One day in Granada 

One day in Granada can become an unforgettable getaway if you are able to organize yourself very well.

I know it can be difficult to choose which places to visit because Granada has a lot to see and do.

To help you, I will suggest an express itinerary so that you don’t miss the most important places in the city.

Essential things to do and to see in one day in Granada 

Granada was the last Muslim territory on the Iberian Peninsula.

After 8 centuries, the kingdom of Granada was handed over to the Christians in 1492.

This was a political agreement between the Catholic Monarchs; Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile and Boadil; the last Nasrid Sultan.

This historical moment made it possible that Granada was not destroyed. Today we can enjoy its exceptional heritage.

Granada has two medieval UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Curiously, both are situated on hills opposite each other.  These are the Alhambra & Generalife and the Albaicín quarter.

Alhambra and Generalife 

Even if you are only one day in Granada, this visit is a must.

The Alhambra is a palatial walled city that served as the royal residence for the Nasrid sultans; the last Muslim dynasty on the peninsula.  Its beauty is its conservation, which allows you to imagine its daily life.

And the Generalife was an “al-munya“; an agricultural farm with a summer palace. Its name comes from the Arabic word “djennat al-arif” which means the architect’s garden.

The Generalife is still a productive orchard with flowers and colourful plants in every season.

The Alhambra is not a simple monument, it is a rather large complex.  If you want to visit everything, you need good planning.

If you would like to have a personal and self-paced planning, book a private tour to the Alhambra with me.

Tapas stop

Once you have visited the Alhambra, a quick stop for tapas is a good way to make the maximum time available.

Granada is known for its tapas. If you walk down the Alhambra forest, you will arrive at Plaza Nueva where you will find many bars.

My favourites are:

• Bar los diamantes; they specialize in fried fish.
• Bar la Riviera; they have a tapas variety and the best thing is that you can choose those.

Once you have replenished your energy, you will be ready to take a short walk through the historic centre and then through the Albaicín neighbourhood.

On the map below, you will see an itinerary.  However, if you prefer to take a guided tour, the Essential Granada Guide Tour will allow you to enjoy a relaxing visit.

Historical city center

A stroll through the historic centre of Granada is another activity to do on your one day in Granada.

• First, visit the Royal Chapel. It is the largest funerary chapel in Spain and the burial place of the Catholic Monarchs.  Knowing the history of its protagonists and seeing their legacy will help you understand the Spanish history.

• Secondly, go to the Granada Cathedral and contemplate its splendour.  It took 180 years to build and has various styles, but it is considered the first Renaissance cathedral in Spain.  Its interior is different from any other cathedral because its high altar is unique, find out.

• Thirdly, walk around the Alcaicería.   It is the Granada’s old souk.  There are not selling silk any more, but its location and its small shops will transport you to Morocco.

• Fourth, take a jump back in time and imagine you are a merchant coming to Granada to sell goods. To spend the night you will need accommodation and that was precisely the function of Granada’s only surviving “alhóndiga” from the 14th century: the Corral del Carbón.

• Fifth, goes at the Queen Isabella’s sculpture with Christopher Columbus. It will remind you that Granada was where the capitulations were signed for the beginning of the adventure of “las Indias”; the discovery of New Spain -America-.

If you are interested in doing this walk with a guide, I recommend the Granada Cathedral and Royal Chapel tour.

Albaicín Neighborhood 

To end a day in Granada, you can’t miss the Albaicín quarter.

Just walking through its narrow streets and alleys is an adventure.  The Albaicín is a lively district with a traditional Andalusian architecture.

Stroll through its streets and arrive at the San Nicolás viewpoint to contemplate one of the best views to the Alhambra and Granada.  This will be the best way to say goodbye to Granada.

If you want to know more about the city with a local guide, write to me and together we can design your one day in Granada.