15 Best Day Trips from Granada + Everything You Need to Know

Are you staying in Granada for more than 3 days? Maybe you are on a long trip around Spain, or you live here? If any of these apply to you, you need to go on at least one of these BEST day trips from Granada!

With Granada being a fairly small city, 3 days are more than enough to see it all. Therefore, you should take advantage of your perfect location and take a day trip around the beautiful Andalucian region. Granada’s location is perfect for day trips due to its proximity to mountains and the coast. In other words, when you’re in Granada, the world is your oyster!

Whether you’re on vacation or you live in Granada, this list is perfect for you! Continue reading to discover the 15 best day trips from Granada and all you need to know.

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Best day trips from Granada (Shortest to Longest commute)

1. Jaén City

• Distance from Granada: 1 hour 4 mins by car
• Best Way to Get There: Car or Bus
• Main Reason to Visit: “Olive Oil Capital of the World” and Jaén Cathedral.
• This Day Trip Perfect For: People who love olive oil and want to dive deeper into Spanish culture.

Jaén city is the beautiful capital province of Jaén, in the northern part of Andalucia. Surrounded by endless landscapes of olive groves, Jaen is famous for its INCREDIBLE olive oil – aka, liquid gold. Jaén is recognized as the “Olive Oil Capital of the World” and is a leading oil producer.

Among the olive oil and dreamlike landscapes, Jaén is home to the largest number of castles, fortresses, and spaces in Spain. In this provincial capital, you will find a stunning Renaissance Cathedral, Moorish Baths, the Palace of Cobaleda Nicuesa, and more.

The Jaén Cathedral is an extension of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Renaissance Monumental Ensembles of Úbeda and Baeza. This massive 16th-century cathedral, created by architect Andrea Vandelvira, is a “Paradigm of Renaissance architecture” – making it a must-visit!

If you are an olive oil lover and want the best olive oil from Spain, do NOT miss out on the olive oil tour with tastings!

How to get to Jaen from Granada:

The two ways to get to Jaen from Granada are by car or bus, and both are great options!

Jaén Experiences

Check out these highly-rated experiences in Jaén, and book the one that’s right for you!👇

2. Nerja

• Distance from Granada: 1 hour and 6 minutes by car
• Best Way to Get There: Car or Guided Tour
• Main Reason to Visit: It’s MESMERIZING Waters + the Pre-historic Nerja Caves
• This Day Trip is Perfect For: Families, Beach lovers, and Water-Sport Enthusiasts.

This is a coastal town in the province of Malaga that hosts stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and rich history.

This beautiful town was first inhabited during the early Palaeolithic age – about 25,000 years ago. Its famous Nerja Caves are home to remnants such as prehistoric paintings and objects from that era. Furthermore, the Nerja Caves are home to the world’s longest and largest stalactite. While the prehistoric paintings are not open to the public, the Cuevas de Nerja are nothing short of mesmerizing.

Getting back to Nerja’s water and beaches… I can confirm that visiting (on a day trip) without a bathing suit will cause you the biggest heartbreak. The waters of Nerja are SO crystal clear and blue that you may tear up.

Being a coastal town, there are endless water activities to enjoy – from snorkeling to kayaking, SUPing, and even Parasailing! All the beaches here are free and spacious, meaning you can set up you’re spot wherever you like. The only important thing to note is that many of the beaches are pebble beaches. Therefore, I recommend having water shoes.

Read here to learn how to spend one day in Nerja!

How to get to Nerja from Granada

There are three methods to get to Nerja: by car, bus, or by booking a guided tour. If you do not have a car, the best option is a guided tour that includes transportation – as the bus ride tends to be quite long.

Nerja Experiences

Check out these highly-rated experiences in Nerja, and book the one that’s right for you!👇

3. Frigiliana

• Distance from Granada: 1 hour and 12 minutes by car
• Best Way to Get There: Car or Guided Tour
• Main Reason to Visit: Its beauty
• This Day Trip is Perfect For: People who love BEAUTIFUL hidden gems.

