One Day In Granada Itinerary: 24 Hours in Spain

Looking for tips for your Granada, Spain itinerary? We are sharing the best things to do in Granada in one day.

Andalusia is one of the most popular regions of Spain, especially during the summer months, when beach towns like Cadiz, Marbella and Malaga are swarmed by tourists and locals alike. But Andalusia has so much more to offer visitors and travelers beyond the sun and the beaches in the summer months, and it can all start in one of my favorite cities, Granada. 

Granada is a very well known city in Spain, and one I’d heard about from my Spanish-descendent grandparents since I was a kid. They, along with many people from around the world, once visited and were enchanted by Granada’s beautiful medieval architecture, the unique Alhambra Palaces, and the amazing backdrop views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

I have always been in love with Mediterranean countries, their major cities, and their cultures. I always said that if I wouldn’t live in NYC, I’d love to be in Madrid, Rome or Monaco, but after visiting Granada I might have found one of my new favorite European cities. 

Everyone that visits Granada ends up enchanted by this place. There are people that have never visited Granada, but no one who visits Granada doesn’t want to come back!

Granada spoke to me in a way few other places have before. It’s culture can connect directly with your soul: even if you don’t know anything about its history, the beautiful ancient places will set your imagination on fire. Friendly Spaniards and great tapas bars await you!

Some questions you might be asking yourself after reading about what Granada has to offer are: Am I going to be able to experience all of Granada's treasures in just 1 day?  Is one day in Granada enough? What to do in Granada in 24 hours? 

I think one day is a good amount of time to explore and discover the main areas and attractions of the city. You’ll be able to fall in love with its history and you’ll probably add the city to your list of the best places to visit in Spain. 

To answer these and many other questions, in depth, I’ve written this “One Day in Granada Itinerary” to share the best things to do, the greatest attractions in the city, the must-eat tapas restaurants, and top hotels and areas to stay. 

Note: For those travelers visiting Granada for longer than one day, this can still be a great guide for you! We’re not only sharing great places, but also travel tips and bonus destinations in the area for those spending more than a day.

Travel Tip: When visiting Granada in one day (or any city for that matter) it is important to have a guide that makes sense in terms of locations, since you’ll be looking to visit many places in a short amount of time. Having that in mind, we have organized this article starting in the center of the city and moving northeast, stopping by the famous Alhambra and surrounding areas and ending in Albaicín, the old town of the city.

How to spend one day in Granada

Centro Granada

Start your day in Granada by either having breakfast at your hotel or a tea/ coffee at one of the many cafes in the city center or Centro Granada.

There’s plenty of places to get a cafe con leche, a cafe frio (iced coffee) or a hot chocolate in Granada, but I'd recommend Sur Coffee Corner, a small but cute coffee shop selling delicious breakfast and brunch dishes, juices and vegan friendly options. It also happens to be in the same area (just 3 mins away by foot) from la Fuente de los Gigantes and la Plaza de la Bib-Rambla, a very busy and upbeat area in the center of Granada.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more specialty coffee shop, La Finca Cafe is always a great option, and it’s even closer to La Plaza. La Finca not only serves delicious pastries, croissants and small bites, but their coffee drinks are absolutely next level!

They have coffee beans from different parts of the world that they roast on site.  All of their coffee beverages are among the best you’ll find in the city! And even though it’s a small space, the atmosphere is inviting, nice and relaxing. If you’re planning to have a quick bite (in and out and ready to explore as soon as you can) this might be just the place for you. 

From here, you’re also super close to our next destinations: the Granada Cathedral, The Royal Chapel, and the Iglesia Parroquial del Sagrario, via passing through the Bazaar of the Alcaiceria.   

 On the other hand, if you’d like to enjoy a slower and more filling breakfast/ brunch, I recommend stopping into Mercado San Agustin. 

