A Visit To A Spanish Gem

Are you planning a trip to Spain and wondering if one day is enough for Granada? In November 2019, we embarked on a whirlwind journey through three Spanish cities in three days. Granada was our second stop and the city I was most looking forward to. It did not just meet my expectations; it stole my heart.

From the intricate Moorish architecture to the hauntingly beautiful Alhambra, Granada is a living piece of art. If you want to maximize your experience, here is the exact itinerary we followed to see the best of this historic gem.

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Arriving in Granada

• Via Train or Bus: Granada is well-connected to Spain’s high-speed rail network (AVE). You can reach the city in about 3 hours from Madrid or under 1.5 hours from Málaga. For a budget-friendly alternative, extensive bus routes also serve the region. To compare the best routes and prices, you can book through Busbud here.
• Via Flight: Granada has its own international airport (GRX), located just 15km from the city center. Many travelers also choose to fly into Málaga (AGP), which offers more international connections and is roughly 90 minutes away by bus or train. To find the best deals on airfare to these hubs, search and book your flights here.

Essential Travel Resources for Your Trip

• Over-night Stays: To book a hotel, explore the options available here.
• Stay Connected: Stay connected without worrying about roaming fees. Grab a local eSIM that fits your data needs here:
  • We recommend Airalo for a budget-friendly and basic plan. Get your Airalo eSIM here.
  • Yesim is our top-pick for unlimited data needs. Get your Yesim eSIM here.
• Going Around:
  • Taxis & Private Transfers Secure a reliable, fixed-price ride with professional drivers. Avoid the airport queues by booking in advance. Book your taxi/transfer here.
  • Car Rentals Enjoy the freedom of the open road. Compare the best rates from top brands to find your perfect vehicle here.
  • Public Transport Travel like a local and save money. Skip the station lines by securing your train and bus tickets here.

Plaza de San Nicholas

We started our exploration of Granada with Plaza de San Nicholas, which is a very famous scenic square in Granada. The views of the Plaza were absolutely stunning and we spent some time taking perfect photos of the beautiful surroundings. It offers the most iconic perspective of the Alhambra against the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Palacio de Dar al-Horra

Palacio de Dar al-Horra was a palace built on the orders of Boabdil, a Moorish king, for his mother. The palace was relatively small in size compared to the complexes at Alhambra. However, it was beautiful and the architecture was intricate. The ticket cost 6.43 Euros and we spent nearly 40 minutes at Palacio de Dar al-Horra.

Granada Cathedral

Our next destination to explore was Granada Cathedral. The ticket cost 7 Euros and we spent 90 minutes exploring the cathedral. The architecture was a masterpiece of artistry and we were in awe of the whole cathedral. It was also built on the place of a former mosque, symbolizing the transition from Islam to Christianity in Spain. In the Royal Chapel next to the Cathedral, King Ferdinand, Queen Isabella, their daughter and others are buried. We were able to go into the Chapel and visit the famous tombs.

Pro-tip: Granada Cathedral is a popular tourist attraction. Secure your ticket using the widget below in order to skip the queues.

Universidad De Granada

On our way to our next checkpoint, we came across the building of Universidad De Granada. There was no entrance ticket and it looked extremely beautiful. So, we obviously went inside to have a look at the awesome architecture. We spent barely 10 minutes but found it extremely pleasing to the eyes.

Corral del Carbon

Corral del Carbon used to be a storehouse and point of sale for merchants in the olden days. It also served as residence for travelling merchants. The site had a big openair yard and rooms on all four sides. It looked a lot like a modern day hostel.

Alhambra

Alhambra was our last stop in Granada. The entrance ticket for the whole area cost 21 Euros and we spent around 4.5 hours exploring Alhambra. As soon as we booked the flights to Spain, I knew I had to visit Granada and Alhambra was at the top of my list. Going there at the end was the perfect decision as we got more than enough time to explore the whole complex.

Pro-tip: Alhambra is the heart of Granada and an extremely popular location. Secure your tickets below to skip the long queues.

Alhambra consisted of Alcazaba, Nasrid Palaces and Generalife. Everything about Alhambra was breathtaking. The gardens were spacious and so romantic to walk in. The architecture of the palaces was absolutely stunning and breathtaking. The Court of Lions was even more perfect than what I had imagined. We had a great time exploring Alhambra and would recommend it to everyone.

Final Remarks

Granada was a piece of art. It was mesmerizing and breathtaking. Especially the Alhambra has our hearts to this day. Of all the places we visited, we found Granada to be the most impressive. It is a destination that captures the soul of Spain and we cannot recommend it enough.

Love this itinerary? We’d be happy to build a personalized one just for you! Head over to our Custom-Plans page to get started.

If you are looking for travel essentials, check out our Resources section for hand-picked products that make travel stress-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

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