Introduction
Granada is home to the Alhambra, the Nasrid palace and fortress complex that's one of Spain's most visited monuments. Across the valley, the whitewashed Albaicín climbs the hillside, and the Sacromonte's cave houses are known for flamenco. Students give the city a lively tapas culture, and the Sierra Nevada mountains — snow-capped in winter — are close by.
Travel highlights
- The Alhambra and Generalife, with the Albaicín, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Sunset views from the Mirador de San Nicolás
- Flamenco in the caves of the Sacromonte
- A tapas tradition where many bars serve a small tapa with each drink
Local experiences
The Alhambra
Book tickets well in advance; entry to the Nasrid Palaces is at a set time.
Albaicín at sunset
Walk up to the Mirador de San Nicolás for the classic view.
Tapas evening
Bar-hopping in the centre and Realejo.
Sierra Nevada
Skiing in winter and hiking in summer, roughly an hour's drive away.
Where to stay in Granada
Albaicín
Views of the Alhambra and atmospheric lanes; steep and cobbled.
Centro & Cathedral
Flat, central, and close to shops and tapas bars.
Realejo
The old Jewish quarter at the foot of the Alhambra; local and characterful.
Good to know before you go
- Alhambra tickets are limited and sell out — book as soon as your dates are set.
- The Albaicín is steep and cobbled, hard work with luggage.
- Summer afternoons are very hot; winter nights are cold.