This is one of the most beautiful Pueblo Blancos of Andalucia! Frigiliana has stunning white-painted homes and narrow, cobblestone streets. Located in the mountains, it’s no surprise that a beautiful landscape of flowers and greenery surrounds it.

Something beautiful about this white village is how it honors and appreciates all the three cultures that created it – Christian, Muslim, and Jewish. Every last week of August there is the Tres Culturas festival, to celebrate their three cultures.

This beautiful white village is 15 minutes away from Nerja and is small enough to fully visit in 2 to 3 hours. This is a great spot to briefly visit before or after visiting Nerja.

How to get to Frigiliana from Granada

Similarly to Nerja, the three methods to get to Frigiliana are by car or by booking a guided tour.

Frigiliana Experiences

Check out these highly-rated experiences in Frigiliana, and book the one that’s right for you!👇

4. Antequera

• Distance from Granada: 1 hour and 12 minutes by car
• Best Way to Get There: Car or Bus
• Main Reason to Visit: Dolmens of Antequera and El Torcal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• This Day Trip is Perfect For: Nature lovers, Hikers, and People who love hidden gems.

Antequera, “Ancient City”, is a mesmerizing and picturesque pueblo blanco located in the Malaga province. Due to its central location between Andalucia’s 4 most main cities (Granada, Sevilla, Malaga, Cordoba), Antequera was one of the most important cities in the 16th century. Furthermore, it received the nickname “Heart of Andalusia”.

Aside from its beauty, Antequera is incredibly rich in cultural heritage and historical monuments; some of which date back to the Bronze Age. From the Alcazaba to the Dolmens of Antequera, and the El Torcal de Antequera, there is so much to do and see!

Things to See in Antequera

The Antequera Alcazaba is an urban fortress from the 12th century if not earlier. The Nasrid Dynasty built this fortress for protection against the Christian soldiers, and there’s a good chance it sits over Roman ruins. As it was built for protective purposes, the Alcazaba sits on top of a hill to allow the Moors to oversee Antequera’s surroundings.

The Dolmens of Antequera is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the best examples of European Megaliths. Furthermore, it is one of Europe’s most notable prehistoric archaeological sites. Five monuments that compose this wonder: El Torcal, La Peña de los Enamorados, Menga and Viera Dolmens, and Tholos of El Romeral.

El Torcal de Antequera is a site famous for its entrancing, limestone karstic landscape. Not only is it entrancing, but it is mindblowing! Would you believe me if I told you the formation process of karstic takes more than 100 MILLION YEARS?? You heard that right!

This natural park has a network of public trails, two of which are wheelchair friendly. This means that you are free to enter the park as you like.

Read here to discover all the Best Things to do in Antequera, Spain!

How to get to Antequera from Granada

You can reach Antequera by car or bus. Overall, either option is great as there isn’t too much difference in commuting time.

Antequera Experiences

Check out this highly-rated experience in Antequera that brings you through the Dolmens and El Torcal!👇

5. Soportujar

• Distance from Granada: 1 hour and 13 minutes by car
• Best Way to Get There: Car
• Main Reason to Visit: UNIQUE Witch-themed village in the mountains
• This Day Trip is Perfect For: Families, People who love UNIQUE hidden gems, and anything Witch-themed.

Welcome to the witchiest town of Andalucia! Located in the Alpujarra region, Soportújar is a small and quaint mountain village full of folklore traditions. When walking around this small Pueblo Blanco, you will find endless attractions and statues – one being the chocolate house of Hansel and Gretel.

This is the perfect town to visit during October because what better way to celebrate Halloween than in a witchy village? Should you visit, I highly encourage dressing up or, at least, wearing a witch/wizard hat!

How to get to Soportujar from Granada

You can reach Soportújar by car. Either option is good but each has its pros and cons.

The pro of driving a car is the short commute of an hour and 13 minutes. The con of the car is that you have to drive on a narrow road full of curves as you move up the mountains. T

The pro of the bus is that you don’t have to stress over driving, but the con is that the commute can be between 2 to 3 hours.

