A day in Granada
Visiting a city in a single day is always a challenge: you have to prioritize the most interesting places and make sure you plan the best route to make the most of your time. If you are planning a trip to Granada, read this guide on how to spend a day in Granada and enjoy your trip!
It is difficult to visit Granada and not fall in love with its streets, its charm and its fascinating past. Spending a day in this city is synonymous with discovering the contrasts that have characterized this place for years.
As the former capital of the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada, its historical legacy is present in its streets and in the most symbolic sites, such as the Alhambra, the Royal Chapel and the old town. Many travelers choose Granada as their destination attracted by this historical and architectural richness, although the city has much more to offer.
Thanks to the charm of its streets it is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and Europe, and its enviable gastronomy also attracts lovers of good food. That is why Granada is a unique tourist destination that everyone should visit at least once in a lifetime!
Going to Granada and not visiting the Alhambra would be unforgivable, so why not start your day here? You should probably dedicate an entire morning to this magnificent complex.
The Alhambra, a complex of ancient palaces, gardens and fortress, was designed as the residence of the emir and the court of the Nasrid Kingdom. Its name derives from the Arabic "al-Ḥamrā", 'the Red', and it is said that it was so called because it was built at night and by torchlight looked that color.
Today it is visited by travelers from all over the world, so we recommend arriving early and buying your ticket in advance. Remember that you will have to choose which parts of the Alhambra to visit, so check out the official website to make sure that the ticket allows you access to all the places you want to see. The Alhambra General ticket, for example, will give you access to the Alhambra, the Generalife, the gardens and the Alcazaba.
Keep in mind that the Nasrid Palaces have a specific access schedule, marked at the entrance: we recommend you start your visit here and then tour the complex at your own pace and without being aware of the time. You should arrive a quarter of an hour in advance at the gate, next to the Carlos V Palace, to avoid incidents. Many believe that this is the most impressive area of the Alhambra, so enjoy the experience!
Afterwards you can visit the rest of the complex: the entrance only allows you to enter each area once, so we encourage you to take advantage of the time you spend in each place.
The Generalife, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, is a villa with gardens that was used as a place of rest. On the other hand, the Alcazaba was the military enclosure for defense and surveillance, and it is here where you can find the famous Torre del Homenaje.
In the gardens you can stroll, take a rest and admire the beautiful views from different points. In total, a visit to the Alhambra will take you about three hours - although much depends on your pace and the sites you visit! It is, without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Granada.
After spending a morning touring palaces, halls and gardens, you're sure to be in the mood for a good meal. And if you visit Granada you can not miss its gastronomy.
That's why we recommend that after your visit to the Alhambra you go to the area between the Plaza de Santa Ana and the Cathedral of the city, which is the most popular to enjoy some tapas or a traditional meal. Here you can enjoy typical dishes such as moraga de sardinas or migas, one of the best ways to regain your strength before continuing to explore Granada!
When you are ready to resume your visit you can go directly to the Cathedral of Granada. This monumental building, considered characteristic of the Spanish Renaissance, began construction in 1523 under the reign of Charles I of Spain. Although its facade is beautiful, what is truly impressive is its interior. Characterized by its tall columns, immaculate white walls and ornate golden ornaments, it leaves no one indifferent!
Between the Cathedral and the Sagrario church is the Royal Chapel, known for being the tomb of the Catholic Monarchs and other important figures of the Spanish monarchy. A visit here is a good opportunity to learn more about the history of Spain and its importance in the city.
When you have visited these two must-see places, you can take a stroll through the city center: go shopping on Reyes Católicos street, have a coffee on a terrace or go to the Federico García Lorca Park and enjoy the calmness of the place. You can also join a Free Tour and walk through the streets while a guide tells you about its anecdotes, past and secrets. There are few better ways to get to know Granada!
A good way to end a day in Granada is to watch the sunset from a place with great views. We recommend going to the Mirador de San Nicolas, one of the best viewpoints in Granada. You can walk there from the center, although as it is on a slope it is advisable to take a bus - especially if it is summer and the temperatures are high. From here you can admire the Alhambra with the city in the background - don't forget to take some pictures!
We hope this guide has helped you plan your visit to the city. As you can see, it is possible to spend a day in Granada and discover its most important places. If you want to read more information about destinations around the world we invite you to read our blog and keep discovering!
