to visit Granada

The best time to visit Granada is the months on either side of summer: May, June, September and October. Temperatures are cooler, crowds are fewer and the city’s event calendar is full of fun things to do.

The hottest months to visit are July and August, and with the heat of summer along comes the crowds. Avoid these months if you’re looking for a less hectic experience.

It can get pretty chilly in the winter (43-50 Fahrenheit / 6-10 degrees Celsius), but that means fewer visitors and cheaper accommodation prices. Brave the cold, and you’ll also be rewarded with the chance to hit up the snow fields in the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains.

How to get to and around Granada

Granada is located in Spain’s beautiful southern province of Andalusia. Granada has an airport that receives some international flights, but if you’re coming from overseas you’ll most likely fly into Granada from Barcelona or Madrid. The next closest airport is in Málaga, so you could also fly into that airport and then take a bus or rent a car to get to Granada.

Once you’re there, getting around Granada is easy. I walked the majority of the city, but be warned: there are lots of steep cobblestone streets. You’ll be huffing and puffing, and if you’re clumsy like me, maybe tripping a little. Definitely put those cute heels away and opt for comfy walking shoes instead.

If you just can’t part with those adorable shoes or can’t do all that walking for whatever reason, there are buses that go to the Albaicín (C1), Sacramonte (C2) and Alhambra (C3) for €1-2 (cash only).

The Hop On Hop Off Train passes by all the main sights of the city. It has two routes (day route and night route) through the city and up to Sacromonte and the Alhambra. The trains run every 20 minutes. Tickets cost €8 for one day and €12 for two days. Buy tickets online here.

There’s also a small metro system, but I never used it during my 2 days in Granada.

If you have a car because you’re doing a big Southern Spain road trip, then park it and forget about it! Seriously, the streets are tiny so don’t even attempt driving around. Streets in Spain are so narrow, it’s easy to get stuck for unexperienced drivers (yes, they’re really that small!). Besides, lots of streets are one way or not accessible to cars, so save yourself some trouble and just walk during your weekend in Granada.

Things to do in Granada

Most people flock to this historic city to tour the incredible Alhambra, but there’s way more things to do in Granada and reasons to make you want to stay. Here is my complete 2 days in Granada itinerary.

Day One

Morning

Start your first day in Granada with none other than a traditional Spanish breakfast of course! It’s not hard to find a spot offering pan con tomate, but Cafetería Lisboa (Calle Reyes Católicos, 67) has glowing reviews as one of the best breakfast spots in the city.

Next, begin your busy day with a free walking tour of Granada. Granada is a city jam-packed with history, which is no surprise since it’s been occupied since 5500 BC! The tours leave Plaza Nueva at 11 a.m. every day. Over the next three hours you’ll explore the city’s elegant churches, the Arab marketplace, and Islamic architecture. Locals know best, so don’t take my word for the best places to eat in Granada, ask your guide!

The tour ends at Plaza San Nicolás which has an amazing view of the Alhambra. Before you go your separate ways, remember to tip your guide because they’re most likely a volunteer.

Afternoon

The afternoon is the perfect time to wander the streets of the Albaicín, Granada’s charming cobblestoned neighborhood. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the most famous district in Granada. Inside you’ll find the Alcaicería, or the old Arab market. The Alcaicería was the site of the Muslim silk exchange, but what we see today is mainly a tourist shop, a small restoration of a previously HUGE bazaar that was destroyed in a 19th-century fire that started in a matches shop – go figure!

Just north of the Alcaicería is the Capilla Real (Royal Chapel). This is Granada’s outstanding Christian building because The Catholic Monarchs Isabel and Fernando commissioned this elaborate mausoleum, but it wasn’t completed until 1521. You can’t take any pictures inside, but here’s what you need to know: inside the Capilla Real the monarchs lie in the crypt beneath their marble monuments. Isabel’s head is lower than Fernando’s as a way to say that her brain was heavier. How’s that for girl power? An adjoining features a small but impressive museum with Fernando’s sword and Isabel’s scepter, silver crown, and personal art collection.

For a unique experience, stop by the Monasterio Santa Isabel la Real to buy some sweets from the nuns. You won’t see them because they avoid direct contact with the public. Ring the buzzer, say your order, then place your money on the lazy Susan in the wall. It’ll spin back around with your goodies.

Walk a little further to Sacromonte (Sacred Mount) to explore this unique barrio dotted with cave homes. This used to be the neighborhood of exiles: Muslims who hid in caves after being expelled from the Albayzín and gypsies who settled in Granada after being rejected throughout Europe. Because Sacromonte was located outside the city walls, it served as the perfect refuge for Granada’s outcasts and became a haven of peaceful coexistence between cultures.

Nowadays, these literal hole-in-the-walls serves as shops, bars, or are rented out as places to stay. Why not stop by a cave bar for an afternoon drink? I think you’ve earned it! If you’re ahead of schedule on your Granada itinerary, check out the Sacromonte Abbey overlooking the valley. Although it’s definitely worth the walk, it’s a little further out so only come here if you have extra time (and energy!).

If you’re interested, this highly recommended guided tour can give you a history lesson and some useful information as you stroll through the Albaicín or Sacromonte.