6. Úbeda y Baeza

• Distance from Granada: 1 hour and 34 mins (Úbeda) – 1 hour and 26 mins (Baeza)
• Best Way to Get There: Car or Bus
• Main Reason to Visit: Olive Oil
• This Day Trip is Perfect For: Spanish Culture and Medieval Time Lovers, People who love hidden gems.

Welcome to the two cities of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Renaissance Monumental Ensembles of Úbeda and Baeza. Located in the province of Jaén, these two cities are also must-visits for any olive oil lover.

Úbeda, often nicknamed “Florence of Andalucia”, is a beautiful Renaissance city with a rich history. This city was once al-Andalus’ most important city due to its handicrafts and trade. Úbeda has gone through several conquers and reconquers throughout its history, with the last one being from the Catholic Monarchs in the 16th century.

Baeza is Spain’s most BEAUTIFUL Renaissance city and rightfully so! This city has settlements that date back to the 5th millenium BC. Its incredible architectural and cultural splendor, on the other hand, dates back to the 16th century. Personally, this is one of the most beautiful cities I’ve seen!

How to get to Úbeda y Baeza from Granada

You can reach Soportújar by car or bus. Overall, commuting by car is the best option as you save time and are flexible with your plans.

Úbeda y Baeza Experiences

Check out these highly-rated guided tours in Úbeda and Baeza, and book the one that’s right for you!👇

7. Sierra Nevada

• Distance from Granada: 1 hour and 27 minutes by car
• Best Way to Get There: Car or Guided Tour
• Main Reason to Visit: Stunning Mountain Range with the 2nd highest peak in the Iberian Peninsula
• This Day Trip is Perfect For: Nature lovers and Winter-Sport enthusiasts.

Attention nature and mountain lovers!! Sierra Nevada, the second-highest peak in the Iberian Peninsula, is the gorgeous mountain range that hugs Granada. If you love hiking or are a winter sports enthusiast, this is simply a must-visit!

How to get to Sierra Nevada from Granada

The best way to get to Sierra Nevada is with a car, or by booking a guided tour.

Sierra Nevada Experiences

Check out these highly-rated experiences in Sierra Nevada, and book the one that’s right for you!👇

8. Malaga

• Distance from Granada: 1 hour and 33 minutes by car
• Best Way to Get There: Car or Bus
• Main Reason to Visit: Nightlife, Architecture, Art Museums (Picasso’s birthplace)
• This Day Trip is Perfect For: Art and Culture lovers, as well as beach lovers!

Does this city need an introduction?😍 The second largest city of Andalucia, Malaga is a beautiful city located in the Costa del Sol, known for its warm climate, beaches, and vibrant cultural scene.

For art lovers, Malaga is the birthplace of none other than Pablo Picasso – making it a must-visit for its museums!

Most impressively… Malaga is one of the oldest cities in the WORLD, with evidence of settlements dating to the 8th century BCE. Being such an old city, here you will find several important sites – including the Alcazaba and the Teatro Romano de Málaga.

It is important to note that, despite its “age”, Malaga is a very modern city – offering the best of both worlds between the city and historic life.

How to get to Malaga from Granada

Three ways to get to Malaga are by car, train, or bus. With Malaga being a large touristy city, grabbing a bus is easily the best option – price-wise, and travel-wise (no changes). Avoid the train as it’s more expensive and way less convenient as there are no direct trains.

Malaga Experiences

Check out these highly-rated experiences in Malaga, and book the one that’s right for you!👇

9. Almería

• Distance from Granada: 1 hour and 47 minutes
• Best Way to Get There: Car or Bus
• Main Reason to Visit: Geoda of Pulpí – the world’s largest (known) gypsum crystal that you can walk into.
• This Day Trip is Perfect For: Adventurers who love unique hidden gems.

Known for its mesmerizing untamed beaches, this coastal city offers a vibrant food scene, outdoor activities, landmarks, and more!

Almería was founded in 955 by the Moors, but has evidence of prehistoric culture dating back to the Age of Bronze! Some historic sites include the Catedral de Almería, Alcazaba, the Muralla de Jayrán, and the Los Millares archeological site. The Los Millares archeological site dates back to the Copper Age, making it one of the most important in the Iberian Peninsula.