By Georgina Blasco
Why choose Granada
It is difficult to visit Granada and not fall in love with its streets, its charm and its fascinating past. Spending a day in this city is synonymous with discovering the contrasts that have characterized this place for years.
As the former capital of the Nasrid Kingdom of Granada, its historical legacy is present in its streets and in the most symbolic sites, such as the Alhambra, the Royal Chapel and the old town. Many travelers choose Granada as their destination attracted by this historical and architectural richness, although the city has much more to offer.
Thanks to the charm of its streets it is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Spain and Europe, and its enviable gastronomy also attracts lovers of good food. That is why Granada is a unique tourist destination that everyone should visit at least once in a lifetime!
How to spend a day in Granada
Going to Granada and not visiting the Alhambra would be unforgivable, so why not start your day here? You should probably dedicate an entire morning to this magnificent complex.
The Alhambra, a complex of ancient palaces, gardens and fortress, was designed as the residence of the emir and the court of the Nasrid Kingdom. Its name derives from the Arabic "al-Ḥamrā", 'the Red', and it is said that it was so called because it was built at night and by torchlight looked that color.
Today it is visited by travelers from all over the world, so we recommend arriving early and buying your ticket in advance. Remember that you will have to choose which parts of the Alhambra to visit, so check out the official website to make sure that the ticket allows you access to all the places you want to see. The Alhambra General ticket, for example, will give you access to the Alhambra, the Generalife, the gardens and the Alcazaba.
Keep in mind that the Nasrid Palaces have a specific access schedule, marked at the entrance: we recommend you start your visit here and then tour the complex at your own pace and without being aware of the time. You should arrive a quarter of an hour in advance at the gate, next to the Carlos V Palace, to avoid incidents. Many believe that this is the most impressive area of the Alhambra, so enjoy the experience!
Afterwards you can visit the rest of the complex: the entrance only allows you to enter each area once, so we encourage you to take advantage of the time you spend in each place.
The Generalife, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, is a villa with gardens that was used as a place of rest. On the other hand, the Alcazaba was the military enclosure for defense and surveillance, and it is here where you can find the famous Torre del Homenaje.
In the gardens you can stroll, take a rest and admire the beautiful views from different points. In total, a visit to the Alhambra will take you about three hours - although much depends on your pace and the sites you visit! It is, without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Granada.
After spending a morning touring palaces, halls and gardens, you're sure to be in the mood for a good meal. And if you visit Granada you can not miss its gastronomy.
That's why we recommend that after your visit to the Alhambra you go to the area between the Plaza de Santa Ana and the Cathedral of the city, which is the most popular to enjoy some tapas or a traditional meal. Here you can enjoy typical dishes such as moraga de sardinas or migas, one of the best ways to regain your strength before continuing to explore Granada!
When you are ready to resume your visit you can go directly to the Cathedral of Granada. This monumental building, considered characteristic of the Spanish Renaissance, began construction in 1523 under the reign of Charles I of Spain. Although its facade is beautiful, what is truly impressive is its interior. Characterized by its tall columns, immaculate white walls and ornate golden ornaments, it leaves no one indifferent!
Between the Cathedral and the Sagrario church is the Royal Chapel, known for being the tomb of the Catholic Monarchs and other important figures of the Spanish monarchy. A visit here is a good opportunity to learn more about the history of Spain and its importance in the city.
When you have visited these two must-see places, you can take a stroll through the city center: go shopping on Reyes Católicos street, have a coffee on a terrace or go to the Federico García Lorca Park and enjoy the calmness of the place. You can also join a Free Tour and walk through the streets while a guide tells you about its anecdotes, past and secrets. There are few better ways to get to know Granada!
A good way to end a day in Granada is to watch the sunset from a place with great views. We recommend going to the Mirador de San Nicolas, one of the best viewpoints in Granada. You can walk there from the center, although as it is on a slope it is advisable to take a bus - especially if it is summer and the temperatures are high. From here you can admire the Alhambra with the city in the background - don't forget to take some pictures!
We hope this guide has helped you plan your visit to the city. As you can see, it is possible to spend a day in Granada and discover its most important places. If you want to read more information about destinations around the world we invite you to read our blog and keep discovering!
By Georgina Blasco
22
July,
2020
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