Home To The Alhambra – One of The World’s Most Spellbinding Sights

A. About Granada

Nickname: Moorish Jewel

Granada is a very compact, walkable, and exceptionally beautiful city. The 11th-century Islamic Alhambra palace and fortress complex with its exquisite ornamental architecture is one of the world’s most spellbinding sights.

The Generalife just next to the Alhambra is an impressive pleasure palace with attached romantic gardens, remarkable both for its location and layout.


The Good:

The city enjoys a fantastic location and weather and happens to be also clean and safe.

Thanks to the Alhambra and a solid overall performance, the Spanish City of Granada finishes high on our list.

The Not-So-Good:

Once you have seen the Alhambra and the Generalife there is not so much left to see.

If you are only coming to Granada for a day or two you should get your tickets for the Alhambra well in advance.


B. Best Things to Do in Granada in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)

In total, we count more than forty-five sights in Granada. The following sights contribute to a score of 6.50/10 in this most important category:

# ALHAMBRA 9 4.6 out of 5 stars

The 11th-century Islamic Alhambra palace and fortress complex with its exquisite ornamental architecture is one of the world’s most spellbinding sights and therefore, with good reason Spain's most visited tourist attraction. 

Palace and Fortress World Heritage Site: Since 1984 Pre-booking always required

Best Things to do in Granada | Best Cities | Granada | ALHAMBRA (palace)

# GENERALIFE 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Positioned on a hill just next to the famous Alhambra, this small summer palace of the Moorish kings of Granada features magnificent, terraced gardens with beautiful fountains, pools, and flowerbeds.

Palace with Gardens World Heritage Site: Since 1984

Best Things to do in Granada | Best Cities | Granada | GENERALIFE (small palace with gardens)

# ALBAYZIN 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Perched on the hill looking down over Granada, the old Arab Quarter of Albayzin is known for its labyrinth of whitewashed houses and narrow cobbled streets.

City District World Heritage Site: Since 1984

Best Things to do in Granada | Best Cities | Granada | AlbayzĂ­n (city district)

# Placeta de San Nicolás (El Mirador) 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

This square in the Albayzin is one of Granada’s most emblematic spots due to its picturesque panoramic view of the Alhambra and the Sierra Nevada.

Square Viewpoint to the Alhambra

Best things to do in Granada | Best Cities | No. 40: Granada | Mirador San Nicolás (viewpoint)

# Cathedral 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Constructed in the 16th century in a unique design, the cathedral of Granada features a striking facade, a spectacular sanctuary, the impressive Royal Chapel, and two magnificent 18th-century organs.

Roman Catholic Cathedral Period: 16th century | Style: Spanish Renaissance

Things to do in Granada | Best Cities | No. 40: Granada | Cathedral

# BasĂ­lica de San Juan de Dios 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Constructed in the 18th century, this breathtaking basilica is famous for its richly decorated golden Baroque interior. An extremely valuable religious monument is the golden altar located in the main chapel.

Roman Catholic Church Period: 18th century | Style: Baroque

Best Cities in the World | No. 40: Granada | Things to do in Granada | BasĂ­lica de San Juan de Dios

by José Luis Filpo Cabana / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Royal Chapel 5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Located next to the Cathedral of Granada with a separate entrance, the Royal Chapel is the burial place of the Spanish monarchs Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand. The Sacristy Museum contains a great collection of paintings including works by Memling and Botticelli.

City District Constructed: between 1505 and 1517

Best Things to do in Granada

by Heparina1985 / CC BY-SA 4.0

# Parque de las Ciencias 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Opened in 1995 this interactive science museum houses seven permanent exhibition pavilions, a planetarium, the so-called BioDome with more than 250 species of animals and plants, the tropical butterfly farm, and an observation tower.

Science Park

Best Cities in the World | No. 40: Granada | Things to do in Granada | Science Park (Parque de las Ciencias)

by Peterfh / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Bib-Rambla square5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Surrounded by 19th Century townhouses and leafy lime trees, Bib-Rambla square is one of Granada’s most attractive plazas. In the center of the is the 17th-century Gigantones Fountain with a statue of Neptune.

Square

Best Things to do in Granada | Best Cities | Granada | Bib-Rambla square

# AlcaicerĂ­a 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

This small historic street in the heart of the city of Granada is home to a colorful Moorish market with souvenir stalls, selling a variety of Arabic craftwork.

Arab Bazar (Souk)

Best Cities in the World | No. 40: Granada | Things to do in Granada | AlcaicerĂ­a (souk)

by Manuel Ramallo / CC BY-SA 3.0

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 sight in the world

9 = world-class  

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent 

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

= World Heritage Site

= Excursion


C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Granada

    • Sacromonte (city district) 5
    • Monastery of Saint Jerome 5
    • Granada Charterhouse 5
    • Calle Navas 4.5
    • Arab Baths Bañuelo4.5
    • Abadia del Sacromonte (Sacromonte Abbey) 4.5

D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Granada

Malaga (city, 124 km from Granada) 6


E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Granada (including close-by excursions)

To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend to you when visiting Granada for at least three entire days:

ALHAMBRA (moorish palace) 9

GENERALIFE (palace with gardens) 6

AlbayzĂ­n (city district) 6

Mirador San Nicolás (viewpoint) 6

Cathedral 5.5

BasĂ­lica de San Juan de Dios (church) 5

Royal chapel 5

Science Park (Parque de las Ciencias)5

Bib-Rambla Square 5

AlcaicerĂ­a (souk) 5