10 best things to do in Granada

Set in Andalucía, southern Spain, Granada is one of the country’s most rewarding cities to explore. Backed by the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada and threaded with rivers and ravines, the setting alone is reason to visit. But the real draw is what's built into the hills – palaces, Moorish quarters, and cave dwellings carved into the rock.

From the world-famous Alhambra to sunset views in the Albaicín and flamenco in Sacromonte, the things to do in Granada are tightly packed and genuinely unique. Add free tapas with every drink, and the city more than earns its place on any itinerary.

1. Wander the palaces and gardens of the Alhambra

If you see only one thing in Granada, make it the Alhambra. This sprawling complex of palaces, courtyards, towers, and gardens sits high above the city – a lasting reminder of Granada’s Moorish past and one of the best places to visit in Spain. The detail is staggering: carved stucco, intricate tilework, perfectly symmetrical archways, and fountains flowing through stone channels.

The highlight is the Nasrid Palaces, where rooms unfold in a quiet sequence of light and shadow. From there, head to the Generalife gardens, once the summer retreat for Granada’s emirs, and don’t skip the Alcazaba, the oldest part of the fortress, with panoramic views over the city and the Sierra Nevada.

Tickets sell out fast – especially in spring and autumn – so book well ahead if you’re including Granada in your Spain itinerary. Early morning or late afternoon visits are best for softer light and fewer crowds. – Unmissable. Easily one of the top sights in Spain.

2. Stroll the fountains and hedges of the Generalife Gardens

Set just beyond the main palaces of the Alhambra, the Generalife Gardens were once the summer retreat of the Nasrid rulers – a quiet, shaded escape from palace life. Today, they’re one of the most peaceful corners of the complex, with tiled courtyards, terraced walkways and water channels winding through perfectly clipped hedges and rose gardens.

It’s a welcome change of pace, especially if you're visiting Spain with kids – there’s space to roam, fewer stairs, and plenty of fountains to cool off beside. The gardens offer postcard-worthy views of the Alhambra walls and the whitewashed houses of the Albaicín just beyond.

The best time to visit Spain if you’re aiming for a calmer experience is spring or early autumn. In April and May, the gardens are in full bloom, the air is cooler, and the crowds are easier to manage – ideal for a relaxed wander with or without little ones.

3. Get lost in the winding streets of the Albaicín

The Albaicín is Granada’s old Moorish quarter – a hillside tangle of narrow lanes, whitewashed houses, secret courtyards, and the odd unexpected viewpoint. It’s one of the most atmospheric places in the city, with medieval architecture and Moorish touches at every turn. You’ll spot tiled doorways, stone fountains, and crumbling walls from the city’s Islamic past.

The best approach? Don’t plan too much. Duck into a tetería for mint tea, browse the shops along Calle Calderería Nueva, and let the streets lead you. End up at the Mirador de San Nicolás for an iconic view of the Alhambra backed by the Sierra Nevada.

If you’re looking for authentic, slow-paced things to do in Granada, exploring the Albaicín is essential. It’s not a place to tick off sights – it’s a place to feel the layers of the city’s history under your feet.

4. Watch the sunset from Mirador de San Nicolás

The Mirador de San Nicolás is Granada’s most famous viewpoint – and for good reason. From this small plaza at the top of the Albaicín, you get a head-on view of the Alhambra, with the Sierra Nevada rising behind it. At sunset, the palace walls glow a deep terracotta, the mountains fade to blue, and the square fills with guitarists, street performers and people just sitting with a beer, watching the light change.

It’s not exactly a secret, but the scene is worth the crowd – especially if you arrive early enough to claim a spot along the wall.

Of all the things to do in Spain, few are as instantly photogenic as this. It’s the kind of place where you’ll want to stay longer than planned, camera or no camera. Stick around as the lights come on – the Alhambra after dark is just as impressive.

5. Explore the Sacromonte caves

Perched on the hillside opposite the Alhambra, Sacromonte is known for its whitewashed cave houses carved into the rock. Some are still lived in, others have been turned into small flamenco venues or open-air museums. Traditionally home to Granada’s Gitano (Roma) community, the area has a long history of music, dance, and resistance – all of which still echo through its narrow lanes.

