Granada is a southern city located in the Andalusia region and is absolutely stunning! If you have decided to add Granada to your itinerary than I would recommend spending two days there. You can get through everything in my list of things to see below in one day, but it all depends on the pace you like to travel at. If you like pack as much into a trip as you can then you can probably get through Granada in a day but if you like to travel at a more relaxed pace, then I would stay for two days.
Alhambra
The Alhambra is definitely the most popular attraction in Granada and honestly, I loved the time I spent there. A ton of people come to Granada just to see the Alhambra and it certainly will not disappoint. Building of the palace begun in 1238 and is one of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture. The Alhambra later became the Royal Court of Ferdinand and Isabella.
Tip: Make sure to buy your tickets in advance! Morning is the best time to go and the earlier you go the less crowds you will have to deal with. When booking your tickets online you will be booking a specific time to enter Nasrid Palace. They are really strict with timing so I would make sure to show up at least 15 minutes in advance to make sure you get in. Depending on where you are the walk could be anywhere from 15-30 min to get over to the palace so make sure you give yourself enough time.
Remember to bring your passport with you as you will need to provide ID at various points on the grounds.
Carmen de los Martires
These are the garden ground near Alhambra. These gardens are beautiful and offer great views of the city. It is free to walk around on the grounds and there are some friendly peacocks walking through the gardens.
Albaicin Neighbourhood
The Albaicin neighbourhood is built on a steep hill is a great place to walk around and take in all the scenery, shop, eat or watch the street performers. The neighbourhood is the Jewish quarter of the city and was declared a UNESCO site in 1984. If you decide to visit the neighbourhood, be prepared to walk and make sure you have on a good pair of shoes because there is lots of steps!
Granada Cathedral
The Granada Cathedral was different from any cathedral I visited while I was in Spain and what set it apart was the pristine white walls. Most cathedrals are dark and dingy, but the Granada Cathedral was stunning. The church is next to it so you can also stop in and see the church while you are there.
Like most places, book your tickets in advance so that you can secure the time that you want to go for and you don’t have to wait through long lines.
Royal Chapel of Granada
Once you’ve finished at the Cathedral you can go next door to see the chapel. The Royal Chapel was constructed between 1505-1517 and is the burial place of Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand. The chapel is just as stunning so take some time to admire the architecture if you have the time.
Tapas Hopping
Spain is THE place for tapas and they are all soo good! A lot of tapas restaurants in Granada will give you a free tapa with the purchase of the beverage so the more you drink the more food you get! There is a ton of great places to check out so if you are only there for a short time then I definitely recommend tapas hopping to get a taste of a variety of restaurants.
