Best tours and day trips from Granada
The best way to visit the main tourist icons of Granada is with a specialised guide, you will enjoy the visit much more and you will learn a lot!
Aerial view of Granada | ©Clark Van der Beken
There are few places with more charm and more beautiful than Granada to enjoy a very special trip. A city full of magical places to discover and an absolutely fascinating natural environment.
There are many ways to get to know Granada, but a tour of its main tourist attractions is one of the best. The ancient capital of the Nasrid kingdom receives millions of visitors a year and the sheer number of tours on offer can be overwhelming. To make it easier for you to choose, here are the best ways to get to know the city, its monuments and its surroundings.
1. Walking tour of the Albaicín and Sacromonte quarters of Granada:
When visiting a city for the first time, one of my favourite things to do is to get lost in its streets to get to know its real and authentic side. The one that the locals normally see on a day-to-day basis.
If you are one of those travellers like me who enjoy these little details, then I highly recommend this walking tour through the Albaicín and Sacromonte neighbourhoods in Granada, two genuine places with a very interesting history and views to fall in love with.
With this tour of the Albaicín and Sacromonte neighbourhoods in Granada you will discover some of the pearls hidden in the labyrinth of medieval streets that make up the capital of the Nasrid kingdom and that have made it world famous.
What does this tour consist of?
The Albaicín and Sacromonte neighbourhoods are two of the most amazing places to explore during your trip. If you haven't walked through them, you can't say you've been to Granada because this is the heart of the city.
At the agreed time you will depart from Isabel la Católica square with your group to start this 2 and a half hour tour of the Albaicín and Sacromonte neighbourhoods.
Accompanied by a specialised tour guide, you will discover the wonderful architecture of the two oldest and most traditional neighbourhoods of Granada, a delight for the eyes!
What will you see?
This Andalusian city has a lot of history behind it, so the explanations of a guide in certain places such as the Albaicín and Sacromonte are indispensable if we want to understand the past and present of the ancient Nasrid kingdom.
Step by step, gliding through the passages and arches of the centre of Granada, I had the opportunity to see some treasures such as the Mudejar church of San Gil and Santa Ana, the monument to Queen Isabel la Católica, the magic of the cave houses of Sacromonte, the beauty of the Paseo de los Tristes at the foot of the Alhambra or the viewpoint of San Nicolás, whose views of the Andalusian palatine city and the Sierra Morena took my breath away. It was here that I realised that it is not only the Alhambra that the people of Granada yearn for!
Moreover, this tour is very entertaining because you will not only see tourist attractions but also learn about the myths and legends that circulate around Granada, the Albaicín and Sacromonte as well as about characters that once inhabited these neighbourhoods, such as the heroine Mariana Pineda, the lovers of the Aljibe or the gypsy Chorrohumo, whose figures have remained forever in the popular imagination.
The tour ended in the same square from which the group departed. Before leaving, don't hesitate to ask your guide for all kinds of recommendations to complete your visit to Granada. They know a lot and will be happy to help you.
Itinerary
- San Nicolás viewpoint
- Church of San Gil and Santa Ana
- Sacromonte
- Paseo de los Tristes
- Plaza de Isabel La Católica
- Plaza Larga
Languages
This tour is available in English and Spanish.
2. Get into the Alhambra: Entrance to the Nasrid Palaces and the Generalife with audio guide
When we think of a trip to Granada, the first thing that comes to mind is its legendary Alhambra, one of the most beautiful monuments in Spain and a cultural reference of Hispano-Muslim art in the West.
Its beauty has inspired travellers from all over the world for generations and it is visited by millions of people every year, so I recommend getting tickets for the Alhambra in Granada at least a month or two in advance.
Don't forget to buy your Alhambra tickets in advance as tickets are always in high demand and often sell out. You can also opt for a guided tour of the Alhambra where, in addition to visiting the Alhambra, a guide will explain all the secrets of the palaces, gardens and fortresses that make up the Alhambra. A guided tour is always more enjoyable and entertaining.
What you will see following the audio guide
- The Alhambra
- The Nasrid Palaces
- The Alcazaba
- The Generalife
- The Palace of Charles V
- El Partal Palace
Why I like this option
First of all, if you are not seduced by the idea of joining a closed group , you can always opt for a self-guided tour accompanied by an audio guide, which will complement everything you see.
And secondly, because with this queue-free entrance to the Alhambra, you will be assured of direct entry to the monument at the chosen time. This is a site that arouses real passions and there are usually long queues at the ticket offices to visit it. If you don't want to queue for ages, I recommend you buy these tickets online, which will make your visit much easier.