One incredible and unique must-see of Almeria is the Geoda of Pulpí – the world’s largest known gypsum crystal. The Geoda of Pulpí is a gem you can WALK through, so make sure to reserve your spot far in advance as it’s a highly beloved activity!

How to get to Almeria from Granada

The two ways to get to Almeria are by car or by bus – both being great options!

Almeria Experiences

Check out these highly-rated experiences in Almeria, and book the one that’s right for you!👇

10. Caminito del Rey

• Distance from Granada: 2 hours and 10 minutes by Car
• Best Way to Get There: Car, Bus, or Guided Tour
• Main Reason to Visit: Once the world’s most dangerous path, with STUNNING views.
• This Day Trip is Perfect For: Adventure lovers looking for a thrill and an unforgettable experience.

Once known as the world’s most hazardous footpath, this 8km (5 miles) path is not for the faint of heart. The Caminito del Rey is an aerial path from the 20th century that is “suspended 100 meters up against the walls of the gorge“. The path is linear and can take around 3 to 4 hours to complete.

Learn Everything to Know before Visiting and get answers to 11 Burning Questions

This “little walk” is famous for its entrancing views as it passes through large valleys and canyons, and looks over a beautiful body of water. This is the perfect activity for people who love mesmerizing views, unique experiences, and most of all… a good thrill!

How to get to Caminito del Rey from Granada

The best way to get to Caminito del Rey from Granada is by car or guided tour! There is also the option for train and bus, but both are much longer commutes and expensive. Check out the guided tour below that brings you from Granada to Caminito del Rey, or simply get the Caminito del Rey tickets.👇

Caminito del Rey Experiences: Tours and Entry Tickets

Check out these highly-rated experiences in Caminito del Rey, and book the one that’s right for you!👇

11. Cordoba

• Distance from Granada: 2 hours and 14 minutes by car
• Best Way to Get There: Car, Bus, or Guided Tour
• Main Reason to Visit: Only city in the world with 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• This Day Trip is Perfect For: History and Architecture lovers.

Once the world’s largest city housing 1 million residents, Córdoba is incredibly rich in history. Regardless of its status in the 10th century, this is a fairly small city that can be seen in one day – making it the perfect day trip.

Córdoba is the only city in the world to host 4 world cultural heritage sites: La Mezquita Mosque and Cathedral, its historic City Center, Cordoba Patios, and the ruins of the ancient Palace Town of Medina Azahara.

Read here to learn how to spend one day in Cordoba, along with all of its must-sees – from La Mezquita to the Cordoba Patios and Roman Bridge.

Tip: A famous sight in Cordoba is the Alcazar of the Christian Monarchs, definitely feel free to skip out on this if you’ve seen Alhambra.

How to get to Cordoba from Granada

There are four methods to get to Cordoba: by car, bus, train, or guided tour. Depending on what you are looking to get out of your time here, I recommend the train or guided tour!

Cordoba Experiences

Check out these highly-rated experiences in Cordoba, and book the one that’s right for you!👇

12. Setenil de las Bodegas

• Distance from Granada: 2 hours and 7 minutes by car
• Best Way to Get There: Car
• Main Reason to Visit: Beautiful Pueblo Blanco built into rocks – there’s nothing quite like it!
• This Day Trip is Perfect For: People who love unique hidden gems.

This beautiful Pueblo Blanco has people living under a rock… literally. Setenil de las Bodegas is famous for its unique architecture, with many of its houses and buildings built into the rocks and cliffs of the surrounding mountains. This gorgeous white village is a 21-minute car ride away from Ronda and is small enough to visit in a few hours!

How to get to Setenil de las Bodegas from Granada

The only way to get here is by car. I highly recommend renting a car – but if that’s not doable, you can take the bus to Ronda and then use a taxi to get to Setenil de las Bodegas.

13. Ronda

• Distance from Granada: 2 hours and 14 minutes by car
• Best Way to Get There: Car or Bus
• Main Reason to Visit: One of Andalucia’s oldest towns.
• This Day Trip is Perfect For: People who love hidden and historic gems.