Mercado San Agustin

This is another great local place we highly recommend in Granada. A very popular and busy establishment, in Mercado San Agustin you can find not only fresh and cheap produce to cook at home (in case you found the perfect airbnb for your one day in Granada)  but also different food stations to sit down and enjoy some local and made to order tapas and other food. 

Mercado San Agustin is one of the oldest markets in the city, and it’s just 5 minutes walk from The Alcaicería.

The Alcaicería: the Great Bazaar of Granada

The Alcaiceria is probably the oldest bazaar in the area, and it’s right on the way between the Plaza de la Bib-Rambla and the Granada Cathedral. Spend a few minutes there looking at the cute shops and transporting yourself back to the 3rd century, when the Moors used to walk those quaint streets, before making your way to...

The Granada Cathedral, The Royal Chapel and the Iglesia Parroquial del Sagrario

The Cathedral

Whether you are spending one day in Granada or four, The Cathedral and the Royal Chapel are some of the places in Granada you definitely won’t want to miss. The Cathedral is among the largest in Spain, and is considered one of great importance in the region. 

Although it could be hard to imagine the beauty of the architecture and the design of the building from the outside, once inside you’ll be enchanted by the detailed workmanship of its Renaissance style. This building truly is a masterpiece!  

The area of the cathedral consists of not one but three churches. Once you have visited the Cathedral itself, head to the Royal Chapel next, then finish your visit in the Iglesia Parroquial del Sagrario.

The Royal Chapel of Granada

The Royal Chapel differs from the Cathedral in its Isabelline Architecture Style, though it’s no less impressive or majestic. Spend a few minutes admiring the artistry of the walls and ceilings before heading to…

The Iglesia Parroquial del Sagrario

The Iglesia is often overshadowed by its proximity to the Cathedral, but it has a rich history of its own and was designed by the same architect that built the Cathedral! That alone makes this church a must-see spot in this one day in Granada itinerary

Once you’ve explored The Iglesia Parroquial del Sagrario, it’s time to take a little stroll around the city, which will take us directly to our next stop: La Puerta de las Granadas. 

Travel Tip: 10 minutes by foot separate the Cathedral from La Puerta de las Granadas. Along the way, we found many places to eat but we decided to stop at a small local restaurant in Gomerez St, just steps away from La Puerta de las Granadas itself. Although we don't remember the exact name, the chorizo omelette sandwich and the orange juice combo was one we will never forget! Be on the lookout for it because we paid less than 10 euros for an amazing meal for two.

La Puerta de las Granadas

This grand arch-shaped doorway is the first access point or entrance that will lead the way through the Alhambra Forest towards the palaces. This is the entrance to the famous Alhambra complex: the fortress, the palaces, and the different gardens. Although there are other ways to reach the grounds of the complex, I prefer going through La Puerta de las Granadas and the forest, which to me always enchanted, especially with the sunlight of the early morning hours. 

The Alhambra

The highlight for almost everyone who spends one day in Granada is the visit to Alhambra.

This complex of ancient Moorish and Renaissance architecture consists of several palaces, gardens and fortresses, all located on a hill in the very middle of Granada. They are considered some of the most important cultural and historical sites in southern Spain.

The Alhambra, Generalife and Albayzin are Unesco World Heritage Sites. The whole complex is the perfect place to spend most of the morning and first hours of the afternoon of your day in Granada, adventuring through the Royal palaces and learning about the Nasrid Dynasty and the history of the Christian Kings of Castile. You’ll also get to admire the stunning views of the rest of Granada from many the hilltop vantage points throughout the complex.

They offer several different tours and ticket options. Some of these include nighttime guided tours of the palaces, while others don’t include a visit to the palaces grounds, so make sure to check all the options out here before making your final selection. 

Some of the must-see places that I recommend are:

Nasrid Palaces: 3 Palace buildings form part of this area inside the Alhambra complex itself: The Mexuar, the Palace of Comares and the Palace of the Lions.

This was the official residence of the Kings of Granada, and was built around the 13th and 14th century. 

