Andalucía · Spain
Granada
The last Moorish capital in Spain, held until 1492, with a hill fortress-palace above it, a Moorish quarter opposite, and the only tapas culture in the country where the food still arrives free with the drink.
Granada is the one Spanish city where a drink still comes with a tapa you did not order and do not pay for — a second drink brings a different one, and asking for a menu of them misses the point. It is also a university city of some 60,000 students, which is why it is cheaper and stays up later than its size suggests.
Plan your trip
Granada Tour Itineraries
Timed, walkable day plans — plus the best season to go.
Where to shoot
Granada Photo Spots
Medium crowdEntry Free
Albaicín
- Best timeMid-morning, when light reaches down between the white walls without the midday glare
- ColorsWhiteCobaltCoral
Entry Free
Alcaicería
- Best timeLate in the day, once the lamp-sellers' lanterns are lit and the narrow lanes glow rather than fall into shade
- ColorsEmeraldWhiteDeep red
Medium crowdEntry Around €6
Capilla Real
- Best timeOutside only — the Gothic exterior on Calle Oficios in the morning
- ColorsBlackIvoryDeep green
Entry Free
Carrera del Darro
- Best timeLate afternoon into dusk, when the Alhambra on the ridge above catches the last warm light and then its floodlights come on
- ColorsOchreCreamRust
Entry Around €7, roughly €5 reduced, with an app audio guide included — a temporary exhibition can push it higher, so check before you go
Catedral de Granada
- Best timeLate morning, once the sun is high enough to come through the drum windows and reach the white stone of the Capilla Mayor
- ColorsIvoryCamelDeep red
Medium crowdEntry Included with the Alhambra ticket, or around €10 for gardens-only
Generalife
- Best timeLate afternoon, when the low sun comes through the water jets and the cypress hedges throw long shadows
- ColorsWhiteSageTerracotta
For the feed
Trending Wear in Granada
Modern, Instagram-friendly looks
Rooted in the city
Granada Traditional Wear
Local, cultural, handcrafted outfits
Taste the city
Food to Eat in Granada
Trusted tables
Where to Eat in Granada
Questions
Granada — FAQ
What is Granada famous for?
The Alhambra — the last Moorish capital's hill fortress-palace, held until 1492 — the whitewashed Albaicín opposite, and the miradors where every classic photograph of the Alhambra is taken from.
How many days are enough for Granada?
Two: the Alhambra and the Generalife one day; the Albaicín lanes, the cathedral and the Sacromonte caves the next.
What is the best time to visit Granada?
April to early June, and September to October.
How do I get around Granada?
The centre is walked, and it is the hills that cost the effort — save your legs for the climb to the Mirador de San Nicolás at sunset, the view every photograph of Granada is taken from.
How do I book Alhambra tickets?
Buy from the official site, in the travellers' own names — tickets are personal and checked against photo ID. The full ticket is around €22; your Nasrid Palaces slot is a half-hour window, and missing it means missing the palaces.