There’s no better way to satisfy afternoon cravings than with a hot plate of Spanish churros dipped into hot chocolate. Chow down on the best churros in Granada at:

• Alhambra Cafetería (Plaza Bib-Rambla, 27)
• Café Fútbol (Plaza de Mariana Pineda, 6)
• Torres Bermejas (Plaza Nueva, 6)

Evening

One of the best things to do in Granada is EAT. Explore the food scene by joining a food tour, preferably one that is on a mission to find the best tapas in the city.

If you only have 2 days in Granada, then the night’s not over yet! It’s time for a flamenco show. Andalusia is the birthplace of flamenco, so seeing an authentic flamenco show is a must-do in Granada or Seville.

I attended a performance inside Las Cuevas Los Tarantos, located within a former cave in the Sacromonte neighborhood (aka the gypsy quarter). The show featured a Zambra, a regional and family style of flamenco that used to be reserved for gypsy weddings only. It was lots of fun, and we got complimentary drinks. I’ll never pass up a good flamenco show, especially one in a cave! 

Here are some other highly recommended flamenco shows in Granada:

• El Tabanco (Cuesta de San Gregorio, 24)
• Peña La Platería (Placeta de Toqueros, 7)
• Le Chien Andalou (Carrera del Darro, 7)

Now get some rest because we’ve got another busy day ahead of us!

Day Two

Morning

The Alhambra is Granada’s crown jewel and cannot be missed. More than 7,000 people visit every day so you MUST book your tickets for the Alhambra well in advance – like 2-4 months in advance. While you’re reading this, you might as well book a skip-the-line tour now while you’re online. You don’t want to miss the holy grail of Granada just because you didn’t plan ahead. You’ll thank me later!

Before you head up to the Alhambra, get yourself a good breakfast. You’ve got A LOT of walking ahead of you, so get your sustenance at another Granada breakfast classic, Café 4 Gatos (Placeta Cruz Verde, 6).

To get to the Alhambra, take the C3 bus and get off at the Puerta de la Justícia. You can also walk up to the Alhambra through the forest, but it’s a pretty steep hike. If you’re up for the challlenge, start at Plaza Nueva and follow the street signs. Taxis also go up and back fairly regularly.

Plan to spend two to three hours at the Alhambra. I know that seems like a big chunk of your 2 days in Granada, but it’s worth it.

This UNESCO World Heritage site is made up of three different parts:

• The Nasrid Palaces are the main attraction of the Alhambra. You can wander through the stunning palaces and courtyards which are full of fountains, arches and stunning ceiling ornaments. Tickets for this section are timed, so don’t miss your allotted time!

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• The Alcazaba is the oldest part of the Alhambra, and it was once a fortified military enclosure in the 9th century. You can see where the soldiers used to live and get great views of Granada from the various towers.

• The Generalife (my personal favorite) is the gardens that were used by the Sultans of Granada as their summer residence. The gardens are pretty extensive and a nice place to relax during lengthy Alhambra tour.

The staple of Granada is home to many other things, including a church, hotels, bookshops, souvenir shops, and many adorable cats!

Afternoon

When you’re done touring the Alhambra, make your way back to town along the Rio Darro and the Paseo de los Tristes. There’s a great plaza along the way with many options for lunch, including a ton of ice cream shops for some delicious helado.

Your legs are probably tired from an exhausting 2 days in Granada, so treat yourself to a luxurious service at Hammam Al Ándalus (Calle Santa Ana, 16). Book tickets online then revive those weary legs by dipping into the warm waters of the baths. You’ll need a bathing suit so don’t forget to pack one!

Now that your legs are good as new, hike up to the Mirador de San Nicolás for the best views in Granada and a lively atmosphere. If you prefer a quieter sunset view, then hike up to San Miguel Alto, the highest viewpoint in Granada. This spot is a local secret, so you’ll find far fewer tourists making this steep climb.

On your way down from Mirador de San Nicolás, stop at a tea shop. I recommend El Bañuelo Teteria for delicious tea and Insta-worthy photo ops with the Alhambra in the background.

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Evening

Granada is one of the last places in Andalusia where tapas are served for free with a drink, so take advantage of it, and go bar-hopping for your last night in Granada! (This isn’t the case in every bar, however, so ask ahead of time).

For dinner, I always ask locals for recommendations or just wander around and follow my nose. I usually like to avoid crowds, but a group of boisterous Spaniards is a sure sign of a good tapas bar! Some of the best tapas in Granada can be found at:

• Bodegas Castañeda (Calle Almireceros, 1-3) – chaotic and a great place to people watch
• Los Manueles (Calle Reyes Católicos, 61) – there are actually two Los Manueles across the road from each other, so make sure to choose the one with the outdoor terrace
• Los Diamantes (Calle Navas, 28) – serves teeny tiny tapas and is always packed
• La Milagrosa Irreverente (Calle Jáudenes 1, corner of Plaza de la Alhóndiga) – bright space serving modern tapas

Has my Granada itinerary for two days in this awesome city answered all your questions? If you have any more or just want to show this article some love, I’d love to hear from you in the comments!