Spain · 3 days · 17 stops
3 days in Granada – a ready-made itinerary
Granada was the last Moorish capital in Spain and sits at the foot of the Sierra Nevada. Day one is given to the Alhambra, day two to the old town around the cathedral and Royal Chapel, and day three to the hills of the Albaicín and Sacromonte. The stops are in walking order.
In short
- Length
- 3 days, 17 stops
- Highlights
- Alhambra and the Nasrid Palaces, Granada Cathedral, El Bañuelo, Palace of Charles V, Generalife
- Where to stay
- The centre around the cathedral, Albaicín, Realejo
- Getting around
- The old town is best explored on foot, but expect steep climbs in the Albaicín, Sacromonte and up to the Alhambra.
- Best time to go
- March to May and September to November are the most pleasant.
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Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. YesTrip editorial team · Updated: .
Top things to do in Granada
14 places you should not miss in Granada – each one is in the plan below with a time and the way there.
Alhambra and the Nasrid PalacesThe palace-fortress of the Nasrid rulers, with the Court of the Lions, carved stucco ceilings and reflecting pools. It includes the Alcazaba, the old fortress with views over the city.Day 1
Palace of Charles VA Renaissance palace in the middle of the Alhambra: square on the outside, with a round colonnaded courtyard inside.Day 1
GeneralifeThe sultans' summer palace, with terraced gardens and the long water channel of the Patio de la Acequia.Day 1
Cuarto Real de Santo DomingoA Moorish hall with stucco and tiles in a garden in the Realejo – much quieter than the Alhambra.Day 1
Granada CathedralBuilt after the conquest of 1492 on the site of the old mosque, bright and white inside with a large dome over the chancel.Day 2
Royal ChapelIsabella and Ferdinand, the Catholic Monarchs, lie here in marble tombs right next to the cathedral.Day 2- AlcaiceríaThe former silk market, now narrow lanes of small shops selling tiles, lamps and fabrics.Day 2
- Corral del CarbónA caravanserai from the Nasrid era with a courtyard and a finely decorated gateway, one of the oldest Moorish buildings in the city.Day 2
- Monastery of San JerónimoA Renaissance monastery with two cloisters and a richly painted church where Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba is buried.Day 2
- El BañueloArab baths from the 11th century on the Carrera del Darro, with vaults and star-shaped skylights.Day 3
- AlbaicínThe Moorish quarter on the hill facing the Alhambra: white houses, steep lanes and walled gardens. Best explored by simply walking uphill.Day 3
- SacromonteThe district of cave houses, dug into the hillside and whitewashed. Granada's Gitano flamenco has its roots here.Day 3
- Sacromonte AbbeyA 17th-century abbey high above the valley, with underground cave chapels and wide views.Day 3
- Mirador de San NicolásThe best-known view of the Alhambra with the Sierra Nevada behind it. Loveliest at sunset, when it also gets crowded.Day 3
Day 1
The Alhambra and the Generalife
The Alhambra needs a ticket with a fixed time slot for the Nasrid Palaces. Book well in advance on the official site – on many days it sells out.
