The Perfect 3 Day Granada Itinerary

Posted: 4/13/2023 | April 13th, 2023 In this guest post, travel expert Somto from Somto Seeks shares her suggested itinerary for Granada, one of Spain’s most beautiful and enchanting cities. When you think of Granada, Spain chances are that one attraction comes to mind: La Alhambra. But this sprawling 14th-century palace — one of the finest examples of Moorish architecture — only scratches the surface of what Granada has to offer. A melting pot of the Muslim, Jewish, and Christian cultures that have built modern Spain, this city often feels like Morocco in some parts — until you run into a grand cathedral. One thing that is consistent, however, is its soulful, romantic aura that seems to permeate everything, from the street markets to the tapas bars. I’ve visited Granada twice, spending almost a month during my second stay. Each time, I visited La Alhambra but also discovered new parts of town, falling more in love with the flamenco culture and the narrow streets. While it is a smaller, quieter city, with a slower pace of life than the bustling metropolises of Madrid and Barcelona, there are distinct neighborhoods and unique attractions that will take up plenty of your time. I could easily have spent another month exploring them! But just three days of meandering through the Arab Quarter, watching spontaneous flamenco street performances, and gorging on free tapas will leave you with no doubt that Granada might just be the top destination in Spain. Use this itinerary as a starting point to put together one that fits you and your interests.  Day 1: The Arab Quarter and Historic Center Start off your adventure in Granada with a tour of the historic center, where a handful of the city’s most iconic monuments, plazas, and streets are located. It’s a wide area encompassing the Arab Quarter, also known as the Albaicín, and some prominent public institutions and plazas. Here are some of my favorite things to do: Visit Corral del CarbónThis 14th-century building is the only preserved alhóndiga, or corn exchange, on the Iberian Peninsula from the period of Muslim rule. It functioned as a marketplace for goods like wheat, a storehouse, and lodging for merchants coming from outside of town. Due to its historical importance, Corral del Carbón was declared a National Monument by the city of Granada. You can visit on a guided tour. Walk the Streets of the AlcaiceríaWalking around the Alcaicería feels like you’ve been transported to Morocco. Decorated with lamps and dating back to the 15th century, it’s a narrow market street in the heart of Granada whose shops are filled with everything from ceramics to leather goods. The merchants who stayed at Corral del Carbón back in the day came here to sell their goods. Today, you can find some unique souvenirs here and bargain with the sellers to get the best price. Admire the architecture at the Granada CathedralThe Granada Cathedral is a Renaissance- and Baroque-style church that was built in the 16th century on the site of the Great Mosque after the reconquest of Spain by the Catholic Kings. What really makes this church special is the ornately decorated, gold-lined altar — it’s a sight to behold. Relax at Plaza Bib-RamblaAfter walking around the historic center for a few hours, make a stop at the Plaza Bib-Rambla, arguably the most beautiful square in town. This is a great spot to sit, have a cup of coffee, and take in the atmosphere. There is a massive fountain in the center called The Mountain of the Giants, surrounded by various shops and cafés. Indulge in free tapas and Andalusian cuisineTapas (akin to appetizers or snacks) originated in Andalusia, the province where Granada is located. As such, the tapas culture is alive and well here. Traditionally, restaurants and bars serve tapas as an appetizer, and they are normally free. You will likely find these at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant or neighborhood bar, the way it was always meant to be. But if you want to sample a variety, you can also go on a guided tapas tour. Beyond tapas, there are several famous dishes from Andalusia that are worth trying. Native to Granada is the Sacromonte omelette, made with lamb or calf brains and testicles — suitable for adventurous eaters. A dish that anyone can try would be plato alpujarreño, a traditional plate consisting of jamón serrano (cured ham), morcilla (blood sausage), potatoes, eggs, and peppers. Lastly, we have the traditional Andalusian gazpacho, a cold tomato soup. I will admit that I’m not a fan of cold soup, but I can see how gazpacho would be refreshing on a hot summer day.  Day 2: La Alhambra, Generalife, and Sacromonte Take a guided tour of La AlhambraLa Alhambra is the symbol of Granada. The name translates to “red fort” in Arabic, a reference to the reddish tones of the edifices. The Emir of Granada commissioned the construction of this sprawling palace and fortress in the mid-13th century to serve as the residence for the Moorish Nasrid

The Perfect 3 Day Granada Itinerary