Ronda is known as one of the most spectacular pueblos blancos and is famous for its iconic bridge, Puente Nuevo.

Dating back to the 6th century, this is one of the oldest towns of Andalucia.

Puente Nuevo, “New Bridge”, was completed in 1793 and is a 120-meters deep (390 ft) bridge that connects the old part of the city to the new part.

An additional interesting fact is that Ronda is home to bullfighting and one of the oldest and most beautiful/majestic bullfighting rings in all of Spain.

How to get to Ronda from Granada

There are two ways to get here, by car or by bus. Due to its proximity to other beautiful villages, I highly recommend renting a car! Otherwise, a bus will provide a smooth ride and you’ll have the option to get a taxi to another village.

Ronda Experiences

Check out these highly-rated Audio Guide walking tour that takes you through the beautiful Ronda, and book it if it’s the right fit!👇

14. Zahara de la Sierra

• Distance from Granada: 2 hours and 24 minutes by car
• Best Way to Get There: Car
• Main Reason to Visit: One of Andalucia’s most beautiful Pueblos Blancos
• This Day Trip is Perfect For: People who love historic hidden gems and nature

Welcome to one of Andalusia’s most beautiful Pueblos Blancos! This village sits on top of a steep, rocky peak in the Cádiz region, surrounded by a reservoir with turquoise waters and extraordinary landscapes.

One of the most incredible things to do is head to the Castle of Zahara de la Sierra, which sits at the highest point of the peak and above the village. This 13th-century Moorish castle, built to protect from Christian invaders, offers the most BREATHTAKING views of the surroundings of Zahara de la Sierra.

How to get to Zahara de la Sierra from Granada

The only proper way to get to Zahara de la Sierra is by car.

15. Júzcar (Pueblo Pitufo)

• Distance from Granada: 2 hours and 34 minutes by car
• Best Way to Get There: Car
• Main Reason to Visit: Little village that is Smurfs themed and is COMPLETELY blue.
• This Day Trip is Perfect For: Families, Smurf Fans, Hikers, and People who love unique hidden gems.

31 minutes away from Ronda, is the world’s only real-life Smurfs village! Yes, you read that correctly.

Júzcar (aka Aldea Azul) was a Pueblo Blanco up until 2011 when Sony ES had the whole village painted blue as a PR move for the new Smurfs movie. Not only is the village completely blue, but there are endless drawings/graffiti, and Smurfs statues sitting around the town.

As of 2018, the population was 225 – making me believe there are more smurfs in the village than people. Due to the small size, 2 hours in this village will be more than enough to visit – unless you’re planning to go hiking!

If you are a Smurf lover, are traveling with kids, lover of blue, or are a hiker – don’t miss out on this unique hidden gem!

How to get to Júzcar from Granada

Similarly to Setenil de las Bodegas, this hidden gem can only be reached by car. If you’re unable to rent a car, take a bus to Ronda and then a taxi to reach Júzcar.

Last Tips or Recommendations

If you have already visited Seville, that can also be a great day trip from Granada as it’s 2 hours away. I did not include it in the list because Sevilla is a place that should be visited for a minimum of 2, even 3, days.

Want more help with your Andalusia travels? Check out my services!

One of the main reasons I became I travel blogger is my love and passion for helping others experience the best of their destination. I offer three services on Thatch: Customized Itineraries, Customized Recommendations, and Consultation Calls.

If you want extra help on your Granada and Andalusia travels, check out my Thatch page and book my services!

Read More About Granada

• The 27 BEST Things to Do in Granada | Local’s Guide
• 2 Days in Granada, Spain: The Ultimate Itinerary
• 16 ESSENTIAL Tips for Visiting the Alhambra
• The Best Gluten Free Restaurants in Granada
• 8 Best Flamenco Shows in Granada: All You Need to Know
• When is the Best Time to Visit Granada? The Ultimate Guide
• The Ultimate Guide to Granada’s Hidden Gems

I have to ask…

Which of these day trips are you most tempted to take?😍

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Want to learn more about what to do in Granada? Here are 27 of the best things to do when visiting!

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