El Baño de la Mezquita: This hammam is located on the calle Real the La Alhambra, next to the church of Santa Maria de la Encarnacion, and it was said to be used by visitors to the Nasrid Palaces . It’s a small but beautiful space, and definitely worth stopping in!

The Generalife Palace and Gardens: One of my personal favorite parts of the Alhambra, The Generalife is famous for its beautiful manicured gardens that immediately bring to mind one of those beautiful countryside villas that we all dream about when watching an Italian movie. The Generalife was the summer home of the Moorish royalty, so it’s no wonder that you immediately feel like you’ve been transported into a lush Marrakech riad courtyard.  

The Palace of Carlos V:  this building differs from the Nasrid Palace due to its Renaissance style. The palace was commissioned for the Catholic Monarchs after the reconquest of Granada by the Christians. The courtyard of the palace is a round design, allowing you to see the full view from all its points.

The construction started around 1526, but it was never finished completely. Today, the palace houses the Museum of the Alhambra and the Museum of Fine Arts of Granada.  

Tip: If you decide to spend one day in Granada during the fall or spring, be mindful that Alhambra is definitely the most popular destination in Granada. So it’s always very full and crowded! I recommend heading there in the early morning hours (the earlier the better) to beat the crowds and get a chance to see the palaces, as these tickets tend to sell out very quickly. 

Once you’ve explored the Alhambra and taken in all its beauty by walking around  the complex, it’s time to head back down via Rey del Chico St and on to more historical discoveries. And there’s no better place to do so than…

El Palacio de los Cordova

Right at the bottom of the Alhambra, you’ll find the Cordova Palace, a Renaissance-inspired building that features beautiful and vibrant gardens. The place isn’t big, so it’s just a short stop on the way to The Albaicín, but it won’t disappoint!

The Albaicín

About 30 minutes away by foot from the Alhambra and 15 minutes away from El Palacio de los Cordova, you’ll find one of your last stops on this one day in Granada itinerary: the Albaicín neighborhood. This neighborhood is famous for its quaint and medieval Moor-influenced alleyways and narrow streets that date back to the Zirid Dynasty (972 to 1148). 

To end your one day in Granada, you can choose to either explore this area in depth or visit some of other famous destinations located near there.

Some of our recommendations include:

•  The Puerta de Elvira

• The Royal Convent of Saint Isabel 

• The Aljibe del Rey

• El Darro

• The Castril Palace

• El Banuelo

Afterwards, for an epic sunset, head to El Mirador de San Nicolás, which just so happens to be in the same area.

Alternatively, you also have the option of heading to the Monastery of the Cartuja after exploring the Albaicín. A 30 minute walk separates the two. If you choose this option, we recommend heading to the Mirador de San Cristobal to watch the sunset. 

Night Flamenco Show

If there’s something that the Spanish know how to do and do well, it’s celebrating life and relaxing after a long day. Live shows and dinner times in Spain normally start around 9pm and go into the early hours of the morning. Don’t leave Granada without watching a live flamenco show while relaxing and enjoying some local dinner: a paella and some famous Andalucia wine!

Specific recommendations will change depending on the area, but below I’m sharing some recommendations that will help you choose what's the most convenient for you!

El Templo del Flamenco is just 6 minutes away by foot from El Mirador de San Cristóbal.

 La Alborea: One of the best Tablao Flamenco places in Granada, it’s in the Centro neighborhood, very close to the Albaicín.

Cueva Zambrana la Faraona: This place has been around for a long time, and is a quintessential part of the Gitano-Flamenco scene in Granada.

Additional Travel information for your One Day in Granada, Spain

With one day in Granada you’ll have just a few hours to discover the city, but if you choose to extend your trip and spend some extra time in the area, these are some of the things I recommend around the city and in the neighboring regions:

Adventurous travelers who enjoy getting off the most popular paths should head out into the Spanish countryside, specifically to the region of the Sierra Nevada mountains. This is especially fun road trip during the fall and winter season.