Once inside you will have 3 to 6 hours to visit all the corners of the Alhambra, its history, its legends, the meaning of its symbols and much more in a relaxed way and at your own pace.
Languages
The audio guides are available in Spanish, English, French, Portuguese, Russian, Italian, German, Arabic, Simplified Chinese, Korean and Japanese.
3. Enjoy a night tour of the Albaicín and Sacromonte of Granada
If there is one thing that struck me about Granada during my trip, it is that its essence changes from day to night. Every moment shows the different facets of Granada, small details in a unique city that never ceases to fascinate you.
When the sun goes down, Granada transforms and with it the atmosphere of its squares and streets. Also its neighbourhoods. The Albaicín and Sacromonte are the oldest and most authentic of the Nasrid capital. If you haven't strolled through them, you can't say you've never been to Granada, because this is the heart of the city.
I confess that I have a penchant for seeing cities lit up at night, but the Albaicín and Sacromonte neighbourhoods exceeded all my expectations. They are two of the most amazing and beautiful places you can explore during your trip to Granada on this night tour.
What does this tour consist of?
Sunset is an ideal time to take a quiet and romantic stroll through Granada's most traditional neighbourhoods. The hustle and bustle that invades the most touristy streets during the day gives way to the calm of the night, the sunlight slowly fades and with the moonlight the most enigmatic version of the city appears before us.
The atmosphere is conducive to let yourself be carried away by these neighbourhoods of Granada, taking a trip back in time with a guided tour where the Andalusian Granada was born centuries ago. Considering all the stories and legends that surround the Albaicín and Sacromonte neighbourhoods, I think the experience is much more enjoyable if you walk through these places with a local guide who will show you the jewels that lie in these streets, declared a World Heritage Site in 1984.
You can't leave Granada without visiting these picturesque neighbourhoods at least once in your life.
What will you see on this tour?
The adventure starts at 8 PM at Calle Cárcel Baja nº 2. Ahead of you you will have 2 and a half hours to visit the main sights of the Albaicín and Sacromonte neighbourhoods such as:
- The Carrera del Darro (one of the most beautiful and oldest streets in the world)
- The church of San Gil and Santa Ana (a small temple with a Mudejar feel)
- Plaza Nueva (where the Real Chancillería building is shrouded in ghost legends)
- The viewpoint of San Nicolás (in the Albaicín, from where you will have the best panoramic view of the Alhambra).
- The caves of Sacromonte and its tablaos flamencos (where at the end of the route you can go back to party).
- Among many other places!
Itinerary
- New Square
- Church of San Gil and Santa Ana
- Carrera del Darro
- Albaicín
- Mirador de San Nicolás
- Sacromonte
Languages
This tour is available in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Italian, German and French.
Isabel's Traveller Tip
This is the perfect tour for the summer. Strolling through the Albaicín and Sacromonte at night you will get to know the charm of these neighbourhoods without being hot and enjoying a gentle breeze.
4. Take a private tour of the Alhambra, the Nasrid Palaces, the Generalife and the Alcazaba in Granada
The Alhambra in Granada is a world icon, a palatine city unique in Europe and a reference point for Islamic architecture and art in Spain.
Visiting this legendary Nasrid fortress, the last living trace of this dynasty in Spain, is a dream come true. It is something that every traveller should do at least once in their lifetime. Not for nothing is it considered the eighth wonder of the world according to the New7Wonders Foundation.
Being the most visited monument in Spain, the best way to get tickets to see it is to book them online well in advance. My advice is to do so at least a month or two before your travel date.
With this skip-the-line ticket to the Alhambra in Granada you will have direct access to the inside of the Alhambra without waiting. In addition, you will have the opportunity to explore the most important corners of the palatine city on a private tour accompanied by an expert guide in art history just for you and your companions. Cool, isn't it?
What does this tour consist of?
If you want to live a unique experience during your visit, the main advantages of this tour of the Alhambra in Granada are several.
-
First of all, you will be able to enter the monument quickly and without waiting to start your private tour of the Nasrid palace city.
-
Secondly, you will be accompanied by an expert guide who will be exclusively at your disposal and that of your companions during the 3-hour tour of the interior of the palace. You will visit the palatine city at your own pace, at your own pace and at your own pace through the different rooms.
-
Moreover, as this is a private tour of the Alhambra , you will have the possibility to personalise it. That is to say, you will be able to choose for yourself which of the sites on the tour you want to spend more or less time at, the explanations about the history of the monument, if you want to focus more on one aspect of the fortress or another, etc.