Visit the Museo Cuevas del Sacromonte to get a feel for how people lived here, then stick around after dark for a flamenco show inside a cave. Done right, it’s raw and intimate – nothing like the big-stage versions elsewhere.

If you’re looking for a more offbeat thing to do in Granada, this is it. Sacromonte may be close to the city center, but it feels like another world entirely.

6. Visit Granada Cathedral and Royal Chapel

In a city known for its Moorish heritage, the Granada Cathedral is a bold slice of Catholic power – a massive Renaissance structure built directly over the site of the city’s main mosque after the Reconquista. The contrast isn’t subtle. Inside, it’s all soaring columns, gold detailing, and stained glass, with a side of royal ambition.

Next door is the Royal Chapel, the final resting place of Queen Isabel and King Ferdinand, the Catholic monarchs who united Spain and funded Columbus. Their tombs lie beneath an ornate marble canopy, while the adjoining museum holds crowns, swords, and priceless religious art.

If you’re figuring out what to do in Granada beyond the Alhambra, this is a solid stop. The two buildings offer a clear look at the city’s shift from Islamic to Christian rule, not just in architecture, but in Spain’s story as a whole.

7. Experience a hammam (Arab bath)

Granada’s Moorish roots run deep, and one of the most atmospheric ways to tap into that history is with a visit to a hammam – a traditional Arab bathhouse. Tucked near the base of the Alhambra, Hammam Al Ándalus recreates the experience with candlelit pools, steam rooms, and vaulted ceilings that echo the architecture of Al-Andalus.

You cycle through hot, warm, and cold baths, with the option to add a massage or scrub if you want the full treatment. It’s not just relaxing – it’s a glimpse into how people socialized and unwound centuries ago.

Among the more immersive things to do in Granada, a hammam visit lets you slow down and step out of sightseeing mode. Ideal after a long day of climbing hills and dodging tour groups. Just remember to book ahead – spaces are limited, especially in high season.

8. Eat free tapas with your drinks

Granada is one of the few cities in Spain where tapas still come free with your drink – no need to order separately. It’s a local tradition that’s very much alive, especially in neighborhood bars around Calle Navas, Plaza de Toros, and El Realejo. Order a beer, wine or vermouth, and wait to see what turns up – it could be anything from jamón on toast to albondigas (meatballs) or fried eggplant with honey.

It’s not only one of the best ways to try the best Spanish food, but it’s also great value. And for anyone on an Andalucia food tour, this is a highlight – casual, unpredictable, and rooted in everyday life.

9. See a flamenco performance in a cave

Flamenco in Granada hits differently – especially when it’s performed in a whitewashed cave in Sacromonte. These intimate, low-ceilinged spaces amplify every clap, stomp, and raspy note, creating a kind of raw energy that’s hard to find in bigger venues.

Cave shows may seem tailored to tourists, but many still bring serious talent. Look for long-running venues like Zambra María la Canastera or Cuevas Los Tarantos, where performers often come from local Gitano families with deep ties to the flamenco tradition.

It’s one of the more atmospheric things to do in Granada, especially at night when the streets are quiet and the caves glow with lantern light. You don’t need to know the history to feel the impact – just show up, sit close, and let it hit you.

10. Walk along Carrera del Darro

Running along the edge of the Albaicín, just below the Alhambra, Carrera del Darro is one of Granada’s most scenic streets. Cobbled and narrow, it hugs the Río Darro, with stone bridges crossing the water and centuries-old buildings leaning over the path. It’s a short walk, but it packs in a lot – crumbling façades, small churches, street performers, and glimpses of the Alhambra rising above.

Despite being right in the middle of the city, it feels tucked away, especially in the early morning or just after sunset. Slow down, stop for a coffee or ice cream, and take it in.

You don’t need a plan here – the street leads naturally toward the heart of the Albaicín or up to the Alhambra, depending on your pace. It’s not a headline attraction, but it sticks with you.