Alhambra and the Nasrid Palaces
The palace-fortress of the Nasrid rulers, with the Court of the Lions, carved stucco ceilings and reflecting pools. It includes the Alcazaba, the old fortress with views over the city.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Alhambra and the Nasrid Palacesright next door
Palace of Charles V
A Renaissance palace in the middle of the Alhambra: square on the outside, with a round colonnaded courtyard inside.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Palace of Charles Vabout 5 min on foot
Generalife
The sultans' summer palace, with terraced gardens and the long water channel of the Patio de la Acequia.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Generalifeabout 5 min on foot
Realejo
The old Jewish quarter below the Alhambra, full of tapas bars. In Granada many bars serve a small tapa with every drink.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Realejoabout 15 min on foot
Cuarto Real de Santo Domingo
A Moorish hall with stucco and tiles in a garden in the Realejo – much quieter than the Alhambra.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Cuarto Real de Santo Domingo
Day 2
The cathedral and the old town
Granada Cathedral
Built after the conquest of 1492 on the site of the old mosque, bright and white inside with a large dome over the chancel.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Granada Cathedralright next door
Royal Chapel
Isabella and Ferdinand, the Catholic Monarchs, lie here in marble tombs right next to the cathedral.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Royal Chapelright next door
Alcaicería
The former silk market, now narrow lanes of small shops selling tiles, lamps and fabrics.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Alcaiceríaright next door
Plaza Bib-Rambla
A large square with flower stalls and cafés just behind the cathedral, surrounded by tapas bars for lunch.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Plaza Bib-Ramblaright next door
Corral del Carbón
A caravanserai from the Nasrid era with a courtyard and a finely decorated gateway, one of the oldest Moorish buildings in the city.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Corral del Carbónabout 10 min on foot
Monastery of San Jerónimo
A Renaissance monastery with two cloisters and a richly painted church where Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba is buried.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Monastery of San Jerónimo
Day 3
The Albaicín and Sacromonte
El Bañuelo
Arab baths from the 11th century on the Carrera del Darro, with vaults and star-shaped skylights.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): El Bañueloabout 5 min on foot
Albaicín
The Moorish quarter on the hill facing the Alhambra: white houses, steep lanes and walled gardens. Best explored by simply walking uphill.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Albaicínright next door
Plaza Larga
The small market square at the top of the Albaicín, ringed by bars and bakeries. Good for a tapas break.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Plaza Largaabout 5 min on foot
Sacromonte
The district of cave houses, dug into the hillside and whitewashed. Granada's Gitano flamenco has its roots here.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Sacromonteabout 20 min on foot
Sacromonte Abbey
A 17th-century abbey high above the valley, with underground cave chapels and wide views.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Sacromonte Abbeyabout 20 min on foot
Mirador de San Nicolás
The best-known view of the Alhambra with the Sierra Nevada behind it. Loveliest at sunset, when it also gets crowded.
On the map (OpenStreetMap): Mirador de San Nicolás
Good to know
Best time to go
March to May and September to November are the most pleasant. July and August get very hot, so go out early in the morning and in the evening. Winter days are often sunny but the nights are cold, and there is snow on the Sierra Nevada.
Getting around
The old town is best explored on foot, but expect steep climbs in the Albaicín, Sacromonte and up to the Alhambra. Small city buses squeeze through the narrow lanes up to the Alhambra and into the Albaicín. There are also regular bus lines and one metro line. A bus runs from the airport into the centre.
Where to stay
The centre around the cathedral
Flat, well connected and close to bars and shops. A small bus runs up to the Alhambra.
Albaicín
Quiet places to stay in old houses, some with a view of the Alhambra. The trade-off is plenty of steps and slopes.
Realejo
Between the centre and the Alhambra, with lots of tapas bars and a little less bustle than the old town.
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More on Granada in our blog: How many days in Granada? Plans for 1–4 days
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Granada: frequently asked questions
What are the must-see sights in Granada?
The must-see sights in Granada are Alhambra and the Nasrid Palaces, Palace of Charles V, Generalife, Cuarto Real de Santo Domingo, Granada Cathedral and Royal Chapel. This plan links 14 of them into short walks over 3 days – with times, a map and tips.
Are 3 days enough for Granada?
Yes, for the Alhambra, the old town, the Albaicín and Sacromonte. With more time, add a trip into the Sierra Nevada or the villages of the Alpujarras.
How do I get Alhambra tickets?
Book well in advance on the official site. The ticket is for a fixed time slot in the Nasrid Palaces and on many days it sells out early. Bring ID – it is checked at the entrance.
Is it true you get tapas with your drink in Granada?
Yes, it is a Granada tradition. In many bars a small tapa comes with every drink, often a different one with each round.
Where can I see flamenco?
The caves of Sacromonte host flamenco evenings, often in small rooms close to the dancers. Read reviews and book ahead.
Plan created with AI support – please check opening hours, prices and routes before you go. Coordinates checked with Wikipedia and OpenStreetMap (Photon). Photo: Jebulon, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons. More in Sources & licences. YesTrip is a trip planner, not a travel agency – nothing is booked.
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