-
Finally, the guide adapts completely to your preferences while he reveals details of the Alhambra in Granada and tells you curiosities and legends about this monumental complex.
What will you see?
You will travel back in time to discover what the Islamic kingdom of Granada was like in the Middle Ages, who ordered the Alhambra to be built, why it was erected and how it became the residence of Christian royalty in 1492.
It is not only an important monument from a historical point of view, but also from an artistic point of view, as it is an icon of Andalusian architecture and art in Spain. If you like cultural visits, the Alhambra in Granada is a fascinating monument full of art and history that will leave you in awe.
That's why to better understand its significance in the history of the country, I suggest you take a guided tour, which is always much more interesting and complete than doing it on your own.
Itinerary
- The Alhambra
- The Generalife
- The Alcazaba
- The Nasrid Palaces
Languages
This private tour of the Alhambra in Granada is available in Spanish, English, French and Arabic.
5. Escape on an excursion to the Alpujarras of Granada
The Alpujarras are a magical place in Granada. A territory between Granada and Almería which, at an altitude of more than 1,200 metres, looks down from the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada to the Mediterranean Sea. It is difficult, if not impossible, not to be captivated by the beauty of this natural landscape dotted with a multitude of picturesque white villages.
The first time you travel through the Alpujarras you are overcome with a sense of emotion as you contemplate the breathtaking scenery, the peaks of the Sierra Nevada and the unique architectural features of its singular villages.
Why visit the Alpujarras?
This excursion to the Alpujarras is the perfect complement to a trip to the capital of the Nasrid kingdom. It was a great experience, a wonderful souvenir and one that I highly recommend during a trip to Granada.
In my opinion, the reasons why you should go are as follows:
-
Its historical background will allow you to learn more about Granada's Andalusian past through the unique architecture of the Alpujarras villages. After all, this was the last stronghold where the Moorish population lived in Spain.
-
On the other hand, this excursion to the Alpujarras is a golden opportunity to enjoy a day in the open air exploring the Sierra Nevada Natural Park, home to the highest mountain range in southern Europe. Lovers of ecotourism and hiking will be able to visit the beautiful landscapes of one of the most unique areas of Spain.
-
Tasting the typical gastronomy of a place is one of the best ways to get to know its culture. Andalusian cuisine is one of the richest in Spain, and on this excursion through the Alpujarras you will have the chance to attend a ham and wine tasting to get to know the flavours and textures of the land of spices.
How is the excursion to the Alpujarras?
The great thing about this organised tour to the Alpujarras is that it gets you to Granada and back in the same day, so you don't have to worry about how to get there or how to get around the villages in the region. Everything is organised so that visitors can relax and enjoy every moment of the trip to the fullest.
The adventure starts early, at 8:30 AM, when the group sets off for the Alpujarras from Granada. On this trip to the south of the province you will pass through these villages:
- Lanjarón: famous for its medicinal mineral waters.
- Órgiva: the heart of the Western Alpujarra, known for the twin towers of the church of Nuestra Señora de la Expectación.
- Carataunas: the smallest village in the Alpujarras, both in terms of population and size.
- Pitres: another of the smallest villages in the Alpujarras, characterised by the Moorish influence of its architecture.
- Trevélez: the highest village in Spain, at 1,476 metres above sea level, and the best producer of Serrano ham in the Alpujarras.
- Pórtugos: its town centre and the spring of ferruginous waters on the outskirts of the municipality are two postcard-worthy enclaves. Beautiful!
- Bubión, Capileira and Pampaneira: They are considered the most beautiful villages of the Alpujarras and have been declared historical-artistic sites. They are located in the Poqueira ravine, one of the most extraordinary natural spaces in Granada, ideal for enjoying the views.
Isabel's Traveller Tip
You will be doing a lot of walking during your trip to the Alpujarras. Remember to wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and to protect yourself from the cold in winter and the sun in summer.
6. What to do after a tour of Granada?
Even the most experienced traveller feels exhausted, with tired legs and sore feet from all that walking after an excursion or guided tour lasting several hours during their holiday. I'm sure you're familiar with that uncomfortable feeling, aren't you?
Don't worry, I have the solution! The best way to recharge your batteries and relax after a busy day is to visit the Arab baths in Granada.
Reserve some time in your trip to enjoy the ancestral Andalusian hammam and all its health properties. In my article The best Hammam in Granada I explain you all the details of this ritual with which you will be able to rest your body and mind and prepare them for your next adventure. Don't miss it!