Check out the Camino Real de las Hoyas, or El Paraje de las Hoyas, a path that runs through millinery oaks that will take you to a bridge built during Roman times to connect Granada and Almeria. You can go visit one of the mountain villages, like Capileira, and in the winter months you can spend a day or an afternoon at the nearby ski resorts. 

For those visiting during the summer months and wanting to head to the beach, Nerja is a beautiful beach town on the Costa del Sol, just an hour away from Granada city center. Spend a day laying and swimming by the beach while drinking some vino de verano and eating some tapas from the nearest chiringuito. We did just that, and had the best time! 

Languages

Spain's official language is Spanish of course, although they also have other regional languages like Catalan, Basque and Valencian that are considered as important as Spanish in their native regions.  We were able to communicate with no problem in Granada, since everyone speaks Spanish in the area and Spanish is my mother tongue.

We noticed that most people were also able to communicate in English, yet I would recommend learning some key travel phrases in Spanish, especially if you are planning to travel to the countryside or to smaller/less touristy areas outside the cities.

We wrote a very complete article with some of the most useful travel phrases I’d recommend knowing here. 

Transportation Tips

There are innumerable ways to travel to Spain. To Granada, specifically, you can fly in (they have an international airport just half an hour away from the city center), take the train (some of the fastest routes are from cities like Seville or Cordoba), take a bus (a short trip from popular destinations like Malaga) and, of course, you can always drive in.

We chose the latter and drove in, then parked the car and walked almost everywhere around the city during our one day in Granada. We found this easier to access most destinations and get a true feel of the city, and we didn’t have to worry about parking.

Best Time to Visit Granada

The busiest and most popular season to visit Europe is the summer (starting at the end of May and running through the end of September). The high season in Granada is both at the end of the Spring or in the beginning of the fall, when temperatures are mild and the city hosts several fun events. Since most tourists head to the beach destinations during the summer months, the city isn’t as popular during those times.

That said, in my opinion, there’s never a wrong time to spend one day in Granada. We actually visited at the end of August, and I loved not only the weather but all of the summer experiences in the city. Plus, there were very few crowds and better hotel prices!

Hotel Recommendations

For those looking for hotel recommendations, the Parador de Granada, the NH Collection Granada Victoria, and the Hotel Casa Morisca are among my favorite places to stay in Granada. The Hotel Parador de Granada is actually on the grounds of La Alhambra. Its stone walls, the airy courtyard, and the beautiful small chapel were some of the highlights of this beautiful place for us.

The NH Collection Granada is steps away from the Granada Cathedral and boasts great views of the Gran Via from its rooms. And the Hotel Casa Moriscahas is located on the grounds of the Albaicín neighborhood. There are also tons of other smaller hotels, airbnbs, and hostels (like El Granado Hostel) you can choose from. 

More Restaurant Recommendations

For lovers of great Spanish food and great deals like me, El Mercader restaurant has some of the best food in the city. It’s owned by a husband and wife, and it’s menu changes based on the fresh ingredients available at the time. Definitely one of the culinary highlights of the city!

If you want to try a set-menu type of place, you can’t go wrong with Damasqueros! It’s a popular sit-down restaurant that offers some truly amazing gourmet-style food for actually reasonable prices. It’s the type of place that prides itself on amazing presentation, impeccable flavors, and an all-around great experience. 

General Travel Tips

The Granada Card will help you book your visiting times in advance, skip the lines, and save money. They have some nice discounts and some special offers, including public transportation savings, lower rates when visiting some palaces and historical sites after sunset, and cheaper pre-booked tickets for the Alhambra!

FURTHER READINGS:

If after spending one day in Granada you’re still traveling in Spain, head to our European destinations section to read our popular Madrid Travel Guide, as well as  some of the other incredible cities we’ve written about.

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Have you been to Granada before? Share some of your favorite destinations in the area and the experiences you’d recommend to us below!

Besitos from Granada,

Laura  

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